FIFTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURESB 60/a

FIRST SESSION, 2021

January 29, 2021

Mr. President:

    Your HEALTH AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, to whom has been referred

SENATE BILL 60

has had it under consideration and reports same with recommendation that it DO PASS, amended as follows:

    1. On page 33, between lines 4 and 5, insert the following new section:

    "SECTION 2. Section 61-12D-10 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1997, Chapter 89, Section 10, as amended) is amended to read:

    "61-12D-10. LICENSURE--QUALIFICATIONS.--

         A. An applicant for initial licensure as a physical therapist shall submit a completed application and have the following minimum qualifications:

             [(1) be of good moral character;

             (2)] (1) be a graduate of an accredited physical therapy program approved by the board;

             [(3)] (2) have successfully passed the national physical therapy examination approved by the board; and

             [(4)] (3) have successfully passed the state jurisprudence examination.

         B. An applicant for initial licensure as a physical therapist who has been educated outside the United States shall submit a completed application and meet the following minimum qualifications in addition to those required in Paragraphs [(1)] (2) and (3) [and (4)] of Subsection A of this section:

             (1) provide satisfactory evidence that the applicant's education is substantially equivalent to the requirements of physical therapists educated in accredited educational programs in the United States, as determined by the board. If the board determines that a foreign-educated applicant's education is not substantially equivalent, it may require completion of additional course work before proceeding with the application process;

             (2) provide evidence that the applicant is a graduate of a school of training that is recognized by the foreign country's own ministry of education or similar institution;

             (3) provide written proof of authorization to practice as a physical therapist without limitations in the legal jurisdiction where the [postsecondary] post-secondary institution from which the applicant has graduated is located;

             [(4) provide proof of legal authorization to reside and seek employment in the United States or its territories;

             (5)] (4) have the applicant's educational credentials be evaluated by a board-approved credential evaluation agency; and

             [(6) pass all approved English proficiency examinations as may be prescribed by the board if English is not the applicant's primary language; and

             (7)] (5) participate in an interim supervised clinical practice period as may be prescribed by the board.

         C. The board may issue an interim permit to a foreign-trained applicant who satisfies the board's requirements. An interim permit shall be issued for the purpose of participating in a supervised clinical practice period.

         D. If the foreign-educated physical therapist applicant is a graduate of a college accredited by the commission on accreditation in physical therapy education, the requirements of Paragraphs (1), (2), (4) and (5) [and (7)] of Subsection B of this section are waived.

         E. An applicant for licensure as a physical therapist assistant shall submit a completed application and meet the following minimum requirements:

             [(1) be of good moral character;

             (2)] (1) be a graduate of an accredited physical therapist assistant program approved by the board;

             [(3)] (2) have successfully passed the national physical therapy examination approved by the board; and

             [(4)] (3) have successfully passed the state jurisprudence examination.

         F. An applicant for licensure as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant shall file a written application on forms provided by the board. A nonrefundable application fee and the cost of the examination shall accompany the completed written application.

         G. An initial applicant for licensure as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant shall provide fingerprints, as defined in board rule, to the board to obtain the applicant's federal bureau of investigation criminal history record. The applicant shall pay the cost of obtaining the federal bureau of investigation criminal history record.