What is a Naturopathic Doctor?
Licensed Naturopathic Doctors are primary care providers, entitled to most of the rights and privileges granted to other PCPs in New Mexico.
Do Naturopathic Doctors require supervision by a licensed MD?
Licensed Naturopathic Doctors are independent healthcare providers and do not require supervision by a physician.
What are Naturopathic Doctors allowed to do in New Mexico?
The scope of practice includes:
- Perform physical examinations.
- Order & interpret laboratory examinations.
- Order diagnostic imaging studies.
- Prescribe, administer, dispense, and order all legend drugs within Schedules 3, 4 and 5 of the Controlled Substance Act with the exception of the derivatives of opium whether natural or synthetic, also excluding all benzodiazepines.
- Perform superficial minor office surgical procedures.
- Perform naturopathic physical medicine.
- Employ the use of naturopathic therapies.
- Administer intramuscular, intravenous, subcutaneous, intra-articular, and intradermal injections of substances appropriate to naturopathic medicine.
- Use routes of administration that include oral, nasal, auricular, ocular, rectal, vaginal, transdermal, intradermal, subcutaneous, intravenous, intra-articular and intramuscular consistent with the education and training of the naturopathic doctor.
- Use and prescribe therapeutic devices, barrier contraception, intrauterine devices, hormonal and pharmaceutical contraception and durable medical equipment.
What are the licensing requirements for a person to practice Naturopathic Medicine in New Mexico?
In order to be eligible to be licensed in New Mexico, the requirements include:
- Graduation from an approved, 4-year naturopathic medical educational program offering graduate-level, full time didactic and supervised clinical training.
- Passed NPLEX (Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam) Part I (biomedical science examination), NPLEX Part II (core clinical science examination) and NPLEX clinical elective examination in minor surgery and pharmacology.
- Passed a state jurisprudence examination.
- Possess professional liability insurance.
- Demonstrate moral and professional character.
What format should I use for my professional recommendations?
- Please use the attached professional recommendation form, located in the application packet.
Do you need my transcripts from my undergraduate degree?
- No, only transcripts from the accredited naturopathic medical college you attended is necessary.
I have a history of a criminal record, what should I do?
- Please write a letter describing any criminal history that may be revealed in the background check. Describe how it was resolved. The Board wants to see that the applicant is honest and offering full disclosure. Hiding an event is more harmful to your process than disclosing an event that was resolved.
I am/have been self-employed, what should I do about the work-experience verification form?
- The Work Experience Verification form should be accompanied by a CV that gives specific details about what you have been doing in your practice. If you work alongside others, they may fill out a verification form for you. If you have been working solo, no verification form is needed from anyone else. In place of the Work Experience Verification form, you may need to submit a letter from your current attorney or CPA, stating that you have been in business prior to becoming a licensed ND in New Mexico.