CNM · New Mexico
Supervision Agreement for Certified Nurse-Midwives in New Mexico
No. Certified Nurse-Midwives practice independently here. New Mexico does not require one.
New Mexico Department of Health describes CNMs as 'independent practitioners' who may independently manage the full scope of midwifery/women's-health care — no supervising or collaborating physician relationship is required.
What the supervision must look like
The rules the physician relationship has to follow. Each fact comes from the statute or board rule listed under sources.
Proximity
No proximity requirement
No physician proximity/availability requirement is codified for CNM practice.
Supervision ratio
Not codified — no cap on file
Chart review
Not codified — left to the agreement
Meeting cadence
Not codified — left to the agreement
Prescriptive authority
Covered by the practice agreement · controlled substances permitted
May independently prescribe, distribute, and administer dangerous drugs, devices, contraceptives, and Schedule II–V controlled substances (16.11.2 NMAC).
Written agreement
Not required
Unconditional — no collaborative or supervisory agreement is required for CNM practice.
Practice ownership (corporate practice of medicine)
Licensee-only ownership required — Same professional-corporation, same-profession-ownership framework as other APRNs above.
What a supervising physician costs here
Typical monthly cost in New Mexico
$500 – $600
Estimate for one Certified Nurse-Midwife. Standard-tier state.
About New Mexico's rules
New Mexico has no corporate-practice-of-medicine doctrine (1987 A.G. opinion) — non-physician entities may employ physicians if clinical judgment isn't controlled — but professional corporations must still be single-profession owned (a PA/NP/etc. entity can't mix ownership with physicians). NP/CRNA/CNM/CNS practice independently with full prescriptive authority (Schedules II–V); PA remains the outlier requiring ongoing physician involvement.
Other clinicians in New Mexico: see the state overview.