New Mexico § 61-3-23.2 - Certified nurse practitioner; qualifications; practice; examination; endorsement; expedited licensure

§ 61-3-23.2. Certified nurse practitioner; qualifications; practice; examination; endorsement; expedited licensure

A. The board may license for advanced practice as a certified nurse practitioner an

applicant who furnishes evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant: (1) is a registered nurse; (2) has successfully completed a program for the education and preparation of nurse

practitioners; provided that, if the applicant is initially licensed by the board

or a board in another jurisdiction after January 1, 2001, the program shall be at

the master's level or higher; (3) has successfully completed the national certifying examination in the applicant's

specialty area; and (4) is certified by a national nursing organization. B. Certified nurse practitioners may: (1) perform an advanced practice that is beyond the scope of practice of professional

registered nursing; (2) practice independently and make decisions regarding health care needs of the individual,

family or community and carry out health regimens, including the prescription and

distribution of dangerous drugs and controlled substances included in Schedules II

through V of the Controlled Substances Act; and (3) 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. C. Certified nurse practitioners who have fulfilled requirements for prescriptive

authority may prescribe in accordance with rules, guidelines and formularies for individual

certified nurse practitioners promulgated by the board. D. Certified nurse practitioners who have fulfilled requirements for prescriptive

authority may distribute to their patients dangerous drugs and controlled substances

included in Schedules II through V of the Controlled Substances Act that have been

prepared, packaged or fabricated by a registered pharmacist or doses of drugs that

have been prepackaged by a pharmaceutical manufacturer in accordance with the Pharmacy

Act and the New Mexico Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act. E. Certified nurse practitioners licensed by the board on and after December 2, 1985

shall successfully complete a national certifying examination and shall maintain national

professional certification in their specialty area. Certified nurse practitioners licensed by a board prior to December 2, 1985 are

not required to sit for a national certification examination or be certified by a

national organization. F. The board shall issue an expedited license to an applicant without an examination

if the person has been duly licensed as a certified nurse practitioner in another

licensing jurisdiction and is in good standing with the licensing board in that licensing

jurisdiction. The board shall expedite the issuance of the license in accordance with Section 61-1-31.1 NMSA 1978 within thirty days. If the board issues an expedited license to a person whose prior licensing jurisdiction

did not require examination, the board may require that person to pass an examination

before applying for license renewal. An applicant licensed under the laws of a territory or foreign country shall demonstrate

proficiency in English.