Due to the public health emergency declared by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in Executive Order 2020-004, and to the cancellation of continuing education (CE) opportunities, the New Mexico Real Estate Commission will implement the following procedures through the Regulation and Licensing Department, Boards and Commissions staff:
Boards and Commissions Process and Procedures
- Concerns related to COVID-19 regarding renewals or continuing education deadlines that are codified in a rule or statute, must be communicated in writing to the appropriate board or commission through the process listed below.
- The Boards and Commissions staff shall track all questions and concerns regarding licensure, related to COVID-19.
- The Boards and Commissions staff will communicate these questions and concerns to each appropriate board or commission as they are received.
- Therefore, all requests for exceptions to application or licensure requirements related to COVID-19 must be submitted to the appropriate board or commission in writing.
- Communications must be sent to the appropriate board administrator, secretary, or director email address on the attached list, or via U. S. Mail to the mailing address above.
- Individual board or commission websites are located at the following internet link: http://www.rld.state.nm.us/boards/
- All correspondence must contain the name, address, phone number of the applicant or licensee, and license number, if any, of the licensee.
- Callers with questions or concerns related to COVID-19 or requesting an exception to any licensure requirements due to COVID-19 concerns, will be directed to send their concerns in writing to the appropriate board or commission email address, to ensure that all matters are properly tracked and submitted to the appropriate board or commission.
- The Boards and Commissions staff have no authority to make any exceptions to board or commission requirements on behalf of the board or commission. Boards and Commissions staff will communicate all written concerns to the appropriate board or commission.
- The appropriate board or commission will address all concerns on a case by case basis at its next board or commission meeting.
- All follow-up questions must also be submitted in writing.
- All board or commission meetings must comply with the Open Meetings Act, NMSA 1978, Sections 10-15-1 to 10-15-4.
- Decisions to schedule, postpone or reschedule board or commission meetings during the pendency of Executive Order 2020-004 shall be made only by the board or commission chair. Boards and Commissions staff cannot make a decision to schedule, postpone or reschedule open meetings.
- If a board or commission decides to proceed with an in-person meeting because it has time sensitive matters to attend to, all efforts must be made to accommodate the public either via a webcast where members of the public may listen and comment live. If a board decides to proceed with a virtual meeting because it has time sensitive matters to attend to, it may do so only after making arrangements for members of the public to attend in person, or via webcast.
- Please find a copy of Executive Order 2020-004 at the following Internet link: http://cv.nmhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Executive-Order-2020-004.pdf
- The Department of Economic Security has issued the following guidance related to small businesses and the COVID-19 health emergency: https://gonm.biz/about-us/covid-19-response
- For the latest updates on COVID-19, please check the Department of Health website at the following Internet link: https://cv.nmhealth.org/
Renewal Process and Procedures
- Boards and Commissions staff will process renewals without the proof of continuing CE credit needed for renewal during the pendency of the public health emergency instituted by Executive Order 2020-004.
- Licensees submitting renewals without the sufficient CE credits will be required to give notice to the commission through the notice procedures established by the Public Email Noticed on March 17, 2020.
- If all other license renewal requirements are met, licenses will be renewed without proof of CE credits.
- When the public health emergency is lifted, Boards and Commissions staff will send out a notice to licensees stating that the licensee has three (3) months to submit their proof of CE or be subject to discipline by the Commission.
Suspension of Fingerprint Submission for License Renewal
- Temporary suspension of the statutorily required fingerprint submission will be granted only on a case-by-case basis by the Commission.
- All requests for temporary suspension of submission of fingerprint cards shall be made in writing to the Commission at the following email address: RLDRealEstate.Comsn@state.nm.us or to via U.S. Mail to the address listed.
- All requests will be reviewed for approval by the Commission Chair. The renewal applicant will receive written approval or denial from the Commission Chair.
- Licensee must acknowledge in writing, the receipt of the approval or denial. Denials will not be subject to review by any other entity.
- Criteria for review and the approval of temporary suspension shall be based upon all or one of the following:
a. medical exception, health, and safety of the renewal applicant;
b. potential for economic harm to the applicant;
c. physical location of the renewal applicant;
d. lack of resources for travel to open location; and
e. health and safety-related to community spread etc. - After the renewal applicants written request is approved in writing, if all other license renewal requirements are met, the license will be renewed without the required fingerprint submission.
- When the public health emergency is lifted, Boards and Commissions staff will send out a notice to licensees stating that the licensee has one (1) month from the date the emergency is lifted, to submit their fingerprints to the Commission or be subject to disciplinary action.
For initial (first time) applicants, the requirement to submit fingerprints pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 61-29-4.4 will NOT be suspended during the public health emergency. The Boards and Commissions staff will work with the Department of Public Safety and other public and private agencies to communicate with applicants regarding where fingerprinting may still available. Initial applicants must follow the procedures in the Boards and Commissions public notice regarding COVID-19 dated March 16, 2020.
Read the public notice here.
New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Toney Anaya Building ▪ 2550 Cerrillos Road ▪ Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504
Information (505) 476-4500 ▪ Direct (505) 476-4508 ▪ Fax (505) 476-4511
