45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2001

RELATING TO LICENSURE OF PHYSICIANS; AMENDING PROVISIONS OF THE MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT REGARDING LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

Section 1. Section 61-6-13 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 269, Section 9, as amended) is amended to read:

"61-6-13. LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT.--

A. The board may grant a license without examination and by endorsement to an applicant who has been a licensed physician outside of New Mexico, but in the United States, and who otherwise meets the requirements set forth in the Medical Practice Act, provided that the applicant is properly endorsed by the officers of the examining board with jurisdiction.

B. The board may grant a license without examination and by endorsement to any applicant who has been a licensed physician in Canada and who otherwise meets the requirements set forth in the Medical Practice Act, provided that the applicant is properly endorsed by the officers of either the Canadian medical council or an examining board with jurisdiction within the United States.

C. The board may grant a license without examination and by endorsement to any applicant who has graduated from a medical college located outside the United States or Canada and who is of good moral character, who is in compliance with the United States immigration laws and who has been a licensed physician in the United States or Canada and has practiced medicine in the United States or Canada immediately preceding the application and who otherwise meets the requirements set forth in the Medical Practice Act, provided that the applicant is properly endorsed by the officers of the examining board within the United States or Canada that has jurisdiction.

D. An endorsement provided pursuant to this section shall certify that the applicant has passed an examination that meets with board approval and that the applicant is in good standing in that jurisdiction. In cases when the applicant is board certified, has not been the subject of disciplinary action that would be reportable to the national practitioner data bank or the healthcare integrity and protection data bank and has unusual skills and experience not generally available in this state, and patients residing in this state have a significant need for such skills and experience, the board may waive its regulations imposing time limits for examination completion that are different from those of the state where the applicant is licensed.

E. All applicants for licensure under this section shall personally appear before the board or a designated board member for an interview.

F. All applicants for licensure under this section shall pay an application fee as provided in Section 61-6-19 NMSA 1978."

Section 2. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.