How Do I Get an Insurance License in New Mexico?

Depending on what type of insurance agent you want to be or what types of policies you need to sell, you will need to choose what type or types of insurance licenses you need to get. After you’ve determined which licenses you need, it’s time to begin studying for the New Mexico insurance exams. The next step after completing all of your pre-license coursework or self-study is to take the insurance exam. You will take one exam for each line of insurance you wish to carry. Property and Casualty are considered one line. This is also true for Life, Accident, and Health. New Mexico requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. Once you have completed your fingerprinting, you are now ready to apply for your license. Apply for all of the lines of authority that you want to attain. Once you have submitted your application and have filled all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. Your background check will also be reviewed. For more information, call the Department of Insurance at (505) 827-4349 or email the Insurance Department.

How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in New Mexico?

You need to first take and pass the New Mexico Insurance Adjuster License exam. The State of New Mexico requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. If you have specific questions regarding things that may come up on your background check you may call the State of New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance at (505) 827-4349 or send them an email. You must obtain and submit a bond in the penal sum of $10,000 executed by a New Mexico admitted surety and signed by the principal and by the Attorney-in-Fact. Once you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, you are now ready to apply for your license. Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. This process generally takes about ten (10) business days. Depending on the results of your background check, the Department of Insurance may request more information or documentation.

How do I renew my insurance license in New Mexico?

The state of New Mexico requires that resident individual licensees complete twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education every two-year renewal period. Three (3) of those hours must be in the subject of ethics. Please note that according to state guidelines, any credits cannot include the same course taken repeatedly in one reporting period. Additionally, upon completion of any continuing education courses and within 90 days of your license expiration, you may renew your New Mexico insurance license online. <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can also help with the renewal process. In the State of New Mexico, there is a fee of $30 required to renew your license. Once this process is complete, your license will be renewed and your new expiration date will be two years from the time of the original.

How do I renew my non-resident insurance license in New Mexico?

Fees in New Mexico are at the license level. Applicants may reinstate through Non-Resident Licensing one year after the license expiration date. Applicants must use Non-Resident Licensing Renewals to late renew if they are applying within one year of the expiration date. At the present state, applications can be completed either online or by paper. The license fee is $30.00. <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can also help with the renewal process.

How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in New Mexico?

New Mexico Non-Resident Adjuster License is a two-year license that can be renewed online via NIPR. If you hold a resident license in any other state, then you may obtain the New Mexico Adjuster license reciprocally. If your home state does not license adjusters, you will need to submit a letter from your insurance commissioner or a copy of your states statutes. If you hold a resident license in any other state, then you may obtain the New Mexico Adjuster license reciprocally. If your home state does not license adjusters, you will need to submit a letter from your insurance commissioner or a copy of your states statutes. There is an $30 fee to renew your New Mexico non-resident adjuster license. You can renew your license online through an application on NIPR’s website. For more information, contact the New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance.

How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In New Mexico?

Once you have your license, you’ll need to complete some additional steps every few years to keep it active. Resident New Mexico adjusters are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. The expiration date of your license is set as the last day of your birth month. You are required to complete a total of twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education (CE), including three (3) hours of ethics coursework, to upkeep your adjuster license. There is an $60 fee to renew your New Mexico adjuster license. You can renew your New Mexico adjuster license online through an application on NIPR’s website. New Mexico grants reciprocal licenses to adjusters who are licensed in their home state, and will accept a Designated Home State (DHS) license from an adjuster whose home state does not license. For more information, contact the New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance.

New Mexico

state commissioner

Russell Toal

STATE email

agents.licensing@state.nm.us

STATE phone

(505) 827-4349

STATE LICENSE DIVISION ADDRESS

Office of Superintendent of Insurance

Visit State Website

Appointments & Terminations

Required to report appointments?

Yes

Permits Just-in-time (JIT) appointments?

Yes

Initial appointment deadlines

Within 15 days of contract execution or first business accepted by carrier

Initial appointment deadline rule

JIT appointments permitted. Appointments must be submitted within 15 days of the date the agent/agency contract is executed or the first piece of business is accepted by the carrier

Can be processed via nipr?

Yes

Fees for appointing a resident agency or individual?

$20 per LOA

Fees for appointing a non resident agency or individual?

$20 per LOA

Appoint agencies?

Adjuster appointments via NIPR?

Yes

Appointment effective date can be specified?

Appointment effective date rule

Date the transaction is processed by the state.

State requires appointment renewal?

Yes

Appointment renewals via

Via NIPR Portal

When is the state renewal period?

Jan. 1, 2022 until March 1, 2022

Appointment renewal fee

$20/LOA/Appointment

Termination reasons

Voluntary termination; inadequate production; cancelled by general agent; death; company defunct or liquidation; company indebtedness; poor policyholder services; agent moved; appointed in error; cancelled for cause; request regulatory review

Termination date can be specified by carrier?

Termination Effective date rule

Date transaction is processed by the state

Termination notes

Agent must be appointed within 60 days of obtaining an agent’s license or license will be cancelled; agent must have an affiliation and/or appointment for license to remain active

Termination fee

No fee

Licensing

Initial individual new license fee

Resident New License Insurance Producer: $30 Resident New License Surplus Lines Broker: $100 Non Resident New License Insurance Producer: $30 Non Resident New License Surplus Lines Broker: $100

License renewal fee

Resident Renewal Insurance Producer: $60 Resident Renewal Surplus Lines Broker: $200 Non Resident Renewal Insurance Producer: $60 Non Resident Renewal Surplus Lines Broker: $200

When does the resident individual producer license renewal period begin?

90 days before expiration

What is the resident individual producer license renewal date?

Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of first state license issue

Late renewal or reinstatement period for resident individual producer license?

Late renewal allowed up to one year after expiration

When does the nonresident individual producer license renewal period begin?

90 days before expiration

What is the nonresident individual producer license renewal date?

Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of first state license issue

Late renewal or reinstatement period for nonresident individual producer license?

Late renewal allowed up to one year after expiration

Can a producer use a P.O. Box in their resident or business address?

Are individuals required to list their county as part of the address?

What addresses are required for individual license maintenance?

Residence, Business, and Mailing

State individual licenses include

Bail Bond Property, Risk Retention Group, Solicitor, Motor Club, Independent Adjuster, Staff Adjuster, Limited Surety, Insurance Company, Insurance Producer, Insurance Consultant, Public Adjuster, Surplus Line Broker, Bail Bond Solicitor, Viatical Broker, Navigator, Temporary Insurance Producer, Surplus Line Insurer

State broker license rule

Included in Producer License Class. Insurers are not required to appoint Brokers per NAIC PLMA

Broker license notes

"Broker" is a type of insurance producer who is not an agent of the insurer and who: a. acts as an independent contractor on behalf of the insured; and b. solicits, negotiates or procures insurance or annuity contracts or renewal, or continuation of these contracts, for insureds or prospective insureds other than the broker

Requires pre licensing courses?

Background Check Required?

Yes – General background check

Fingerprints Required?

Yes, for Resident Licensing

Fingerprint Submission Details

Required with Application - Gemalto Cogent

Citizenship requirement details

Non-citizens of the U.S. will be reviewed by the state. Applicant must provide proof of Visa, Work Permit or Green Card to state of New Mexico. Fax documents to the Office of Superintendent of Producer Licensing Bureau (505) 827-4373 or email them to agents.licensing@state.nm.us.

What Transactions are Retaliatory Fees Applied to?

None

Submit Partial License Renewals through NIPR?

Has Personal Lines LOA?

Yes

Deadline to report personal data changes (address, name change, phone number, etc.)

Licensees must notify the Superintendent of a change in the licensee's legal name or address within 20 days of the change. Contact Change Request supported via NIPR Gateway.

Penalty for failure to timely report personal data changes

Failure to timely notify the Superintendent of a change in legal name or address will result in a $50 penalty.

Agency

Can a sole proprietor be licensed as an entity?

Yes

DRLP must have active state license

Yes

DRLPs must cumulatively cover all LOAs in application

Yes

Agency Licensing renewals

90 days prior to expiration until expiration date. Late renewal grace period ends 30 days after expiration. After late renewal period, applicant must reapply through non resident licensing.

Agency License required?

Yes

Affiliations: Indicates if producers selling on behalf of/through an entity must be formally affiliated with that entity and if the entity must notify the department of changes

Yes

Branch office

If branch has own name and taxID, must be licensed

Adjuster

Requires adjuster license?

Yes

Offers designated home state?

Yes

DHS exam required?

Yes

Reciprocity states

AK, AL, AR, AZ, CT, DE, GA, ID, IN, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, NC, NH, NV, OR, RI, SC, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV

Which states require an exam for reciprocity?

CA, FL, HI, NY, OK, PR, WY

Independent adjuster LOAS

No LOA required

Independent adjuster fees

Licensing Fee: $30 Reinstatement Fee: $30 Renewal Fee: $60 Late Renewal Fee: $120

Independent adjuster exam required?

Yes

Independent adjuster renewal date

Biennially, on the last day of the individual's birth month

Independent adjuster details

Partial renewals are not allowed. Effective June 16, 2023, New Mexico will only require public adjusters to hold a surety bond.

Emergency adjuster details

In the event of an emergency, New Mexico may employ adjusters who are not licensed in this state but hold a valid adjuster license in their home or in a designated home state. The claims they can adjust are limited to the emergency.

Continuing Education

Total hours per renewal period

Renewal period

2 years

License renewal date is

Last day of birth month

License renewal year based on...

Year of first license issuance

When is the CE due?

Prior to license expiration.

How long before expiration does state send CE reminder?

90 days prior to expiration date

Exemptions to CE

Resident producers who’ve held their license for 25 consecutive years are also exempt from CE requirements if they file the exemption on record with the commissioner's office.

What if a producer missed the renewal date?

Within 30 days of your license expiration, you can provide proof of CE and pay a late renewal fee. From 31 days to a year after the canceled or expired license, you can get current on CE and pay a license reinstatement fee. After a year, you will need to reapply for a license anew.

Ethics requirements

3-10

Flood-specific CE requirements

3 hours of NFIP course, one-time

LTC-specific CE requirements

8-hour initial certification, with 4 hours of LTC-specific training every two years

For more from agentsync

https://agentsync.io/blog/individual-producers/insurance-continuing-education-new-mexico

Regulatory Updates

New Mexico Notice of a Cyber Incident Affecting Internal System Networks

On September 29, 2023, New Mexico sent an urgent notice indicating that it had detected a cyber incident on its network.

New Mexico to Extend License Expiration Dates

On September 29, 2023, New Mexico announced that licensees with an expiration date of September 30, 2023 will have their license expiration dates extended by two weeks. This extension will also apply to Continuing Education (CE). Licensees will have until the license expiration date to become compliant with Continuing Education.

New Mexico Issues Notice Extending Time to Pay Fraud Assessment

On August 29, 2023, New Mexico issued a Notice to all companies subject to the New Mexico Fraud Assessment. The notice indicates New Mexico has extended the deadline to pay the New Mexico Fraud Assessment until October 2, 2023. See attachment for full details.

New Mexico Rescinds Bulletin Regarding Surplus Lines Export List

Effective immediately, producers shall perform the diligent search requirement, in accordance with existing guidance in 59A-14-3 NMSA and 13.19.2.17 NMAC, before placing insurance on the surplus lines market.

New Mexico Surety Bond Requirement

Effective June 16, 2023, New Mexico will only require public adjusters to hold a surety bond. See attachment for full details.

New Mexico Clarifies its Adjuster Licensing Requirements

The Office of Superintendent of Insurance continues to receive inquiries related to the licensing of both resident and nonresident adjusters. These inquiries have revealed some discrepancies between the requirements set forth in Chapter 59A NMSA 1978, the New Mexico Insurance Code, and those contained in the Title 13 of the New Mexico Administrative Code. The Producer Licensing Bureau is currently working on an update and revisions to those provisions of Title 13 (Insurance) of the New Mexico Administrative Code administered by this Bureau, addressing the adjuster related discrepancies will be included in that process. In the meantime, given that state statute controls when an administrative rule conflicts with a statute, the Producer Licensing Bureau will be using statutory provisions when administering adjuster licensing requirements. See attachment for full details.

New Mexico Issues 2023 Company Appointment Renewal Dates

The invoice renewal period for Insurance Producers and Limited Surety Individuals. is Jan. 1, 2023 - March 1, 2023 5PM CST. The termination deadline is December 28, 2022

New Mexico Adjuster Licensing Requirements

New Mexico releases a bulletin outlining when Designated Home State licenses are not accepted in initial licensing and renewals.

New Mexico Informs Users of Site Requirements

Effective June 15, 2022, the NMRLD MyLicense e-Government website will no longer work with internet explorer. They encourage users to setup Microsoft Edge to maintain access.

New Mexico No Longer Allows PO Boxes for Business Addresses for Individuals

Effective today, PO boxes will no longer be allowed as business addresses. Applicants with no resident license or a state code change that are updating their addresses will be deferred to the state to review.

New Mexico Reviews its Resident Licensing Requirements

For one to be a resident of the state, one must maintain a principal home in New Mexico and cannot hold a resident license in a different state. If the OSI has reason to believe that this requirement is not being met, additional documentation will be required to prove residency.

Wildfire Hotline Launched to Support Questions on New Mexico Wildfires

This hotline is launched by the office of the Superintendent of Insurance and will answer questions about insurance coverage for evacuees and victims of the New Mexico wildfires. This service is available 7 days a week 8AM-8PM on weekdays and 9AM-2PM on weekends. The number is (833) 485-1336.

New Mexico Prohibits Differing Commission Structures for the Sales of Qualified Health Plans

This is in response to other states creating commission structures based on the metal tier of health care plan sold. Incentivizing the sales of certain plans to minimize carrier risk is a violation of the law. Currently, there are no known commission structures of this sort in New Mexico. This warning is for awareness that a $10,000 penalty will be issued per violation.

New Mexico Adds Annuity Training Requirement

Producers who transact annuity products must now complete a one time, four hour CE credit annuity training course to comply with the insurer's requirements.

New Mexico Securities Division sends reminder on Registered Investment Adviser financial reporting and Annual ADV update

In addition to the basic renewal process and payment of renewal fees, New Mexico is requiring additional filings by March 31st. If the deadline is not met, a suspension and revocation of the license is possible. The form will need to be amended annually. Failure to complete all necessary filings may lead to license suspension and revocation. See the attachment for information on how to file.

New Mexico adopts ruling regarding Suitability in Annuity Transactions

New Mexico has reviewed the NOPR and the proposed replacement rules. The outcome of the review and proposed changes regarding suitability in annuity transactions are outlined in the state announcement attached in the expanded view.

FAQs

How Do I Get an Insurance License in New Mexico?

Depending on what type of insurance agent you want to be or what types of policies you need to sell, you will need to choose what type or types of insurance licenses you need to get. After you’ve determined which licenses you need, it’s time to begin studying for the New Mexico insurance exams. The next step after completing all of your pre-license coursework or self-study is to take the insurance exam. You will take one exam for each line of insurance you wish to carry. Property and Casualty are considered one line. This is also true for Life, Accident, and Health.

New Mexico requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. Once you have completed your fingerprinting, you are now ready to apply for your license. Apply for all of the lines of authority that you want to attain. Once you have submitted your application and have filled all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. Your background check will also be reviewed.

For more information, call the Department of Insurance at (505) 827-4349 or email the Insurance Department.
How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in New Mexico?

You need to first take and pass the New Mexico Insurance Adjuster License exam. The State of New Mexico requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. If you have specific questions regarding things that may come up on your background check you may call the State of New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance at (505) 827-4349 or send them an email. You must obtain and submit a bond in the penal sum of $10,000 executed by a New Mexico admitted surety and signed by the principal and by the Attorney-in-Fact. Once you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, you are now ready to apply for your license. Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. This process generally takes about ten (10) business days. Depending on the results of your background check, the Department of Insurance may request more information or documentation.
How do I renew my insurance license in New Mexico?

The state of New Mexico requires that resident individual licensees complete twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education every two-year renewal period. Three (3) of those hours must be in the subject of ethics.

Please note that according to state guidelines, any credits cannot include the same course taken repeatedly in one reporting period. Additionally, upon completion of any continuing education courses and within 90 days of your license expiration, you may renew your New Mexico insurance license online. AgentSync can also help with the renewal process.

In the State of New Mexico, there is a fee of $30 required to renew your license. Once this process is complete, your license will be renewed and your new expiration date will be two years from the time of the original.
How do I renew my non-resident insurance license in New Mexico?

Fees in New Mexico are at the license level. Applicants may reinstate through Non-Resident Licensing one year after the license expiration date.

Applicants must use Non-Resident Licensing Renewals to late renew if they are applying within one year of the expiration date. At the present state, applications can be completed either online or by paper. The license fee is $30.00. AgentSync can also help with the renewal process.
How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in New Mexico?

New Mexico Non-Resident Adjuster License is a two-year license that can be renewed online via NIPR. If you hold a resident license in any other state, then you may obtain the New Mexico Adjuster license reciprocally. If your home state does not license adjusters, you will need to submit a letter from your insurance commissioner or a copy of your states statutes.

If you hold a resident license in any other state, then you may obtain the New Mexico Adjuster license reciprocally. If your home state does not license adjusters, you will need to submit a letter from your insurance commissioner or a copy of your states statutes.

There is an $30 fee to renew your New Mexico non-resident adjuster license. You can renew your license online through an application on NIPR’s website.

For more information, contact the New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance.
How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In New Mexico?

Once you have your license, you’ll need to complete some additional steps every few years to keep it active. Resident New Mexico adjusters are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. The expiration date of your license is set as the last day of your birth month.

You are required to complete a total of twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education (CE), including three (3) hours of ethics coursework, to upkeep your adjuster license.
There is an $60 fee to renew your New Mexico adjuster license. You can renew your New Mexico adjuster license online through an application on NIPR’s website.

New Mexico grants reciprocal licenses to adjusters who are licensed in their home state, and will accept a Designated Home State (DHS) license from an adjuster whose home state does not license.

For more information, contact the New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance.