New Mexico State Library

Librarian & Librarianship Certification

Librarian & Librarianship Certification

NOTE: The provisions of this section do not apply to public school libraries or county law libraries.

For a public library to receive public funds under the 4.5.2 New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC), public library directors in communities with populations of 3,000 – 15,000 must hold Grade I or Grade II certification. Public library directors in smaller communities (under 3,000) are not required to be certified.

Certification requirements are outlined in the New Mexico Statutes Annotated (NMSA), Chapter 18, Articles 2-8 through 2-18. For more details, visit the New Mexico Compilation Commission website.

*** The Grade I and Grade II certification exams are not designed as training tools for library staff. They are meant to verify that library directors in communities of 3,000 – 15,000 (without an MLS/MLIS) understand basic library foundations and management. If you are not a current public library director but want to learn more about librarianship, refer to #14 in the Exam FAQs. ***

Types of Certification
  • Permanent Professional Certification is required for the chief librarian (aka library director/library manager) in communities having populations of more than 15,000, as shown by the last federal decennial census.
  • Grade II Certification is required for the chief librarian (aka library director/library manager) in communities having populations of 10,000 – 15,000, as shown by the last federal decennial census. Certification without examination is issued with either graduation from an accredited college or university with a minor in library science OR twenty-one (21) semester hours of library science courses beyond the requirements of Grade I Certification (30 hours).
  • Grade I Certification is required for the chief librarian (aka library director/library manager) in communities having a population of 3,000 – 10,000, as shown by the last federal decennial census. Certification without examination is issued upon completion of two (2) years of undergraduate work plus nine (9) hours of library science courses from an accredited college or university.
  • Temporary Certification is issued for a one year period by the State Librarian in special cases upon written recommendation from a library board or the governing body of the community.
State Statute 18-2-15. Certificates required.
  • A permanent professional librarian’s certificate is required for the chief librarian (aka library director/library manager) of any library:
    1. supported in whole or in part by public funds, and serving a municipality or other political subdivision having a population in excess of fifteen thousand persons as shown by the last federal decennial census; or
    2. of any state agency or state-supported institution.
  • A grade I certificate is required for the chief librarian (aka library director/library manager) of any library, supported in whole or in part by public funds, serving a municipality or other political subdivision having a population of at least three thousand, but not more than ten thousand persons, as shown by the last federal decennial census.
  • A grade II certificate is required for the chief librarian (aka library director/library manager) of any library, supported in whole or in part by public funds, serving a municipality or other political subdivision having a population of at least ten thousand and one, but not more than fifteen thousand persons, as shown by the last federal decennial census.
How to Obtain Permanent Professional Librarian Certification
  1. Submit application and $10.00 fee.
  2. Request official transcripts from the ALA accredited college or university where you earned your MLS/MLIS. Official transcripts can be sent directly to the Development Bureau from the college or university.
How to Obtain Grade I or Grade II Certification Through Coursework (No Exam)
  1. Submit application and $10.00 fee.
  2. Request official transcripts from the ALA accredited college or university where you earned library science course credits. Official transcripts can be sent directly to the Development Bureau from the college or university.
How to Obtain Grade I or Grade II Certification Through Exam

The New Mexico librarianship exam is intended only for current public library directors, and since January 1, 2017, only current public library directors may apply to take the Grade I or Grade II certification exams.

Grade I and Grade II Certification Exams Now Offered On Demand!

Contact Ada Negraru, Continuing Education Coordinator for more information / Ada.Negraru@dca.nm.gov before submitting an application, fee, etc. to discuss eligibility for the Grade I or Grade II exam.

  1. Contact CE Coordinator to verify eligibility and schedule exam date.
  2. Once exam eligibility is confirmed, submit $20.00 fee.
  3. If offered, attend a study session (not required, but recommended).
  4. Take the exam at the date scheduled and complete portfolio component(s).
  5. Under one application and paid fee, the applicant may take the exam up to three (3) times in order to attain a passing grade.
Grade I
  • Completion of certification exam with a passing grade of 70 or above; and submission of one (1) portfolio piece within 30 days of taking the exam, receiving a passing score.
    • Portfolio piece information will be attached to the exam.
Grade II
  • Completion of certification exam with a passing grade of 80 or above; and submission of two (2) portfolio pieces within 30 days of taking the exam, receiving a passing score.
    • Portfolio piece(s) information will be attached to the exam.
Exams – Grade I & II Information
  • Location: Grade I and Grade II certification exams must be completed online in the testing platform determined by the New Mexico State Library.
  • Time Limit: The exam is designed to take an average of 2 – 4 hours. Applicants will have no more than 5 hours to complete the exam.
  • Closed Book: The exam is designed to be “Closed Book.” The online exam will be proctored by New Mexico State Library librarians. The applicant will share their screen with the proctor throughout the entire duration of the exam. The testing platform will be the only open program allowed on the applicant’s screen. Outside sources of any kind (flash drives, personal notes, the Library Foundations Guide, and web access of any kind including smartphones, etc., with the exception of the testing platform) are not permitted in the testing area while taking the exam.
  • Portfolio(s): Information regarding the portfolio piece(s) will be attached to the exam. Applicants will have 30 days from the time of taking the exam to complete and electronically submit the piece(s).
How to Obtain Temporary Certification

Before submitting an application, fee, etc. contact Ada Negraru, Continuing Education Coordinator / Ada.Negraru@dca.nm.gov.

  1. Submit application and $20.00 fee.
  2. Include the written recommendation for temporary certification with application and fee.
Librarian and Librarianship Information & Resources
  1. Librarian and Librarianship Certification Application
  2. Library Foundations Guide (Version 1.0)
  3. Professional Development Resource Sheet & Additional Professional Development Resources (updated periodically)
  4. Online Professional Development Opportunities – FREE (updated monthly)
  5. Professional Development Resources LibGuide
  6. Portfolio Grading Rubric
  7. FAQs about the Exam
  8. Core Competencies for New Mexico Library Directors and Staff
  9. Certifications MASTER List – current as of March 14, 2025

For more information, contact Ada Negraru, Continuing Education Coordinator / Ada.Negraru@dca.nm.gov / 1-800-340-3890

***School Library Endorsement is available through the New Mexico Public Education Department.