In New Mexico, the license families see for assisted living is "Assisted Living Facility (ALF)", issued by the New Mexico Health Care Authority, Division of Health Improvement. A physical exam report from a primary care physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, done within the past six months, must be in the resident's record within 10 days of admission. The facility must give a resident 15 calendar days' written notice before a discharge, unless there is immediate danger to self or others in the facility.
Key facts
- The median monthly cost of assisted living in New Mexico was $5,950 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $71,400 a year, $250 below the national median of $6,200 a month. (CareScout, 2026)
- New Mexico's Turquoise Care Medicaid program can pay for assisted living services through its Agency-Based Community Benefit for members who meet a nursing facility level of care. (8.308.12 NMAC, 2025)
- New Mexico's assisted living rule does not list a TB test or TB screening for residents or staff. (8.370.14 NMAC, 2025)
- Only people licensed or certified by the state board of nursing may administer medications, while other trained staff may help residents who take their own medicines. (8.370.14 NMAC, 2025)
- A registered nurse, physician assistant or nurse practitioner must assess a resident within 15 days before admission to a memory care unit, and the record must include a primary care provider's dementia diagnosis. (8.370.14 NMAC, 2025)
New Mexico licenses assisted living facilities for adults, meaning any facility that cares for two or more adults who need help with daily living. The Health Care Authority licenses and surveys them under 8.370.14 NMAC (a rewrite effective December 23, 2025; formerly 7.8.2 NMAC), which also sets added rules for memory care units.
Rules change and communities can set stricter policies. Before you sign, confirm the details with the community and the New Mexico Health Care Authority, Division of Health Improvement. This page is general information, not legal advice.
The rules at a glance
| Medical assessment before move-in | A physical exam report from a primary care physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, done within the past six months, must be in the resident's record within 10 days of admission. The facility must also complete a resident assessment within 15 days before admission and an individual service plan within 10 calendar days after. [3] More on this |
|---|---|
| TB test | New Mexico's assisted living rule does not list a TB test or TB screening for residents or staff. It does require infection control training for direct care staff. [3] More on this |
| Notice before a move-out | The facility must give a resident 15 calendar days' written notice before a discharge, unless there is immediate danger to self or others in the facility. The admission agreement may end for nonpayment, the facility closing or being unable to provide services, or improved health, and without prior notice in emergencies. [3] More on this |
| Who may give medications | Only people licensed or certified by the state board of nursing may administer medications, while other trained staff may help residents who take their own medicines. Unlicensed staff may assist with injectable medicines, such as insulin pens, only with written medical orders, written consent and specific training. [3] More on this |
| Memory care and dementia | A registered nurse, physician assistant or nurse practitioner must assess a resident within 15 days before admission to a memory care unit, and the record must include a primary care provider's dementia diagnosis. A facility with a secured area must tell residents before admission, and direct care staff need state dementia training within 60 days of hire. [3][4] |
| Long-term care ombudsman | New Mexico's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, part of the Aging and Long-Term Services Department, advocates for residents of assisted living facilities and nursing homes and can be reached toll-free at 1-866-451-2901. [5] Official page More on this |
| Medicaid help | New Mexico's Turquoise Care Medicaid program can pay for assisted living services through its Agency-Based Community Benefit for members who meet a nursing facility level of care. Coverage does not include the cost of room or board, and the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-800-432-2080 can help families find services. [6][7] Official page More on this |
What assisted living costs in New Mexico
The median monthly cost of assisted living in New Mexico was $5,950 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $71,400 a year, $250 below the national median of $6,200 a month. [8]
A median is the middle of the rates communities reported, so many charge more or less. Rates differ between regions and by the care a resident needs, so ask each community for its full fee list in writing. More: assisted living costs in every state, a monthly budget and the costs that aren't in the base rate.
How to check a community in New Mexico
The Health Care Authority's Health Care Provider Search lets families find licensed assisted living facilities by county, city or name. Each facility must also post its most recent survey inspection reports in a public place. Search New Mexico's records. [2][3]
The licensing agency: New Mexico Health Care Authority, Division of Health Improvement. [1][3] Our guide on how to read an inspection report explains what to look for.
Put New Mexico's paperwork on a date
Parent Move Plan counts every task back from the move-in day, including the medical assessment and TB screening the community will ask for, so nothing lands in the last week.
Get your first 3 days freeFrequently asked questions
How much does assisted living cost in New Mexico?
The median monthly cost of assisted living in New Mexico was $5,950 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $71,400 a year, $250 below the national median of $6,200 a month. A median is the middle of the rates communities reported, so many charge more or less, and rates differ between regions and by the care a resident needs.
What medical assessment does New Mexico require before moving into assisted living?
A physical exam report from a primary care physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, done within the past six months, must be in the resident's record within 10 days of admission. The facility must also complete a resident assessment within 15 days before admission and an individual service plan within 10 calendar days after.
Does New Mexico require a TB test for assisted living?
New Mexico's assisted living rule does not list a TB test or TB screening for residents or staff. It does require infection control training for direct care staff.
How much notice must an assisted living community in New Mexico give before a move-out?
The facility must give a resident 15 calendar days' written notice before a discharge, unless there is immediate danger to self or others in the facility. The admission agreement may end for nonpayment, the facility closing or being unable to provide services, or improved health, and without prior notice in emergencies.
Who can give medications in assisted living in New Mexico?
Only people licensed or certified by the state board of nursing may administer medications, while other trained staff may help residents who take their own medicines. Unlicensed staff may assist with injectable medicines, such as insulin pens, only with written medical orders, written consent and specific training.
Who can help with a complaint about assisted living in New Mexico?
New Mexico's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, part of the Aging and Long-Term Services Department, advocates for residents of assisted living facilities and nursing homes and can be reached toll-free at 1-866-451-2901.
Does Medicaid pay for assisted living in New Mexico?
New Mexico's Turquoise Care Medicaid program can pay for assisted living services through its Agency-Based Community Benefit for members who meet a nursing facility level of care. Coverage does not include the cost of room or board, and the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-800-432-2080 can help families find services.
Sources
- New Mexico Health Care Authority, Division of Health Improvement: DHI Regulations (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- New Mexico Health Care Authority: Health Care Provider Search (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- 8.370.14 NMAC, Assisted Living Facilities for Adults, sections 11, 17, 20, 21, 25, 34, 36 and 70 (New Mexico Register, Vol. XXXVI, Issue 24, effective 12/23/2025), 2025 (checked October 22, 2026)
- 8.370.11 NMAC, Long-Term Care Facility Dementia Training, sections 8 and 9 (New Mexico State Records Center and Archives), 2024 (checked October 22, 2026)
- New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department: Ombudsman Advocacy (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- 8.308.12 NMAC, Managed Care Program, Community Benefit, sections 12 and 13 (New Mexico Register, Vol. XXXVI, Issue 20, effective 11/1/2025), 2025 (checked October 22, 2026)
- New Mexico Health Care Authority: What is the Turquoise Care Community Benefit? FAQ brochure, MAD 792 (revised 7/01/2025), 2025 (checked October 22, 2026)
- CareScout: Cost of Care Survey 2025, Ranked Median Costs by State (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)