How to become a security guard in New Mexico

Every New Mexico credential

All 12 individual credentials this regulator issues to security workers, from the entry-level card to specialty and instructor registrations. Rows marked ◇ are drafted from the regulator’s pages and await our reviewer’s sign-off.

Steps to get started

1. Get hired by a licensed private patrol company; registration requires employment under a licensed supervisor (NMSA 61-27B-16).
2. Complete the in-person training for your level (8 hours for Level 1) within 12 months before applying, and pass the department's jurisprudence exam.
3. Submit fingerprints for the federal background check (fee set by the Department of Public Safety).
4. Register with the RLD ($50 for Levels 1 and 2, $75 for Level 3, plus a $10 guard card); registrations run three years.
5. Complete 2 hours of continuing education a year, 6 per three-year term, and renew by the expiration date (30-day late window with a $100 fee).

Security Guard Level 1 (Unarmed): Must be 18+ and employed by a licensed private patrol company. The 8-hour department curriculum is taught in person by an approved instructor and must be completed within 12 months before applying, followed by the department's jurisprudence exam and a federal fingerprint check (16.48.2.17 NMAC). Disqualifiers include any felony and offenses involving dishonesty, intentional violence or illegal use or possession of a deadly weapon (NMSA 61-27B-16). Continuing education is 2 hours a year, 6 per three-year term, with no carryover (16.48.6.8 NMAC).

Private Investigations Employee Registration: Employee or contractor of a licensed private investigation company working under the direct supervision of a licensed private investigator (16.48.2.12 NMAC). Requires biometric federal criminal history check and certificate of employment. Optional firearm certification (16.48.4.8 NMAC + psychological evaluation).

Private Investigator License: Individual license under the Private Investigations Act. Requires 6,000 hours of verifiable investigative experience within the preceding five years (16.48.2.9 NMAC), biometric federal background check. Optional firearm certification (16.48.4.8 NMAC training, qualification score sheet and psychological evaluation). CE: 2 hours/year, 6 hours per three-year renewal (16.48.6.8 NMAC).

Registered Security Guard Instructor - Level One: Authorized to teach the department's Level One (8-hour) curriculum. Requires instructor certification related to the level one topics issued by a law enforcement academy, accredited higher-education institution, US military branch, or FLETC, issued within the four years before application (16.48.2.20 NMAC). Must resubmit current certification every four years and complete 4 hours of instructor-development/security case-law CE every four years.

Registered Security Guard Instructor - Level Two: Must already be approved as a Level One instructor and hold a specific non-firearm weapon (baton/OC/electronic device) instructor certification issued by the weapon manufacturer within the preceding four years (16.48.2.20(A)(2) NMAC). Level two/three instructors may also teach level one; no instructor may teach above their level (61-27B).

Registered Security Guard Instructor - Level Three (Firearms): Firearms instructor certification issued by a law enforcement academy, recognized federal entity, US military, FLETC, or NRA Law Enforcement Activities Division within the preceding four years (16.48.2.20(A)(3) NMAC). Level three instructors sign the annual firearms qualification score sheets required of every armed licensee/registrant (16.48.4.8 NMAC).

Private Investigations Manager License: Individual manager license for the person managing a licensed private investigation company (16.48.2.11 NMAC). Optional firearm certification.

Private Patrol Operator License: Individual license (the Act defines a private patrol operator as an individual). Requires not less than 4,000 hours of work as a guard, watchman or patrolman within the preceding five years, one year of which in a supervisory capacity (16.48.2.13 NMAC). Optional firearm certification. CE 2 hours/year, 6 per three-year term (16.48.6.8 NMAC).

Private Patrol Operations Manager License: Individual license for the person managing a licensed private patrol company's operations (16.48.2.15 NMAC); supervises security guards and private patrol employees.

Private Patrol Employee Registration: Registration (added by HB 259, 2023) for a person employed by or contracting with a licensed private patrol company who is not registered as a security guard, under the direct supervision of a private patrol operations manager or a level three security guard. Registration terminates when employment ends. May carry a firearm only if separately firearm-certified (16.48.4.8 NMAC firearms training + psychological evaluation, annual requalification).

Working armed in New Mexico

Level 2 covers non-firearm weapons (baton, OC spray, electronic control devices): 20 hours of training plus approved weapons instruction, with the same 18+ minimum as Level 1. Level 3 (firearms) adds 16 more hours, a psychological evaluation and firearm certification renewed every year, and requires age 21+ (NMSA 61-27B-16 to 61-27B-18; 16.48.4.8 NMAC).

Security Guard Level 3 (Firearms): Must be 21+ and hold Level 2 (NMSA 61-27B-18). Adds a 16-hour in-person curriculum covering firearms law and deadly physical force, the jurisprudence exam, firearm certification on the department's qualification course (80% on the handgun course) with the same type and caliber carried on duty, and an evaluation by a licensed psychologist on the department's form, no more than a year old (16.48.2.19 NMAC). Firearm certification is renewed every year (16.48.4.8 NMAC), and a background check form goes to DPS at least 30 days before each renewal (16.48.7.8 NMAC).

Security Guard Level 2 (Non-Firearm Weapons): Requires department-approved non-firearm weapons instruction before the first Level 2 post. Must be 18+: NMSA 61-27B-17 carries over the Level 1 requirements of 61-27B-16, and adds a high school diploma or equivalent. The 20-hour curriculum is in person, within 12 months before applying, with the jurisprudence exam and weapon-specific training (16.48.2.18 NMAC). Firearms need Level 3 (21+).

Keep your New Mexico credential alive

The free wallet computes your renewal deadline from New Mexico's rules and reminds you at 60, 30, and 7 days. Exam prep for New Mexico follows.