New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVII,
Issue 9 / May 5, 2026
NOTICE
OF PUBLIC RULE HEARING
Public Notice:
The New Mexico Medical Board (NMMB) has filed an amendment to NMAC rule
16.10.2.10. This action adds additional
language to the existing rule regarding accepted applications for expedited
licensure.
Topic:
Public Rule Hearing
Date: June 24, 2026
Time: 04:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Place:
New Mexico Medical Board
2055 S. Pacheco Street, Bldg. 400
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Purpose:
At the New
Mexico Medical Board’s (NMMB) regular Board Meetings held on November 6-7,
2025, and February 5-6, 2026, the Board discussed the addition of language to
the existing NMAC rule 16.10.2.10 to include detailed information on the types
of applications that the NMMB would accept for expedited licensure. The language was added to clarify all
applicable types of applications that will be accepted for expedited licensure
effective July 1, 2026. The Board voted
on the final additional language at the April 1, 2026, Interim Board Meeting.
No technical information serves as a
basis for this proposed rule amendment.
Public comment: Interested
parties may provide comment on the proposed amendments of this state rule at
the public hearing or may submit written comments to Monique Parks , New Mexico
Medical Board, 2055 South Pacheco Street, Bldg. 400, Santa Fe, NM 87505, or by
electronic mail to MoniqueM.Parks@nmmb.nm.gov . All written comments must be received no
later than 3:00 p.m. (MDT) on June 17, 2026.
All written comments will be posted to the agency website within (3)
three business days.
Copies of proposed rules: Copies
of the proposed rules may be accessed through the New Mexico Medical Board’s
website at www.nmmb.state.nm.us or may be obtained from the Board office
by calling (505) 476-7220 or via email at MoniqueM.Parks@nmmb.nm.gov or
at Natalie.Padilla@nmmb.nm.gov.
Individuals with disabilities who require
the above information in an alternative format, or who need any form of
auxiliary aid to attend or participate in the public hearing are asked to
contact Monique Parks or Elishia Lucero at (505) 476-7220 or via email at MoniqueM.Parks@nmmb.nm.gov or Natalie.Padilla@nmmb.nm.gov. The New Mexico Medical Board requires at
least ten (10) calendar days advance notice to provide any special
accommodations requested.
Summary of proposed changes: The
Board summarizes its proposed changes to its administrative rules as follows:
16.10.2.10 EXPEDITED LICENSURE:
A. Prerequisites for expedited licensure: Each applicant for a license to practice as a
physician in New Mexico 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 submit the
required fees as specified in 16.10.9.8 NMAC and the following documentation:
(1) a
completed signed application that has been verified as including all required
documentation with a passport-quality photo taken within the previous six
months; applications are valid for one year from the date of receipt by 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 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 physician(s) 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(s), chief(s) of staff, department chair(s) or
equivalent(s). 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
more than one work experience and hospital affiliation, provide at least three
verifications of all work and hospital affiliations during the past 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 NPDB, and other sources as may be deemed
appropriate by the board. The board
shall require fingerprints and, in its discretion, a state and national
background check.
D. Expedited license expiration: Expedited licenses shall be valid for no
more than 12 months from the date of issuance.
E. Procedure for incomplete
application. If an incomplete
application for an expedited license is
received, the board shall notify the applicant in writing
within 30 days from the date the incomplete application was received by the
board. The written notification shall
include how the application is incomplete and what is needed to complete the
application; this written notification shall be titled “notice to cure.” After receipt of the notice to cure, the
applicant must submit a completed application within 30 days of the receipt of
the notice to cure. An extension may be
granted, at the board’s discretion and based on good cause, for submission
beyond 30 days after receipt of the notice to cure.
F. Accepted applications for expedited licensure:
The NMMB will accept an application for expedited licensure from any
individual who holds an active medical license in all 50 states of the United
States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands,
and all other territories or dependencies of the United States. The NMMB will also accept an application for
expedited licensure from individuals licensed to practice medicine in Canada,
provided they meet the requirements outlined in 16.10.2.10 NMAC. Licensees from all other foreign countries
are not eligible for expedited licensure, as their accreditation standards have
not been verified as equivalent to those of the United States.