New Mexico Legislative and 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?

Statutory/Regulatory Nurse Anesthetist Recognition
What is the primary source/authority for recognition, and what type of recognition is used?