New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVI, Issue 19 / October 7, 2025

 

 

TITLE 16            OCCUPATION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING

CHAPTER 63    SOCIAL WORKERS

PART 15              RETIREMENT

 

16.63.15.1            ISSUING:  Regulation and Licensing Department, Board of Social Worker Examiners, P.O Box 25101, Santa Fe, NM 87504.

[16.63.15.1 NMAC – Rp., 16.63.15.1 NMAC, 10/07/2025]

 

16.63.15.2            SCOPE:  All baccalaureate social workers, master social worker, clinical social worker, and independent social workers.

[16.63.15.2 NMAC – Rp., 16.63.15.2 NMAC 10/07/2025]

 

16.63.15.3            STATUTORY AUTHORITY:  These parts are promulgated pursuant to the Social Work Practice Act, Sections 61-31-1 to 25 NMSA 1978.

[16.63.15.3 NMAC – Rp., 16.63.15.3 NMAC 10/07/2025]

 

16.63.15.4            DURATION:  Permanent

[16.63.15.4 NMAC – Rp.,16.63.15.4 NMAC, 10/07/2025]

 

16.63.15.5            EFFECTIVE DATE: October 07, 2025, unless a different date is cited at the end of a section.

[16.63.15.5 NMAC – Rp., 16.63.15.5 NMAC 10/07/2025]

 

16.63.15.6            OBJECTIVE:  To inform the licensee of the procedure to change their license to retirement status, and the reinstatement process.

[16.63.15.6 NMAC – Rp.,16.63.15.6 NMAC 10/07/2025]

 

16.63.15.7            DEFINITION:  [RESERVED]

 

16.63.15.8            PROCEDURE:

               A.           Any person licensed under the Social Work Practice Act (NMSA 1978 Sections 61-31-1 to 61-31-24) who wishes to retire from practice shall notify the board’s administrator in writing prior to the July 1 expiration of his license.  As part of the written request for retirement status, the license must show proof of having completed the required continuing education hours defined in 16.63.12 NMAC.  If the licensee has not met the continuing education requirements, retirement status may be granted but the licensee will be subject to all rules related to continuing education if reinstatement of license is requested.  The administrator shall acknowledge receipt of the request.

               B.           Upon approval by the board of the request, the licensee shall assume retirement status and shall be exempt from payment of the yearly renewal fees beginning in the year after the licensee’s retirement.

               C.           The practice of social work in New Mexico under a retired license is strictly prohibited. Any person licensed under the Act has retired as provided in this section, may notify the board, in writing, of his desire to resume active practice.

               D.           Upon receipt of the notice required in Subsection C of 16.63.15.8 NMAC, the administrator shall send to the retired licensee an application for reinstatement of license.

               E.           Reinstatement of the retired license shall be determined by and subject to the procedure set froth at 16.63.14 NMAC for inactive licensees.

[16.63.15.8 NMAC – Rp., 16.63.15.8 NMAC 10/07/2025]

 

HISTORY OF 16.63.15 NMAC:

Pre-NMAC History: The material in this part was derived from that previously filed with the Commission of Public Records-State Records Center and Archives:

 

Rule 15, Retirement, 5/22/92.

Rule 15, Retirement, 12/5/94.

 

History of Repealed Material:

16.63.15 NMAC, Retirement, filed 1/5/1995, was repealed and replaced with 16.63.15 NMAC, Retirement, effective 10/07/2025.