March 26, 13

NEWS / New Mexico Governor signs bill allowing online professional license application and renewal

Governor Susana Martinez has a signed a bill that allows New Mexico residents to apply for and renew their professional or occupational licenses, certificates, registrations or permits online. State agencies will now accept these license applications via the web, saving residents time and money.

“This bill not only saves taxpayer dollars, but it cuts down on the amount of time that New Mexico professionals have to wait to register or renew a license,” Martinez stated in a press release. “Our state agencies have embraced new technology and we are encouraging them to continue to take steps like this, which cuts their operating costs and makes life easier for their customers.”

The State Regulation and Licensing Department has estimated that in the past year alone, the license application and renewal process cost taxpayers a whopping $139,000 in postage, $156,000 in printer supplies such as toner cartridges and used 2.5 million sheets of paper, Albuquerque Business First reports.

Martinez noted that switching other state agencies, such as the New Mexico Environment Department and the Department of Health, to electronic license applications and renewal was in the plans.