N.M. Admin. Code § 16.2.7.8

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 23, December 10, 2024

Section 16.2.7.8 - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

All educational programs shall be approved by the board. Using the requirements of 16.2.7.8 NMAC and 16.2.7.9 NMAC (Sections 8 and 9 of Part 7 of the rules), the board will evaluate whether or not an educational program shall be approved. If a visit is necessary to evaluate the educational program, the cost of the visit, including any administrative costs, shall be paid in advance by the educational program.

A. The foundation educational program requirement shall be the four academic year masters of oriental medicine program that meets the national certification commission for acupuncture and oriental medicine (NCCAOM) accreditation/equivalent education policy as defined here. Graduation/education must be obtained from a formal education program that has met the standards of the accreditation commission for acupuncture and herbal medicine (ACAHM) or an equivalent educational body. A program may be established as having satisfied this requirement by demonstration of one of the following:

(1) accreditation or candidacy for accreditation by ACAHM; or

(2) approval by a foreign government's ministry of education, ministry of health, or equivalent foreign government agency; each candidate must submit their documents for approval by a foreign credential equivalency service approved by the NCCAOM for that purpose; programs attempting to meet the eligibility requirement under this method must also meet the curricular requirements of ACAHM in effect at the time of application; or

(3) approval by a foreign private accreditation agency that has an accreditation process and standards substantially equivalent to that of ACAHM, and that is recognized for that purpose by the appropriate government entity in that foreign country; each candidate must submit their documents for approval by a foreign credential equivalency service approved by the NCCAOM for that purpose; programs attempting to meet the eligibility requirement under this method must also meet the curricular requirements of ACAHM in effect at the time of application.

(4) approval from the NCCAOM as having satisfied the eligibility requirements to receive the NCCAOM certification in oriental medicine, or in both acupuncture and Chinese herbology.

B. The educational program shall provide a program that shall be at least four academic years and shall include in-class education that comprises a minimum of 2,400 clock hours of classes including a minimum of 1,100 hours of didactic education in acupuncture and oriental medicine and a minimum of 900 hours of supervised clinical practice, instruction and observation in acupuncture and oriental medicine. The curriculum shall provide the knowledge and skills required to maintain appropriate standards of acupuncture and oriental medical care.

C. The educational program shall include a didactic curriculum that educates and graduates physicians who are competent to practice acupuncture and oriental medicine and who are able to diagnose, prescribe, and treat accurately and that specifically includes, in addition to the requirements of the act, oriental principles of life therapy, including the prescription of herbal medicine, diet and nutrition, manual therapy/physical medicine and counseling, not to exceed 900 hours of the required 2,400 hours specified in Subsection B of 16.2.7.8 NMAC and that includes a minimum of 450 hours of education in herbal medicine.

D. The educational program shall include a clinical curriculum that includes clinical instruction and direct patient contact. This clinical part of the educational program shall include at least 900 hours of supervised clinical practice, instruction and observation in the following areas:

(1) the observation of and assistance in the application of principles and techniques of oriental medicine including diagnosis, acupuncture, moxibustion, manual therapy/physical medicine, diet and nutrition, counseling and the prescription of herbal medicine; and

(2) a minimum of 400 hours of actual treatment in which the student is required to perform complete treatment as the primary student practitioner.

E. The educational program shall include a curriculum that educates and graduates physicians who are competent to demonstrate a clinically relevant, complementary and integrative knowledge of biomedicine and biomedical diagnosis sufficient to treat and refer patients when appropriate.

F. The educational program may honor credit from other educational programs.

G. The names and educational qualifications of all teaching supervisors, resident teachers, and visiting teachers of acupuncture and oriental medicine shall be submitted to the board and shall meet the following:

(1) all teachers of acupuncture and oriental medicine in New Mexico shall have a license or temporary license to practice acupuncture and oriental medicine in New Mexico issued by the board; any educational program in violation of this provision shall be subject to suspension or revocation of the educational program approval or subject to disciplinary proceedings, including fines as defined in 16.2.12 NMAC;

(2) all teachers of acupuncture and oriental medicine at educational programs outside New Mexico shall be licensed, certified, registered or legally recognized to practice acupuncture and oriental medicine in the state or country in which he or she practices and teaches; any educational program in violation of this provision shall be subject to suspension or revocation of the educational program approval or subject to disciplinary proceedings, including fines as defined in 16.2.12 NMAC;

(3) exceptions may be made at the board's discretion and for good cause.

H. Educational programs may employ or contract with preceptors to teach components of the educational program. Educational programs may honor credit from preceptors. A preceptor is defined as "a doctor of oriental medicine with at least ten years of clinical experience."

I. The educational program may be subject to inspection by the board.

N.M. Admin. Code § 16.2.7.8

16.2.7.8 NMAC - Rp, 16.2.7.8 NMAC, 10-22-03; A, 02-15-05, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXIV, Issue 08, April 25, 2023, eff. 4/25/2023, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXV, Issue 20, October 22, 2024, eff. 10/22/2024