A. The department shall by rule adopt and enforce licensure requirements, including minimum standards for training, continuing education and disciplinary actions consistent with the Uniform Licensing Act [61-1-1 to 61-1-31 NMSA 1978], for all persons who provide emergency medical services within the state, irrespective of whether the services are remunerated. The rules shall include authorization for the bureau to issue at least annually an updated list of skills, techniques and medications approved for use at each level of licensure. The secretary may waive licensure requirements as needed during a declared emergency.

B. Licensed emergency medical technicians may function within health care facilities under their licensure and approved New Mexico emergency medical services scope of practice. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a health care facility from assigning additional duties and responsibilities in accordance with law. This subsection shall not expand the New Mexico emergency medical services scope of practice under the emergency medical technician's license.

C. In addition to the requirements specified in Subsection A of this section, the department may:

(1) prohibit the use of "emergency medical dispatcher", "emergency medical technician", "emergency medical services first responder", "paramedic" or similar terms connoting expertise in providing emergency medical services by any person not licensed or certified under the Emergency Medical Services Act;

(2) deny, suspend or revoke licensure in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Licensing Act; and

(3) establish a schedule of reasonable fees for application, examination or licensure and regular renewal thereof.

D. Any person who represents himself to be an "emergency medical dispatcher", "emergency medical technician-basic", "emergency medical technician-intermediate", "emergency medical technician-paramedic", "emergency medical services first responder" or "paramedic", or who uses similar terms connoting expertise in providing emergency medical services while not currently licensed under the Emergency Medical Services Act is guilty of a misdemeanor.

History: Laws 1983, ch. 190, § 5; 1993, ch. 161, § 4; 2003, ch. 243, § 4.

The 2003 amendment, effective July 1, 2003, rewrote the catchline; in Subsection A, in the first sentence, after "shall by", changed "regulation" to "rule", and after "enforce licensure", deleted "and certification"; and in the second sentence, changed "Such regulations" to "The rules" and substituted "licensure." and the present final sentence for "life support. When setting requirements for licensure of persons also subject to the Ambulance Standards Act, the bureau shall consult with the state corporation commission"; inserted present Subsection B and redesignated former Subsection B as Subsection C; deleted "certified" preceding "emergency medical services" and "or certification" following "licensure" twice in present Subsection C; and added Subsection D.

The 1993 amendment, effective June 18, 1993, rewrote Subsection A and Paragraph (1) of Subsection B, and substituted "department" for "bureau" in the introductory language of Subsection B.