New Mexico insurancelicense requirements
New Mexico insurance license at a glance
- Prelicensing course
- None required
- Exam provider
- PSI
- Passing score
- 70%
- Exam fee
- $75 per exam
- License fee
- $30
- Fingerprints
- Required, through IdentoGO
- Continuing education
- 24 hours every 2 years
How to become an insurance agent in New Mexico
Below, you'll find the steps to a New Mexico insurance license, the exams for each line, and what it takes to keep your license active.
Requirements for New Mexico insurance producers
Contact the New Mexico insurance department
How much do insurance agents make in New Mexico?
New Mexico average insurance agent salary (all lines): $59,040
That is the mean annual wage for insurance sales agents in New Mexico in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 survey.
Estimates by line, from Achievable's May 2026 salary research (not BLS figures):
- Life insurance agent: $86,217
- Health insurance agent: $53,445
- Property and casualty insurance agent: $46,291
Please note that salaries will vary based on experience level and local demand.
Does New Mexico require prelicensing education?
No, New Mexico does not require any insurance pre-licensing education. We highly recommend taking a course on your own to prepare for the state's licensing exam.
How do I get my insurance license in New Mexico?
Becoming an insurance producer in New Mexico requires passing a state-mandated insurance exam in the specific line or lines you wish to specialize in, as well as completing the following steps:
- Step 1: (Optional) Consider completing a prelicensing course to prepare for your licensing exam.
- Step 2: Schedule your exam with PSI. The fastest way is online at https://test-takers.psiexams.com/nmins or call (855) 560-3714. Exams can be taken at a PSI center or remotely (choose the online proctored option when you book). Pay the exam fee when reserving your spot. To reschedule or cancel, contact PSI at least 48 hours in advance to avoid losing the fee.
- Step 3: Arrive at the test center 30 minutes early on exam day. Bring a valid (non-expired) ID such as a driver’s license, passport, or military ID. Without proper ID, you will not be allowed to take the exam. After completing the exam, you’ll see a completion notice on the screen, and your score report will be emailed to you.
- Step 4: Once you pass the exam, complete the required national background check through IdentoGO at https://nm.state.identogo.com/ using the Office of Superintendent of Insurance service code. The fee is $67, and the report is valid for 90 days.
- Step 5: Once you have your background check results, apply for your license online via NIPR at https://nipr.com/. Refer to https://www.osi.state.nm.us/ for detailed licensing information and to ensure you're using current forms, as outdated forms will not be accepted.
If you need assistance with any of these steps or have questions about specific requirements, contact the New Mexico insurance department for the most current information.
New Mexico insurance exam information
New Mexico Life Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 27.1% (184 of 678 first-time test takers, 2025) |
New Mexico Accident and Health Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 37.9% (72 of 190 first-time test takers, 2025) |
New Mexico Life, Accident, and Health Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 150 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2.5 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 37.0% (195 of 527 first-time test takers, 2025) |
New Mexico Property Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 36.4% (8 of 22 first-time test takers, 2025) |
New Mexico Casualty Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 13.8% (16 of 116 first-time test takers, 2025) |
New Mexico Property and Casualty Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 150 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2.5 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 32.6% (162 of 497 first-time test takers, 2025) |
New Mexico Personal Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 45.8% (33 of 72 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Pass rates are for first-time test takers, from the NAIC's state exam reports. Each rate shows its year, and it is the most recent NAIC figure we have for that exam.
Additional requirements
New Mexico insurance licensing fees
- Initial license fees: Resident/Nonresident Insurance Producer: $30; Surplus Lines Broker: $100
- Renewal fees: Resident/Nonresident Insurance Producer: $60; Surplus Lines Broker: $200
New Mexico insurance license citizenship requirements
Resident applicants must submit fingerprints via IdentoGO. Non-citizens must provide proof of Visa, Work Permit, or Green Card.
Where can I apply for a resident insurance license in New Mexico?
Apply through NIPR
How can I apply for a non-resident insurance license in New Mexico?
- 1. Non-citizens must provide proof of Visa, Work Permit or Green Card.
- 2. Non-resident to Resident exam waiver may apply. See the OSI Individuals and Agencies licensing page.
- 3. Reciprocity generally applies.
- 4. Variable requires FINRA CRD number.
- 5. Apply via NIPR and pay $30 plus NIPR processing fees.
New Mexico carrier appointments and insurance license terminations
- Required to report appointments: Yes
- Permits JIT appointments: Yes
- Initial appointment deadlines: Within 15 days of contract execution or first business submission
- Can be processed via NIPR: Yes
- Fees for appointing resident/nonresident agency or individual: $20 per LOA
- Appoint agencies: No
- Adjuster appointments via NIPR: Yes
- Appointment effective date can be specified: No
New Mexico insurance license termination details
- Termination reasons: voluntary, inadequate production, canceled by GA, death, company defunct/liquidation, indebtedness, poor service, agent moved, appointed in error, cancelled for cause, request regulatory review
- Terminations processed via NIPR: Yes
- Termination date can be specified: No
- Termination fee: None
- Allows termination if license expired: Yes
- Not-for-cause notices must be mailed
New Mexico insurance license renewals
Resident/Nonresident renewal: Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of first license issuance ; Late renewal allowed up to one year after expiration
New Mexico insurance license continuing education (CE) requirements
- CE total hours: 24 per 2-year period
- Ethics: 3 hours
- Flood (NFIP): 3 hours one-time
- LTC: 8-hour initial + 4 hours every two years
- Annuity: one-time 4-hour course
- Resident adjusters: 24 hours every 2 years with at least 3 hours Ethics
- CE transcripts: https://sbs.naic.org/solar-external-lookup/license-manager
New Mexico insurance license FAQs
There is no set timeline: most of it depends on how long you study and how soon you can book an exam. New Mexico requires no prelicensing course, so you can book your exam as soon as you are ready. Allow time for your fingerprint appointment too. After you pass, you have 1 year to apply. The state gives this processing time: up to 30 days.
Yes. New Mexico candidates can test online with a remote proctor through PSI, or in person at a test center.
Expect to pay $75 per exam for the exam and $30 for the license. Fingerprinting and any exam prep are extra.
No. New Mexico does not require a prelicensing course, though a course helps you prepare for the exam.
The passing score is 70%. In 2025, 27.1% of first-time test takers passed the New Mexico life exam, according to the NAIC.
Yes. Resident applicants in New Mexico are fingerprinted through IdentoGO.
Apply through NIPR after you pass your exam.
New Mexico requires 24 hours every 2 years to keep your license active.
For what an agent does, the types of insurance and how multi-state licensing works, see our guide to insurance licensing by state.
Sources
- Prelicensing, exam fee, passing score, online exams, where to apply and time to apply after passing: test-takers.psiexams.com
- Exam provider, fingerprints and processing time: osi.state.nm.us
- License fee: osi.state.nm.us
- Continuing education: osi.state.nm.us
- Pass rates: NAIC state exam reports
- Average salary: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
Compiled from official New Mexico and exam provider sources as of . Licensing rules and fees change, so confirm them with the New Mexico insurance department before you apply.
Conclusion
If you're ready to start your journey toward becoming a licensed insurance agent in New Mexico, Achievable's license exam prep covers each major line: Life & Health insurance license exam prep, Property & Casualty license exam prep, and Personal Lines license exam prep. Our comprehensive study materials and practice exams are designed to help you pass your licensing exam on the first attempt.
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