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

 

 

This is an amendment to 16.5.6 NMAC, Sections 8, 9 and 10, effective 4/21/2026.

 

16.5.6.8                PREREQUISITE REQUIREMENTS FOR GENERAL PRACTICE LICENSE:  Each applicant for a license to practice dentistry by examination must possess the following qualifications:

               A.           graduated and received a diploma from an accredited dental school as defined in Subsection A of Section 61-5A-12 NMSA 1978;

               B.           successfully completed the dental national board examination as defined in Subsection A of Section 61-5A-12 NMSA 1978;

               C.           passed a board approved clinical examination which includes hands-on periodontal and restorative procedures, the results of the clinical examination are valid in New Mexico for a period not to exceed five years:

                              (1)          the applicant shall apply directly to a board accepted examining agent for examination; and

                              (2)          results of the clinical examination must be sent directly to the board office; and

               D.           completed the jurisprudence exam with a score of at least seventy five percent; [the applicant shall schedule the exam through the board office;]

               E.           the board requires a background status report from a board designated professional background service the applicant will apply and pay fees directly to a board designated professional background service to initiate this service.

[16.5.6.8 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.6.8 NMAC, 5/31/2023; A, 4/21/2026]

 

16.5.6.9                PREREQUISITE REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIALTY LICENSE:  Each applicant for a license to practice a dental specialty by examination must possess the following qualifications.  Individuals licensed to practice a dental specialty shall be limited to practice only in that specialty area:

               A.           graduated and received a diploma from an accredited dental school as defined in Subsection A of Section 61-5A-12 NMSA; and

               B.           a postgraduate degree or certificate from an accredited dental school or approved residency program as defined in Subsection E of Section 61-5A-12 NMSA 1978 in one of the following specialty areas:

                              (1)          dental public health,

                              (2)          endodontics,

                              (3)          oral and maxillofacial surgery,

                              (4)          orthodontics and dento-facial orthopedics,

                              (5)          oral pathology,

                              (6)          pediatric dentistry,

                              (7)          periodontology,

                              (8)          prosthodontics, or

                              (9)          other specialties approved by the [American dental association;] American dental association’s national commission on recognition of dental specialties and certifying boards (NCRDSCB);

               C.           successfully completed the dental national board examination as defined in Subsection A of Section 61-5A-12 NMSA 1978;

               D.           passed a specialty clinical examination approved by the board; the results of the exam are valid in New Mexico for a period not to exceed five years; examination results must be sent directly to the board office;

               E.           an applicant in any specialty defined above for which there is no specialty clinical examination may substitute diplomat status for the examination;

               F.            completed the jurisprudence exam with a score of at least seventy five percent; the applicant shall schedule the exam through the board office; and

               G.           the board requires a [level II] background status report from a board designated professional background service; application for this service will be included with other application materials; the applicant will apply and pay fees directly to a board designated professional background service to initiate this service.

[16.5.6.9 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.6.9 NMAC, 5/31/2023; A, 4/21/2026]

 

16.5.6.10              DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS:  Each applicant for a license by examination must submit the required fees and following documentation:

[              A.           completed application; applications are valid for one year from the date of receipt;

               B.           official transcripts or an original letter on letterhead with an embossed seal verifying successfully passing all required courses from the dental school or college, to be sent directly to the board office from the accredited program;

               C.           a copy of clinical examination score card or certificate from the appropriate specialty board;

               D.           copy of national board examination certificate or score card;

               E.           proof of having taken a course in infection control technique or graduation from dental school within the past 12 months;

               F.            proof of current basic life support (BLS) or cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification accepted by the American heart association, the American red cross; or the American safety and health institute (ASHI); cannot be a self-study course;

               G.           the board will obtain verification of applicant status from the national practitioners data bank and the American association of dental examiners clearinghouse; and

               H.           the appropriate status report from a board designated professional background service must be received by the board office directly from a board designated professional background service; the results of the background check must either indicate no negative findings, or if there are negative findings, those findings will be considered by the board;

               I.            the board may deny, stipulate, or otherwise limit a license if it is determined the applicant is guilty of violating any of the provisions of the act, the Uniform Licensing Act, the Impaired Dentists and Hygienists Act, these rules, or if it is determined that the applicant poses a threat to the welfare of the public;

               J.            verification of licensure in all states where the applicant holds or has held a license in good standing to practice dentistry, or other health care profession; verification must be sent directly to the office from the other state(s) board, must include a seal, and must attest to the status, issue date, license number, and other information contained on the form;

               K.           in addition to the documentation required above, an applicant for licensure in a specialty area must request official transcripts from the residency program or postgraduate training program to be sent directly to the board office from the accredited program.]

               A.           completed application; applications are valid for one year from the date of receipt;

               B.           official transcripts successfully passing all required courses from the dental school or college, to be sent directly to the board office from the accredited program;

               C.           proof of having taken a course in infection control technique and sterilization procedures as defined in 16.5.1.16 NMAC or graduation from dental school within the past 12 months;

               D.           proof of completion of a course in ethics or jurisprudence that includes topics related to the New Mexico Dental Health Care Act and board rules within the past 12 months;

               E.           national board examination certificate or scorecard;

               F.            official board-approved clinical examination score report.  For specialty licensure, official certificate of diplomate status or board-certification from the national certifying board recognized by the NCRDSCB;

               G.           official report from the national practitioner’s data bank and the American association of dental examiners clearinghouse; and

               H.           the appropriate status report from a board designated professional background service must be received by the board office directly from a board designated professional background service; the results of the background check must either indicate no negative findings, or if there are negative findings, those findings will be considered by the board;

               I.            proof of current basic life support (BLS) or cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification accepted by the American heart association, the American heart association (AHA), the American red cross (ARC), or the American safety and health institute/health and safety institute (ASHI/HSI); cannot be a self-study course;

               J.            verification of licensure in all states where the applicant holds or has held a license in good standing to practice dentistry, or other health care profession; verification must be sent directly to the office from the other state(s) board, must attest to the status, issue date, license number, and other information contained on the form;

               K.           in addition to the documentation required above, an applicant for licensure in a specialty area must request official transcripts from the residency program or postgraduate training program to be sent directly to the board office from the accredited program.

[16.5.6.10 NMAC - Rp, 16.5.6.10 NMAC, 5/31/2023; A, 4/21/2026]