New Mexico Code § 11-21-2

Interstate medical licensure compact entered into
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this section
(Contingent repeal. See note below.)
The "Interstate Medical Licensure Compact" is enacted into law and entered into on
behalf of New Mexico with any and all other states legally joining therein in a form
substantially as follows:
"INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT
ARTICLE 1 - Definitions
In the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact:
A. "bylaws" means those bylaws established by the interstate commission;
B. "commissioner" means the voting representative appointed by each member
board;
C. "conviction" means a finding by a court that a person is guilty of a criminal
offense through adjudication or entry of a plea of guilt or no contest to the charge by the
offender. Evidence of an entry of a conviction of a criminal offense by the court shall be
considered final for purposes of disciplinary action by a member board;
D. "expedited license" means a full and unrestricted medical license granted by a
member state to an eligible physician through the process set forth in the Interstate
Medical Licensure Compact;
E. "interstate commission" means the interstate medical licensure compact
commission;
F. "license" means authorization by a member state for a physician to engage in the
practice of medicine, which would be unlawful without authorization;
G. "medical practice act" [Chapter 61, Article 6 NMSA 1978] means laws and rules
governing the practice of allopathic and osteopathic medicine within a member state;
H. "member board" means a state agency in a member state that acts in the
sovereign interests of the state by protecting the public through licensure, regulation
and education of physicians as directed by the state government;
I. "member state" means a state that has enacted the Interstate Medical Licensure
Compact;
J. "offense" means a felony or misdemeanor under the Criminal Code [Chapter 30
NMSA 1978];
K. "physician" means a person who:
(1) is a graduate of a medical school accredited by the liaison committee on
medical education, the commission on osteopathic college accreditation or a medical
school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools or its equivalent;
(2) passed each component of the United States medical licensing
examination or the comprehensive osteopathic medical licensing examination of the
United States within three attempts, or any of its predecessor examinations accepted by
a state medical board as an equivalent examination for licensure purposes;
(3) successfully completed graduate medical education approved by the
accreditation council for graduate medical education or the American osteopathic
association;
(4) holds specialty certification or a time-unlimited specialty certificate
recognized by the American board of medical specialties or the American osteopathic
association bureau of osteopathic specialists;
(5) possesses a full and unrestricted license to engage in the practice of
medicine issued by a member board;
(6) has never been convicted or received adjudication, deferred adjudication,
community supervision or deferred disposition for any offense by a court of appropriate
jurisdiction;
(7) has never held a license authorizing the practice of medicine subjected to
discipline by a licensing agency in any state, federal or foreign jurisdiction, excluding
any action related to nonpayment of fees related to a license;
(8) has never had a controlled substance license or permit suspended or
revoked by a state or the United States drug enforcement administration; and
(9) is not under active investigation by a licensing agency or law enforcement
authority in any state, federal or foreign jurisdiction;
L. "practice of medicine" means that clinical prevention, diagnosis or treatment of
human disease, injury or condition requiring a physician to obtain and maintain a license
in compliance with the medical practice act of a member state;
M. "rule" means a written statement by the interstate commission promulgated
pursuant to Article 11 of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact that is of general
applicability, implements, interprets or prescribes a policy or provision of the compact or
is an organizational, procedural or practice requirement of the interstate commission
and has the force and effect of law in a member state, if the rule is not inconsistent with
the laws of the member state, and includes the amendment, repeal or suspension of an
existing rule;
N. "state" means any state, commonwealth, district or territory of the United States;
and
O. "state of principal license" means a member state in which a physician holds a
license to practice medicine and that has been designated as such by the physician for
purposes of registration and participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.
ARTICLE 2 - Eligibility
A. A physician must meet the eligibility requirements as defined in Subsection K of
Article 1 of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact to receive an expedited license
under the terms and provisions of that compact.
B. A physician who does not meet the requirements of Subsection K of Article 1 of
the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact may obtain a license to practice medicine in a
member state if the person complies with all laws and requirements other than that
compact relating to the issuance of a license to practice medicine in that state.
ARTICLE 3 - Designation of State of Principal License
A. A physician shall designate a member state as the state of principal license for
purposes of registration for expedited licensure through the Interstate Medical Licensure
Compact if the physician possesses a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine
in that state, and the state is:
(1) the state of principal residence for the physician;
(2) the state in which at least twenty-five percent of the physician's practice of
medicine occurs;
(3) the location of the physician's employer; or
(4) the state designated as state of residence for the purpose of federal
income tax if a state does not qualify under Paragraph (1), (2) or (3) of this subsection.
B. A physician may redesignate a member state as a state of principal license at
any time if the state meets the requirements of Subsection A of this article.
C. The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules to facilitate
redesignation of another member state as the state of principal license.
ARTICLE 4 - Application and Issuance of Expedited Licensure
A. A physician seeking licensure through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
shall file an application for an expedited license with the member board of the state
selected by the physician as the state of principal license.
B. Upon receipt of an application for an expedited license, the member board within
the state of principal license shall evaluate whether the physician is eligible for
expedited licensure and issue a letter of qualification, verifying or denying the
physician's eligibility, to the interstate commission.
(1) Static qualifications, which include verification of medical education,
graduate medical education, results of any medical or licensing examination and other
qualifications as determined by the interstate commission through rule, shall not be
subject to additional primary-source verification if primary-source verification has been
conducted by the state of principal license.
(2) The member board of the state of principal license shall, in the course of
verifying eligibility, perform a criminal background check of an applicant, including the
use of the results of fingerprint or other biometric data checks compliant with the
requirements of the federal bureau of investigation, with the exception of federal
employees who have suitability determination in accordance with 5 Code of Federal
Register Section 731.202.
(3) Appeal on the determination of eligibility shall be made to the member
state where the application was filed and shall be subject to the law of that state.
C. Upon verification pursuant to Subsection B of this article, physicians eligible for
an expedited license shall complete the registration process established by the
interstate commission to receive a license in a member state selected pursuant to
Subsection A of this article, including the payment of applicable fees.
D. After receiving verification of eligibility pursuant to Subsection B of this article and
payment of fees pursuant to Subsection C of this article, a member board shall issue an
expedited license to the physician. This license shall authorize the physician to practice
medicine in the issuing state consistent with the medical practice act and all applicable
laws and rules of the issuing member board and member state.
E. An expedited license shall be valid for a period consistent with the licensure
period in the member state and in the same manner as required for other physicians
holding a full and unrestricted license within the member state.
F. An expedited license obtained through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
shall be terminated if a physician fails to maintain the license in the state of principal
licensure for a non-disciplinary reason, without redesignation of a new state of principal
licensure.
G. The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules regarding the
application process, including payment of any applicable fees, and the issuance of an
expedited license.
ARTICLE 5 - Fees for Expedited Licensure
A. A member state issuing an expedited license authorizing the practice of medicine
in that state may impose a fee for a license issued or renewed through the Interstate
Medical Licensure Compact.
B. The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules regarding fees for
expedited licenses.
ARTICLE 6 - Renewal and Continued Participation
A. A physician seeking to renew an expedited license granted in a member state
shall complete a renewal process with the interstate commission if the physician:
(1) maintains a full and unrestricted license in the state of principal license;
(2) has not been convicted, received adjudication, deferred adjudication,
community supervision or deferred disposition for an offense by a court of appropriate
jurisdiction;
(3) has not had a license authorizing the practice of medicine subject to
discipline by a licensing agency in any state, federal or foreign jurisdiction, excluding
any action related to nonpayment of fees related to a license; and
(4) has not had a controlled substance license or permit suspended or
revoked by a state or the United States drug enforcement administration.
B. Physicians shall comply with all continuing professional development or
continuing medical education requirements for renewal of a license issued by a member
state.
C. The interstate commission shall collect the renewal fees charged for the renewal
of a license and distribute the fees to the applicable member board.
D. Upon receipt of the renewal fees collected in Subsection C of this article, a
member board shall renew the physician's license.
E. Physician information collected by the interstate commission during the renewal
process will be distributed to all member boards.
F. The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules to address renewal of
licenses obtained through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.
ARTICLE 7 - Coordinated Information System
A. The interstate commission shall establish a database of all physicians licensed,
or who have applied for licensure, pursuant to Article 4 of the Interstate Medical
Licensure Compact.
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, member boards shall report to the
interstate commission any public action or complaint against a licensed physician who
has applied or received an expedited license through the Interstate Medical Licensure
Compact.
C. Member boards shall report disciplinary or investigatory information determined
as necessary and proper by rule of the interstate commission.
D. Member boards may report any nonpublic complaint, disciplinary or investigatory
information not required by Subsection C of this article to the interstate commission.
E. Member boards shall share complaint or disciplinary information about a
physician upon request of another member board.
F. All information provided to the interstate commission or distributed by member
boards shall be confidential, filed under seal and used only for investigatory or
disciplinary matters; provided that information submitted to the New Mexico medical
board is subject to the confidentiality and transparency requirements imposed by New
Mexico law or court order.
G. The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules for mandated or
discretionary sharing of information by member boards.
ARTICLE 8 - Joint Investigations
A. Licensure and disciplinary records of physicians are deemed investigative.
B. In addition to the authority granted to a member board by its respective medical
practice act or other applicable state law, a member board may participate with other
member boards in joint investigations of physicians licensed by the member boards.
C. If participating in a joint investigation, and if requested by another board, the New
Mexico medical board shall issue an investigative subpoena.
D. Member boards may share investigative, litigation or compliance materials in
furtherance of any joint or individual investigation initiated under the Interstate Medical
Licensure Compact.
E. A member state may investigate actual or alleged violations of the statutes
authorizing the practice of medicine in any other member state in which a physician
holds a license to practice medicine.
ARTICLE 9 - Disciplinary Actions
A. A disciplinary action taken by a member board against a physician licensed
through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact shall be deemed unprofessional
conduct that may be subject to discipline by other member boards, in addition to a
violation of the medical practice act or rules in that state.
B. If a license granted to a physician by the member board in the state of principal
license is revoked, surrendered or relinquished in lieu of discipline or suspended, then
all licenses issued to the physician by member boards shall automatically be placed,
without further action necessary by any member board, on the same status. If the
member board in the state of principal license subsequently reinstates the physician's
license, a license issued to the physician by any other member board shall remain
encumbered until that respective member board takes action to reinstate the license in
a manner consistent with the medical practice act of that state.
C. If disciplinary action is taken against a physician by a member board not in the
state of principal license, any other member board may deem the action conclusive as
to matter of law and fact decided and:
(1) impose the same or lesser sanctions against the physician so long as
such sanctions are consistent with the medical practice act of that state; or
(2) pursue separate disciplinary action against the physician under that state's
respective medical practice act, regardless of the action taken in other member states.
D. If a license granted to a physician by a member board is revoked, surrendered or
relinquished in lieu of discipline or suspended, then any licenses issued to the physician
by other member boards shall be suspended, automatically and immediately without
further action necessary by the other member boards, for ninety days upon entry of the
order by the disciplining board, to permit the member boards to investigate the basis for
the action under the medical practice act of that state. A member board may terminate
the automatic suspension of the license the member board issued prior to the
completion of the ninety-day suspension period in a manner consistent with the medical
practice act of that state.
E. A license, certification or authorization that is automatically suspended or
revoked pursuant to this article shall be immediately reinstated if the suspension or
revocation is solely on the basis that a health care practitioner performed,
recommended or provided reproductive health services or gender-affirming care.
ARTICLE 10 - Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission
A. The "interstate medical licensure compact commission" is created by the
member states in accordance with the provisions of this article.
B. The purpose of the interstate commission is the administration of the Interstate
Medical Licensure Compact, which is a discretionary state function.
C. The interstate commission shall be a body corporate and joint agency of the
member states and shall have all the responsibilities, powers and duties set forth in the
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and such additional powers as may be conferred
upon it by a subsequent concurrent action of the respective legislatures of the member
states in accordance with the terms of the compact.
D. The interstate commission shall consist of two voting representatives appointed
by each member state who shall serve as commissioners. In states where allopathic
and osteopathic physicians are regulated by separate member boards or if the licensing
and disciplinary authority is split between separate member boards or if the licensing
and disciplinary authority is split between multiple member boards within a member
state, the member state shall appoint one representative from each member board. A
commissioner shall be:
(1) an allopathic or osteopathic physician appointed to a member board;
(2) an executive director, executive secretary or similar executive of a
member board; or
(3) a member of the public appointed to a member board.
E. The interstate commission shall meet at least once each calendar year. A
portion of this meeting shall be a business meeting to address such matters as may
properly come before the commission, including the election of officers. The chair may
call additional meetings and shall call for a meeting upon the request of a majority of the
member states.
F. The bylaws may provide for meetings of the interstate commission to be
conducted by telecommunication or electronic communication.
G. Each commissioner participating at a meeting of the interstate commission is
entitled to one vote. A majority of commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business unless a larger quorum is required by the bylaws of the
interstate commission. A commissioner shall not delegate a vote to another
commissioner. In the absence of a member state's commissioner, the member state
may delegate voting authority for a specified meeting to another person from that state
who shall meet the requirements of Subsection D of this article.
H. The interstate commission shall provide public notice of all meetings, and all
meetings shall be open to the public. The interstate commission may close a meeting,
in full or in portion, where the interstate commission determines by a two-thirds' vote of
the commissioners present that an open meeting would be likely to:
(1) relate solely to the internal personnel practice and procedures of the
interstate commission;
(2) discuss matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal statute;
(3) discuss trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is
privileged or confidential;
(4) involve accusing a person of a crime or formally censuring a person;
(5) discuss information of a personal nature, in which disclosure would
constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
(6) discuss investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes; or
(7) specifically relate to the participation in a civil action or other legal
proceeding.
I. The interstate commission shall keep minutes that shall fully describe all matters
discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken,
including record of any roll call votes.
J. The interstate commission shall make its information and official records, to the
extent not otherwise designated in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, available
to the public for inspection.
K. The interstate commission shall establish an executive committee that shall
include officers, members and others as determined by the bylaws. The executive
committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the interstate commission, with the
exception of rulemaking, during periods when the interstate commission is not in
session. When acting on behalf of the interstate commission, the executive committee
shall oversee the administration of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, including
enforcement and compliance with the provisions of the compact, its bylaws and rules
and other such duties as necessary.
L. The interstate commission shall establish other committees for governance and
administration of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.
ARTICLE 11 - Powers and Duties of the Interstate Commission
The interstate commission shall have the duty and power to:
A. oversee and maintain the administration of the Interstate Medical Licensure
Compact;
B. adopt rules, which shall be binding to the extent and in the manner provided in
the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact;
C. issue, upon the request of a member state or member board, advisory opinions
concerning the meaning or interpretation of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact,
its bylaws, rules and actions;
D. enforce compliance with Interstate Medical Licensure Compact provisions, the
rules promulgated by the interstate commission and the bylaws, using all necessary and
proper means, including the use of judicial process;
E. establish and appoint committees, including an executive committee as required
by Article 10 of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which shall have the power
to act on behalf of the interstate commission in carrying out the interstate commission's
powers and duties;
F. pay, or provide for the payment of, the expenses related to the establishment,
organization and ongoing activities of the interstate commission;
G. establish and maintain one or more offices;
H. borrow, accept, hire or contract for services of personnel;
I. purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;
J. employ an executive director who shall have such powers to employ, select or
appoint employees, agents or consultants and to determine their qualifications, define
their duties and fix their compensation;
K. establish personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, rates of
compensation and qualifications of personnel;
L. accept donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and
services and to receive, utilize and dispose of donations and grants of money,
equipment, supplies, materials and services in a manner consistent with the conflict of
interest policies established by the interstate commission;
M. lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations of or otherwise to own, hold,
improve or use any property, real, personal or mixed;
N. sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon or otherwise dispose
of any property, real, personal or mixed;
O. establish a budget and make expenditures;
P. adopt a seal and bylaws governing the management and operation of the
interstate commission;
Q. report annually to the legislatures and governors of the member states
concerning the activities of the interstate commission during the preceding year. Such
reports shall also include reports of financial audits and any recommendations that may
have been adopted by the interstate commission;
R. coordinate education, training and public awareness regarding the Interstate
Medical Licensure Compact, its implementation and its operation;
S. maintain records in accordance with the bylaws;
T. seek and obtain trademarks, copyrights and patents; and
U. perform such functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the
purpose of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.
ARTICLE 12 - Finance Powers
A. The interstate commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from
each member state or member board to cover the cost of the operations and activities
of the interstate commission and its staff. The total assessment must be sufficient to
cover the annual budget approved each year for which revenue is not provided by other
sources. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated upon a formula
to be determined by the interstate commission, which shall promulgate a rule binding
upon all member states.
B. The interstate commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing
the funds adequate to meet the same.
C. The interstate commission shall not pledge the credit of any of the member
states, except by, and with the authority of, the member state.
D. The interstate commission shall be subject to a yearly financial audit conducted
by a certified or licensed accountant, and the report of the audit shall be included in the
annual report of the interstate commission.
ARTICLE 13 - Organization and Operation of the Interstate Commission
A. The interstate commission shall, by a majority of commissioners present and
voting, adopt bylaws to govern the interstate commission's conduct as may be
necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Interstate Medical Licensure
Compact within twelve months of the first interstate commission meeting.
B. The interstate commission shall elect or appoint annually from among its
commissioners a chair, a vice chair and a treasurer, each of whom shall have such
authority and duties as may be specified in the bylaws. The chair or, in the chair's
absence or disability, the vice chair, shall preside at all meetings of the interstate
commission.
C. Officers selected pursuant to Subsection B of this article shall serve without
remuneration from the interstate commission.
D. The officers and employees of the interstate commission shall not be liable or
subject to suit, either personally or in their official capacity, when acting within the scope
of such person's employment or duties for acts, errors or omissions occurring within
such person's state. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to protect such
person from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury or liability caused by the intentional
or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.
E. The interstate commission shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the
executive director and the director's employees according to the interstate commission's
rules and bylaws. The executive director and employees of the interstate commission
shall be held harmless in the amount of a settlement or judgment, including attorney
fees and costs, obtained against such persons arising out of an actual or alleged act,
error or omission that occurred within the scope of the interstate commission
employment, duties or responsibilities, or that such persons had a reasonable basis for
believing occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties or
responsibilities; provided that the actual or alleged act, error or omission did not result
from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such person.
F. The liability of the interstate commission within any member state may not
exceed the limits of liability set forth under the constitution and laws of that state for
state officials, employees and agents. The interstate commission is considered to be an
instrumentality of the states for the purpose of any such action.
ARTICLE 14 - Rulemaking Functions of the Interstate Commission
A. The interstate commission shall promulgate reasonable rules to effectively and
efficiently achieve the purpose of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact; provided
that in the event the interstate commission exercises rulemaking authority in a manner
that is beyond the scope of the purposes of that compact or the powers granted by that
compact, then such an action by the interstate commission shall be invalid and have no
force or effect.
B. Rules deemed appropriate for the operations of the interstate commission shall
be made pursuant to a rulemaking process that substantially conforms to the model
state administrative procedure act of 2010 and subsequent amendments to that act.
C. No later than thirty days after a rule is promulgated, a person may file a petition
for judicial review of the rule in the United States district court for the District of
Columbia, federal courts of New Mexico or the federal district where the interstate
commission has its principal offices; provided that the filing of such a petition shall not
stay or otherwise prevent the rule from becoming effective unless the court finds that
the petitioner has a substantial likelihood of success.
ARTICLE 15 - Oversight of Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
A. Each member state shall enforce the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and
shall take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact's purposes
and intent. The provisions of that compact and the rules promulgated pursuant to that
compact shall have standing as law but shall not override existing state authority to
regulate the practice of medicine.
B. All courts shall give deference and take judicial notice of the Interstate Medical
Licensure Compact and rules promulgated pursuant to that compact in any judicial or
administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of that
compact that may affect the powers, responsibilities or actions of the interstate
commission.
C. The interstate commission shall be entitled to receive all services of process in
such proceeding and shall have standing to intervene in the proceeding for all purposes.
Failure to provide service of process to the interstate commission shall render a
judgment or order void as to the interstate commission, the Interstate Medical Licensure
Compact or promulgated rules.
ARTICLE 16 - Enforcement of Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
A. The interstate commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall
enforce the provisions and rules of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.
B. The interstate commission may, by majority vote of the commissioners, initiate
legal action in the United States district court for the District of Columbia, federal courts
of New Mexico or, at the discretion of the interstate commission, in the federal district
where the interstate commission has its principal offices, to enforce compliance with the
provisions of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, and its promulgated rules and
bylaws, against a member state in default. The relief sought may include both injunctive
relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party
shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney fees.
C. The remedies provided in this article shall not be the exclusive remedies of the
interstate commission. The interstate commission may avail itself of any other remedies
available under state law or regulation of a profession.
ARTICLE 17 - Default Procedures
A. The grounds for default include failure of a member state to perform such
obligations or responsibilities imposed upon the member state by the Interstate Medical
Licensure Compact or the rules and bylaws of the interstate commission promulgated
pursuant to that compact.
B. If the interstate commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the
performance of the member state's obligations or responsibilities under the Interstate
Medical Licensure Compact, or the bylaws or promulgated rules, the interstate
commission shall:
(1) provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of
the nature of the default, the means of curing the default and any action taken by the
interstate commission. The interstate commission shall specify the conditions by which
the defaulting state must cure its default; and
(2) provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the
default.
C. If the defaulting state fails to cure the default, the defaulting state shall be
terminated from the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact upon an affirmative vote of a
majority of the commissioners, and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred by the
compact shall terminate on the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does
not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of the
default.
D. Termination of membership in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact shall be
imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted.
Notice of intent to terminate shall be given by the interstate commission to the governor,
the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature and each of the
member states.
E. The interstate commission shall establish rules and procedures to address
licenses and physicians that are materially impacted by the termination of a member
state or the withdrawal of a member state.
F. The member state that has been terminated is responsible for all dues,
obligations and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including
obligations related to mutually agreed-upon performance that extend beyond the
effective date of termination.
G. The interstate commission shall not bear any costs relating to any state that has
been found to be in default or that has been terminated from the Interstate Medical
Licensure Compact unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing between the
interstate commission and the defaulting state.
H. The interstate commission shall not issue a fine or penalty to a state for being in
default, unless the fine or penalty is authorized by a court order.
I. The defaulting state may appeal the action of the interstate commission by
petitioning the United States district court for the District of Columbia, federal courts of
New Mexico or the federal district where the interstate commission has its principal
offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including
reasonable attorney fees.
ARTICLE 18 - Dispute Resolution
A. The interstate commission shall attempt, upon the request of a member state, to
resolve disputes that are subject to the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and that
may arise among member states or member boards.
B. The interstate commission shall promulgate rules providing for both mediation
and binding dispute resolution as appropriate.
ARTICLE 19 - Member States, Effective Date and Amendment
A. Any state is eligible to become a member of the Interstate Medical Licensure
Compact.
B. The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact shall become effective and binding
upon legislative enactment of the compact into law by no less than seven states.
Thereafter, it shall become effective and binding on a state upon enactment of the
compact into law by that state.
C. The governors of nonmember states, or the governors' designees, shall be
invited to participate in the activities of the interstate commission on a nonvoting basis
prior to adoption of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact by all states.
D. The interstate commission may propose amendments to the Interstate Medical
Licensure Compact for enactment by the member states. No amendment shall become
effective and binding upon the interstate commission and the member states unless and
until the amendment is enacted into law by unanimous consent of the member states.
ARTICLE 20 - Withdrawal
A. Once effective, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact shall continue in force
and remain binding upon each member state; provided that a member state may
withdraw from the compact by specifically repealing the statute that enacted the
compact into law.
B. Withdrawal from the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact shall be by the
enactment of a statute repealing the compact. Legislation enacted for the purposes of
withdrawing from the compact shall provide for a wind-up period that lasts at least one
year after the effective date of the legislation to allow the member board of the
withdrawing state to wind up its affairs with the commission and provide written notice of
the withdrawal to the governor of each other member state.
C. The withdrawing state shall immediately notify the chair of the interstate
commission in writing upon the introduction of legislation to repeal the Interstate Medical
Licensure Compact in the withdrawing state.
D. The interstate commission shall notify the other member states of the
withdrawing state's intent to withdraw within sixty days of receipt of notice provided
under Subsection C of this article.
E. The withdrawing state is responsible for all dues, obligations and liabilities
incurred through the effective date of withdrawal, including obligations related to
mutually agreed-upon performance that extend beyond the effective date of withdrawal.
F. Reinstatement following withdrawal of a member state shall occur upon the
withdrawing state reenacting the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact or upon such
later date as determined by a vote of the interstate commission.
G. The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules to address the impact of
the withdrawal of a member state on licenses granted in other member states to
physicians who designated the withdrawing member state as the state of principal
license.
ARTICLE 21 - Dissolution
A. The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact shall dissolve effective upon the date
of the withdrawal or default of the member state that reduces the membership of the
compact to one member state.
B. Upon the dissolution of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, the compact
becomes void and shall be of no further force, and the business and affairs of the
interstate commission shall be concluded and surplus funds shall be distributed in
accordance with the bylaws.
ARTICLE 22 - Severability and Construction
A. The provisions of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact shall be severable,
and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision is deemed unenforceable, the
remaining provisions of the compact shall be enforceable.
B. The provisions of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact shall be liberally
construed to effectuate the purposes of that compact.
C. Nothing in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact shall be construed to
prohibit the applicability of other interstate compacts to which the member states are
members.
ARTICLE 23 - Binding Effect of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and Other
Laws
A. Nothing in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact prevents the enforcement of
any other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with that compact.
B. All laws in a member state in conflict with the Interstate Medical Licensure
Compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict.
C. All lawful actions of the interstate commission, including all rules and bylaws
promulgated by the interstate commission, are binding upon the member states.
D. All agreements between the interstate commission and the member states are
binding in accordance with their terms.
E. If any provision of this compact exceeds the constitutional limits imposed on the
legislature of any member state, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of the
conflict with the constitutional provision in question in that member state.
ARTICLE 24 - Preservation of State Authority
A. This compact creates a new pathway for physician licensure in this state but
does not otherwise change or limit the effect of the Medical Practice Act.
B. This compact adopts the prevailing standard for licensure and affirms that the
practice of medicine occurs where the patient is located at the time of a physician-
patient encounter and, therefore, requires the physician to be under the jurisdiction of
the state medical board where the patient is located.
C. A state medical board that participates in this compact retains the authority to
impose an adverse action against a license to practice medicine in that state, including
licenses issued to physicians through procedures provided by this compact.".
History: Laws 2026, ch. 3, § 2.

‹ Prev All New Mexico sections Next ›


Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.