Can CAAs practice in New Mexico?
Licensed
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.
- Legal authority
- NMSA 1978 §§ 61-6D-1 to 61-6D-11 (Anesthesiologist Assistants Act); licensure rules at 16.10.19 NMAC
- Effective
- 2001
- Supervision
- 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.
- Last verified
- 2026-08-12
Notes
Act enacted as Laws 2001, ch. 311 (SB 370) and later recompiled from NMSA 61-6-10.x into Article 6D; SB 171 (2003) added supervising-anesthesiologist registration. SB 35 (2023) amended 61-6D-2, -8, -10: ratio raised to 4 (was 2-3), Class A county and university-employment limits and the 2025 sunset removed. Caution: 16.10.19 NMAC still reflects the older 3-AA ratio pending rule updates — the statute controls. No 2025-2026 AA bills found.
CAA programs in New Mexico
- University of New Mexico — Albuquerque · Albuquerque