Clinical Psychopharmacology & Prescribing Psychology in New Mexico
New Mexico made history in 2002 as the first state to let psychologists prescribe. Here is the two-stage RxP path, the in-state MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology at NMSU, online alternatives, and what prescribing psychologists earn in New Mexico.
Key Takeaways
- New Mexico was the first state in the country to grant psychologists prescriptive authority, passing its law in 2002. It set the model the other five RxP states followed.
- New Mexico uses a two-stage path: psychologists first earn a conditional prescriptive certificate, practice under physician supervision for two years, then qualify for a full certificate from the Board of Psychologist Examiners.
- The training requires 450 hours of clinical psychopharmacology coursework, an 80-hour practicum in clinical assessment and pathophysiology, a 400-hour, 100-patient supervised practicum, and a passing score on the PEP exam.
- New Mexico State University runs the state's in-state, APA-designated MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology, built around the New Mexico requirements.
- Clinical and counseling psychologists in New Mexico earn a median of $124,800 (BLS, May 2025), the highest median among the RxP states.
New Mexico started the prescriptive-authority movement. When it passed its RxP law in 2002, it became the first state to let appropriately trained psychologists prescribe psychotropic medication, and every state that followed (Louisiana, Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, and Colorado) built on the New Mexico template. The driver was access: New Mexico is large, rural, and short on psychiatrists, and prescribing psychologists help reach patients who would otherwise wait months for medication.
New Mexico's path is two-stage. A licensed psychologist first earns a conditional prescriptive certificate from the New Mexico State Board of Psychologist Examiners after completing the required coursework and practica and passing the PEP exam. Under 16.22.23 NMAC, that means 450 hours of clinical psychopharmacology coursework, an 80-hour practicum in clinical assessment and pathophysiology, and a 400-hour practicum covering 100 patients under physician supervision. The psychologist then practices for two years as a conditional prescriber, seeing at least 50 patients with 92 hours of supervision, before applying for an unrestricted prescription certificate.
New Mexico also has an in-state option. New Mexico State University offers the MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology, an APA-designated program modeled on the APA curriculum and built around the state's requirements. New Mexico psychologists can also complete any of the other APA-designated programs nationwide online. We compare all seven on our best online psychopharmacology programs page.
Clinical Psychopharmacology Programs for New Mexico Psychologists
All 3 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico State University | See program for current tuition | Online | |
| 2 | Drake University | See program for current tuition | 100% online | |
| 3 | Alliant International University | See program for current tuition | Online with live class sessions |
New Mexico State University
In-State
See program for current tuition
Out-of-State
See program for current tuition
Length
About 2 years
Field Hours
Coursework supports the 450-hour and practicum requirements New Mexico sets
Concentrations
- The in-state, APA-designated MSCP program in New Mexico
- Curriculum modeled on the APA psychopharmacology training model
- Built around New Mexico's prescriptive-authority requirements
- Online delivery for practicing psychologists
- Located in the state that started the RxP movement
Drake University
In-State
See program for current tuition
Out-of-State
See program for current tuition
Length
About 2 to 3 years part-time
Field Hours
Supervised hours arranged to meet your state requirement
Concentrations
- Fully asynchronous, the most flexible APA-designated option online
- APA-designated for prescriptive authority preparation
- Available to New Mexico residents entirely online
- No required live sessions to work around
- Strong fit for psychologists adding training to a full caseload
Alliant International University
In-State
See program for current tuition
Out-of-State
See program for current tuition
Length
About 2 years
Field Hours
Supervised hours arranged to meet your state requirement
Concentrations
- Founded the first postdoctoral MSCP program in the country (CSPP, 1998)
- APA-designated, available to New Mexico residents online
- Live online classes that keep the cohort connected
- Deep institutional expertise in professional psychology training
- A strong national alternative to the in-state NMSU program
New Mexico Prescriptive Authority (RxP) Requirements
New Mexico Conditional and Full Prescription Certificate (RxP)
Issued by: New Mexico State Board of Psychologist Examiners
- Hold an active New Mexico psychologist license (doctoral degree plus the standard licensure path).
- Complete 450 hours of clinical psychopharmacology coursework, consistent with an APA-designated program.
- Complete an 80-hour practicum in clinical assessment and pathophysiology.
- Complete a 400-hour practicum covering at least 100 patients under physician supervision.
- Pass the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP).
- Practice two years under a conditional certificate, seeing at least 50 patients with 92 hours of supervision, before applying for the full prescription certificate.
Renewal
Prescribing psychologists complete continuing education in psychopharmacology to maintain the certificate, in addition to the continuing education required for psychology licensure in New Mexico.
Psychologist Salary in New Mexico
Job Market
BLS Employment
A small clinical and counseling psychologist workforce (BLS, May 2025)
Projected Growth
6% projected growth for psychologists nationally through 2034
Top Employers
Community mental health centers, the University of New Mexico Health system, Indian Health Service and tribal health programs, rural health clinics, the VA, and private practices. As the founding RxP state with a largely rural population, New Mexico has long relied on prescribing psychologists to reach underserved communities.
How to Choose
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
In-state versus online. NMSU is the only New Mexico-based APA-designated program and is built around the state's requirements. Online programs like Drake offer more schedule flexibility.
Practicum alignment. New Mexico requires specific practica (the 80-hour and 400-hour components). Confirm how each program helps you complete them.
APA designation. New Mexico expects training consistent with an APA-designated program, so designation is the baseline. Every program we list holds it.
The two-stage timeline. Plan for the conditional period after the degree, not just the coursework. Build the supervised prescribing years into your plan.
Cost and pace. Compare total cost and how each program's schedule fits your practice.
Related Pages
Best Online Clinical Psychopharmacology Programs
All seven APA-designated MSCP programs, ranked, including NMSU.
How to Become a Prescribing Psychologist
The full RxP path, the PEP exam, and which states allow prescriptive authority.
Clinical Psychologist Salary
The baseline psychologist pay that prescriptive authority builds on.
Sources
- New Mexico Statutes 61-9-17.2, Prescribing practices (psychologists)
- New Mexico Administrative Code 16.22.23, Conditional Prescriptive Certificate
- New Mexico State Board of Psychologist Examiners (RLD)
- NMSU Clinical Psychopharmacology Program
- APA, Designation of Postdoctoral Programs in Psychopharmacology
- BLS OEWS, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, New Mexico (May 2025)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists