HOUSE BILL 384

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Natalie Figueroa and Daniel A. Ivey-Soto and Gail Armstrong and

Doreen Y. Gallegos and D. Wonda Johnson

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO LICENSURE; PROVIDING FOR EXPEDITED LICENSURE OF VETERINARIANS AND ALL LICENSE LEVELS OF SOCIAL WORKERS.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. Section 61-14-10 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1967, Chapter 62, Section 7, as amended) is amended to read:

     "61-14-10. [LICENSE BY ENDORSEMENT] EXPEDITED AND TEMPORARY LICENSE.--

          [A. Pursuant to its regulations, the board may issue a license without written examination, except an examination on state laws and other state and federal regulations related to the practice of veterinary medicine, to a qualified applicant who furnishes satisfactory evidence that the applicant is a veterinarian and has, for the five years next prior to filing the application, been a practicing veterinarian and licensed in a state, territory or district of the United States having license requirements at the time the applicant was first licensed that were substantially equivalent to the requirements of the Veterinary Practice Act.

          B. Pursuant to its regulations, the board may issue, with examination, a limited practice license in veterinary medicine, which limited practice license shall describe adequately that area of veterinary medicine that the licensee is entitled to practice.

          C. At its discretion, the board may examine, orally or practically, any person qualifying for a license under this section.]

          A. The board shall issue an expedited license to a qualified applicant licensed in another state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or a foreign country as provided in Section 61-1-31.1 NMSA 1978. The board shall process the application as soon as practicable but no later than thirty days after the out-of-state veterinarian files an application for expedited licensure accompanied by any required fee if the applicant:

                (1) holds a license that is current and in good standing issued by another licensing jurisdiction approved by the board; and

                (2) has practiced veterinary medicine for at least five years.

          B. If the board issues an expedited license to a person whose prior licensing jurisdiction did not require examination, the board may require the person to pass an examination before applying for license renewal.

          C. The board by rule shall determine those states and territories of the United States and the District of Columbia from which it will not accept an applicant for expedited licensure and shall determine any foreign countries from which it will accept an applicant for expedited licensure. The board shall post the lists of disapproved and approved licensing jurisdictions on the board's website. The list of disapproved licensing jurisdictions shall include the specific reasons for disapproval. The lists shall be reviewed annually to determine if amendments to the rule are warranted. 

          D. The board may issue without examination a temporary permit to practice veterinary medicine to:

                (1) a qualified applicant for a license pending examination, provided the applicant is a graduate veterinarian and employed by and working under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian; provided that:

                     (a) the temporary permit shall expire the day after the notice of results of the first examination given after the permit is issued;

                     (b) a qualified applicant for a license pending examination may, at the board's discretion, be exempted from the requirement of working under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian, provided the applicant submits a written request for such exemption; and

                     (c) no additional temporary permit shall be issued to an applicant who has failed the required components of the New Mexico examination in this or any other state or any other territory, district or commonwealth of the United States; or

                (2) a nonresident veterinarian validly licensed and in good standing with the licensing authority in another state or territory of the United States, the District [or commonwealth of the United States provided that:

                     (a) except as otherwise provided in Subparagraph (b) of this paragraph, the temporary permit shall be issued for a period lasting no more than sixty days, not more than one permit shall be issued to the nonresident veterinarian during a calendar year and no more than two sixty-day, temporary permits shall be issued to the nonresident veterinarian; and

                     (b)] of Columbia or a foreign country if [a] the nonresident veterinarian is employed by or has a contract with the state, a municipality or a county to provide veterinary services at a nationally accredited zoo or aquarium located in New Mexico; provided that the temporary permit shall be issued for a period lasting no more than six months and no more than two consecutive six-month temporary permits shall be issued to any one [individual] veterinarian.

          E. A temporary permit to practice veterinary medicine may be summarily revoked by a majority vote of the board without a hearing."

     SECTION 2. Section 61-31-13 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 51, Section 13, as amended) is amended to read:

     "61-31-13. EXPEDITED LICENSURE [BY CREDENTIALS].--

          A. Upon application of an out-of-state licensed social worker, the board shall license [an] a qualified applicant for the licensure level sought as provided in Section 61-1-31.1 NMSA 1978 and provided the applicant:

                [(1) possesses and has held for a minimum of two and one-half years a valid social worker license issued by the appropriate examining board under the laws of any other state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or any foreign nation;

                (2) is in good standing with no disciplinary action pending or brought against the applicant within the past two and one-half years;

                (3) possesses a bachelor's or master's degree in social work from a program of social work accredited by the council on social work education;

                (4) verifies that the applicant has taken and passed the national examination as defined by rule; and

                (5) demonstrates an awareness and knowledge of New Mexico cultures to the board.

          B. The applicant will not have to further verify the applicant's experience, schooling or degrees if the criteria pursuant to Subsection A of this section are met.]

                (1) holds a license that is current and in good standing issued by another licensing jurisdiction;

                (2) has practiced for a minimum of two and one-half years; and

                (3) provides fingerprints and other information necessary for a state and national criminal background check, if required.

          B. The board shall process the application as soon as practicable but no later than thirty days after the out-of-state social worker files an application for expedited licensure accompanied by any required fee.

          C. If the board issues an expedited license to a person whose prior licensing jurisdiction did not require examination, the board may require the person to pass an examination before applying for license renewal.

          D. The board by rule shall determine those states and territories of the United States and the District of Columbia from which it will not accept an applicant for expedited licensure and shall determine any foreign countries from which it will accept an applicant for expedited licensure. The board shall post the lists of disapproved and approved licensing jurisdictions on the board's website. The list of disapproved licensing jurisdictions shall include the specific reasons for disapproval. The lists shall be reviewed annually to determine if amendments to the rule are warranted."

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