Starting residency · NM
Starting residency in New Mexico
New Mexico requires residents to hold a training license from the New Mexico Medical Board: the Postgraduate Training License. New Mexico has a graduated income tax (top rate 5.9% above $210,000 for 2026).
Training license
- Status
- Training license required
- Called
- Postgraduate Training License
- Fee
- $10, plus criminal history screening fees
- Renewal
- Valid up to 1 year; renewable for up to 8 years or until residency ends
Who applies: Resident, online; residents at the University of New Mexico apply through its GME office, which reviews applications before sending them to the board.
Board rule requires the license for all interns, residents and fellows in board-approved New Mexico programs. Moonlighting requires a separate Public Service License ($50 a year), available after one year of training with the program director's written approval. Applicants need USMLE Step 1 or COMLEX Level 1.
Full license: After 2 years of postgraduate training, or board approval of equivalent experience (MD or DO). A full license matters if you plan to moonlight.
Source: New Mexico Medical Board
State income tax
Graduated income tax: top rate 5.9% above $210,000 for 2026.
Source: taxfoundation.org
Match Day to your first loan payment
Assumes you enroll in RAP or IBR when the grace period ends, recertify once a year, and file each tax return by April. Your servicer's dates govern.
Mid-March
Match Day
You learn where you'll train. Your program sends its residency (GME) agreement and onboarding steps.
March–April
New Mexico training license
Apply for your New Mexico training license as soon as your program sends instructions. Applications often need school records and background checks that take weeks.
April–June
Credentialing and onboarding
Hospital credentialing, health screening, payroll and benefits forms, and a DEA registration if your program requires one.
Late June–July 1
Move and start
Intern orientation usually starts in the last week of June. When the first paycheck arrives depends on the hospital's payroll schedule, so budget for a few weeks of moving costs without one.
About 6 months after graduation
Federal loan grace period ends
Payments start 6 months after you leave school. Choose a plan before then, or request residency forbearance, during which interest accrues and months don't count toward PSLF.
First year of payments
Payments use last year's income
RAP and IBR use the adjusted gross income on your most recent tax return, which for most new residents is a student year. Payments rise after you recertify with a resident's income.
The osteopathic board merged into the New Mexico Medical Board in July 2021, so DO residents apply to the Medical Board.
Related
- Compare RAP, IBR and Tiered Standard on a resident's income
- New Mexico physician non-compete law, for when you sign your first attending contract
- All states
General information, checked on the date above. Board requirements and fees change; confirm with the New Mexico Medical Boardand your program before you apply.