New Mexico

New Mexico credentials two types of addiction counselors. Licensed Substance Abuse Associates requires, at minimum, an associate degree in a qualifying field, 90 hours of relevant education courses and supervised experience. A Licensed Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor requires, at minimum, an associate degree, 276 hours of relevant education courses and 3,000 hours of experience. A higher-level degree can substitute the number of hours (i.e. a person with a bachelor’s degree needs 2,000 hours). N.M. Stat. Ann. §61-9A and New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board

Clinical mental health counselors assess and provide diagnostic descriptions of mental, emotional or behavioral conditions. Counselors explore possible solutions and develop and implement a treatment plan for mental, emotional and psychosocial adjustment or development. N.M. Stat. Ann. §61-9A-3(Q)

As of August 2018, 93 NPs in New Mexico have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. Consistent with their prescriptive authority and with proper training or experience an NP in New Mexico may obtain a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products. N.M. Nursing Practice Act §61-3-23.2(B)(2)

As of August 2018, 14 PAs in New Mexico have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. A PA in New Mexico may prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances if done so under the supervision of a physician and within professional board guidelines. With proper training or appropriate experience a PA in New Mexico can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products, as long as the supervising physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. N.M. Stat. Ann. §61-6-7-(D)

The standards for the certification of peer support workers, including experience, training, and supervision requirements, are developed and administered by a third-party, non-profit certification provider.

NPs are authorized to sign medical orders for scope of treatment forms. N.M. Admin. Code §7.27.6.7

Full independent practice authority. An NP is licensed by the State Board of Nursing. N.M. Nursing Practice Act §61-3-23.2(B)(2)

NPs may independently prescribe prescription drugs and Schedules II-V controlled substances. N.M. Nursing Practice Act §61-3-23.2(B)(2)

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. NPs may serve as a primary acute, chronic long-term and end-of-life health care provider and as necessary collaborate with licensed medical doctors, osteopathic physicians or podiatrists. N.M. Nursing Practice Act §61-3-23.2(B)(3)

Optometrists may remove or drain superficial eyelid lesions and conjunctival cysts. N.M. Stat. Ann. §61-2-2

Optometrists may administer all pharmaceutical agents for the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, including epinephrine auto-injections to counter anaphylaxis. N.M. Stat. Ann. §61-2-10.2

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances and also Schedule II hydrocodone or hydrocodone combination medications. N.M. Stat. Ann. §61-2-10.2

A dental hygienist may practice in any setting with a collaborative agreement and can own or manage a collaborative dental hygiene practice. The dental hygienist must enter into a written agreement with a dentist that contains protocols for care and must meet experience requirements. No supervision is required to apply topical fluorides and remineralization agents in certain settings. N.M. Stat. Ann. §61-5A-4(C) and N.M. Admin. Code §16.5.17

Dental therapists is a licensed dental hygienist who holds a degree from a dental therapy education program. The dental therapists works under a practice agreement with a supervising dentist. The agreement outlines the parameters of care, level of supervision and protocols to be followed while performing dental therapy procedures on patients. N.M. Stat. Ann. §61-5A-3

Teledentistry means a dentist’s, dental hygienist’s or dental therapist’s use of electronic information, imaging and communication technologies, including interactive audio, video and data communications as well as store-and-forward technologies, to provide and support dental health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, transfer of dental data and education. N.M. Stat. Ann. §61-5A-3

New Mexico has not enacted legislation allowing pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the federal PREP Act does allow pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine through the duration of the public health emergency.

New Mexico does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

A pharmacist must complete a training course in the subject area of hormonal contraception drug therapy and must include instruction in specific content areas. The pharmacist must also complete continuing education requirements every two years. A written protocol for hormonal contraception drug therapy must be approved by the Board of Pharmacy. Prescriptive authority for hormonal contraception drug therapy includes drugs outlined in the written protocol. N.M. Admin. Code §16.19.26.13

A pharmacist must complete a training course in the subject area of tobacco cessation drug therapy and must include instruction in specific content areas. The pharmacist must also complete continuing education requirements every two years. A written protocol for tobacco cessation drug therapy must be approved by the Board of Pharmacy. Prescriptive authority for tobacco cessation drug therapy includes prescription and non-prescription therapies. N.M. Admin. Code §16.19.26.10

A physician assistant may perform the acts and duties that are within the physician assistant’s scope of practice in collaboration with a licensed physician. The relationship is determined at the practice level. N.M. Stat. Ann. §61-6C-6

A PA may prescribe Schedules II-V controlled substances if under physician supervision and within the parameters of board-approved guidelines. N.M. Stat. Ann. §61-6-7-(D)

The PA may only perform the acts and duties assigned by the supervising physician that are within the scope of practice of the physician. N.M. Stat. Ann. §61-6-7(D)