NM Certified County Commissioner Class Requirements Checklist
New Mexico EDGE is proud to offer the NM EDGE Certified County Commissioner certification. The purpose of this certification is to provide a comprehensive course of study in public service for New Mexico county commissioners and other public officials as well as create networking opportunities. Thirteen core competency classes were developed by public service experts throughout the state of New Mexico. Eleven additional classes (developed using curriculum guidelines established by the National Certified Public Manager® Consortium) round out the 24-class certification.
Classes are delivered throughout the year in both in-person and live online formats.
Courses
CO 101 – Roles and Responsibilities of the County Commissioner
CO 102 – County Services and Functions Part I: Public Works & Land Use
CO 103 – County Services and Functions Part II: Health, Welfare, & Public Safety
CO 113 – Open Meetings and Public Records for the Commissioner
CO 131 – Employment Law for Policy Makers
CO 141 – Sources and Uses of Public Finance
CPM 111 – Knowing Your Government
CPM 113 – Knowing the Law I
CPM 144 – Risk Management
CPM 151 – Foundations for Communications
CPM 153 – Public Meetings & Public Hearings
CPM 156 – Improving Writing Skills
CPM 265 - IT for Non-IT Managers
Cost of the Certification
One Time NM EDGE New Student Enrollment Fee: $50.00
Certification Classes: $975.00
Total Cost: $1,025
*As of July 1, 2025, cost will increase by $10.00 from $75.00 to $85.00 per course.
What Others are Saying
Antonio Ray Martinez, County Commissioner
“I was truly impressed with all the classes NM EDGE offers. They have great instructors and I recommend any elected officials take the classes. I feel attending the NM EDGE classes has made me a better commissioner. I also feel the county and the citizens of my county and state benefited from me attending NM EDGE classes. I know the classes have helped me to make good decisions as a commissioner in my county.”
Terri Fortner, County Commissioner
“The NM EDGE classes helped in my orientation to this new position as a commissioner. The use of a virtual platform created an acute awareness of the delicate balance between running a meeting as chair and maintaining an open meeting format. The NM EDGE class resources were beneficial as a review for maintaining parliamentary order during meetings. The class presentations on ethics, risk management, and knowing the law were a helpful resource. Knowing the state statutes for county government is important as a policy making body. The courses on answering the call to public service and knowing your government allowed me the opportunity to have discussion with other elected officials throughout the state. I have recommended the NM EDGE courses to other elected officials. I believe that those who entrusted this position to me want their commissioner to be well informed of which these courses were invaluable.”
Clay Kiesling, County Commissioner
“Having never before been involved in the public sector, and being an elected official for the first time, I felt it was my duty to the residents of Union County to be as knowledgeable as possible about the roles, responsibilities, and duties of a county commissioner so I began taking NM EDGE courses immediately after taking office. NM EDGE has helped me tremendously in my service as a Union County Commissioner as nearly every class that I have taken has been directly related to the duties of the office and I believe the people of Union County are better served as a result of the knowledge I have gained through NM EDGE.”
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