Important Info Regarding License Renewal – CPR/AED/First Aid Training in New Mexico

The current Massage Board rules (effective 3/31/15) amended the initial licensure rule 16.7.4.10 F to require that CPR and First Aid certifications be kept up to date.

First aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): The applicant must have completed four (4) contact course hours of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to include automatic external defibrillator (CPR/AED) and four (4) contact course hours of first aid and must provide proof, with the application, of current certification in basic life support accepted by EMS safety services, the American heart association or the American red cross. No on-line courses will be accepted. Courses must be maintained in current standing.
Board Administrator Amanda Lewis has stated that there will be a check box on the application to verify compliance, and that LMTs who do not check the box (or provide documentation if audited) will be subject to disciplinary proceedings.
Your AMTA-NM Government Relations Chair, who is not an attorney, believes that this rule as written is either invalid on its face, or should only apply to new licensees because of the section of the rules in which it appears. Nevertheless, we recommend maintaining your CPR/AED/First Aid certifications in good standing (or obtaining them if you don’t already have them) for three reasons: First, it’s a good idea. As health care workers we ought to have them to use as needed. Second, if the MT Board decides to take action against your license it will be up to you to prove them wrong, which could be both expensive and time-consuming. We believe that it is far easier to obtain CPR/AED/First Aid certifications than to challenge an adverse MT Board action. Third, the time spent in class will be accepted as continuing education.
Remember that online courses are not acceptable for this purpose, and 8 of your 16 CEU hours must be taken in person in any case, according to Rule 16.7.10 A.
Respectfully submitted,
Donald F. Schiff | AMTA-NM 2VP and GR Chair