HOUSE BILL 331

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Larry A. Larrañaga

AN ACT

RELATING TO PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE; EXPANDING TEMPORARY LICENSURE; CLARIFYING RECIPROCITY; AMENDING SECTIONS OF THE COUNSELING AND THERAPY PRACTICE ACT.

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

     Section 1. Section 61-9A-16 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993, Chapter 49, Section 16, as amended) is amended to read:

     "61-9A-16. TEMPORARY LICENSURE.--

          A. Prior to examination, an applicant for licensure may obtain a temporary license to engage in any counselor and therapist practice if the person meets all of the requirements, except examination, provided for in Section 61-9A-10, 61-9A-11, 61-9A-11.1, 61-9A-12, 61-9A-12.1, 61-9A-13, [or] 61-9A-14, 61-9A-14.1 or 61-9A-14.2 NMSA 1978. The temporary license shall be valid no more than sixty days after the results of the next examination become available. If the individual should fail to take or pass those examinations, the temporary license shall automatically expire and the applicant will not be reissued a temporary license.

          B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this section, as deemed necessary by the board, an applicant for licensure pursuant to the Counseling and Therapy Practice Act may be issued a temporary license for a period not to exceed six months or for a period of time necessary for the board to ensure that the applicant has met licensure requirements as set out in that act."

     Section 2. Section 61-9A-22 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993, Chapter 49, Section 22, as amended) is amended to read:

     "61-9A-22. LICENSURE BY CREDENTIALS--RECIPROCITY.--

          A. The board may issue a license in the same licensure level to a person who:

                (1) files a completed application accompanied by the required fees [and who];

                (2) submits satisfactory evidence that the applicant holds and has held for a minimum of five years a current license issued by the appropriate examining board under the law of any other state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or any foreign nation and is:

                     [A.] (a) a nationally certified counselor as determined by the national board of certified counselors;

                     [B.] (b) a certified clinical mental health counselor or therapist as determined by the national board of certified counselors;

                     [C.] (c) a clinical member of the American association for marriage and family therapy;

                     [D.] (d) a registered art therapist, board certified by the art therapy credential board; or

                     [E.] (e) an alcohol and drug abuse counselor who is a national certified addiction counselor level I;

                (3) is in good standing with no disciplinary action pending or brought against the applicant within the past five years; and

                (4) possesses a master's or doctoral degree in counseling or a counseling-related field from an accredited institution.

          B. Applicants who do not meet the licensure by credential must meet the current licensure requirements."

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