A. A state agency, board or commission that issues an occupational or professional license pursuant to Chapter 61, Articles 2 through 34 NMSA 1978 shall, as soon as practicable after a military service member, the spouse of a military service member or a recent veteran files an application for a license accompanied by the required fees:

(1) process the application; and

(2) issue a license to a qualified applicant who submits satisfactory evidence that the applicant holds a license that is current and in good standing, issued by another jurisdiction, including a branch of the armed forces of the United States, that has met the minimal licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the licensing requirements for the occupational or professional license the applicant applies for pursuant to Chapter 61, Articles 2 through 34 NMSA 1978.

B. A license issued pursuant to this section is not a provisional license and must confer the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as a license issued pursuant to Chapter 61, Articles 2 through 34 NMSA 1978.

C. A license issued pursuant to this section shall not be renewed unless the license holder satisfies the requirements for the issuance and for the renewal of a license pursuant to Chapter 61, Articles 2 through 34 NMSA 1978. Upon the issuance of a license pursuant to this section, the issuing state agency, board or commission shall notify the license holder of the requirements for renewing the license in writing.

D. A state agency, board or commission that issues a license pursuant to Chapter 61 NMSA 1978 shall establish procedures necessary to implement this section by July 1, 2013, including rules for the renewal of licenses pursuant to Subsection C of this section.

E. This section applies only to an application for an occupational or professional license pursuant to Chapter 61 NMSA 1978 filed on or after July 1, 2013.

F. As used in this section:

(1) "military service member" means a person who is serving in the armed forces of the United States or in an active reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the national guard; and

(2) "recent veteran" means a person who has received an honorable discharge or separation from military service within the two years immediately preceding the date the person applied for an occupational or professional license pursuant to this section.

History: Laws 2013, ch. 33, § 1

Effective dates. — Laws 2013, ch. 33, § 2 made Laws 2013, ch. 33, § 1 effective July 1, 2013.