New Mexico Register / Volume XXXIII, Issue 1 / January 11, 2022

This is an amendment to 16.22.5 NMAC, Section 8, 9, 10, 11 and Section 13 effective 02/10/2022.

16.22.5.8 APPLICATION; EXAMINATION; PROCESS:

A. A non-refundable application fee set by the board is due at the time of each initial application. Additional fees may be charged and will be collected by the board, as necessary, for the administration of examinations.

B. The applicant may be considered for licensure if the applicant fulfills conditions of 16.22.4 NMAC, 16.22.6 NMAC, and 16.22.7 NMAC. The board will develop, approve and maintain a list of American and Canadian jurisdictions whose requirements of education, supervised experience and EPPP passing score meet or exceed those of 16.22.4 NMAC, 16.22.6 NMAC and Paragraph (1) of Subsection A of 16.22.7.8 NMAC. The only exceptions to these requirements apply to [reciprocity for licensure in another state as defined in 16.22.5.10 NMAC and 16.22.5.11 NMAC, and] foreign trained individuals as defined in 16.22.5.15 NMAC.

C. Nationwide criminal history screening: All applicants for initial licensure in any category in New Mexico are subject to a national criminal history screening at their expense. All applicants must [submit two full sets of fingerprints, completed fingerprint certificate form, signed authorization for criminal background screening and fee at the time of application] register with the New Mexico Department of public safety’s fingerprinting vendor, pay the fingerprint processing fee and submit fingerprints in accordance with the vendor’s established process. Background check results will be sent directly to the board office electronically.

(1) Applications for licensure will not be [processed] approved without submission of fingerprints [completed fingerprint certificate form, signed authorization for] criminal background screening and fee.

(2) Applications will be processed pending the completion of the nationwide criminal background screening.

(3) If the criminal background screening reveals a [felony or a violation] disqualifying criminal conviction of the Psychologist Examiners Practice Act, the applicant/licensee will be notified to submit copies of legal documents and other related information to the board which will make the determination if the applicant is eligible for licensure or if disciplinary action will be taken.

(4) Applications not completed and approved within 24 months from the date application is received in the board office shall become null and void and the applicant shall submit a new application.

[16.22.5.8 NMAC - Rp, 16.22.5.9 NMAC, 11/15/06; A, 9/16/10; A, 4/11/2012; A, 7/1/2018; A, 02/10/2022]

16.22.5.9 APPLICATION FOR LICENSURE:

A. All applicants shall submit the following to the satisfaction of the board or an agency designated by the board:

(1) a completed and signed application;

(2) the application fee as required by the board;

(3) verification of educational requirements as described in 16.22.4 NMAC by official transcripts directly from the institution's office of the registrar;

(4) verification of pre-doctoral and post-doctoral supervision as defined in 16.22.6 NMAC.

(5) three letters of reference; dated within the last two years and two of the letters must be from a licensed practicing psychologist familiar with their clinical work, and can attest to their competency [and moral character];

(6) completion [or] of application to complete examination requirements; either

(a) for applicants licensed in another jurisdiction, verification of a passing score on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) as defined in 16.22.7 NMAC; or

(b) for applicants who have not passed the EPPP, a request to be permitted to take the EPPP.

(7) for individuals holding a certificate of professional qualification or national register health service provider in psychology credential, a verified or certified copy of the applicant’s CPQ or national register HSPP credential as defined in 16.22.5.11 NMAC.

(8) for applicants who are licensed in another jurisdiction [and who are eligible for reciprocity as defined in 16.22.5.10 NMAC], verification of [the documentation defined in that section] license issued by the appropriate examining board. The applicant shall have no pending disciplinary actions, no formal disciplinary actions issued against the license in the last two years and no past suspensions or revocations.

B. Applicants who have not taken and passed the EPPP must complete all requirements of Paragraphs (1) through (6) of Subsection A of 16.22.5.10 NMAC at least 60 days prior to taking the EPPP.

C. Complete applications will be reviewed by the board or its designee and a notification of approval, denial or need for additional information will be issued to the applicant.

D. The applicant shall take and pass a jurisprudence examination as defined in 16.22.7 NMAC.

E. During the first year of licensure an applicant shall furnish evidence to the board that demonstrates an awareness and knowledge of New Mexico cultures.

F. When the applicant fulfills all the requirements of this section, a license will be issued.

[16.22.5.9 NMAC - Rp, 16.22.5.10 NMAC, 11/15/2006; A, 3/21/2009; A, 9/16/2010; A, 4/11/2012; A, 7/1/2018; A, 02/10/2022]

16.22.5.10 APPLICANTS HOLDING A VALID LICENSE IN ANOTHER STATE FOR [TEN] TWO YEARS OR MORE SEEKING LICENSURE UNDER SECTION 61-9-10 [RECIPROCITY] NMSA 1978:

A. An applicant seeking licensure under this section may obtain a license pursuant to Section 61-9-10 of the act if the applicant fulfills the following conditions.

(1) At the time of application, the applicant shall possess a current license to practice psychology in another state, territory, possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or Canadian Province whose requirements of education, supervised experience and EPPP passing score meet or exceed those of 16.22.4 NMAC, 16.22.6 NMAC and Paragraph (1) of Subsection A of 16.22.7.8 NMAC.

(2) The applicant shall possess a doctoral degree in psychology or a degree that is substantially equivalent and is acceptable by the board.

(3) The applicant shall have no pending disciplinary actions, no formal disciplinary actions issued against the license in the last [five] two years and no past suspensions or revocations.

(4) The applicant shall have been licensed for [a minimum of 10] two years.

(5) The applicant shall have obtained a passing score on the EPPP as defined in 16.22.7 NMAC.

B. Application under this board regulation shall be made on a form approved by the board. The applicant shall apply as specified in 16.22.5.9 NMAC.

[16.22.5.10 NMAC - Rp, 16.22.5.11 NMAC, 11/15/2006, A, 3/21/2009; A, 4/11/2012; A, 2/22/2013; A, 7/1/2018; A, 02/10/2022]

16.22.5.11 APPLICANTS HOLDING AN ASPPB CERTIFICATION OF PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION, [OR] A NATIONAL REGISTER HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDER IN PSYCHOLOGY CREDENTIAL [RECIPROCITY] OR AMERICAN BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY:

A. Eligibility. A licensee in good standing for [a minimum of five] two years in another jurisdiction is eligible for licensure pursuant to Section 61-9-10 NMSA 1978, of the act if the applicant holds current certification of professional qualification (CPQ), [or] holds a current national register (HSPP) credential at the doctoral level or holds a current American board of professional psychology (ABPP) credential at the doctoral level pursuant to Subsection A of 16.22.4.8 NMAC. In addition, the applicant shall have passed the EPPP with a minimum score required for licensure as set forth in Paragraph (6) of Subsection A of Section 61-9-11 NMSA 1978, of the act, have no disciplinary actions within [five] two years immediately preceding the date of application, and shall have no prior license suspensions or revocations in any jurisdiction in which the applicant is or has been licensed.

B. Application procedure. The applicant shall apply as specified in 16.22.5.9 NMAC.

[16.22.5.11 NMAC - Rp, 16.22.5.13 NMAC, 11/15/06; A, 3/21/09; A, 4/11/12; A, 7/1/2018; A, 02/10/2022]

16.22.5.13 APPLICANTS SEEKING A TEMPORARY LICENSE

A. A temporary six month license may be issued to a psychologist who meets the following conditions:

(1) the applicant is licensed as a psychologist in another jurisdiction and is in good standing;

(2) the applicant completes a form approved by the board that includes required information and states the reason for seeking a temporary license, including court-ordered evaluation or providing services during a federally declared natural disaster;

(3) the board will set the appropriate fees for obtaining a temporary license;

(4) the temporary license will expire in six months; and

[(5) the temporary license may be extended at the discretion of the board with a written request thirty days prior to the expiration, stating the reason for extension.]

[(6)] (5) the board shall expedite the licensure process for obtaining a temporary license under this section but may not waive the specific licensing requirements.

B. Nothing in this section should be construed to prevent an applicant with a temporary license from applying for an unrestricted license. The applicant may apply for an unrestricted license by completing a form approved by the board, remitting appropriate fees, and taking and passing the online jurisprudence examination.

[16.22.5.13 NMAC - N, 11/15/2006; A, 9/16/2010; A, 4/11/2012; A, 7/1/2018; A, 02/10/2022]