22-10A-5 governs background checks for all licensed school employees, including contracted employees (i.e., instructional support providers).
All personnel required to hold NMPED licensure must have an appropriately cleared background submitted with the NMPED ORI # NM920140Z before entering the virtual and/or in-person classroom. Fingerprint Biometric Device
THE SCHOOL EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND REPORT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF THE REQUIRED TEACHER LICENSURE BACKGROUND REPORT FOR THE NMPED. Employers are responsible for the School Employment background fees. Licensure Applicants are only responsible for the NMPED Licensure background fees.
An applicant for initial licensure and a licensee applying to reinstate expired licensure with an expired background must be fingerprinted to obtain the applicant’s current Federal Bureau of Investigation record. Each LICENSURE background report is valid for 24 months and covers only current licenses after that time. A new background check must be completed if the background expires before the license is procured. An application must be submitted online with a LICENSURE background check to be entered into the online licensure system. Applications cannot be reviewed for issuing until the background requirement is satisfied. Staff required to hold an NMPED License must have on file a valid LICENSURE background check that the NMPED has appropriately cleared to work in the K-12 setting in any capacity. The Licensee may request a copy of their NMPED background report during the 24 months.
Beginning May 1, 2023 All applicants will need to register with IdentoGO at CLICK HERE
Click here for Printer friendly instructions (In-State Registration) List of Acceptable Identification
Click here to download Fingerprint Cards Click here for Printer friendly instructions (Out-of-State/Out-of-the-Country Registration)
Frequently Asked Questions can be found HERE
NOTE: When registering with IdentGO, you must select ORI# NM920140Z , regardless of the type of license you are seeking. Failure to do so will result in a loss of your background check fee and a delay in the processing of your application. Applications will not be processed without a criminal background check done with “ORI# NM920140Z.”
To request a copy of your background check, please email StephanieJ.Lujan@ped.nm.gov .
NOTE: You must have a cleared background for Teacher Licensure to be eligible for a copy of your background.
NMPED Background does not accept completed backgrounds from other states or agencies.
Finger Impression The NMPED Office of the General Counsel is a team of professionals that will assist in educator license complaints.