New Mexico Register / Volume
XXXIII, Issue 11 / June 7, 2022
This is an
emergency amendment to 16.10.2 NMAC, Sections 9, 10 and 11 effective
5/11/2022.
16.10.2.9 MEDICAL
LICENSE BY EXAMINATION:
A. Prerequisites for licensure: Each applicant for a license to practice as a
physician in New Mexico must be of good moral character and must possess the
following qualifications:
(1) graduated
and received a diploma from a board approved school, completed a program
determined by the board to be substantially equivalent to a U.S. medical
school, based on board review of an evaluation by a board approved credential
evaluation service, or the board shall, in its sole discretion, determine if
the applicant’s total educational and professional clinical experience is
substantially equivalent to that which is required for licensure in New Mexico;
and
(2) successfully
passed one of the examinations or combinations of examinations defined in
16.10.3 NMAC; and
(3) completed
two years of postgraduate training or been approved by the board in accordance
with the provisions of Subsection B of Section 61-6-11 NMSA 1978;
(4) when
the board has reason to believe that an applicant for licensure is not
competent to practice medicine it may require the applicant to complete a
special competency examination or to be evaluated for competence by other means
that have been approved by the board; and
(5) a
qualified applicant who has not been actively and continuously in practice for
more than two years prior to application may be required to successfully
complete a special examination or evaluation such as, but not limited to, the
SPEX (special purpose examination), the PLAS (post-licensure assessment system
of the federation of state medical boards), or specialty re-certification.
B. Required documentation for all applicants: Each applicant for a license must apply
online using HSC as their application processor, submit the required fees
as specified in 16.10.9.8 NMAC, application processing fees to HSC, and
the following documentation sent directly to HSC:
(1) a
completed signed application with a passport-quality photo taken within the
previous six months; applications are valid for one year from the date of
receipt by HSC; [the board].
(2) verification
of licensure in all states or territories where the applicant holds or has held
a license to practice medicine, or other health care profession; verification
must be received directly from the other state board(s), and must attest to the
status, issue date, license number, and other information requested and
contained on the form; this information will be provided to the board by
HSC; [or another board-approved credentials verification service for
applicants using that service, or directly to the New Mexico medical board for
applicants using FCVS or applying directly to the board;]
(3) two
recommendation forms from physicians, chiefs of staff or department chairs or
equivalent with whom the applicant has worked and who have personal knowledge of
the applicant’s character and competence to practice medicine; the recommending physicians must have
personally known the applicant and have had the opportunity to personally
observe the applicant’s ability and performance; [forms must be sent directly to the board
from the recommending physician;]
this information will be provided by HSC; [or another board-approved
credentials verification service for applicants using that service, or directly
to the New Mexico medical board for applicants using FCVS or applying directly
to the board;]
(4) verification
of all work experience and hospital affiliations in the last two years, if
applicable, not to include postgraduate training; this information will be
provided by HSC; [or another board-approved credentials verification service
for applicants using that service, or directly to the New Mexico medical board
for applicants using FCVS or applying directly to the board;]
(5) a
copy of all American board of medical specialties (ABMS) specialty board
certifications, or American osteopathic association bureau of osteopathic
specialists (AOA-BOS) if applicable; this information will be provided by HSC;
and [or another board-approved credentials verification service for
applicants using that service, or directly to the New Mexico medical board for
applicants using FCVS or applying directly to the board; and]
(6) the
board may request that applicants be investigated by the biographical section
of the American medical association (AMA), the drug enforcement administration
(DEA), the federation of state medical boards (FSMB), the national practitioner
data bank, and other sources as may be deemed appropriate by the board;
(7) applicants
who are not United States citizens must provide proof that they are in compliance with the immigration laws of the United
States.
C. Additional documentation for applicants
using the FCVS: Applicants are
encouraged to use the FCVS as once a credential file is created future
applications for medical licensure will be streamlined. However, application through FCVS is not
required. Applicants using the FCVS must
submit a completed application to the FCVS, who will provide primary source
documentation to the board. Only the
documents required in Subsection B of 16.10.2.9 are required from HSC in
addition to the FCVS report.
D. Additional documentation for applicants
using HSC [or another board-approved credentials
verification service]:
(1) status
report of educational commission for foreign medical graduates (ECFMG)
certification sent directly to [the board] HSC from ECFMG, if applicable;
(2) copy
of ECFMG interim letter documenting additional postgraduate training for
international medical graduates applying through the fifth pathway process, if applicable;
(3) certified
transcripts of exam scores as required in 16.10.3 NMAC sent directly to [the
board] HSC from the testing agency;
(4) proof
of identity may be required;
acceptable documents include birth certificate, passport,
naturalization documents, and visas.
[ E. Additional documentation for applicants
applying directly to New Mexico and not using FCVS or HSC or another
board-approved credentials verification service:
(1) verification
of medical education form with school seal or notarized, sent directly to the
board from the school;
(2) transcripts
sent directly to the board from the medical school;
(3) status
report of ECFMG certification sent directly to the board from ECFMG, if applicable;
(4) copy
of ECFMG interim letter documenting additional postgraduate training for
international medical graduates applying through the fifth pathway process, if applicable;
(5) postgraduate
training form sent to the board directly from the training program;
(6) certified
transcripts of exam scores as required in 16.10.3 NMAC sent directly to the
board from the testing agency; and
(7) proof
of identity may be required;
acceptable documents include birth certificate, passport,
naturalization documents, and visas;
(8) certified
copies of source documents obtained directly from another state licensing
jurisdiction who has the original document on file will be accepted in lieu of
original documents when the originals cannot be obtained for a valid cause.]
[F] E. Licensure process: Upon receipt of a completed application,
including all required documentation and fees, the applicant may be scheduled
for a personal interview before the board, a board member designated by the
board, or an agent of the board and must present original documents as
requested by the board. The initial
license will be issued following completion of any required interview, or
approval by a member or agent of the board.
[G] F. Initial license expiration: Medical licenses shall be renewed on July 1
following the date of issue. Initial
licenses are valid for a period of not more than thirteen months or less than
one month. If New Mexico is the first
state of licensure, initial licenses are valid for a period of not less than
twenty-four months or more than thirty-five months and shall be renewed on July
1.
[16.10.2.9 NMAC - N,
5/1/2002; A, 1/20/2003; A, 7/1/2003; A, 4/3/2005; A, 10/7/2005; A, 7/1/2006; A,
1/10/2007; A, 1/3/2008; A, 10/11/2013; A, 01/15/2014; A, 2/8/2022; A/E, 5/11/2022]
16.10.2.10 MEDICAL
LICENSE BY ENDORSEMENT:
A. Prerequisites for licensure: Each applicant for a license to practice as a
physician in New Mexico by endorsement must be of good moral character, hold a
full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in another state, and possess
the following qualifications:
(1) have
practiced medicine in the United States or Canada immediately preceding the
application for at least three years;
(2) be
free of disciplinary history, license restrictions, or pending investigations
in all jurisdictions where a medical license is or has been held;
(3) graduated
from a board approved school or hold current ECFMG certification; and
(4) current
certification from a medical specialty board recognized by the ABMS or the
AOA-BOS.
B. Required documentation for all applicants: Each applicant for a
license must apply online using HSC as their application processor,
submit the required fees as specified in 16.10.9.8 NMAC, application
processing fee to HSC and the following documentation sent directly to
HSC:
(1) a
completed signed application with a passport-quality photo taken within the
previous six months; applications are valid for one year from the date of
receipt by HSC; [the board;]
(2) verification
of licensure in all states or territories where the applicant holds or has held
a license to practice medicine, or other health care profession; verification
must be received directly from the other state board(s), and must attest to the
status, issue date, license number, and other information requested and
contained on the form;
(3) two
recommendation forms from physicians, chiefs of staff or department chairs or
equivalent with whom the applicant has worked and who have personal knowledge
of the applicant’s character and competence to practice medicine; the recommending physicians must have
personally known the applicant and have had the opportunity to personally
observe the applicant’s ability and performance; forms must be sent directly to [the board]
HSC from the recommending physician;
[this information will be provided by HSC or another board-approved
credentials verification service for applicants using that service, or directly
to the New Mexico medical board;]
(4) verification
of all work experience and hospital affiliations in the last three years, if
applicable, not to include postgraduate training; this information will be provided by
HSC [or another board-approved credentials verification service for
applicants using that service, or directly to the New Mexico medical board;]
(5) a
copy of all ABMS or AOA-BOS specialty board certifications, if applicable; this
information will be provided by HSC [or another board-approved credentials
verification service for applicants using that service, or directly to the New
Mexico medical board]; and
(6) the
board may request that applicants be investigated by the biographical section
of the AMA, the DEA, the FSMB, the national practitioner data bank, and other
sources as may be deemed appropriate by the board;
(7) applicants
who are not U.S. citizens must provide proof that they are in
compliance with the immigration laws of the United States.
C. Licensure process: Upon receipt of a completed application,
including all required documentation and fees, the applicant may be scheduled
for a personal interview before the board, a board member designated by the
board, or an agent of the board and must present original documents as
requested by the board. The initial
license will be issued following completion of any required interview, or
approval by a member or agent of the board.
D. Initial license expiration: Medical licenses shall be renewed on July 1
following the date of issue. Initial
licenses are valid for a period of not more than thirteen months or less than
one month.
[16.10.2.10 NMAC -
N, 1/20/03; A, 7/1/2003; A, 4/3/05; A, 10/7/05; A, 7/1/06; A, 1/10/07; A,
10/11/13; A, 01/15/14; A, 2/8/2022; A/E, 5/11/2022]
16.10.2.11 TELEMEDICINE
LICENSE:
A. Prerequisites for licensure: Each applicant for a telemedicine license
must be of good moral character and hold a full and unrestricted license to
practice medicine in another state or territory of the United States.
B. Required documentation: Each
applicant for a license must apply online using HSC as their application
processor, submit the required fees as specified in 16.10.9.8 NMAC, application
processing fee to HSC and the following documentation sent directly to
HSC:
(1) A completed signed application, with
a passport quality photo taken within six months. Applications are valid for one year from the
date of receipt.
(2) Verification of licensure in all
states where the applicant holds or has held a license to practice medicine, or
other health care profession.
Verification must be received directly from the other state(s) board,
and must attest to the status, issue date, license number, and other information
requested and contained on the form.
(3) Applicants who have had previous
disciplinary or other action against them may be required to meet with the
entire board. The board may, in its
discretion, issue a license to practice medicine across state lines if it finds
that the previous disciplinary or other action does not indicate that the
physician is a potential threat to the public.
C. Licensure process: Upon receipt of a completed application,
including all required documentation and fees, board staff will request and
review an AMA physician profile and FSMB board action databank search. When the application is complete a member or
agent of the board will review and may approve the application. A personal interview is not required unless
there is a discrepancy in the application that cannot be resolved.
D. Initial license expiration: Telemedicine licenses shall be renewed on
July 1 following the date of issue.
Initial licenses are valid for a period of not more than thirteen months
or less than one month.
E. Exemption from licensure
requirements: are
defined in Section 61-6-17 NMSA 1978 of the Medical Practice Act and include a
physician licensed to practice under the laws of another state who acts as a
consultant to a New Mexico licensed physician on an irregular or infrequent basis
not to exceed 10 patients per year.
[16.10.2.11 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 10.2.13, 4/18/2002; 16.10.2.11 NMAC - Rn
& A, 16.10.2.10 NMAC; 1/20/2003; A, 4/3/2005; A, 7/1/2006; A, 1/3/2008; A, 10/11/2013; A/E, 5/11/2022]