N.M. Code R. § 16.47.1.8 – General Provisions

A. Licenses required: A person as defined by 15.2.1.7 NMAC shall not participate in pari-mutuel racing under the jurisdiction of the commission, or be employed by an association who is a gaming operator, without a valid license issued by the commission.
1. (1) License categories shall include the following and others as may be established by the commission: Group A - racing participants eligible for an optional annual or triennial year license to include owners, trainers, veterinarians, jockeys, and stable name registrations. Group B - associations, racing professionals, concession operators, contractors, and managerial racing officials. Group C - supervisory racing officials. Group D - persons employed by the association, or employed by a person or concern contracting with the association, to provide a service or commodity, which requires their presence in a restricted area, or anywhere on association grounds while pari-mutuel wagering is being conducted. Group E - racetrack employees and authorized agents.
2. (2) Persons required to be licensed shall submit a thoroughly and accurately completed application on forms furnished by the commission and accompanied by the required fee. Persons seeking licensure as an authorized agent for an owner under the age of 18 shall be required to be 18 years or older and shall submit fingerprints to undergo a background check. The following fees are assessed for the issuance of the specified licenses. In addition to license fees listed herein, $20.00 is assessed for each identification picture and badge.
  Announcer $ 75.00 Assistant general manager $100.00 Assistant racing secretary $ 20.00 Association $100.00 Auditor, official $ 75.00 Authorized agent $ 10.00 Clerk of scales $ 20.00 Clocker $ 20.00 Club, racetrack $100.00 Concession employee $ 10.00 Concession operator $100.00 Custodian of jockey room $ 20.00 Director or corporate officer $100.00 Director of operations $ 75.00 Director of racing $ 75.00 Exercise person $ 20.00 General manager $100.00 Groom $ 10.00 Horseman's bookkeeper $ 20.00 Identifier (horse) $ 20.00 Janitor $ 10.00 Jockey (3 year) $200.00 Jockey (1 year) $100.00 Jockey (apprentice) (3 year) $200.00 Jockey (apprentice) (1 year) $100.00 Jockey agent $ 75.00 Jockey valet $ 10.00 Laborer $ 10.00 Office personnel (specify position) $ 10.00 Official veterinarian (3 year) $200.00 Official veterinarian (1 year) $100.00 Outrider $ 20.00 Owner (3 year) $200.00 Owner (1 year) $100.00 Paddock judge $ 20.00 Pari mutuel employee $ 10.00 Pari mutuel manager $ 75.00 Placing judge $ 20.00 Photo employee $ 10.00 Plater $100.00 Pony person $ 10.00 Private barns $100.00 Racing secretary-handicapper $ 75.00 Security chief $ 75.00 Security staff $ 10.00 Simulcast company employee $ 10.00 Simulcast coordinator $ 75.00 Simulcast operator $100.00 Special event, 1 or 2 day $200.00 Stable name (3 year) $200.00 Stable name (1 year) $100.00 Stable superintendent $ 75.00 Starter $ 75.00 Starter assistant $ 20.00 Ticket seller (admissions) $ 10.00 Timer $ 20.00 Totalisator employee $ 10.00 Totalisator operator $100.00 Track maintenance, employee $ 10.00 Track physician $100.00 Track superintendent $ 75.00 Trainer (3 year) $200.00 Trainer (1 year) $100.00 Trainer assistant $ 20.00 Veterinarian assistant $ 20.00 Veterinarian, practicing (3 year) $200.00 Veterinarian, practicing (1 year) $100.00 Veterinarian, racing (3 year) $200.00 Veterinarian, racing (1 year) $100.00 Watchman $ 10.00
  Announcer
  $ 75.00
  Assistant general manager
  $100.00
  Assistant racing secretary
  $ 20.00
  Association
  $100.00
  Auditor, official
  $ 75.00
  Authorized agent
  $ 10.00
  Clerk of scales
  $ 20.00
  Clocker
  $ 20.00
  Club, racetrack
  $100.00
  Concession employee
  $ 10.00
  Concession operator
  $100.00
  Custodian of jockey room
  $ 20.00
  Director or corporate officer
  $100.00
  Director of operations
  $ 75.00
  Director of racing
  $ 75.00
  Exercise person
  $ 20.00
  General manager
  $100.00
  Groom
  $ 10.00
  Horseman's bookkeeper
  $ 20.00
  Identifier (horse)
  $ 20.00
  Janitor
  $ 10.00
  Jockey (3 year)
  $200.00
  Jockey (1 year)
  $100.00
  Jockey (apprentice) (3 year)
  $200.00
  Jockey (apprentice) (1 year)
  $100.00
  Jockey agent
  $ 75.00
  Jockey valet
  $ 10.00
  Laborer
  $ 10.00
  Office personnel (specify position)
  $ 10.00
  Official veterinarian (3 year)
  $200.00
  Official veterinarian (1 year)
  $100.00
  Outrider
  $ 20.00
  Owner (3 year)
  $200.00
  Owner (1 year)
  $100.00
  Paddock judge
  $ 20.00
  Pari mutuel employee
  $ 10.00
  Pari mutuel manager
  $ 75.00
  Placing judge
  $ 20.00
  Photo employee
  $ 10.00
  Plater
  $100.00
  Pony person
  $ 10.00
  Private barns
  $100.00
  Racing secretary-handicapper
  $ 75.00
  Security chief
  $ 75.00
  Security staff
  $ 10.00
  Simulcast company employee
  $ 10.00
  Simulcast coordinator
  $ 75.00
  Simulcast operator
  $100.00
  Special event, 1 or 2 day
  $200.00
  Stable name (3 year)
  $200.00
  Stable name (1 year)
  $100.00
  Stable superintendent
  $ 75.00
  Starter
  $ 75.00
  Starter assistant
  $ 20.00
  Ticket seller (admissions)
  $ 10.00
  Timer
  $ 20.00
  Totalisator employee
  $ 10.00
  Totalisator operator
  $100.00
  Track maintenance, employee
  $ 10.00
  Track physician
  $100.00
  Track superintendent
  $ 75.00
  Trainer (3 year)
  $200.00
  Trainer (1 year)
  $100.00
  Trainer assistant
  $ 20.00
  Veterinarian assistant
  $ 20.00
  Veterinarian, practicing (3 year)
  $200.00
  Veterinarian, practicing (1 year)
  $100.00
  Veterinarian, racing (3 year)
  $200.00
  Veterinarian, racing (1 year)
  $100.00
  Watchman
  $ 10.00
3. (3) License applicants shall be required to furnish to the commission a set(s) of fingerprints and a recent photograph. Any license applicant that is under the age of 18 years of age is exempt from the requirement to submit fingerprint cards.
  1. (a) All license applicants shall be required to be re-fingerprinted every six years and re-photographed periodically as determined by the commission.
  2. (b) Requirements for fingerprints may be fulfilled by:
    1. (i) submission of fingerprints; or
    2. (ii) verification that fingerprints were submitted for processing;
    3. (iii) submission of a fingerprint reciprocity affidavit; or
    4. (iv) provide proof of licensure from another jurisdiction to which fingerprints were submitted within the last six years.
4. (4) License applicants for groom, watchman, exercise and pony persons must submit to a drug (controlled substances) and alcohol-screening test when making application for license.
5. (5) As a participant of the national racing compact licensing program and as an alternative to the licensure requirements set forth in Paragraphs (2) through (4) of Subsection A of 16.47.1.8 NMAC, the commission may authorize applicants to utilize the national racing compact licensing program to obtain a New Mexico racing license subject to the applicable licensure fees set forth in Paragraph (2) of Subsection A of 16.47.1.8 NMAC.
B. Multi-state licensing information: Applicants may be permitted to submit an association of racing commissioners international, incorporated multi-state license information form and association of racing commissioners international, incorporated fingerprint card and thereby obtain a criminal record check that can be used in other jurisdictions.
C. Age requirement:
1. (1) Applicants for licensing, except owners, must be a minimum of 14 years of age, but no one under the age of 16 may be licensed as a pony person or exercise person and no one under the age of 18 may be licensed as an authorized agent or jockey agent.
2. (2) A licensee must be a minimum of 14 years of age to handle a horse in the paddock.
D. Consent to investigation: The filing of an application for license shall authorize the commission and the board to investigate criminal and employment records, to engage in interviews to determine applicant's character and qualifications, and to verify information provided by the applicant.
E. Consent to search and seizure: By acceptance of a license, a licensee consents to search and inspection by the commission or its agents and to the seizure of any prohibited medication, drugs, paraphernalia or devices in accordance with state and federal law.
F. Approval or recommendations by stewards: The commission may designate categories of licenses, which shall require stewards' prior approval or recommendation. Prior approval will include exercise riders, pony riders, and apprentice jockeys.
G. Employer responsibility:
1. (1) The employment of any unlicensed person under the jurisdiction of the commission is prohibited.
2. (2) Every employer shall report the discharge of any licensed employee in writing to the stewards, including the person's name and occupation.
H. Employer endorsement of license applications: The license application of an employee must be signed by the employer.
I. Financial responsibility:
1. (1) All persons engaged in racing shall maintain financial responsibility in matters pertaining to racing and the Parental Responsibility Act.
2. (2) Any person licensed by the commission may file a financial responsibility complaint against another licensee. Any financial responsibility complaint against a licensee shall be in writing, signed by the complainant, and accompanied by documentation of the services, supplies or fees alleged to be due in connection with his/her operations as a licensee. A judgment from a civil court, which has been issued within one year of the date of the complaint, may be honored by the stewards as long as at least the defendant is a licensee.
J. License refusal: The commission may refuse to issue a license and give the applicant the option of withdrawal of an application without prejudice. If an applicant is refused, the applicant may reapply for a license.
K. License denial:
1. (1) The commission may formally deny an application in accordance with these rules.
2. (2) An application denied, if requested by the applicant, shall be reported in writing to the applicant denied stating the reasons for denial, and the date when a reapplication may be submitted.
3. (3) An application denied may be reported to the association of racing commissioners international, incorporated and North American pari mutuel regulators association whereby other racing jurisdictions shall be advised.
L. Grounds for disciplinary measures for a licensee, and refusal, denial, suspension, or revocation of a license:
1. (1) The commission may refuse to issue a license to an applicant, or may suspend or revoke a license issued, or order disciplinary measures, if the applicant:
  1. (a) has been convicted of a felony;
  2. (b) has been convicted of violating any law regarding gambling or a controlled dangerous substance;
  3. (c) who is unqualified, by experience or otherwise, to perform the activities for which a license is required, or who fails to pass an examination prescribed by the commission;
  4. (d) has failed to disclose or falsely states any information required in the application;
  5. (e) has been found in violation of rules governing racing in New Mexico and of other racing commissions or of any recognized regulatory organization;
  6. (f) has been found to have made false or misleading statements to the commission, stewards, or any racing official;
  7. (g) has been or is currently excluded from association grounds by any racing commission, racetrack management or a recognized regulatory organization;
  8. (h) has had privileges or a license denied, suspended, or revoked by any racing commission or a recognized regulatory organization;
  9. (i) is a person whose conduct or reputation may adversely reflect on the honesty and integrity of horse racing or interfere with the orderly conduct of a race meeting; interfering with the orderly conduct of a race meeting shall include, but is not limited to, disruptive or intemperate behavior or behavior which exposes others to danger anywhere on the racetrack grounds; the fact that the race meet was not actually interrupted is not a defense to the imposition of discipline under this rule;
  10. (j) demonstrates a lack of financial responsibility by accumulating unpaid obligations, defaulting on obligations or issuing drafts or checks that are dishonored, or payment refused; for the purpose of this sub-section, non-compliance with the Parental Responsibility Act shall be considered grounds for refusal, denial, suspension, or revocation of a license; the application, or license as applicable, shall be reinstated if within 30 days of the date of the notice, the applicant provides the commission with a certified statement from the department that they are in compliance with a judgment and order for support;
  11. (k) is ineligible for employment pursuant to federal or state law concerning age or citizenship.
  12. (l) is disrespectful or intimidates any official, commissioner, or commission staff or any other licensee;
  13. (m) attempts to influence any racing official or commission staff member;
  14. (n) has knowingly filed a false complaint against another licensee or a racing official where the racing commission or the stewards determine that the complaint was made without reasonable or probable cause and for the purpose of the harassment or abuse of the complaint process;
  15. (o) has engaged in conduct becoming or detrimental to the best interests of racing;
  16. (p) in case of a notice from the state of New Mexico human services department that a licensee is in non-compliance with the Parental Responsibility Act, the licensee shall be notified by the board of stewards. Thereafter, the licensee shall have 30 days to provide documentation of compliance to the board of stewards and failure to do so will result in the suspension or revocation of all licenses issued by the New Mexico racing commission to said licensee.
2. (2) A license suspension or revocation shall be reported in writing to the applicant and the association of racing commissioners international, incorporated, whereby other racing jurisdictions shall be advised.
3. (3) Any license denied, suspended or revoked by the commission pursuant to these rules shall state the time period for the effect of its ruling. When the action is taken for a misdemeanor or felony conviction, the time period shall be the period of the licensee’s or applicant’s imprisonment; or if not imprisoned, the period of probation, deferral, unless the person can satisfy the commission of sufficient rehabilitation. This rule shall also apply to licensees who voluntarily turn in their license because of, or in anticipation of, a conviction.
4. (4) If a license is suspended or revoked by the commission or stewards pursuant to these rules the commission or stewards may probate all or any portion of the suspension.
  1. (a) The order or ruling entered placing a licensee on probation shall state the specific probationary period and the terms and conditions of the probation.
  2. (b) The terms and conditions of the probation must have a reasonable relationship to the violation and may include:
    1. (i) passing a prescribed examination in a specific area;
    2. (ii) periodic reporting to the commission, stewards or other designated person on any matter that is the basis of the probation;
    3. (iii) a medical evaluation and completion of a prescribed treatment program; and
    4. (iv) other terms and condition as specified in the order or ruling that are reasonable and appropriate.
  3. (c) If the commission or stewards determine the licensee has failed to comply with the terms of the probation, the probation may be revoked on three days’ notice to the licensee and the licensee may be required to appear before the New Mexico racing commission. Failure to comply with the terms of the probation may subject the licensee to additional disciplinary action.
M. Duration of license:
1. (1) All annual licenses, with the exception of the authorized agent, issued by the commission expire one year from the last day of the month issued. All triennial licenses expire three years from the last day of the month issued.
2. (2) A license is valid only under the condition that the licensee remains eligible to hold such license.
N. Changes in application information:
1. (1) During the period for which a license has been issued, the licensee shall report to the commission changes in information provided on the license applications as to current legal name, marital status, permanent address, telephone number, email address, criminal convictions, license suspension of 10 days or more and license revocations in other jurisdictions.
2. (2) A child or spouse pass, or a change in current legal name requires a completed application on forms furnished by the commission and payment of a photo badge fee.
3. (3) A licensee requesting a first time badge replacement shall submit a completed application on forms furnished by the commission and payment of a photo badge fee. Any subsequent badge replacements require the licensee to submit a completed application on forms furnished by the commission and payment of the original license fee.
O. Temporary licenses:
1. (1) The commission may establish provisions for temporary licenses, or may permit applicants to participate in racing pending action on an application. No person may engage in horse racing or be employed on the licensee's premises unless he has been licensed by the commission with the exception of casino employees and also food concession employees who work in non-restricted areas.
2. (2) The commission may grant an association, who is not conducting a live horse race meeting, a grace period of 30 days to obtain the required licenses for its simulcast employees. An association shall provide to the commission each month, an employment roster for all simulcast employees.
P. More than one license: An applicant for a license shall be subject to obtaining a license for each category for which an applicant will be participating, subject to the approval of the board of stewards.
Q. Conflict of interest:
1. (1) The commission may refuse, deny, suspend or revoke the license of a person whose spouse holds a license and which the commission or stewards find to be a conflict of interest.
2. (2) A racing official who is an owner of either the sire or dam of a horse entered to race shall not act as an official with respect to that race.
3. (3) A person who is licensed as an owner or trainer in a horse registered for racing at a race meeting in this jurisdiction shall not be employed or licensed as a jockey, apprentice jockey; jockey agent; racing official; assistant starter; track maintenance supervisor; jockey room custodian; valet; outrider; racing chemist, testing laboratory employee, or security personnel.
R. License presentation:
1. (1) A person must present an appropriate license or other authorization issued by the commission to enter a restricted area. The commission may issue authorization to the spouse or child of a licensed owner, trainer or jockey to enter a restricted area.
2. (2) The stewards may require visible display of a license while the licensee is engaged in the duty for which he/she is licensed and on the association grounds unless the licensee is mounted on a horse.
3. (3) A license may only be used by the person to whom it is issued.
S. Temporary access authority: Track security may authorize unlicensed persons temporary access to restricted areas. Such person shall be identified and their purpose and credentials verified and approved in writing by track security. Such authorization or credential may only be used by the person to whom it is issued.
T. Knowledge of rules: A licensee shall be knowledgeable of the rules of the commission; and by acceptance of the license, agrees to abide by the rules.
U. Protection of horses:
1. (1) Each person licensed by the commission shall do all that is reasonable and within their power and scope of duty to guard against and prevent the administration of any drug, medication or other substance, including permissible medication in excess of the maximum allowable level, to any horse entered or to be entered in an official workout or race, as prohibited by these rules.
2. (2) No licensee or other person under the jurisdiction of the commission shall subject or permit any animal under their control, custody or supervision to be subjected to or to incur any form of cruelty, mistreatment, neglect or abuse or abandon, injure, maim or kill or administer any noxious substance to or deprive any animal of necessary care or sustenance, shelter or veterinary care.
V. Restrictions:
1. (1) Cellular telephone use is prohibited:
  1. (a) on the race track surface beginning one half hour before first post through the last race becoming official; and
  2. (b) behind the starting gate during racing hours.
2. (2) The association shall be responsible for posting notices of the cellular telephone prohibition in these restricted areas.

[16.47.1.8 NMAC - Rp, 16 NMAC 47.1.8, 3/15/2001, A, 08/30/2001; A, 11/15/2001; A, 12/14/2001; A, 2/14/2002; A, 11/14/2002; A, 3/31/2003; A, 7/15/2003; A, 9/29/2006; A, 3/30/2007; A, 8/14/2008; A, 6/15/2009; A, 9/15/2009; A, 1/1/2014; A, 4/1/2014; A, 6/1/2016; A, 12/16/2016; A, 7/1/2017; A, 3/14/2018; A, 2/25/2020; A, 4/9/2024; A, 4/8/2025]