New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 7 - HEALTH
Chapter 27 - EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Part 2 - LICENSING OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL
Section 7.27.2.8 - GENERAL LICENSURE
Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
A. Authorizations to practice: No person shall function as, or represent themselves as an emergency medical services provider or offer, whether or not for compensation, any services included in these rules, unless currently licensed as an emergency medical dispatcher (EMD), emergency medical dispatcher instructor (EMD-I), EMS first responder, or EMT under these rules. This provision is enforceable by civil action as provided by state law.
B. Licensing agency: As provided by law, the agency responsible for the licensure of an EMD EMD-I, EMS first responder, and EMTs in New Mexico is the emergency medical systems bureau of the epidemiology and response division of the department of health.
C. Eligibility: Initial licensure as an EMD, EMD-I, EMS first responder, or EMT is open to all persons who have met the requirements prescribed in these rules, whether or not they are affiliated with an ambulance service, fire department, rescue service, or other emergency medical service in New Mexico, and irrespective of their monetary remuneration for such service. Applicants for licensure must complete the criminal history background screening process as described at Section 24-10B-5.2 NMSA 1978.
D. The New Mexico registry of emergency medical services personnel: The New Mexico registry of emergency medical services personnel is established and maintained at the bureau. The registry is a database containing contact and other relevant licensure information for all licensed New Mexico EMS licensees.
E. Authorized classifications: There are six classifications of fully licensed EMS provider that are recognized in the New Mexico registry of emergency medical services personnel. The most recently attained level of provider licensure will be shown on the person's certificate and licensure card. This section does not apply to a graduate license.
F. General education standards: New Mexico EMS education programs shall meet the education standards for approval by the joint organization on education and EMS bureau. The joint organization on education and EMS bureau shall periodically evaluate the education standards in each approved EMS education program, which may include an on-site inspection and review for compliance with the standards outlined in this section. Failure to maintain compliance with these standards may result in the loss of the approved program status, as determined by the joint organization on education. The joint organization on education and EMS bureau approved New Mexico EMS education program shall:
G. Education program instructor-coordinator standards: Approved New Mexico EMS education programs shall maintain instructor-coordinator standards to ensure quality of instruction. Instructor-coordinators shall:
H. Scope of practice: The scope of practice for each level of licensure is found in 7.27.11.2 NMAC and shall be updated at least annually and issued by the bureau in accordance with the EMS Act, Paragraph (4) of Subsection C of Section 24-10B-7 NMSA 1978. Licensed EMDs, EMSFRs and EMTs shall only perform those skills, techniques, medications, and procedures found within the New Mexico scope of practice and as authorized by the service medical director (also see EMS medical direction rule 7.27.3 NMAC).
I. Training and education required: As outlined in the New Mexico scopes of practice, prior to utilizing any new skill, technique, medication, or procedure designated as "service medical director approved", it shall be documented by the service director, medical director, or bureau approved EMS education program that the EMS provider has been appropriately trained to administer the medications or perform the skills, techniques, medications, or procedures. Additionally, each EMS provider must have a signed authorization from the services medical director on file at the EMS services headquarters, or administrative offices.
J. Medical direction approval/control required: Medical control is required for certain skills and medications use at all levels of EMS as outlined in the New Mexico scopes of practice. Those EMS personnel who function without medical direction shall only perform those skills, techniques, and procedures that do not require medical director approval. Any person who is issued a temporary or graduate license shall only administer the medications or perform the skills, techniques, medications, and procedures for the approved level, as established by the medical direction committee and found in the applicable scope of practice.
K. Special skills: Special skills, which are all considered advanced life support, are skills outside the usual scope of practice for a level of licensure. EMS services or systems that wish to apply for special skills authorization shall submit a written application as set forth in 7.27.11.10 NMAC. Services or systems may apply for any skill at any level. Personnel who successfully complete a special skills program shall be authorized to utilize advanced skills and drugs only with medical director approval and under the medical control of the EMS system that received the program approval.
L. Licensing application procedures: Persons seeking New Mexico licensure in any of the six classifications shall apply using the appropriate forms as provided by the bureau and present the required documentation, which shall remain in the person's licensure file. Applications and forms can be obtained from the bureau.
M. Licensure periods: Licensure periods are 27 months in length except for the initial period, which varies according to the date of the initial license. The second or subsequent period of licensure will be for a full 27 month period, regardless of the date of application for renewal, or the date for processing of the renewal license. This period will begin on January 1 of the renewal year. Requirements for renewal of licensure shall be completed by the December 31st that occurs prior to expiration of licensure.
N. Expiration dates: The expiration date for a license is established as March 31 of a given year. The year of initial expiration will depend on what month during the year a person was originally licensed.
O. New Mexico EMS bureau approved licensing examinations: All EMS candidates must successfully complete the bureau approved licensing examination.
P. Graduate license for all EMT levels: The role of the EMS graduate license is to grant graduates of a bureau approved EMS education program authorization to practice skills commensurate with their scope of training and education in the field setting under the direct observation and supervision of a New Mexico EMS provider licensed at or above the graduate's education program level. The graduate license shall only be used under approved medical direction. The EMS service director and the EMS service medical director shall identify and maintain a list of approved preceptors. The graduate licensee shall be fully supervised by the preceptor when performing patient care. The preceptor will be responsible for all patient care including patient care activities in the patient compartment when transporting to a medical facility. This will necessitate a vehicle driver in addition to the licensed EMT preceptor and the graduate licensee. During a mass casualty incident, the graduate licensee shall only provide assessment and treatment at the level for which the graduate licensee is fully licensed; if the graduate licensee is not fully licensed at a lower level, they shall only provide non-medical assistance. The EMS graduate license shall remain in effect for a period of six months after the course completion date or until failure of any portion of the bureau approved licensing examination. All applicants for graduate licensure shall:
Q. Americans with Disabilities Act: When requested by an applicant who otherwise meets the minimum qualifications, the department shall reasonably accommodate the qualified person with disabilities in the licensure process, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable state and federal laws. Persons requiring accommodations must make an advance request at least 30 calendar days prior to the EMS bureau scheduled activity. The request for accommodation shall be forwarded to the bureau for consideration of such an accommodation, to include supporting documentation from the applicant's health care provider and a medical or professional diagnosis.
R. Recognition of out-of-state licensure for emergency incidents and other short term and mission specific situations: During emergency situations and other short term and mission specific situations, the bureau may waive initial licensure requirements for out-of-state EMS personnel based on the following: