How to get a security guard license in New Mexico

New Mexico licenses unarmed security guards individually. The credential is the Security Guard Level One registration (unarmed); registrants also receive a security guard card, issued by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD), Private Investigations Advisory Board / Private Investigations and Security Guards Program (Private Investigations Act, NMSA 61-27B).

Licensing agencyNew Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD), Private Investigations Advisory Board / Private Investigations and Security Guards Program (Private Investigations Act, NMSA 61-27B) official source
Credential for unarmed guardsSecurity Guard Level One registration (unarmed); registrants also receive a security guard card official source
Credential for armed guardsSecurity Guard Level Two (level one plus a department-approved weapon training program and weapon endorsement) and Level Three (firearms, with firearms law and deadly physical force training and a psychological examination) official source
Training, unarmedLevel One: 8-hour curriculum, in person from a department-approved instructor, completed within 12 months before applying, plus a jurisprudence exam (16.48.2 NMAC) official source
Training, armedLevel Two: 20-hour curriculum within 12 months before applying, jurisprudence exam, and an approved weapon training program for the weapon endorsement; Level Three: 16-hour curriculum covering firearms law and deadly physical force, weapon training and a psychological examination official source
Background checkYes: biometric (fingerprint) criminal history background check with each level one, two and three application (16.48.2 NMAC) official source
State feeUSD 50 (initial registration or renewal for security guard level one or level two (3-year term); level three USD 75 (16.48.5 NMAC)); USD 10 (security guard card); USD 100 (late fee on licence or registration renewals (listed as 'late fee... $100' in 16.48.5 NMAC)); separate (background fees in the amount set by the vendor/Department of Public Safety) official source
Renewal3 years; at least 2 hours of continuing education per year, from an approved source (16.48.5, 16.48.6 NMAC) official source

Official New Mexico application page

Checked against official New Mexico sources on Oct 18, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the licensing agency before you apply. This page lists only facts we could confirm on an official page.

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