HB 331

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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, 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;

(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;

(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." HB 331

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