For Legislators

Thank you for visiting the New Mexico Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NMANA) website.

Our goal is to be your resource and provide legislators with current and factual information that you may need concerning Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) issues.

The resources below contain useful information about CRNAs and our role in the health care system.

• Get the Facts About Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists 
• Value and Role of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
• Ensure Veterans Access to High Quality Care
• VHA Access to Care through APRN Full Practice Authority FAQ
• Protect Nondiscrimination in Healthcare
• State by State Comparison on Legislative and Regulatory Requirements  

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to review this information.    If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us.  

NMANA Office:  (505) XXX-XXXX
NMANA President:  Andrew Passey, EMAIL
NMANA Lobbyist:  Julianna Koob, EMAIL 

NMANA Talking Points / Fact Sheets on Current Issues: 

Note: When available, NMANA will post fact sheets for legislators and staff during the legislative session.

• NMANA Statement on expansion of AA practice in New Mexico

Key New Mexico Statutes and Administrative Rules Affecting CRNAs:

• Nurse Practice Act
• Advanced Practice Nurses
• CRNA Services in a Hospital Setting
• CRNA Services outside a Hospital Setting
• Prescriptive Authority
• Written Collaborative Agreements

New Mexico Legislature

• New Mexico Legislature Website

• Bill Finder

• Legislative Publications

• Find your Legislator

• Upcoming Legislative Meetings

• Webcasting of the New Mexico Legislature

• Session Dates

Legislative & Regulatory Requirements

Does New Mexico require graduation from a nurse anesthetist program? Does the program have to be accredited?

1. Is there a requirement of graduation from a nurse anesthetist program? Yes
2. If yes, does the program have to be accredited? Yes
3. What is the Accrediting Body? 
   The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs. [Nursing Practice Act, 61-3-23.3(A)(2)]

Does New Mexico require an advanced degree?

1. Is there an advanced degree requirement? Yes
2. What is the pertinent statutory /regulatory information? 

   "The board [of nursing] may license for advanced practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist an applicant who . . . has successfully completed a nurse anesthesia education program accredited by the council on accreditation of nurse anesthesia education programs; 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 a master's level or higher. . . ." [New Mexico Stat. Ann. sec. 61-3-23.3, subsec. (A)(2)]

   Out-of-State Applicants: Included in above provision. 

Does New Mexico require certification?

1. Are nurse anesthetists required to be certified? Yes
2. If yes, what is the certifying body?
   
   National board on certification & recertification of nurse anesthetists. [NMAC sec. 16.12.2.14(A)(4)] 

Does New Mexico allow new graduates to practice prior to passing the certification exam?

1. Is there and explicit new graduate provision? Yes
2. If yes, what is the provision? 

   Graduate registered nurse anesthetists may be issued a permit to practice "pending dissemination of the national qualifying examination results by the AANA Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists. GRNAs must function in an interdependent role as a member of a health care team and practice at the direction of and in collaboration with a physician, osteopathic physician, dentist or podiatrist." [NMAC, sec. 16.12.2.14(C)(1)-(2)] 

In New Mexico what is the primary source/authority for recognition, and what type of recognition is used?

1. Primary source/authority for recognition? NPA and SBON R&R 
2. Type of recognition? 

   The board may license for advanced practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist an applicant who furnishes evidence satisfactory to the board....” [New Mexico Nursing Practice Act, sec. 61-3-23.3(A)]

50-state Summaries

The following summaries were prepared by the AANA State Government Affairs Division. The summaries are based on statutes and regulations obtained from state regulatory agencies, as well as through the AANA's legislative and regulatory tracking services. While they attempt to keep these summaries current, it is possible that changes in state statutes or regulations may have occurred that are not reflected here. These summaries do not constitute legal advice. For definitive legal advice, please consult an attorney.

Educational Requirements
Do states require graduation from a nurse anesthetist program? Does it have to be accredited?

Advanced Education Requirements
Which states require an advanced degree?

Certification Requirements
Which states require certification?

Recertification Requirements
Which states require recertification?

New Graduate Provisions
Which states allow new graduates to practice prior to passing the certification exam?

National News

NMANA Board Members  Hank Beckerhoff (left) and  Terry Sumpter (right)  with Senator Martin Heinrich (middle)

Legislative UPDATE: THANKS TO THE NMANA BOARD AND NMANA MEMBERS, patients in New Mexico were protected this last Legislative Session! With your calls, emails, letters, and trips to the Roundhouse, we:

1. Defeated SB6, which would have compromised safe anesthesia care to patients and increased healthcare costs by allowing anesthesiologist assistants to practice all over New Mexico. For more on this issue, please refer to our research articles and AA info.

2. Worked with allied groups to create language in the Nurse Practice Act that would ensure the safe use of moderate and deep sedation drugs in the ER and while the patient is in transit. Although the various healthcare providers did not reach a compromise, NMANA will continue to work toward a compromise on this issue without compromising patient safety.

3. Had our first CRNA Day at the State Capitol! Board members conducted blood pressure tests and had great opportunities to educate legislators on CRNAs.

NMANA Lobbyist

Want to be a part of NMANA’s legislative decision-making process?  
Email our lobbyist, Julianna Koob