N.M. Admin. Code § 20.3.20.310

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 21, November 5, 2024

Section 20.3.20.310 - LIMITED PRACTIC

A.Limited practice in radiography. An individual seeking a license for the limited practice of radiography shall submit an application and applicable fee to the department, successfully complete an approved limited radiography program pursuant to Subsection B of 20.3.20.200 NMAC, and take and pass the state examination pursuant to Subsections D and E below. Individuals that are enrolled in an approved limited practice radiography program shall perform their required clinical radiography procedures under the direct supervision of a licensed physician or licensed radiographer. A licensee with a limited practice of radiography license shall perform restricted diagnostic radiography under direct supervision of a licensed practitioner limited to the following specific procedures

(1) the viscera of the thorax;

(2) extremities;

(3) radiation to humans for diagnostic purposes in the practice of dentistry;

(4) axial/appendicular skeleton; or

(5) the foot, ankle, or lower leg.

B. Restrictions. A licensee with a limited practice of radiography license may not:

(1) perform procedures outside the areas of specialization authorized by or under the individual's license; or

(2) perform procedures outside their scope of practice including, but not limited to procedures involving the use of contrast media, fluoroscopic equipment, mammography, computed tomography, mobile or bedside radiography, diagnostic medical sonography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy.

C. Emergency provision. A person having a valid limited practice of radiography license may perform diagnostic radiography procedures outside the normal scope of a limited practice of radiography license if the person is employed in an area having a federal designation as a medically underserved area and the person with the limited practice of radiography license is confronted with an emergency situation, where, by order of a licensed practitioner, a certified nurse practitioner or a registered physician assistant, the additional diagnostic radiography procedure is deemed medically necessary for the immediate safety or health of the patient.

D. Administration of state examinations. The department will not offer state examinations for medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals except for a limited practice of radiography licensee pursuant to Subsection E of this section. The department may administer and grade the limited practice of radiography examinations, though at its option, the department may contract for such preparation, administration, and grading services.

E. State examination for limited practice of radiography. An individual seeking a license for the limited practice of radiography must pass a state examination for limited practice of radiography. To apply for the state examination, the individual must:

(1) submit an examination application with supporting documentation to the department that the individual has:

(a) completed school through the 12th grade or has passed a high school equivalency examination; and

(b) successfully completed an approved limited radiography program in one or more of the body areas of specialization.

(2) submit the required examination fee to the department; and

(3) successfully complete a written or computerized examination administered by the department with a minimum score of seventy-five percent on both the core section and in each attempted body area section of the examination. At its option, the department may contract for such preparation, administration, and grading services for the limited practice of radiography examinations.

F. Failure of state examination for limited practice of radiography:

(1) If an applicant fails to achieve seventy-five percent on either the core section or a body area specialization section of the examination, it will be considered an examination failure and the applicant must retake the failed section or sections.

(2) The applicant must re-apply and pay the examination fee for each examination attempt.

(3) All sections of the examination taken on the same day are considered one examination attempt.

(4) An individual who attempts and fails the state-administered examination three times will be required to demonstrate to the department the successful completion of remedial education or training following the third attempt that is consistent with the ARRT standards before being eligible to retake the failed section or sections again.

N.M. Admin. Code § 20.3.20.310

Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXIX, Issue 18, September 25, 2018, eff. 9/25/2018