New Mexico registers security guards at three levels under the Private Investigations Act (NMSA 61-27B) and the rules in Title 16, Chapter 48 of the New Mexico Administrative Code. The Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD) issues the registrations. Each level builds on the one below it and has its own training, exam and fee.
Before you apply
- You need an employer. Every level requires that you work for a licensed private patrol company, under the direct supervision of a licensed private patrol operator, a Level 3 guard or a private patrol operations manager (NMSA 61-27B-16). The company must tell the RLD within 30 days when your employment ends.
- Your record: a felony, or an offense involving dishonesty, an intentional violent act, or illegal use or possession of a deadly weapon, disqualifies you.
- Training comes first. At every level the training must be finished before your first post at that level.
Level 1: unarmed
- At least 18.
- 8 hours of the department's curriculum, taught in person by an RLD-approved instructor and completed within 12 months before you apply (16.48.2.17 NMAC).
- Pass the department's jurisprudence exam.
- A federal criminal history check from your fingerprints.
- Fees: $50 for the three-year registration and $10 for the guard card, plus the fingerprint fee set by the Department of Public Safety (16.48.5.8 NMAC).
Level 2: non-firearm weapons
- Hold Level 1 (or have finished its training) and have a high school diploma or equivalent (NMSA 61-27B-17). The minimum age stays 18.
- 20 more hours of the department's curriculum, in person, within 12 months before applying, plus the jurisprudence exam (16.48.2.18 NMAC).
- Training for each weapon you carry on duty. The rules cover chemical agents, batons and other defensive impact tools, tasers and other electronic devices, and handcuffs. Electronic devices follow the manufacturer's training requirements.
- Fee: $50 for three years. Level 2 does not cover firearms.
Level 3: firearms
- At least 21, holding Level 2, with a high school diploma or equivalent (NMSA 61-27B-18).
- 16 more hours of the department's curriculum, including the law on firearms and deadly physical force, in person, within 12 months before applying, plus the jurisprudence exam (16.48.2.19 NMAC).
- Firearm certification: qualify on the department's course of fire with the same type and caliber of weapon you carry on duty. The handgun course is 50 rounds and you need 80% (40 hits) (16.48.4.8 NMAC). Keep the qualification form on you while working.
- Psychological evaluation by a licensed psychologist, on the department's form, no more than a year old. The psychologist sends it straight to the RLD.
- Every year: requalify with your firearm (16.48.4.8 NMAC).
- Fee: $75 for three years.
Renewal
- Registrations run three years. The RLD emails a courtesy notice at least 30 days before expiration, but a notice that never arrives is not an excuse, so keep your email address current with the department.
- Continuing education: 2 hours a year, 6 hours per three-year term, from an approved source such as a college course, your company's in-house training or the New Mexico law enforcement academy. Hours cannot carry over, and firearms requalification does not count (16.48.6.8 NMAC).
- Armed guards also send a background check form to the Department of Public Safety at least 30 days before expiration (16.48.7.8 NMAC).
- Missed the date? Your registration is expired and you must stop working. You have 30 days to renew with a $100 late fee. After that the RLD will not accept a renewal and you start over as a new applicant (16.48.7.9 NMAC).
How tessura helps
A missed renewal in New Mexico costs you more than a late fee: after 30 days you are back to square one. tessura is free for guards: add your registration and firearm certification to the credential wallet and you get reminders at 60, 30 and 7 days before each expires, including the yearly firearms requalification.
tessura is not affiliated with the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department or any state agency. Rules change, so confirm anything you rely on with the RLD.