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 16.10.4.8.  This action adds additional language to the existing rule regarding new requirements for Continuing Medical Education (CME).

 

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 Meeting held on February 5-6, 2026, the Board discussed the addition of language to the existing NMAC rule 16.10.4.8 to include one (1) hour of CME directed toward nutrition be added as a requirement per the Rural Healthcare Transformation Act includes specific CME requirements for physicians in the state of New Mexico.  The second addition of language to NMAC rule 16.10.4.8 is focused on allowing the Board to determine the type and content of required CME for license renewal. This will allow the Board the ability to modify CME requirements as necessary.  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:

 

16.10.4.8              HOURS REQUIRED:

               A.           Seventy-five hours of continuing medical education are required for all medical licenses during each triennial renewal cycle.  CME may be earned at any time during the licensing period, July 1 through June 30 immediately preceding the triennial renewal date.

               B.           One hour of required CME must be earned by reviewing the New Mexico Medical Practice Act and these board rules.  Physicians must certify that they have completed this review at the time they submit their triennial renewal application.

               C.           Beginning July 1, 2026, the board will require that one hour of CME must be earned directed toward nutrition.  The one hour of CME earned toward nutrition may apply toward the 75 hours required in Subsection A of this section and may be included as part of the required CME hours as set forth in Subsections A and B of 16.10.14.11 NMAC.

               D.           Continuing medical education is not required for federal emergency, telemedicine, postgraduate training, public service, temporary teaching or youth camp or school licenses.

               E.           The five hours of CME in pain management continuing education set forth in Subsections A and B of 16.10.14.11 NMAC may apply toward the 75 hours required in Subsection A of this section and may be included as part of the required CME hours in pain management in either the triennial cycle in which these hours are completed, or the triennial cycle immediately thereafter.  Each subsequent triennial renewal cycle shall include five hours of CME hours in pain management.

               F.            The board may determine the type and or content of continuing medical education required for license renewal.  The board may, by a majority vote, modify such requirements as necessary to address evolving standards of medical practice, and public health needs.