New Mexico Childcare Licensing
New Mexico Childcare Immunization Requirements (2026)
Children enrolled in a licensed New Mexico childcare center must show proof of age-appropriate immunization. New Mexico requires documentation for 10 vaccine series, with limited medical and legally permitted exemptions.
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamNew Mexico Immunization Requirements: The Specifics
New Mexico childcare licensing requires age-appropriate DTaP/DT/Td (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) — required series (4 doses sufficient if 4th dose given on/after 4th birthday with 6-month gap; 5 doses optimal) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).
New Mexico childcare licensing requires age-appropriate IPV (Polio) — required series; only IPV is valid for the polio requirement immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).
New Mexico childcare licensing requires age-appropriate MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) — required; doses given <12 months are invalid and must be repeated; required 2nd dose should be given on/after 4th birthday immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).
New Mexico childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) — required for CYFD/ECECD-regulated child care and pre-school populations (7.5.2.9.H NMAC) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).
New Mexico childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Hepatitis B (HepB) — 3-dose series (2 doses of adult Recombivax HB acceptable per schedule) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).
New Mexico childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13/PCV15/PCV20) — required; no doses required at 60+ months immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).
New Mexico childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Varicella (chickenpox, VAR) — required; doses given <12 months invalid; 2 doses with min 3-month interval for ages 1-12 immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).
New Mexico childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Hepatitis A (HepA) — required for CYFD/ECECD-regulated child care/pre-school (7.5.2.9.K NMAC); 1st dose required at 15 months, 2nd dose required at 48 months (>6-month interval) immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).
New Mexico childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Influenza (recommended every year, 6 months and older) and COVID-19 (recommended 6 months-18 years) are NOT required for child care entry immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).
New Mexico childcare licensing requires age-appropriate Only medical or religious exemptions are permitted (NMSA 1978 § 24-5-3; 7.5.3.8 NMAC — 'Requirements for Approval of Exemptions from Immunization'); no philosophical/personal exemption. Documented on a Public Health Division-approved Certificate of Exemption; up to 30-day grace period for foster, homeless, or at-risk children per 8.16.2.22(E)(1)(e) NMAC immunization for enrolled children (subject to documented medical or legally permitted exemptions).
New Mexico Immunization Requirements Checklist
- DTaP/DT/Td (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) — required series (4 doses sufficient if 4th dose given on/after 4th birthday with 6-month gap; 5 doses optimal)
- IPV (Polio) — required series; only IPV is valid for the polio requirement
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) — required; doses given <12 months are invalid and must be repeated; required 2nd dose should be given on/after 4th birthday
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) — required for CYFD/ECECD-regulated child care and pre-school populations (7.5.2.9.H NMAC)
- Hepatitis B (HepB) — 3-dose series (2 doses of adult Recombivax HB acceptable per schedule)
- Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13/PCV15/PCV20) — required; no doses required at 60+ months
- Varicella (chickenpox, VAR) — required; doses given <12 months invalid; 2 doses with min 3-month interval for ages 1-12
- Hepatitis A (HepA) — required for CYFD/ECECD-regulated child care/pre-school (7.5.2.9.K NMAC); 1st dose required at 15 months, 2nd dose required at 48 months (>6-month interval)
- Influenza (recommended every year, 6 months and older) and COVID-19 (recommended 6 months-18 years) are NOT required for child care entry
- Only medical or religious exemptions are permitted (NMSA 1978 § 24-5-3; 7.5.3.8 NMAC — 'Requirements for Approval of Exemptions from Immunization'); no philosophical/personal exemption. Documented on a Public Health Division-approved Certificate of Exemption; up to 30-day grace period for foster, homeless, or at-risk children per 8.16.2.22(E)(1)(e) NMAC
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New Mexico Immunization Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
Which vaccines does New Mexico require for childcare enrollment?
New Mexico requires age-appropriate immunization records for: DTaP/DT/Td (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) — required series (4 doses sufficient if 4th dose given on/after 4th birthday with 6-month gap; 5 doses optimal), IPV (Polio) — required series; only IPV is valid for the polio requirement, MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) — required; doses given <12 months are invalid and must be repeated; required 2nd dose should be given on/after 4th birthday, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) — required for CYFD/ECECD-regulated child care and pre-school populations (7.5.2.9.H NMAC), Hepatitis B (HepB) — 3-dose series (2 doses of adult Recombivax HB acceptable per schedule), Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13/PCV15/PCV20) — required; no doses required at 60+ months, Varicella (chickenpox, VAR) — required; doses given <12 months invalid; 2 doses with min 3-month interval for ages 1-12, Hepatitis A (HepA) — required for CYFD/ECECD-regulated child care/pre-school (7.5.2.9.K NMAC); 1st dose required at 15 months, 2nd dose required at 48 months (>6-month interval), Influenza (recommended every year, 6 months and older) and COVID-19 (recommended 6 months-18 years) are NOT required for child care entry, Only medical or religious exemptions are permitted (NMSA 1978 § 24-5-3; 7.5.3.8 NMAC — 'Requirements for Approval of Exemptions from Immunization'); no philosophical/personal exemption. Documented on a Public Health Division-approved Certificate of Exemption; up to 30-day grace period for foster, homeless, or at-risk children per 8.16.2.22(E)(1)(e) NMAC.
Are immunization exemptions allowed in New Mexico?
New Mexico permits documented medical exemptions and, where state law allows, certain non-medical exemptions. Confirm the current exemption rules with the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD), Child Care Services Bureau - Regulatory Oversight Unit. Note: The administrative rule text (8.16.2 NMAC) still names "Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)" as the issuing agency at 8.16.2.1 NMAC because it was last amended 1/1/2022; statutory authority for child care licensing transferred to ECECD effective 2020..
When must immunization records be on file in New Mexico?
New Mexico requires up-to-date immunization documentation at enrollment, with records kept current in each child's file thereafter.
New Mexico childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published New Mexico administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD), Child Care Services Bureau - Regulatory Oversight Unit. Note: The administrative rule text (8.16.2 NMAC) still names "Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)" as the issuing agency at 8.16.2.1 NMAC because it was last amended 1/1/2022; statutory authority for child care licensing transferred to ECECD effective 2020. before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.