New Mexico good-faith exam for med spas
Requirements for the good-faith examination before treatment. Below are the New Mexico rules that govern it, each linked to its primary source.
Good-faith examination in New Mexico
New Mexico puts the exam beyond delegation in so many words. Before any aesthetic healthcare procedure, an APRN or other licensed independent practitioner must conduct a FACE-TO-FACE assessment, determine a diagnosis and prescribe a treatment plan — and "may never delegate the examination, diagnosis, or treatment plan". The initial examination must review the health history and physically examine the treatment sites. For continuing patients the face-to-face is required at least once every twelve months, and sooner on any change in health status or treatment plan. Telemedicine is permitted for that examination, provided the video quality does not adversely affect the assessment or diagnosis. Where a medical assistant runs the device, the supervising physician must personally supply the history, physical examination, diagnosis, treatment protocol and record before treatment begins.
Prior to a licensee providing any aesthetic healthcare procedure, an APRN or other licensed independent practitioner must conduct an assessment in a face-to-face examination, determine a diagnosis and prescribe a treatment plan for the patient. The APRN or other licensed independent practitioner may never delegate the examination, diagnosis, or treatment plan.
16.12.14.10(B) NMAC (Patient care) · verified Sep 4, 2026
The initial examination must consist of a review of the patient’s health history, and a physical examination that includes treatment sites, and the determination of a diagnosis.
16.12.14.10(B)(1) NMAC (Patient care — initial examination) · verified Sep 4, 2026
The treatment plan should ensure that the patient is a good candidate for each aesthetic healthcare procedure and must include instruction on doses, device settings, expected duration, and specific treatment sites.
16.12.14.10(B)(2) NMAC (Patient care — treatment plan) · verified Sep 4, 2026
Face-to-face examination by an APRN or other licensed independent healthcare providers is required for ongoing patients at least once every 12 months but is not required before each visit unless there is a change in the patient’s health status or treatment plan.
16.12.14.10(C) NMAC (Patient care) · verified Sep 4, 2026
Telemedicine may be used by an APRN or other licensed independent healthcare providers for assessment and face-to-face examinations provided that such use complies with any applicable state and federal law and that the quality of the video examination does not adversely affect the face-to-face assessment or diagnosis.
16.12.14.10(D) NMAC (Patient care — telemedicine) · verified Sep 4, 2026
The supervising physician must provide the following services before treatment by a medical assistant is initiated: patient history, physical examination, diagnosis, treatment protocol, and preparation of medical record.
16.10.13.8(B)(1) NMAC (Responsibility of the supervising physician) · verified Sep 4, 2026
Established physician-patient relationship means a relationship between a physician and a patient that is for the purpose of maintaining the patient’s well-being. At a minimum, this relationship is established by an interactive encounter between patient and physician involving an appropriate history and physical and/or mental status examination sufficient to make a diagnosis and to provide, prescribe or recommend treatment, with the informed consent from the patient and availability of the physician or coverage for the patient for appropriate follow-up care. A medical record must be generated by the encounter.
16.10.8.7 NMAC (Medical ethics — definitions) · verified Sep 4, 2026
Prior to a licensee providing any aesthetic healthcare procedure, an APRN or other licensed independent practitioner must conduct an assessment in a face-to-face examination, determine a diagnosis and prescribe a treatment plan for the patient; the APRN or other licensed independent practitioner may never delegate the examination, diagnosis, or treatment plan; and the initial examination must consist of a review of the patient's health history and a physical examination that includes treatment sites and the determination of a diagnosis.
16.12.14.10(B) NMAC (Nursing Practice in Aesthetic Healthcare Facilities — examination) · verified Sep 8, 2026
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