New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVII, Issue
4 / February 24, 2026
TITLE 16 OCCUPATIONAL
AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING
CHAPTER 20 PHYSICAL
THERAPISTS
PART 14 IMAGING
16.20.14.1 ISSUING AGENCY: New Mexico Physical Therapy Board.
[16.20.14.1 NMAC - N, 2/24/2026]
16.20.14.2 SCOPE: All individuals who wish to practice physical therapy in the state of New Mexico.
[16.20.14.2 NMAC - N, 2/24/2026]
16.20.14.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Section 61-12-10 NMSA 1978.
[16.20.14.3 NMAC - N, NMAC, 2/24/2026]
16.20.14.4 DURATION: Permanent.
[16.20.14.4 NMAC
- N, 2/24/2026]
16.20.14.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: February 24, 2026, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.
[16.20.14.5 NMAC - N, 2/24/2026]
16.20.14.6 OBJECTIVE: The objective of Part 14 of Chapter 20 is to establish regulations for physical therapists completing imaging in New Mexico.
[16.20.14.6 NMAC - N, 2/24/2026]
16.20.14.7 DEFINITIONS:
A. “Imaging” is defined as medical techniques and technologies used by doctors to create detailed pictures of the inside of the body to diagnose and monitor medical conditions, injuries, or diseases. Techniques available to Physical Therapists include X-Ray, MRI or CT scan.
B. “Ordering Physical Therapist” is defined as Physical Therapist holding an entry-level clinical doctorate or transitional clinical doctorate degree in physical therapy from a college or university that has a physical therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education or a successor organization. This therapist must have passed the NPTE and licensed within the state of New Mexico.
C. “Interpretation” is defined the process
by which a specially trained physician, typically a radiologist, examines and
explains medical images like X-rays, CT scans, MRIs to identify injuries,
abnormalities, or diseases. Must be completed by a qualified provider, such as
a licensed physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioners, dentist, or
podiatrist.
[16.20.14.7 NMAC - N, 2/24/2026]
16.20.14.8 REQUIREMENTS FOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST WHO ORDERS IMAGING:
A. The ordering physical therapist will send the results to the qualified provider within 30 days.
B. Physical Therapy must document clinical justification for ordering imaging including interpretation.
[16.20.14.8 NMAC - N, 2/24/2026]
HISTORY of 16.20.14 NMAC: [RESERVED]