Section 61-6B-5 - Requirements for licensing.

61-6B-5. Requirements for licensing.

A.     The board shall grant a license to engage in the practice of polysomnography to a person who has submitted to the board:    

(1)     a completed application for licensing on the form provided by the board;     

(2)     required documentation as determined by the board;     

(3)     the required fees;     

(4)     an affidavit stating that the applicant has not been found guilty of unprofessional conduct or incompetence;  

(5)     satisfactory documentation of either: 

(a)     graduation from a polysomnographic educational program that is accredited by the commission on accreditation of allied health education programs;  

(b)     graduation from a respiratory care educational program that is accredited by the commission on accreditation of allied health education programs and completion of the curriculum for a polysomnography certificate established and accredited by the committee on accreditation for respiratory care of the commission on accreditation of allied health education programs;  

(c)     graduation from an electroneurodiagnostic technologist educational program with a polysomnographic technology track that is accredited by the commission on accreditation of allied health education programs; or 

(d)     successful completion of an accredited sleep technologist educational program that is accredited by the American academy of sleep medicine; provided, however, this optional requirement shall not be available after the date on which there are at least three polysomnographic technologist educational programs in New Mexico that have been accredited by the commission on accreditation of allied health education programs for at least the two years immediately preceding that date; and 

(6)     satisfactory documentation of having: 

(a)     passed the national certifying examination given by the board of registered polysomnographic technologists or having passed a national certifying examination equivalent to the board of registered polysomnographic technologists' examination as determined by a rule adopted by the New Mexico medical board;  

(b)     been credentialed by the board of registered polysomnographic technologists or by another national entity equivalent to the board of polysomnographic technologists as determined by rule adopted by the New Mexico medical board; 

(c)     met any additional educational or clinical requirements established by the board pursuant to rule; and  

(d)     met all other requirements of the Polysomnography Practice Act. 

B.     A person who is engaged in the practice of polysomnography on July 1, 2008 shall be eligible for a license under the Polysomnography Practice Act without meeting the educational requirement of Paragraph (5) of Subsection A of this section, provided that the person meets the requirements of Paragraph (6) of Subsection A of this section. 

C.     The board may require: 

(1)     a personal interview with an applicant to evaluate that person's qualifications for a license; and 

(2)     fingerprints and other information necessary for a state and national criminal background check.