Mental health laws and regulations

01Laws that govern us

02Telepsychology and telehealth: Puerto Rico and New Mexico

Document CISME-RG-TPS-2026-10-17 · Revised October 17, 2026 · Download the document (PDF, Spanish)

This institutional regulation describes the legal basis for psychological services delivered at a distance by videoconference or other authorized technologies. Each service depends on the professional holding a current licence in the relevant jurisdiction, on the remote service being clinically appropriate, and on compliance with professional and privacy rules.

CISME's interpretation. With a current Puerto Rico psychology licence, no separate cybertherapy certificate is required merely for using videoconference, nor a Good Standing certificate from another state to apply for that exempted certification. This does not remove licence verifications in other, separate procedures.

Services across both jurisdictions. The patient's physical location is verified at every encounter. CISME only provides or coordinates services when the professional is authorized in the jurisdiction where the patient is and follows the rules of the place from which they practise. A Puerto Rico licence does not replace a New Mexico one, nor the reverse. Article 17.4 of Regulation 9402 provides for notices to the Puerto Rico Board of Psychologist Examiners and the relevant jurisdictions when cross-jurisdiction services are necessary; its reach for ongoing services is confirmed with the boards before starting them.

Clinical safeguards, consent and privacy:

• Verify the patient's identity, jurisdiction and physical location at the start of each session, with local emergency resources at hand.
• Obtain and document, before starting, informed consent specific to telepsychology: risks, limits of confidentiality, technical interruptions and in-person or referral alternatives.
• Use communication and record tools with appropriate security. Where HIPAA applies, contract videoconference providers that meet it and sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) when required.
• Document that the remote format is clinically appropriate. Psychometric or neuropsychological tests are limited to instruments that can be validly given and interpreted in that format.
• Keep clinical records, information protection, professional liability coverage and alternative means of contact; obtain authorization before recording a session.

Limits of this regulation. It is not a certification from a government agency and does not, by itself, attest that a licence is current. CISME keeps evidence of each licence, its expiry and category in its administrative records. In New Mexico, professional advertising reflects the licence type and expiry (16.22.2.13 NMAC). Prescribing authority, including controlled substances, is governed by each jurisdiction's rules and federal law; this regulation neither creates nor expands it.

Official references:

• Puerto Rico Law No. 8-2025, sections 7 and 9
• Circular Letter No. 2025-002, PR Department of Health
• New Mexico Board of Psychologist Examiners, FAQ
• New Mexico Telehealth Act, NMSA 1978, §§ 24-25-1 to 24-25-5
• Code of Conduct 16.22.2 NMAC
• Regulation No. 9402, PR Board of Psychologist Examiners, ch. IV, arts. 16 to 20
• HHS: HIPAA rules for telehealth technology

This regulatory summary reflects the sources verified as of October 17, 2026 and is meant for institutional transparency. In a formal dispute, the current official texts and the decisions of the competent authorities prevail.

03Our credentials

Clinical services are provided by Dr. Carlos A. Lado-Cornejo, a psychologist licensed in Puerto Rico and New Mexico. All services are by telemedicine, for patients in Puerto Rico and New Mexico. Psychopharmacology (prescribing medication) is available for now only to patients in the state of New Mexico, where he is licensed to prescribe. Substance use treatment is psychotherapy only and only in Puerto Rico: CISME does not offer medication treatment for substance use.

04Where to file a complaint

Filing a complaint will never affect your treatment.