An employer shall not require a physician licensed in this state pursuant to the Medical Practice Act [Chapter 61, Article 6 NMSA 1978] to seek licensure through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact [11-21-2 NMSA 1978] as a condition of initial or continued employment as an allopathic or osteopathic physician in this state. An employer may require that a physician obtain and maintain a license to practice allopathic or osteopathic medicine in multiple states if the physician is free to obtain and maintain the licenses by any means authorized by the laws of the respective states.

History: Laws 2026, ch. 3, § 3.

ANNOTATIONS

Effective dates. — Laws 2026, ch. 3 contained no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, was effective May 20, 2026, 90 days after adjournment of the legislature.

Contingent repeal. — Laws 2026, ch. 3, § 7 provided:

A. Sections 11-21-1, 11-21-2, 61-6-36 to 61-6-39 NMSA 1978 are repealed if a state or federal court of New Mexico finds that a rule or decision of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact commission, or a court order regarding a rule or decision relating to the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact [11-21-2 NMSA 1978], would change the scope of practice of a physician or the definition of unprofessional conduct for a physician in a manner that is inconsistent with the Medical Practice Act [Chapter 61, Article 6 NMSA 1978] or any other state law relating to the practice of medicine. A person who is or may be affected by a rule or decision at issue under this subsection shall have standing to seek a determination by the district court.

B. The New Mexico medical board shall certify to the director of the legislative council service and the executive director of the New Mexico compilation commission the date on which the action described in Subsection A of this section occurs.

C. Repeal of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact pursuant to this section constitutes this state's immediate withdrawal from the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. The New Mexico medical board shall send written notification of withdrawal to the governor of each other state that has enacted this compact.

D. The New Mexico medical board, or a member of the legislature, may request in writing that the attorney general review the actions of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact commission or a court ruling relating to the enforcement of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.

E. In the event of a repeal pursuant to this section, the provisions of Article 20 of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact shall remain in effect and govern the withdrawal.