RELATING TO THANATOPRACTICE; REMOVING CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN LICENSEES AND EXTENDING THE GRACE PERIOD FOR LICENSE RENEWALS.

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

Section 1. Section 61-32-21 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993, Chapter 204, Section 21, as amended) is amended to read:

"61-32-21. LICENSE RENEWAL.--

A. All licenses expire annually and shall be renewed by submitting a completed renewal application, accompanied by the required fees, on a form provided by the board.

B. The board may require proof of continuing education or other proof of competency as a requirement for renewal; provided that a licensee who is age sixty-five or above and who has been licensed by the board for at least twenty consecutive years shall not be required to meet continuing education requirements.

C. A sixty-day grace period shall be allowed each licensee after the end of the licensing period, during which time licenses may be renewed upon payment of the renewal fee and a late fee as prescribed by the board and compliance with any other renewal requirements adopted by the board.

D. Any license not renewed at the end of the grace period shall be expired and invalid. A holder of an expired license shall be required to apply as a new applicant."