Physical Therapists in New Mexico work hard to build their careers, maintain high standards of care, and support the health and mobility of their patients. But even a single complaint or allegation—whether based on a misunderstanding, an honest mistake, or an isolated incident—can trigger a formal investigation and place their professional license at risk.
Understanding how the disciplinary process works in New Mexico—and how to respond at each stage of the process—is essential to protecting your livelihood and your future. At the Lento Law Firm, our Professional License Defense Team provides trusted, experienced legal help for Physical Therapists throughout New Mexico who are at risk of losing their professional license. Our law firm protects your right to continue practicing physical therapy in New Mexico. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online to learn how our law firm can help protect your professional license and your career.
Licensing Requirements for Physical Therapists in New Mexico
In order to apply for a license to practice physical therapy in New Mexico, applicants must graduate from a physical therapy educational program that has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). In addition, applicants must complete a criminal background check and submit all required documentation, including official transcripts, test scores, and proof of U.S. or legal resident status.
New Mexico also requires that applicants complete a jurisprudence exam covering state-specific laws and regulations. Physical Therapy licenses must be renewed every two years and include proof of completion of at least 30 hours of continuing education, with at least two hours in ethics. Practicing without a valid license or failing to meet renewal or continuing education requirements can result in disciplinary action by the Board.
Who Oversees Physical Therapists in New Mexico
The New Mexico Board of Physical Therapy Examiners is responsible for licensing, monitoring, and disciplining Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants across the state. The Board has the authority to review complaints, conduct investigations, and impose disciplinary action that may include fines, probation, suspension, or even revocation of your license.
If the New Mexico Board of Physical Therapy Examiners believes that a licensee has violated the law or fallen below professional standards, it has the authority to deny, suspend, revoke, or otherwise restrict a license. Grounds for disciplinary action may include any of the following:
- Unprofessional conduct: This can include rude or disrespectful behavior toward patients or coworkers, inappropriate boundaries, failure to maintain proper records, or violating the standard of care. Even behavior that occurs outside the clinical setting—such as social media activity—can trigger scrutiny if it's deemed to reflect poorly on the profession.
- Criminal convictions related to professional duties: A conviction for a felony or misdemeanor that relates to your role as a Physical Therapist—such as fraud, assault, prescription misuse, or theft—can result in immediate disciplinary action. Convictions that call into question your judgment or trustworthiness, particularly if you failed to report them as required, may also be considered.
- Safety violations in patient care: improper techniques, failing to monitor a patient during therapy, or causing avoidable injury through neglect or recklessness.
- Inadequate supervision or delegation: Physical Therapists are responsible for supervising Physical Therapist Assistants, students, and support staff in accordance with New Mexico regulations. Failing to provide proper oversight or assigning tasks beyond someone's scope of practice places patients at risk and can lead to disciplinary measures.
- Impairment affecting client care: Practicing while impaired—whether due to substance use, mental health conditions, or physical limitations—can lead to an immediate suspension or emergency action
- Breaches of confidentiality: Sharing patient information without proper consent or failing to secure medical records may violate both state law and HIPAA regulations. Even accidental disclosures, such as discussing cases in public spaces or mishandling documentation, can lead to complaints and penalties.
How Physical Therapists in New Mexico Come Under Investigation
The New Mexico Board of Physical Therapy Examiners is authorized to initiate an investigation in response to patient complaints, employer reports, criminal background checks, or irregularities found during audits. In some cases, New Mexico law requires mandatory reporting by colleagues or institutions, meaning a complaint could be filed even if the underlying issue was resolved informally. While some licensees expect to be contacted only in extreme cases, even a single concern—regardless of intent or outcome—can result in a formal investigation.
The New Mexico Board of Physical Therapy Examiners is obligated to examine all allegations that fall within its jurisdiction, including those involving clinical conduct, professional behavior, or personal matters that impact a Physical Therapist's fitness to practice. Once a complaint is filed and the investigative process begins, your physical therapy license—and your career—can be placed in serious jeopardy. The process can escalate quickly and carry serious consequences if not handled properly. Knowing how the Board receives complaints and what typically triggers an investigation is an essential part of protecting your license.
Common Grounds for Investigation Against Physical Therapists
In New Mexico, Physical Therapists are held to high standards of clinical care, professional conduct, and ethical behavior. The New Mexico Board of Physical Therapy Examiners is tasked with protecting the public, and it investigates any complaint that suggests a licensee may have violated these standards. An investigation doesn't necessarily mean wrongdoing occurred, but once a report is made, the process is often formal, and the consequences can be serious.
Many Physical Therapists are surprised to learn how easily a routine misunderstanding or isolated incident can trigger Board involvement. That's why it is critical to understand the most common scenarios that may lead to disciplinary review. If you have received any notice from the Board, no matter how minor it may seem, it is important to act quickly and consult with a knowledgeable professional license defense attorney. Early legal intervention can help you clarify misunderstandings, negotiate a favorable outcome, and reduce the risk of long-term professional consequences.
A Physical Therapist may come under investigation as a result of any number of different allegations, including the following:
Patient or coworker complaints: These can involve allegations of poor communication, rude behavior, inappropriate touch, rushed or negligent care, or treatment outcomes that fall short of expectations. In many cases, these complaints stem from misunderstandings, but once submitted, they are taken seriously and must be formally addressed.
Self‑reporting of misconduct or impairment: New Mexico law and Board regulations require Physical Therapists to self-report certain types of conduct, including arrests, criminal convictions, and incidents involving impairment, even if the incident occurred outside of work. Failing to report as required can result in additional penalties beyond the original concern.
Criminal charges related to your practice or public safety: Arrests and criminal charges—especially those involving alcohol, drugs, fraud, or violence—are red flags for the Board. Even if the charge is later dismissed, the fact that you were arrested or cited may initiate a separate professional investigation.
Peer reporting within your workplace: Colleagues, supervisors, and employers can report concerns about unsafe, unethical, or impaired conduct. These reports may involve allegations that you are practicing while under the influence, mismanaging patient care, or engaging in unprofessional interactions with staff or patients. Hospitals, clinics, and rehab centers in major metro areas like Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe often have internal compliance protocols that automatically refer certain conduct to the Board.
Unexpected audit findings: Routine audits of patient records, billing documentation, and continuing education compliance can uncover discrepancies that prompt a Board review. Inaccurate coding, failure to meet documentation standards, or continuing education violations are common issues. Even administrative errors—such as failing to renew your license on time or not updating your contact information—can flag your file for further scrutiny.
After an allegation is received, the Board can issue an Informal Letter of Concern, request your participation in a settlement conference, or proceed directly to a Statement of Charges and Notice of Hearing.
Disciplinary Process for Physical Therapists in New Mexico
The disciplinary process for Physical Therapists in New Mexico is outlined by the state's Uniform Licensing Act and includes the following steps:
- Complaint received and screened: Board staff receives the complaint and determines if it falls within its jurisdiction.
- Preliminary inquiry: Interview(s) and review of relevant records.
- Formal charges: If warranted, formal charges are issued which may lead to a hearing before an administrative law judge.
- Settlement conference or hearing: Some cases are resolved informally and reach a settlement; other cases proceed to formal adjudication.
- Final decision: Potential outcomes include dismissal, probation, civil penalties (up to $5,000 per violation), suspension, or permanent revocation.
- Physical Therapists in New Mexico who come under investigation by the Board are entitled to the following:
- Receive written notice from the Board of the charges brought against them
- The right to have legal representation
- A hearing with the opportunity to present evidence, witnesses, and their own testimony
- The right to appeal the Board's decision within 30 days
If a Physical Therapist fails to respond to the allegations or does not appear at the settlement conference or disciplinary hearings, this can result in a default judgment and immediate disciplinary action by the Board.
Disciplinary Outcomes and Impact on Career
When a Physical Therapist has their license come under scrutiny, it can have far-reaching effects on their livelihood and their future. Possible disciplinary outcomes for Physical Therapists who are facing allegations against their licenses include the following:
- Reprimands or stigma on public record
- Probationary status, often with required continuing education requirements or mandatory supervision
- Suspension of Physical Therapy License
- Mandatory substance‑abuse monitoring
- Monetary fines of up to $5,000 per violation
- Permanent license revocation, restricting future employment
Even temporary sanctions against a Physical Therapist can compromise their career and professional reputation. In metro areas such as Albuquerque or Santa Fe, healthcare employers and hospitals closely monitor these records, making a proactive legal defense essential.
Legal Support for Physical Therapists
No two cases alleging wrongdoing against a Physical Therapist are the same. Each has its own unique circumstance. Every Physical Therapist deserves the opportunity to hear the charges against them and to defend themselves against those allegations.
At the Lento Law Firm, our Professional License Defense Team:
- Focuses exclusively on professional license defense
- Offers decades of combined experience
- Has successfully defended Physical Therapists in New Mexico and throughout the United States
At the Lento Law Firm, we understand how a threatened license affects not just your job but your livelihood, identity, and future plans. Our Professional License Defense Team provides skilled, focused representation to Physical Therapists in New Mexico. Our services include:
- Pre‑complaint strategy to minimize Board involvement
- Immediate response to Board inquiries, complaint letters, or subpoenas
- Thorough case preparation, including evidence gathering, expert consultation, and witness interviews
- Representing you at informal settlement conferences as well as formal disciplinary hearings
- Negotiation of settlements that preserve licensure, reduce penalties, or avoid public discipline
- Appeal if you receive an adverse decision
Our professional license defense attorneys understand the rules governing Physical Therapists in New Mexico and we know how to present mitigating evidence and build strong defenses.
Protect Your Physical Therapy License and Your Professional Future - Contact Us Today
If you are a Physical Therapist practicing in New Mexico and your license comes under scrutiny, the investigative process can move swiftly. A complaint or an inquiry may arrive on your doorstep without any warning, and a delay in responding to the allegation can weaken your position. If you have been contacted by the New Mexico Board of Physical Therapy Examiners or you believe that your Physical Therapy license may be in jeopardy, act immediately. Don't wait to call the Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or contact us online to learn how we can help protect your Physical Therapy license.
