New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVI, Issue 19
/ October 7, 2025
This is an amendment to 16.16.3. NMAC, Section 8 through 12,
effective 10/07/2025.
16.63.3.8 APPLICATION FOR LICENSURE: Applicants, other than those applying for licensure by credentials, must submit or cause to be submitted the following documentation to the board:
A. completed online application;
[B. two personal character references;
C. one
2" x 2" original photograph of the applicant taken within the
preceding six months affixed to the application;]
[D.] B. license fee as provided in Part 8;
[E.] C. official transcripts [directly] from
the university or college uploaded by applicant or by other means
approved by the board verifying a bachelors or masters degree in social work;
[F.] D. verification of supervision must be received
[directly] from the supervisor and uploaded by applicant or by
other means [approved] provided by the board;
[G.] E. if currently or previously licensed in
another state you must submit verification of licensure, which must be [sent
directly] provided to the board by the issuing jurisdiction;
[H.] F. official exam scores; proof of passing the
licensure exam must be received directly from the association of social work
boards or from the jurisdiction in which the applicant is licensed; and
[I.] G. verification the applicant has completed one
of the following:
(1) a three credit hour course in New Mexico cultures listed on the applicants transcripts;
(2) a board approved course, workshop or seminar in New Mexico cultures;
(3) proof of previously passing the New Mexico cultural examination.
[J.] H. proof of passing the jurisprudence
examination with a grade of no less than seventy percent;
[K.] I. provide proof of any disqualifying criminal
convictions as defined in 16.63.13.9 NMAC.
[16.63.3.8 NMAC – Rp, 16.63.3.8 NMAC, 3/13/2022; A, 10/07/2025]
16.63.3.9 PARAMETERS OF PRACTICE: The
scope of practice for the independent social worker is set forth [in
16.63.11.9 NMAC] as defined in Paragraph (2) of Subsection B of Section
61-31-6 NMSA 1978. The scope of practice for the clinical social worker
is set forth as defined in Paragraph (1) of Subsection B of Section 61-31-6
NMSA 1978 (1996). The scope of practice for the master social worker is set
forth in 16.63.10.9 NMAC. The scope of
practice for the baccalaureate social worker is set forth in 16.63.9.9 NMAC.
[16.63.3.9 NMAC - Rp, 16.63.3.9 NMAC, 3/13/2022; A, 10/07/2025]
16.63.3.10 INITIAL LICENSE/RENEWAL OF
LICENSE:
A. Initial license.
(1) Initial licenses issued between January 1 and June 30 shall expire on July 1 of the next calendar year.
(2) Initial licenses issued between July 1 and December 31 shall expire on July 1 of the second calendar year following the date of issuance.
B. No license will be issued for longer than 24 months.
C. Renewal of license.
[(1)] Each licensed social worker shall [apply for license
renewal] renew and pay the renewal fee online not more than 75
days prior to expiration of the license as set forth in Part 8.
[(2) Licenses that expire July 1, 2007
will renew according to the following schedule.
(a) If
the last digit of the license number ends in an even number the license will
expire on July 1, 2008 and biennially thereafter. The renewal fee will be prorated.
(b) If
the last digit of the license number ends in an odd number the license will
expire on July 1, 2009 and biennially thereafter.]
D. A 30-day grace period, running from July 1 - July 30, of the renewal year allows the social worker to submit a renewal without a late penalty fee. However, the social worker’s license shall be considered expired and the social worker will refrain from practicing.
E. From July 31 to September 29 of the renewal year the social worker may renew the license, however a penalty fee will be assessed (16.63.8.17 NMAC).
F. If
revoked for non-renewal, the licensee will be required to pay previous
penalties, complete a new application and pay another application fee. [Licensees revoked for non-renewal may be
reinstated if revocation was due to extenuating circumstances. These extenuating circumstances include
serious, physician-verified illness and military service. The extenuating circumstances must be
presented in writing for the board’s consideration and will be handled on a
case-by-case basis. Licenses] License
will only be reinstated if [licensees are] licensee is up to date
with all current continuing education requirements and pass [an exam] the
jurisprudence exam as prescribed by the board.
G. Electronic signatures shall be accepted on all applications.
[16.63.3.10 NMAC - Rp, 16.63.3.10 NMAC, 3/13/2022; A, 10/07/2025]
16.63.3.11 QUALIFIED APPLICANTS: As per 16.63.4.12 NMAC "Qualified
applicants who fail to obtain the minimum required score may retake the (ASWB)
exam an unlimited number of times.
Applicants must pay the examination fee for each administration of the
examination." [Prior to the
re-examination a] A new application must be submitted to the board
by the applicant if exam approval has expired. A non-refundable application fee must
accompany [the] a new application. Qualifications for examination will be
evaluated based on the most recent application. [Initial] Applications are valid for a
period of 12 months.[additional, applications shall be valid for a period
not to exceed 12 months from the date of initial submission].
[16.63.3.11 NMAC – Rp, 16.63.3.11 NMAC, 3/13/2022; A, 10/07/2025]
16.63.3.12 EXAMINATION REQUIRED: No license, other than a provisional or expedited license will be issued without passing exam scores for ASWB at the appropriate level. The scores of ASWB examination may be submitted by ASWB, or by the state board from which the applicant is currently licensed, directly to the New Mexico board of social work examiners.
[16.63.3.12 NMAC - Rp, 16.63.3.12 NMAC, 3/13/2022; A, 10/07/2025]