New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVII, Issue 8 / April 21, 2026

This is an amendment to 16.5.59 NMAC, Sections 9 and 11, effective 4/21/2026.

16.5.59.9 LIST OF DISAPPROVED LICENSING JURISDICTIONS FOR DENTISTS AND DENTAL HYGIENISTS:

A. Pursuant to Subsection C of 61-5A-14 NMSA 1978 of the Dental Health Care Act, applicants for licensure as a dentist licensed in the following state and territories for the United States shall not be eligible for expedited licensure because the education requirements are not or cannot be determined to be, consistent with New Mexico:

[(1) American Samoa;

(2) Puerto Rico; and;

(3) Washington.]

(1) American Samoa;

(2) Arizona;

(3) Colorado;

(4) Kentucky;

(5) Minnesota;

(6) New York;

(7) Oregon;

(8) Puerto Rico;

(9) Virginia;

(10) Washington; and

(11) Wisconsin.

B. Pursuant to Subsection C of 61-5A-14 NMSA 1978 of the Dental Health Care Act, applicants for licensure as a dental hygienist licensed in the following states and territories of the United States shall not be eligible for expedited licensure because the education requirements are not, or cannot be determined to be. consistent with New Mexico:

[(1) American Samoa;

(2) Alabama;

(3) Arizona;

(4) Delaware;

(5) Florida;

(6) Mississippi;

(7) New York;

(8) Northern Mariana Islands;

(9) Oregon;

(10) Puerto Rico; and

(11) Guam.]

(1) American Samoa;

(2) Alabama;

(3) Arizona;

(4) California;

(5) Colorado:

(6) Delaware;

(7) Florida;

(8) Kentucky;

(9) Massachusetts;

(10) Mississippi;

(11) New York;

(12) Northern Mariana Islands;

(13) Oregon;

(14) Puerto Rico; and

(15) Guam.

[16.5.59.9 NMAC - N, 12/27/2022; A, 4/21/2026]

16.5.59.11 EXPEDITED LICENSURE APPLICATION FOR MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS:

A. An applicant for expedited licensure under Section 61-1-34, NMSA 1978 shall submit to the board a complete application containing the following:

[(1) a completed and signed application form;

(2) proof of a current license in good standing in another jurisdiction, including a branch of the United States armed forces; and

(3) submission of the following documentation:

(a) for military service member: a copy of military orders;

(b) for spouse of military service members: copy of military service member’s military orders, and copy of marriage license;

(c) for spouses of deceased military service members: copy of decedent’s DD 214 and copy of marriage license;

(d) for dependent children of military service members: a copy of military service member’s orders listing dependent child, or a copy of military orders and one of the following: a copy of birth certificate, military service member’s federal tax return or other governmental or judicial documentation establishing dependency; or

(e) for veterans (retired or separated): proof of honorable discharge such as a copy of DD Form 214, DD Form 215, DD Form 256, DD Form 257, NGB Form 22, military ID card, a driver’s license or state ID card with a veteran’s designation, or other documentation verifying honorable discharge.]

(1) a completed and signed application form;

(2) successfully pass a New Mexico jurisprudence exam;

(3) proof of a current license in good standing in another jurisdiction, including a branch of the United States armed forces; and

(4) submission of the following documentation:

(a) for military service member: a copy of military orders;

(b) for spouse of military service members: copy of military service member’s military orders, and copy of marriage license;

(c) for spouses of deceased military service members: copy of decedent’s DD 214 and copy of marriage license;

(d) for dependent children of military service members: a copy of military service member’s orders listing dependent child, or a copy of military orders and one of the following: a copy of birth certificate, military service member’s federal tax return or other governmental or judicial documentation establishing dependency; or

(e) for veterans (retired or separated): proof of honorable discharge such as a copy of DD Form 214, DD Form 215, DD Form 256, DD Form 257, NGB Form 22, military ID card, a driver’s license or state ID card with a veteran’s designation, or other documentation verifying honorable discharge.

B. An expedited license application shall not be deemed complete until the applicant has submitted, and the board’s staff is in receipt of, all of the materials required by subsection A, including documentation from third parties.

C. Upon receipt of a complete application, the board’s staff shall process the application and issue the expedited license to a qualified applicant within 30 days.

D. If the applicant has a potentially disqualifying criminal conviction or the board may have other cause to deny the application pursuant to Section 61-5A-21 NMSA 1978:

(1) the matter of the applicant’s application shall be submitted to the board for consideration and action at its next available regular meeting;

(2) the license may not be issued within 30 days of submission of the complete application; and

(3) the board may vote to grant the application or refer the matter to its administrative prosecutor for denial of the application as provided by the board’s rules.

E. A military service member or veteran who is issued an expedited license shall not be charged a licensing fee for the first three years of licensure with the board.

F. An expedited license issued to a military service member or veteran pursuant to Section 61-1-34, NMSA 1978, shall be valid for the same length of time as a regular initial license issued by the board.

G. A license issued pursuant to this section shall not be renewed unless the license holder satisfies the examination requirements set forth in 16.5.6 NMAC, 16.5.19 NMAC, 16.5.33 NMAC, 16.5.42 NMAC, 16.5.50 NMAC, and 16.5.61 NMAC.

[16.5.59.11 NMAC - N, 12/27/2022; A, 4/21/2026]