What must the supervising physician actually do in New Mexico?
Oversight · part of The Practice Perimeter
develops or approves and implements written protocols for all aesthetic healthcare procedures performed at the aesthetic healthcare facility. The protocols must provide sufficient and specific details, including guidance on identifying and responding to adverse events, to assure that making independent healthcare decisions does not become the responsibility of individuals without the appropriate scope of practice to make such decisions.
16.12.14.9(B)(5) NMAC (Clinical supervisor) · verified Sep 4, 2026 · regulatory monitoring, not legal advice
The rest of what New Mexico says on this
Every other rule we have verified under physician supervision & delegation, each linked to its primary source.
Licensees may work in an aesthetic healthcare facility only if the facility employs a clinical supervisor who is an APRN or other licensed independent healthcare practitioner reasonably known to possess the appropriate education, training, and skills to safely perform all aesthetic healthcare procedures offered in the facility.
16.12.14.8(B) NMAC (Nursing Practice in Aesthetic Healthcare Facilities, eff. 2024-05-21) · verified Sep 4, 2026
Delegation of healthcare and non-healthcare duties to licensed or unlicensed individuals must be done with care and only when the licensee has ascertained that the scope of practice, education, training, and experience of the individual is appropriate and sufficient to provide adequate care to the patient. The delegating licensee must take into consideration that individuals with the same license may not have the same qualifications or competencies. Delegation of aesthetic healthcare procedures cannot be delegated by a licensee to any individual who is not licensed in a healthcare profession.
16.12.14.10(E) NMAC (Patient care — delegation) · verified Sep 4, 2026
The use of medical therapeutic and cosmetic devices is the practice of medicine as defined in Section 61-6-1 NMSA 1978. A. Limitations. (1) Medical assistants are limited to using medical therapeutic and cosmetic devices that are non-incisive and non-ablative. (2) Medical therapeutic and cosmetic devices may only be used by a medical assistant who is certified pursuant to Subsection D of 16.10.13.7 NMAC and when the supervising physician is immediately available on the premises.
16.10.13.8 NMAC (Use of medical therapeutic and cosmetic devices) · verified Sep 4, 2026
The supervising physician shall prepare a written protocol for the medical assistant to follow when using the medical therapeutic or cosmetic device. The protocol may include pre and post care treatment related to the procedure as long as the treatment is topical and non-injectable. The physician is responsible for ensuring that the medical assistant uses the medical therapeutic or cosmetic device only in accordance with the written protocol and does not exercise independent medical judgment when using the device.
16.10.13.8(B)(5) NMAC (Responsibility of the supervising physician) · verified Sep 4, 2026
⛔ NEW MEXICO CLOSES THE ESTHETICIAN LIST, WHICH IS HOW THE MICRONEEDLING QUESTION IS ANSWERED. 16.34.5.12 ESTHETICIAN LICENSE: an esthetician license permits the practitioner to use cosmetic preparations on the skin for cleansing and stimulating, apply massage and manipulation techniques using the hands or mechanical apparatus, use specialized skin care and facial machines in applying facial treatments, apply cosmetic makeup preparations, and remove superfluous or unwanted hair from the body of a person by any means except electrolysis or other invasive techniques and shaving. An esthetician shall not perform any services other than those listed above. To do so may lead to revocation of the license or other disciplinary action by the board.
16.34.5.12 NMAC (⛔ a CLOSED list, and invasive techniques are excluded by name) · verified Sep 7, 2026
A physician who is trained in the safety and use of medical therapeutic or cosmetic devices may supervise medical assistants who perform hair removal and other therapeutic or cosmetic procedures using devices that use waveform energy, provided the supervising physician first provides the patient history, physical examination, diagnosis, treatment protocol, and preparation of the medical record; reviews any adverse outcomes or changes in the treatment protocol; assures the patient is informed that the individual performing the procedure is a medical assistant under the physician's supervision; provides emergency and follow-up instructions; and prepares a written protocol for the medical assistant to follow when using the device.
16.10.13.8 NMAC (Use of medical therapeutic and cosmetic devices — supervision of medical assistants) · verified Sep 8, 2026
How other states answer this
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Related New Mexico questions
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- Who may operate a cosmetic laser in New Mexico?
- Can a medical assistant give injections in New Mexico?
- May an esthetician or laser technician perform microneedling in New Mexico?
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← All New Mexico rules and changes · MedSpaRadar is regulatory monitoring and reference, not legal, medical, or compliance advice. Verify against the linked primary source and consult qualified counsel before acting — rules change and turn on your specific facts. Legislative data via LegiScan (CC BY 4.0).