Can Anesthesiologist Assistants Practice in New Mexico?
Yes — CAAs are licensed in New Mexico.
The New Mexico Medical Board licenses CAAs under the Anesthesiologist Assistants Act (enacted 2001). Since SB 35 in 2023 removed the old Class A county and university-employment restrictions, CAAs can practice statewide under anesthesiologist supervision.
Where CAAs can practice nearby
CAAs can also practice in 4 of New Mexico's 5 neighboring states.
CAA Programs in New Mexico
1 campus offers CAA master's training in New Mexico.
University of New Mexico — Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Degree & Length
- Master of Science in Anesthesia (MSA) · 28 mo
- CASAA Deadline
- Dec 15, 2026
- Tuition
- $98,476 $125,481 non-res
- Admissions Tests
- MCAT or GRE required, taken within 3 years of application; program generally interviews applicants scoring at or above the 45th percentile.
Need to compare required biology, chemistry, and physics coursework across programs?
Open Prerequisites Matrix →Supervision & Practice Authority in New Mexico
Supervision Requirements
A supervising anesthesiologist must participate in person in the most demanding phases of the anesthesia plan (including induction and emergence) and may supervise at most 4 AAs at one time (except emergencies), with a 4-provider cap when the care team includes an AA.
State Context & Regulatory Notes
The act dates to 2001; SB 35 in 2023 raised the supervision ratio to four and removed the old Class A county and university-employment limits along with a 2025 sunset. One caution: the administrative code (16.10.19 NMAC) still shows the older three-AA ratio pending rule updates, but the statute controls. No AA bills appeared in 2025-2026.
Statutory Summary
- Legal Authority
- NMSA 1978 §§ 61-6D-1 to 61-6D-11 (Anesthesiologist Assistants Act); licensure rules at 16.10.19 NMAC
- Effective
- 2001
- Practice Mechanism
- Licensed