Text of NM SB 9 (2019)
Psychologist Prescription Certificates
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As introduced
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SENATE BILL 9
54TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 2019
INTRODUCED BY
Mary Kay Papen
AN ACT
RELATING TO HEALTH CARE; UPDATING PROVISIONS OF THE
PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST ACT RELATING TO PRESCRIBING
PSYCHOLOGISTS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS WITH A CONDITIONAL PRESCRIPTION
CERTIFICATE; REPEALING A SECTION OF THE PROFESSIONAL
PSYCHOLOGIST ACT TO ELIMINATE THE PURPOSE SECTION; DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1. Section 61-9-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1963,
Chapter 92, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read:
"61-9-3. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Professional
Psychologist Act:
A. "board" means the New Mexico state board of
psychologist examiners;
B. "conditional prescription certificate" means a
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document issued by the board to a licensed psychologist that
permits the holder to prescribe psychotropic medication under
the supervision of a [licensed physician] supervising clinician
pursuant to the Professional Psychologist Act;
C. "independently licensed prescribing clinician"
means a licensed physician, osteopathic physician, nurse
practitioner, psychiatric nurse practitioner or clinical nurse
specialist;
[C.] D. "person" includes an individual, firm,
partnership, association or corporation;
[D.] E. "prescribing psychologist" means a licensed
psychologist who holds a valid prescription certificate;
[E.] F. "prescription certificate" means a document
issued by the board to a licensed psychologist that permits the
holder to prescribe psychotropic medication pursuant to the
Professional Psychologist Act;
[F.] G. "psychotropic medication" means a
controlled substance or dangerous drug that may not be
dispensed or administered without a prescription and whose
primary indication for use has been approved by the federal
food and drug administration for the treatment of mental
disorders [and] or is listed as a psychotherapeutic agent in
Drug Facts and Comparisons 2017, or the most recent edition of
that book, or in [the] American Hospital Formulary Service Drug
Information;
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[G.] H. "psychologist" means a person who engages
in the practice of psychology or holds [himself] the person's
self out to the public by any title or description of services
representing [himself] the person as a psychologist, which
incorporates the words "psychological", "psychologist",
"psychology", or when a person describes [himself] the person's
self as above and, under such title or description, offers to
render or renders services involving the application of
principles, methods and procedures of the science and
profession of psychology to persons for compensation or other
personal gain;
[H.] I. "practice of psychology" means the
observation, description, evaluation, interpretation and
modification of human behavior by the application of
psychological principles, methods and procedures for the
purpose of preventing or eliminating symptomatic, maladaptive
or undesired behavior and of enhancing interpersonal
relationships, work and life adjustment, personal
effectiveness, behavioral health and mental health, and further
means the rendering of such psychological services to
individuals, families or groups regardless of whether payment
is received for services rendered. The practice of psychology
includes psychological testing or neuropsychological testing
and the evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics
such as intelligence, personality, abilities, interests,
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aptitudes and neuropsychological functioning; counseling,
psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, behavior
analysis and therapy; diagnosis and treatment of [any] a mental
and emotional disorder or disability, alcoholism and substance
abuse, disorders of habit or conduct and the psychological
aspects of physical illness, accident, injury and disability;
and psychoeducational evaluation, therapy, remediation and
consultation; [and
I.] J. "school" or "college" means a university or
other institution of higher education that is regionally
accredited and that offers a full-time graduate course of study
in psychology as defined by rule of the board or that is
approved by the American psychological association; and
K. "supervising clinician" means a licensed
physician, osteopathic physician, nurse practitioner,
psychiatric nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist who
is supervising a psychologist in the prescribing of
psychotropic medication."
SECTION 2. Section 61-9-10 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1963,
Chapter 92, Section 9, as amended) is amended to read:
"61-9-10. LICENSURE OF PSYCHOLOGISTS FROM OTHER AREAS--
RECIPROCITY.--Subject to the provisions of Section 61-9-10.1
NMSA 1978, upon application accompanied by a fee as required by
the Professional Psychologist Act, the board may, without
written or oral examination, issue a license to a person who
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furnishes, upon a form and in such manner as the board
prescribes, evidence satisfactory to the board that the person
has been licensed or certified as a psychologist or prescribing
psychologist by another state, a territorial possession of the
United States, the District of Columbia or another country for
a minimum of five years. An applicant seeking reciprocity
shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the board that the
training and education received by the applicant is equivalent
to the requirements for a doctoral degree in psychology as
provided in the Professional Psychologist Act."
SECTION 3. Section 61-9-13 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1963,
Chapter 92, Section 12, as amended) is amended to read:
"61-9-13. DENIAL, REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION OF LICENSE.--
A. The board, by an affirmative vote of at least
five of its eight members, shall withhold, deny, revoke or
suspend a psychologist or psychologist associate license issued
or applied for in accordance with the provisions of the
Professional Psychologist Act or otherwise discipline a
licensed psychologist or psychologist associate upon proof that
the applicant, licensed psychologist or psychologist associate:
(1) has been convicted of a felony or an
offense involving moral turpitude, the record of conviction
being conclusive evidence thereof;
(2) is using a drug, substance or alcoholic
beverage to an extent or in a manner dangerous to the
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psychologist or psychologist associate, any other person or the
public or to an extent that the use impairs the psychologist's
or psychologist associate's ability to perform the work of a
professional psychologist or psychologist associate with safety
to the public;
(3) has impersonated another person holding a
psychologist or psychologist associate license or allowed
another person to use the psychologist's or psychologist
associate's license;
(4) has used fraud or deception in applying
for a license or in taking an examination provided for in the
Professional Psychologist Act;
(5) has accepted commissions or rebates or
other forms of remuneration for referring clients to other
professional persons;
(6) has allowed the psychologist's or
psychologist associate's name or license issued under the
Professional Psychologist Act to be used in connection with a
person who performs psychological services outside of the area
of that person's training, experience or competence;
(7) is legally adjudicated insane or mentally
incompetent, the record of such adjudication being conclusive
evidence thereof;
(8) has willfully or negligently violated the
provisions of the Professional Psychologist Act;
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(9) has violated any code of conduct adopted
by the board;
(10) has been disciplined by another state for
acts similar to acts described in this subsection, and a
certified copy of the record of discipline of the state
imposing the discipline is conclusive evidence;
(11) is incompetent to practice psychology;
(12) has failed to furnish to the board or its
representative information requested by the board;
(13) has abandoned patients or clients;
(14) has failed to report to the board adverse
action taken against the licensee by:
(a) another licensing jurisdiction;
(b) a professional psychologist
association of which the psychologist or psychologist associate
is or has been a member;
(c) a government agency; or
(d) a court for actions or conduct
similar to acts or conduct that would constitute grounds for
action as described in this subsection;
(15) has failed to report to the board
surrender of a license or other authorization to practice
psychology in another jurisdiction or surrender of membership
on a health care staff or in a professional association
following a disciplinary investigation, or in lieu of or while
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under a disciplinary investigation, by any of those authorities
for acts or conduct that would constitute grounds for action as
defined in this subsection;
(16) has failed to adequately supervise a
psychologist associate or a licensed psychologist holding a
conditional prescription certificate;
(17) has employed abusive billing practices;
(18) has aided or abetted the practice of
psychology by a person not licensed by the board; or
(19) uses conversion therapy on a minor.
B. A person who has been refused a license or whose
license has been restricted or suspended under the provisions
of this section may reapply for licensure after more than two
years have elapsed from the date the restriction or suspension
is terminated.
C. As used in this section:
(1) "conversion therapy" means any practice or
treatment that seeks to change a person's sexual orientation or
gender identity, including any effort to change behaviors or
gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic
attractions or feelings toward persons of the same sex.
"Conversion therapy" does not mean:
(a) counseling or mental health services
that provide acceptance, support and understanding of a person
without seeking to change gender identity or sexual
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orientation; or
(b) mental health services that
facilitate a person's coping, social support, sexual
orientation or gender identity exploration and development,
including an intervention to prevent or address unlawful
conduct or unsafe sexual practices, without seeking to change
gender identity or sexual orientation;
(2) "gender identity" means a person's self-
perception, or perception of that person by another, of the
person's identity as a male or female based upon the person's
appearance, behavior or physical characteristics that are in
accord with or opposed to the person's physical anatomy,
chromosomal sex or sex at birth;
(3) "minor" means a person under eighteen
years of age; and
(4) "sexual orientation" means
heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality, whether actual
or perceived."
SECTION 4. Section 61-9-17 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1963,
Chapter 92, Section 16, as amended) is amended to read:
"61-9-17. DRUGS--MEDICINES.--
A. Except as provided in Subsections B and C of
this section, psychologists or psychologist associates shall
not administer or prescribe drugs or medicine or in any manner
engage in the practice of medicine as defined by the laws of
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this state.
B. A licensed psychologist holding a conditional
prescription certificate may prescribe psychotropic medication
under the supervision of a [licensed physician] supervising
clinician pursuant to the Professional Psychologist Act.
C. A prescribing psychologist may prescribe
psychotropic medication pursuant to the Professional
Psychologist Act."
SECTION 5. Section 61-9-17.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2002,
Chapter 100, Section 6) is amended to read:
"61-9-17.1. CONDITIONAL PRESCRIPTION CERTIFICATE--
PRESCRIPTION CERTIFICATE--APPLICATION--REQUIREMENTS--RULEMAKING
BY BOARD--ISSUANCE, DENIAL, RENEWAL AND REVOCATION OF
CERTIFICATION.--
A. A psychologist may apply to the board for a
conditional prescription certificate. The application shall be
made on a form approved by the board and be accompanied by
evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant:
(1) has completed a doctoral program in
psychology from an accredited institution of higher education
or professional school, or, if the program was not accredited
at the time of the applicant's graduation, that the program
meets professional standards determined acceptable by the
board;
(2) holds a current license to practice
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psychology in New Mexico;
(3) has successfully completed pharmacological
training from an institution of higher education approved by
the board and the New Mexico medical board [of medical
examiners] or from a provider of continuing education approved
by the board and the New Mexico medical board [of medical
examiners];
(4) has passed a national certification
examination approved by the board and the New Mexico medical
board [of medical examiners] that tests the applicant's
knowledge of pharmacology in the diagnosis, care and treatment
of mental disorders;
(5) within the five years immediately
preceding the date of application, has successfully completed
an organized program of education approved by the board and the
New Mexico medical board [of medical examiners] and consisting
of didactic instruction of no fewer than four hundred fifty
classroom hours in at least the following core areas of
instruction:
(a) neuroscience;
(b) pharmacology;
(c) psychopharmacology;
(d) physiology;
(e) pathophysiology;
(f) appropriate and relevant physical
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and laboratory assessment; and
(g) clinical pharmacotherapeutics;
(6) within the five years immediately
preceding the date of application, has been certified by each
of the applicant's supervising [psychiatrist or physician]
independently licensed prescribing clinicians as having
successfully completed a supervised and relevant clinical
experience, approved by the board and the New Mexico medical
board [of medical examiners], of:
(a) no less than an eighty-hour
practicum in clinical assessment and pathophysiology under the
supervision of an independently licensed prescribing physician;
and
(b) an additional supervised practicum
of at least four hundred hours treating no fewer than one
hundred patients with mental disorders, the practica to have
been supervised by any one or a combination of a psychiatrist
or other appropriately trained independently licensed
prescribing physician and determined by the board and the New
Mexico medical board [of medical examiners] to be sufficient to
competently train the applicant in the treatment of a diverse
patient population. One-to-one supervision shall be provided
either face-to-face, telephonically or by video conference;
(7) has malpractice insurance in place,
sufficient to satisfy the rules adopted by the board and the
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New Mexico medical board [of medical examiners], that will
cover the applicant during the period the conditional
prescription certificate is in effect; and
(8) meets all other requirements, as
determined by rule of the board, for obtaining a conditional
prescription certificate.
B. The board shall issue a conditional prescription
certificate if it finds that the applicant has met the
requirements of Subsection A of this section. The certificate
shall be valid for a period of two years, at the end of which
the holder may again apply pursuant to the provisions of
Subsection A of this section. A psychologist with a
conditional prescription certificate may prescribe psychotropic
medication under the supervision of a [licensed physician]
supervising clinician subject to the following conditions:
(1) the psychologist shall continue to hold a
current license to practice psychology in New Mexico and
continue to maintain malpractice insurance;
[(2) the psychologist shall inform the board
and the New Mexico board of medical examiners of the name of
the physician under whose supervision the psychologist will
prescribe psychotropic medication and promptly inform the board
and the New Mexico board of medical examiners of any change of
the supervising physician; and
(3) a physician supervising a psychologist
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prescribing psychotropic medication pursuant to a conditional
prescription certificate shall inform the board and the New
Mexico board of medical examiners that he is supervising the
psychologist. The physician shall be individually responsible
for the acts and omissions of the psychologist while under his
supervision. This provision does not relieve the psychologist
from liability for his acts and omissions.]
(2) the psychologist shall notify the board of
the name of the psychologist's supervising clinician; and
(3) a supervising clinician shall notify the
supervising clinician's own licensing board of the name of each
psychologist under the supervising clinician's supervision.
C. A supervising clinician shall not be liable for
the acts of a psychologist under the supervising clinician's
supervision unless the injury or loss arises from those acts
under the direction and control of the supervising clinician.
[C.] D. A psychologist may apply to the board for a
prescription certificate. The application shall be made on a
form approved by the board and be accompanied by evidence
satisfactory to the board that the applicant:
(1) has been issued a conditional prescription
certificate and has successfully completed two years of
prescribing psychotropic medication as certified by the
supervising [licensed physician] clinician;
(2) has successfully undergone a process of
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independent peer review approved by the board and the New
Mexico medical board [of medical examiners];
(3) holds a current license to practice
psychology in New Mexico;
(4) has malpractice insurance in place,
sufficient to satisfy the rules adopted by the board, that will
cover the applicant as a prescribing psychologist; and
(5) meets all other requirements, as
determined by rule of the board, for obtaining a prescription
certificate.
[D.] E. The board shall issue a prescription
certificate if it finds that the applicant has met the
requirements of Subsection [C] D of this section. A
psychologist with a prescription certificate may prescribe
psychotropic medication pursuant to the provisions of the
Professional Psychologist Act if the psychologist:
(1) continues to hold a current license to
practice psychology in New Mexico and continues to maintain
malpractice insurance; and
(2) annually satisfies the continuing
education requirements for prescribing psychologists, as set by
the board, which shall be no fewer than twenty hours each year.
[E.] F. The board shall promulgate rules providing
for the procedures to be followed in obtaining a conditional
prescription certificate, a prescription certificate and
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renewals of a prescription certificate. The board may set
reasonable application and renewal fees.
[F.] G. The board shall promulgate rules
establishing the grounds for denial, suspension or revocation
of conditional prescription certificates and prescription
certificates authorized to be issued pursuant to this section,
including a provision for suspension or revocation of a license
to practice psychology upon suspension or revocation of a
certificate. Actions of denial, suspension or revocation of a
certificate shall be in accordance with the Uniform Licensing
Act."
SECTION 6. Section 61-9-17.2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2002,
Chapter 100, Section 7) is amended to read:
"61-9-17.2. PRESCRIBING PRACTICES.--
A. A prescribing psychologist or a psychologist
with a conditional prescription certificate may administer and
prescribe psychotropic medication within the recognized scope
of the profession, including the ordering and review of
laboratory tests in conjunction with the prescription, for the
treatment of mental disorders.
B. When prescribing psychotropic medication for a
patient, the prescribing psychologist or the psychologist with
a conditional prescription certificate shall maintain an
ongoing collaborative relationship with the health care
practitioner who oversees the patient's general medical care to
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ensure that necessary medical examinations are conducted, the
psychotropic medication is appropriate for the patient's
medical condition and significant changes in the patient's
medical or psychological condition are discussed.
C. The ongoing collaborative relationship shall be
maintained pursuant to guidelines developed by the board and
the New Mexico medical board [of medical examiners], which
shall optimize patient care.
D. The guidelines shall ensure that the prescribing
psychologist or the psychologist with a conditional
prescription certificate and the [treating physician] health
care practitioner coordinate, and collaborate on, the care of
the patient to provide optimal care. Nothing in this
subsection shall require a prescribing psychologist or
psychologist with a conditional prescription certificate to
give prior notice to or obtain prior approval from a health
care practitioner to prescribe psychotropic medication to a
patient with whom the prescribing psychologist has established
a psychologist-patient relationship; provided that the
psychologist provides written notice of the prescription to the
health care practitioner within twenty-four hours of its
issuance to such patient.
E. A committee composed of members of [both boards]
the board and the New Mexico medical board shall be established
and, pursuant to the guidelines, shall evaluate complaints.
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The committee shall report its findings and recommendations to
each board for each board's appropriate actions.
[C.] F. A prescription written by a prescribing
psychologist or a psychologist with a conditional prescription
certificate shall:
(1) comply with applicable state and federal
laws;
(2) be identified as issued by the
psychologist as "psychologist certified to prescribe"; and
(3) include the psychologist's board-assigned
identification number.
[D.] G. A prescribing psychologist or a
psychologist with a conditional prescription certificate shall
not delegate prescriptive authority to any other person.
Records of all prescriptions shall be maintained in patient
records.
[E.] H. When authorized to prescribe controlled
substances, a prescribing psychologist or a psychologist with a
conditional prescription certificate shall file with the board
in a timely manner all individual federal drug enforcement
[agency] administration registrations and numbers. The board
and the New Mexico medical board [of medical examiners] shall
maintain current records on every psychologist, including
federal registrations and numbers.
[F.] I. The board shall provide to the board of
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pharmacy and the New Mexico medical board [of medical
examiners] an annual list of prescribing psychologists and
psychologists with conditional prescription certificates that
contains the information agreed upon between the board, the New
Mexico medical board [of medical examiners] and the board of
pharmacy. The board shall promptly notify the board of
pharmacy of psychologists who are added to or deleted from the
list.
[G.] J. For the purpose of this section:
(1) "collaborative relationship" means a
cooperative working relationship between a prescribing
psychologist or a psychologist with a conditional prescription
certificate and a health care practitioner in the provision of
patient care, including diagnosis and cooperation in the
management and delivery of physical and mental health care; and
(2) "health care practitioner" means a
physician, osteopathic physician, [or] nurse practitioner,
physician assistant or clinical nurse specialist."
SECTION 7. A new section of the Nursing Practice Act is
enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] SUPERVISION OF PSYCHOLOGIST IN THE
PRESCRIBING OF PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATION BY NURSE PRACTITIONER OR
CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST.--
A. Subject to rules promulgated by the board, a
nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist may supervise a
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psychologist in the prescribing of psychotropic medication
pursuant to the Professional Psychologist Act.
B. No later than January 1, 2020, the board shall
promulgate regulations for a nurse practitioner or clinical
nurse specialist who supervises a psychologist in the
prescribing of psychotropic medication pursuant to the
Professional Psychologist Act."
SECTION 8. A new section of the Professional Psychologist
Act is enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAM--BOARD TO
PROMULGATE RULES.--By January 1, 2020, the board shall
promulgate rules to carry out the provisions of the
prescription monitoring program established by Section
26-1-16.1 NMSA 1978 insofar as that program applies to
prescribing psychologists."
SECTION 9. A new section of the Osteopathic Medicine Act
is enacted to read:
"[NEW MATERIAL] SUPERVISION OF PSYCHOLOGIST IN THE
PRESCRIBING OF PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATION BY OSTEOPATHIC
PHYSICIAN.--
A. Subject to rules promulgated by the board, an
osteopathic physician may supervise a psychologist in the
prescribing of psychotropic medication pursuant to the
Professional Psychologist Act.
B. No later than January 1, 2020, the board shall
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promulgate regulations for an osteopathic physician who
supervises a psychologist in the prescribing of psychotropic
medication pursuant to the Professional Psychologist Act."
SECTION 10. REPEAL.--Section 61-9-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws
1989, Chapter 41, Section 2) is repealed.
SECTION 11. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public
peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.
- 21 -
.212247.1
As enrolled or final
26,875 characters
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AN ACT
RELATING TO HEALTH CARE; UPDATING PROVISIONS OF THE
PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST ACT RELATING TO PRESCRIBING
PSYCHOLOGISTS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS WITH A CONDITIONAL
PRESCRIPTION CERTIFICATE; REPEALING A SECTION OF THE
PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST ACT TO ELIMINATE THE PURPOSE
SECTION; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1. Section 61-9-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1963,
Chapter 92, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read:
"61-9-3. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Professional
Psychologist Act:
A. "board" means the New Mexico state board of
psychologist examiners;
B. "conditional prescription certificate" means a
document issued by the board to a licensed psychologist that
permits the holder to prescribe psychotropic medication under
the supervision of a supervising clinician pursuant to the
Professional Psychologist Act;
C. "independently licensed prescribing clinician"
means a licensed physician, osteopathic physician, nurse
practitioner, psychiatric nurse practitioner or clinical
nurse specialist;
D. "person" includes an individual, firm,
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partnership, association or corporation;
E. "prescribing psychologist" means a licensed
psychologist who holds a valid prescription certificate;
F. "prescription certificate" means a document
issued by the board to a licensed psychologist that permits
the holder to prescribe psychotropic medication pursuant to
the Professional Psychologist Act;
G. "psychotropic medication" means a controlled
substance or dangerous drug that may not be dispensed or
administered without a prescription and whose primary
indication for use has been approved by the federal food and
drug administration for the treatment of mental disorders or
is listed as a psychotherapeutic agent in Drug Facts and
Comparisons 2017, or the most recent edition of that book, or
in American Hospital Formulary Service Drug Information;
H. "psychologist" means a person who engages in
the practice of psychology or holds the person's self out to
the public by any title or description of services
representing the person as a psychologist, which incorporates
the words "psychological", "psychologist", "psychology", or
when a person describes the person's self as above and, under
such title or description, offers to render or renders
services involving the application of principles, methods and
procedures of the science and profession of psychology to
persons for compensation or other personal gain;
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I. "practice of psychology" means the observation,
description, evaluation, interpretation and modification of
human behavior by the application of psychological
principles, methods and procedures for the purpose of
preventing or eliminating symptomatic, maladaptive or
undesired behavior and of enhancing interpersonal
relationships, work and life adjustment, personal
effectiveness, behavioral health and mental health, and
further means the rendering of such psychological services to
individuals, families or groups regardless of whether payment
is received for services rendered. The practice of
psychology includes psychological testing or
neuropsychological testing and the evaluation or assessment
of personal characteristics such as intelligence,
personality, abilities, interests, aptitudes and
neuropsychological functioning; counseling, psychoanalysis,
psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, behavior analysis and
therapy; diagnosis and treatment of a mental and emotional
disorder or disability, alcoholism and substance abuse,
disorders of habit or conduct and the psychological aspects
of physical illness, accident, injury and disability; and
psychoeducational evaluation, therapy, remediation and
consultation;
J. "school" or "college" means a university or
other institution of higher education that is regionally
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accredited and that offers a full-time graduate course of
study in psychology as defined by rule of the board or that
is approved by the American psychological association; and
K. "supervising clinician" means a licensed
physician, osteopathic physician, nurse practitioner,
psychiatric nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist
who is supervising a psychologist in the prescribing of
psychotropic medication."
SECTION 2. Section 61-9-10 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1963,
Chapter 92, Section 9, as amended) is amended to read:
"61-9-10. LICENSURE OF PSYCHOLOGISTS FROM OTHER AREAS--
RECIPROCITY.--Subject to the provisions of Section 61-9-10.1
NMSA 1978, upon application accompanied by a fee as required
by the Professional Psychologist Act, the board may, without
written or oral examination, issue a license to a person who
furnishes, upon a form and in such manner as the board
prescribes, evidence satisfactory to the board that the
person has been licensed or certified as a psychologist or
prescribing psychologist by another state, a territorial
possession of the United States, the District of Columbia or
another country for a minimum of five years. An applicant
seeking reciprocity shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of
the board that the training and education received by the
applicant is equivalent to the requirements for a doctoral
degree in psychology as provided in the Professional
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Psychologist Act."
SECTION 3. Section 61-9-13 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1963,
Chapter 92, Section 12, as amended) is amended to read:
"61-9-13. DENIAL, REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION OF
LICENSE.--
A. The board, by an affirmative vote of at least
five of its eight members, shall withhold, deny, revoke or
suspend a psychologist or psychologist associate license
issued or applied for in accordance with the provisions of
the Professional Psychologist Act or otherwise discipline a
licensed psychologist or psychologist associate upon proof
that the applicant, licensed psychologist or psychologist
associate:
(1) has been convicted of a felony or an
offense involving moral turpitude, the record of conviction
being conclusive evidence thereof;
(2) is using a drug, substance or alcoholic
beverage to an extent or in a manner dangerous to the
psychologist or psychologist associate, any other person or
the public or to an extent that the use impairs the
psychologist's or psychologist associate's ability to perform
the work of a professional psychologist or psychologist
associate with safety to the public;
(3) has impersonated another person holding
a psychologist or psychologist associate license or allowed
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another person to use the psychologist's or psychologist
associate's license;
(4) has used fraud or deception in applying
for a license or in taking an examination provided for in the
Professional Psychologist Act;
(5) has accepted commissions or rebates or
other forms of remuneration for referring clients to other
professional persons;
(6) has allowed the psychologist's or
psychologist associate's name or license issued under the
Professional Psychologist Act to be used in connection with a
person who performs psychological services outside of the
area of that person's training, experience or competence;
(7) is legally adjudicated insane or
mentally incompetent, the record of such adjudication being
conclusive evidence thereof;
(8) has willfully or negligently violated
the provisions of the Professional Psychologist Act;
(9) has violated any code of conduct adopted
by the board;
(10) has been disciplined by another state
for acts similar to acts described in this subsection, and a
certified copy of the record of discipline of the state
imposing the discipline is conclusive evidence;
(11) is incompetent to practice psychology;
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(12) has failed to furnish to the board or
its representative information requested by the board;
(13) has abandoned patients or clients;
(14) has failed to report to the board
adverse action taken against the licensee by:
(a) another licensing jurisdiction;
(b) a professional psychologist
association of which the psychologist or psychologist
associate is or has been a member;
(c) a government agency; or
(d) a court for actions or conduct
similar to acts or conduct that would constitute grounds for
action as described in this subsection;
(15) has failed to report to the board
surrender of a license or other authorization to practice
psychology in another jurisdiction or surrender of membership
on a health care staff or in a professional association
following a disciplinary investigation, or in lieu of or
while under a disciplinary investigation, by any of those
authorities for acts or conduct that would constitute grounds
for action as defined in this subsection;
(16) has failed to adequately supervise a
psychologist associate or a licensed psychologist holding a
conditional prescription certificate;
(17) has employed abusive billing practices;
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(18) has aided or abetted the practice of
psychology by a person not licensed by the board; or
(19) uses conversion therapy on a minor.
B. A person who has been refused a license or
whose license has been restricted or suspended under the
provisions of this section may reapply for licensure after
more than two years have elapsed from the date the
restriction or suspension is terminated.
C. As used in this section:
(1) "conversion therapy" means any practice
or treatment that seeks to change a person's sexual
orientation or gender identity, including any effort to
change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or
reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward
persons of the same sex. "Conversion therapy" does not mean:
(a) counseling or mental health
services that provide acceptance, support and understanding
of a person without seeking to change gender identity or
sexual orientation; or
(b) mental health services that
facilitate a person's coping, social support, sexual
orientation or gender identity exploration and development,
including an intervention to prevent or address unlawful
conduct or unsafe sexual practices, without seeking to change
gender identity or sexual orientation;
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(2) "gender identity" means a person's
self-perception, or perception of that person by another, of
the person's identity as a male or female based upon the
person's appearance, behavior or physical characteristics
that are in accord with or opposed to the person's physical
anatomy, chromosomal sex or sex at birth;
(3) "minor" means a person under eighteen
years of age; and
(4) "sexual orientation" means
heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality, whether actual
or perceived."
SECTION 4. Section 61-9-17 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1963,
Chapter 92, Section 16, as amended) is amended to read:
"61-9-17. DRUGS--MEDICINES.--
A. Except as provided in Subsections B and C of
this section, psychologists or psychologist associates shall
not administer or prescribe drugs or medicine or in any
manner engage in the practice of medicine as defined by the
laws of this state.
B. A licensed psychologist holding a conditional
prescription certificate may prescribe psychotropic
medication under the supervision of a supervising clinician
pursuant to the Professional Psychologist Act.
C. A prescribing psychologist may prescribe
psychotropic medication pursuant to the Professional
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Psychologist Act."
SECTION 5. Section 61-9-17.1 NMSA 1978 (being
Laws 2002, Chapter 100, Section 6) is amended to read:
"61-9-17.1. CONDITIONAL PRESCRIPTION CERTIFICATE--
PRESCRIPTION CERTIFICATE--APPLICATION--REQUIREMENTS--
RULEMAKING BY BOARD--ISSUANCE, DENIAL, RENEWAL AND REVOCATION
OF CERTIFICATION.--
A. A psychologist may apply to the board for a
conditional prescription certificate. The application shall
be made on a form approved by the board and be accompanied by
evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant:
(1) has completed a doctoral program in
psychology from an accredited institution of higher education
or professional school, or, if the program was not accredited
at the time of the applicant's graduation, that the program
meets professional standards determined acceptable by the
board;
(2) holds a current license to practice
psychology in New Mexico;
(3) has successfully completed
pharmacological training from an institution of higher
education approved by the board and the New Mexico medical
board or from a provider of continuing education approved by
the board and the New Mexico medical board;
(4) has passed a national certification
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examination approved by the board and the New Mexico medical
board that tests the applicant's knowledge of pharmacology in
the diagnosis, care and treatment of mental disorders;
(5) within the five years immediately
preceding the date of application, has successfully completed
an organized program of education approved by the board and
the New Mexico medical board and consisting of didactic
instruction of no fewer than four hundred fifty classroom
hours in at least the following core areas of instruction:
(a) neuroscience;
(b) pharmacology;
(c) psychopharmacology;
(d) physiology;
(e) pathophysiology;
(f) appropriate and relevant physical
and laboratory assessment; and
(g) clinical pharmacotherapeutics;
(6) within the five years immediately
preceding the date of application, has been certified by each
of the applicant's supervising independently licensed
prescribing clinicians as having successfully completed a
supervised and relevant clinical experience, approved by the
board and the New Mexico medical board, of:
(a) no less than an eighty-hour
practicum in clinical assessment and pathophysiology under
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the supervision of an independently licensed prescribing
physician; and
(b) an additional supervised practicum
of at least four hundred hours treating no fewer than one
hundred patients with mental disorders, the practica to have
been supervised by any one or a combination of a psychiatrist
or other appropriately trained independently licensed
prescribing physician and determined by the board and the
New Mexico medical board to be sufficient to competently
train the applicant in the treatment of a diverse patient
population. One-to-one supervision shall be provided either
face-to-face, telephonically or by video conference;
(7) has malpractice insurance in place,
sufficient to satisfy the rules adopted by the board and the
New Mexico medical board, that will cover the applicant
during the period the conditional prescription certificate is
in effect; and
(8) meets all other requirements, as
determined by rule of the board, for obtaining a conditional
prescription certificate.
B. The board shall issue a conditional
prescription certificate if it finds that the applicant has
met the requirements of Subsection A of this section. The
certificate shall be valid for a period of two years, at the
end of which the holder may again apply pursuant to the
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provisions of Subsection A of this section. A psychologist
with a conditional prescription certificate may prescribe
psychotropic medication under the supervision of a
supervising clinician subject to the following conditions:
(1) the psychologist shall continue to hold
a current license to practice psychology in New Mexico and
continue to maintain malpractice insurance;
(2) the psychologist shall notify the board
of the name of the psychologist's supervising clinician; and
(3) a supervising clinician shall notify the
supervising clinician's own licensing board of the name of
each psychologist under the supervising clinician's
supervision.
C. A supervising clinician shall not be liable for
the acts of a psychologist under the supervising clinician's
supervision unless the injury or loss arises from those acts
under the direction and control of the supervising clinician.
D. A psychologist may apply to the board for a
prescription certificate. The application shall be made on a
form approved by the board and be accompanied by evidence
satisfactory to the board that the applicant:
(1) has been issued a conditional
prescription certificate and has successfully completed two
years of prescribing psychotropic medication as certified by
the supervising clinician;
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(2) has successfully undergone a process of
independent peer review approved by the board and the
New Mexico medical board;
(3) holds a current license to practice
psychology in New Mexico;
(4) has malpractice insurance in place,
sufficient to satisfy the rules adopted by the board, that
will cover the applicant as a prescribing psychologist; and
(5) meets all other requirements, as
determined by rule of the board, for obtaining a prescription
certificate.
E. The board shall issue a prescription
certificate if it finds that the applicant has met the
requirements of Subsection D of this section. A psychologist
with a prescription certificate may prescribe psychotropic
medication pursuant to the provisions of the Professional
Psychologist Act if the psychologist:
(1) continues to hold a current license to
practice psychology in New Mexico and continues to maintain
malpractice insurance; and
(2) annually satisfies the continuing
education requirements for prescribing psychologists, as set
by the board, which shall be no fewer than twenty hours each
year.
F. The board shall promulgate rules providing for
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the procedures to be followed in obtaining a conditional
prescription certificate, a prescription certificate and
renewals of a prescription certificate. The board may set
reasonable application and renewal fees.
G. The board shall promulgate rules establishing
the grounds for denial, suspension or revocation of
conditional prescription certificates and prescription
certificates authorized to be issued pursuant to this
section, including a provision for suspension or revocation
of a license to practice psychology upon suspension or
revocation of a certificate. Actions of denial, suspension
or revocation of a certificate shall be in accordance with
the Uniform Licensing Act."
SECTION 6. Section 61-9-17.2 NMSA 1978 (being
Laws 2002, Chapter 100, Section 7) is amended to read:
"61-9-17.2. PRESCRIBING PRACTICES.--
A. A prescribing psychologist or a psychologist
with a conditional prescription certificate may administer
and prescribe psychotropic medication within the recognized
scope of the profession, including the ordering and review of
laboratory tests in conjunction with the prescription, for
the treatment of mental disorders.
B. When prescribing psychotropic medication for a
patient, the prescribing psychologist or the psychologist
with a conditional prescription certificate shall maintain an
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ongoing collaborative relationship with the health care
practitioner who oversees the patient's general medical care
to ensure that necessary medical examinations are conducted,
the psychotropic medication is appropriate for the patient's
medical condition and significant changes in the patient's
medical or psychological condition are discussed.
C. The ongoing collaborative relationship shall be
maintained pursuant to guidelines developed by the board and
the New Mexico medical board, which shall optimize patient
care.
D. The guidelines shall ensure that the
prescribing psychologist or the psychologist with a
conditional prescription certificate and the health care
practitioner coordinate, and collaborate on, the care of the
patient to provide optimal care. Nothing in this subsection
shall require a prescribing psychologist or psychologist with
a conditional prescription certificate to give prior notice
to or obtain prior approval from a health care practitioner
to prescribe psychotropic medication to a patient with whom
the prescribing psychologist has established a
psychologist-patient relationship; provided that the
psychologist provides written notice of the prescription to
the health care practitioner within twenty-four hours of its
issuance to such patient.
E. A committee composed of members of the board
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and the New Mexico medical board shall be established and,
pursuant to the guidelines, shall evaluate complaints. The
committee shall report its findings and recommendations to
each board for each board's appropriate actions.
F. A prescription written by a prescribing
psychologist or a psychologist with a conditional
prescription certificate shall:
(1) comply with applicable state and federal
laws;
(2) be identified as issued by the
psychologist as "psychologist certified to prescribe"; and
(3) include the psychologist's
board-assigned identification number.
G. A prescribing psychologist or a psychologist
with a conditional prescription certificate shall not
delegate prescriptive authority to any other person. Records
of all prescriptions shall be maintained in patient records.
H. When authorized to prescribe controlled
substances, a prescribing psychologist or a psychologist with
a conditional prescription certificate shall file with the
board in a timely manner all individual federal drug
enforcement administration registrations and numbers. The
board and the New Mexico medical board shall maintain current
records on every psychologist, including federal
registrations and numbers.
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I. The board shall provide to the board of
pharmacy and the New Mexico medical board an annual list of
prescribing psychologists and psychologists with conditional
prescription certificates that contains the information
agreed upon between the board, the New Mexico medical board
and the board of pharmacy. The board shall promptly notify
the board of pharmacy of psychologists who are added to or
deleted from the list.
J. For the purpose of this section:
(1) "collaborative relationship" means a
cooperative working relationship between a prescribing
psychologist or a psychologist with a conditional
prescription certificate and a health care practitioner in
the provision of patient care, including diagnosis and
cooperation in the management and delivery of physical and
mental health care; and
(2) "health care practitioner" means a
physician, osteopathic physician, nurse practitioner,
physician assistant or clinical nurse specialist."
SECTION 7. A new section of the Nursing Practice Act is
enacted to read:
"SUPERVISION OF PSYCHOLOGIST IN THE PRESCRIBING OF
PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATION BY NURSE PRACTITIONER OR CLINICAL
NURSE SPECIALIST.--
A. Subject to rules promulgated by the board, a
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nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist may supervise
a psychologist in the prescribing of psychotropic medication
pursuant to the Professional Psychologist Act.
B. No later than January 1, 2020, the board shall
promulgate regulations for a nurse practitioner or clinical
nurse specialist who supervises a psychologist in the
prescribing of psychotropic medication pursuant to the
Professional Psychologist Act."
SECTION 8. A new section of the Professional
Psychologist Act is enacted to read:
"PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAM--BOARD TO PROMULGATE
RULES.--By January 1, 2020, the board shall promulgate rules
to carry out the provisions of the prescription monitoring
program established by Section 26-1-16.1 NMSA 1978 insofar as
that program applies to prescribing psychologists."
SECTION 9. A new section of the Osteopathic Medicine
Act is enacted to read:
"SUPERVISION OF PSYCHOLOGIST IN THE PRESCRIBING OF
PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATION BY OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN.--
A. Subject to rules promulgated by the board, an
osteopathic physician may supervise a psychologist in the
prescribing of psychotropic medication pursuant to the
Professional Psychologist Act.
B. No later than January 1, 2020, the board shall
promulgate regulations for an osteopathic physician who
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supervises a psychologist in the prescribing of psychotropic
medication pursuant to the Professional Psychologist Act."
SECTION 10. REPEAL.--Section 61-9-2 NMSA 1978 (being
Laws 1989, Chapter 41, Section 2) is repealed.
SECTION 11. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public
peace, health and safety that this act take effect
immediately.