SENATE BILL 140

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2020

INTRODUCED BY

Gerald Ortiz y Pino

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO LICENSURE; MANDATING ESTABLISHMENT OF A REQUIREMENT FOR A PRACTICAL EXAMINATION FOR LICENSURE APPLICANTS PURSUANT TO THE ACUPUNCTURE AND ORIENTAL MEDICINE PRACTICE ACT; ALLOWING ESTABLISHMENT OF A REQUIREMENT FOR AN ADDITIONAL NATIONAL PRACTICAL EXAMINATION FOR THOSE APPLICANTS.

 

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

     SECTION 1. Section 61-14A-11 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993, Chapter 158, Section 19, as amended) is amended to read:

     "61-14A-11. EXAMINATIONS.--

          A. The board shall establish procedures to ensure that examinations for licensing are offered at least once a year.

          B. The board shall establish the deadline for receipt of the application for licensing examination and other rules relating to the taking and retaking of licensing examinations.

          C. The board shall establish the passing grades for its approved examinations.

          D. The board may approve, and use as a basis for licensure, examinations that are used for national certification or other examinations.

          E. The board shall require each qualified applicant to pass a validated, objective written examination that covers areas that are not included in other examinations approved by the board, including, as a minimum, the following subjects:

                (1) anatomy and physiology;

                (2) pathology;

                (3) diagnosis;

                (4) pharmacology; and

                (5) principles, practices and treatment techniques of acupuncture and oriental medicine.

          F. The board may require each qualified applicant to pass a validated, objective national practical examination [that covers areas that are not included in other examinations approved by the board and that demonstrates his] in addition to any other examination required pursuant to Subsection G of this section. A national practical examination required by the board shall test the qualified applicant's knowledge of and skill in the application of the diagnostic and treatment techniques of acupuncture and oriental medicine.

          G. The board shall require each qualified applicant to pass a written [or] and a practical examination [or both] in the following subjects:

                (1) hygiene, sanitation and clean-needle technique; and

                (2) needle and instrument sterilization techniques.

          H. The board may require each qualified applicant to pass a written examination on the state laws and rules that pertain to the practice of acupuncture and oriental medicine.

          I. If English is not the primary language of the applicant, the board may require that the applicant pass an English proficiency examination prescribed by the board."

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2020.

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