How to Get Your Insurance License in New Mexico (2026)
New Mexico has no mandatory pre-licensing education — skip straight to the PSI exam. Compare top NM exam prep courses, see step-by-step NM OSI requirements, and get your license fast.
Exam Prep Cost
current fees
Time to License
2 – 6 weeks
Application Fee
Official fee
Required Hours
None required
New Mexico Has No Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education
Unlike most states, New Mexico does not require any pre-licensing hours before sitting for the PSI insurance exam. You can study on your own schedule and register with PSI when ready. Optional exam prep can help you review national insurance content and New Mexico-specific rules before sitting for PSI.
Top 3 New Mexico Insurance Exam Prep Courses
1. Kaplan Financial EducationSelf-Paced Option
Entry-level confirmed NM verify current pricing. Four tiers for both L&H and P&C lines. Career Launcher tier includes business-building tools for new agents.
verify current pricing
exam prep only
2. A.D. Banker & CompanyReadiness Support
Three tiers (Silver current fee / Gold current fee / Platinum current fee) with a Readiness Support on every package. Platinum adds a live web class with instructor access.
verify current pricing
exam prep only
3. National Online Insurance School
L&H specialist with 2,000–3,000+ NM state-level questions, readiness tools and an included NM insurance laws booklet. 7-day instructor support included.
verify current pricing
L&H only
Featured New Mexico Insurance Exam Prep Courses
All 6 schools are New Mexico NM OSI-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
eInsurance Training
Starting at
$130
$117
- Insurance pre-licensing courses with CertLaunch10 partner code
- Life & Health and Property & Casualty tracks
- Self-paced online format with practice exams
Available Packages (3)
Life & Health Pre-Licensing Basic
- Life & Health pre-licensing course
- Practice exams
- 180-day access
Kaplan Financial Education
Starting at
Verify price
Open the CertLaunch-branded Kaplan Financial Education portal; no typed coupon code is listed. Confirm the 20% partner pricing, current package eligibility, and final Kaplan checkout total before paying.
- Entry-level confirmed NM price verify current pricing
- Exam Prep Only — no NM pre-licensing hours required
- 4 tiers: Basic current fee / Essential current fee / EssentialPlus current fee / Career Launcher current fee
- Same pricing for both L&H and P&C lines
Available Packages (8)
Life & Health — Basic
- NM L&H exam prep — online or print self-study
- Core exam content coverage
- Practice questions and review exams
- PSI exam-focused materials
A.D. Banker
Starting at
Verify price
- Exam Prep Only — NM does not require pre-licensing hours
- Readiness Support included on every package
- Three tiers: Silver current fee / Gold current fee / Platinum current fee
- Platinum includes live web class with instructor (6-month retake access)
Available Packages (3)
Life & Health — Silver
- Full online course (activities + chapter exams)
- Simulated NM licensing exams
- Readiness Support included
- PDF study manual
National Online Insurance School
Starting at
Verify price
- Exam Prep Only — NM does not require pre-licensing hours
- L&H only (no P&C offered)
- Includes NM insurance laws and regulations booklet
- 7-day instructor support + 30-day student-support policy
Available Packages (3)
Life Only
- 2,000+ NM state-level practice questions
- Progress Report for exam readiness
- 7-day instructor support
- Readiness tools included
Xcel Solutions
Starting at
Verify price
- Exam Prep Only — NM does not require pre-licensing hours
- Two clear tiers: Standard current fee / Premier current fee
- Premier includes full enrollment-policy review if you fail first attempt (exam-readiness tools)
- Covers both L&H and P&C lines
Available Packages (4)
Life & Health — Standard
- NM L&H exam prep course
- Prep review + exam simulator
- Online self-study format
- 30-day access per component
ExamFX
Starting at
Verify price
- Exam Prep Only — NM does not require pre-licensing hours
- Study tools and provider support materials available
- Readiness exam tools and provider enrollment-policy review
- Covers Life, Health, L&H, P&C, and Personal Lines for NM
Available Packages (2)
Life & Health — Exam Prep
- NM L&H exam prep (self-paced)
- Practice questions and simulated exams
- Readiness score support tools
- NM state-specific content
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
What Is a New Mexico Insurance License?
A New Mexico insurance license is a state-issued credential required by the NM Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) to legally sell insurance products in New Mexico. Unlike most states, New Mexico does not require pre-licensing education — you can sit for the PSI exam directly. All applicants must pass a fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGO and apply via NIPR after passing.
New Mexico issues separate licenses for multiple lines of authority. The most common are the Life & Accident/Health license (covering life, annuities, accident, and health insurance) and the Property & Casualty license (covering auto, homeowners, commercial, and liability insurance). Each line requires a separate PSI exam and a separate $75 exam fee.
Life & Accident/Health
$75 exam fee
Life, annuities, health & disability insurance
Property & Casualty
$75/exam (current fee for both)
Auto, home, commercial & liability insurance
Personal Lines
$75 exam fee
Personal auto, homeowners & renters only
Is a New Mexico Insurance License Worth It?
👍 Pros
- + No Pre-Licensing Required: One of a handful of states with no mandatory pre-licensing hours — saving weeks of time and hundreds in course costs.
- + Online Exam Available: PSI offers remote online proctoring, so you can test from home without traveling to a test center.
- + Official Fee Clarity: PSI lists a $75 exam fee and NIPR lists a $30 Insurance Producer state fee; optional prep and fingerprinting costs are separate and should be verified before applying.
- + Growing Market: New Mexico's population growth in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe is driving demand for insurance professionals.
👎 Cons
- - Exam readiness matters: No mandatory prep means candidates can be underprepared. Compare course coverage and practice support before testing.
- - Market Research Needed: Compare agency, carrier, and line-of-authority options before choosing a first appointment path.
- - Appointment Model Varies: Captive, independent, and support roles can have different responsibilities and onboarding requirements.
- - Fingerprinting Required Before Application: Background checks must be completed before applying — factor in 5–10 business days for processing.
How to Get Your New Mexico Insurance License
Choose Your Line(s) of Authority
Decide whether to pursue a Life & Health license, Property & Casualty license, or both. Most agents start with one and add the other later. NM OSI issues separate licenses for Life, Accident & Health, Property, Casualty, and Personal Lines, among others. Each line requires a separate PSI exam and a $75 exam fee.
Complete an Exam Prep Course (Strongly Recommended)
New Mexico does not require pre-licensing education — but the PSI exam requires preparation on both general insurance concepts and New Mexico rules. Many candidates spend 1–3 weeks using a prep course before sitting for the exam. Quality exam prep courses from Kaplan (current fee), A.D. Banker (current fee), or ExamFX are available online and self-paced.
Schedule and Pass the PSI Licensing Exam
Contact PSI at test-takers.psiexams.com/NMINS or call (855) 560-3714 to schedule your exam. PSI replaced Prometric as the NM exam vendor on October 16, 2024. The exam fee is $75 per line of authority. You need a 70% score (70 of 100 questions) to pass. Exams can be taken in-person at a PSI test center or via online remote proctoring.
Complete Fingerprinting and Background Check
All unlicensed applicants must submit fingerprints through IdentoGO (formerly Gemalto) before applying for a license. The fingerprinting fee is approximately current fees. This step must be completed before submitting your license application — start early so processing doesn't delay your timeline.
Apply for Your License via NIPR
Submit your license application online at NIPR.com. The application fee is $30–current fee per line of authority plus a current fee NIPR transaction fee. Applications are reviewed by the NM Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI). Processing typically takes 1–2 weeks.
Secure an Appointment with a Carrier
You must be appointed by an insurance company within 60 days of obtaining your license or your license will be cancelled. Carriers file appointments with NM OSI via NIPR. Once appointed, you are authorized to sell that company's products in New Mexico. Many new agents join an agency before or shortly after receiving their license.
New Mexico Insurance License Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have a valid U.S. Social Security number
- No college degree required
- Must pass fingerprint-based background check (IdentoGO)
- No prior felony convictions that disqualify applicant (reviewed case-by-case)
- NM resident license requires NM residency; non-residents apply via NIPR with active home-state license
Pre-Licensing Education
- Required hours: 0 — New Mexico has no pre-licensing requirement
- Optional exam prep commonly used for structured study
- Self-study is free; structured prep courses verify current pricing
- Online self-paced options available from multiple providers
Exam Requirements
- PSI exam — in-person or online remote proctoring available
- 100 questions, 2-hour time limit per exam
- 70% passing score required (70 correct of 100)
- Exam fee: $75 per line of authority
- Schedule at test-takers.psiexams.com/NMINS or (855) 560-3714
Application & Licensing
New Mexico Insurance License Cost Breakdown
Here's the complete breakdown of what it costs to get your New Mexico insurance license in 2026:
| Cost Item | Amount | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Prep Course | current fees | Optional |
| PSI Exam Fee (per line) | $75 | Required |
| Fingerprinting (IdentoGO) | current fees | Required |
| License Application (NIPR) | $30 – current fee + current fee | Required |
| Estimated Total | current fees |
Confirm current state and government fee policies before paying. Education costs vary by provider and package. Fingerprinting is required for all first-time applicants before submitting the license application.
The New Mexico PSI Insurance Exam — What to Expect
Life & Accident/Health Exam
- Questions: 100 multiple choice
- Time limit: 2 hours
- Passing score: 70% (70 correct)
- Fee: $75 per attempt
- Provider: PSI (in-person or online remote)
Property & Casualty Exam
- Questions: ~100 multiple choice per exam
- Time limit: 2 hours per exam
- Passing score: 70% per exam
- Fee: $75 per exam (verify current fee if taking multiple exams)
- Covers: Property, casualty, auto, homeowners, and commercial
L&H Exam Topics
- Life insurance policy types and provisions
- Annuities and retirement products
- Accident, health, and disability insurance
- Policy riders, exclusions, and beneficiaries
- Ethics and market conduct
- New Mexico insurance statutes and regulations
P&C Exam Topics
- Property insurance principles and coverages
- Casualty/liability insurance concepts
- Auto, homeowners, and commercial policies
- Claims handling and loss settlement
- Ethics and unfair trade practices
- New Mexico insurance laws and regulations
💡 PSI Exam Tips for NM Candidates
Bring two valid government-issued IDs on exam day. For online remote proctoring, ensure you have a working webcam, microphone, and stable internet — review PSI's system requirements at helpdesk.psionline.com before scheduling. There is no state-mandated waiting period between retakes, but each attempt requires a new $75 exam fee. Since NM has no required pre-licensing, build extra study time into your schedule before testing.
How Long Does It Take to Get a New Mexico Insurance License?
2 – 3 weeks
Full-time
4–6 hrs/day; no course hours to log
3 – 5 weeks
Part-time
1–2 hrs/day after work
6 – 10 weeks
Casual Pace
A few hours/week; background check adds 1–2 weeks
| Step | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choose your line(s) of authority | 1 day |
| 2 | Complete exam prep course (no hours required — strongly recommended) | 1–3 weeks |
| 3 | Complete fingerprinting via IdentoGO (can run concurrently) | 5–10 business days |
| 4 | Schedule & pass PSI exam (in-person or online remote) | 1–2 weeks |
| 5 | Submit license application via NIPR | 1–3 days |
| 6 | NM OSI reviews and issues license | 1–2 weeks |
Fingerprinting can be done in parallel while studying to avoid time. With no mandatory pre-licensing hours, NM is faster than most states — the background check processing window is typically the large variable.
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Explore More Licensed Careers
Expand to nearby states or explore other licensed careers in New Mexico.
New Mexico Insurance License Reciprocity
New Mexico participates in non-resident producer reciprocity. If you hold a valid active license in your home state and your home state maintains reciprocity with New Mexico, you may apply for a non-resident NM license via NIPR without retaking the state exam.
Apply online through NIPR.com. The application fee is $30 per line of authority plus a current fee NIPR transaction fee. Your home-state license must be in good standing at the time of application.
Non-Resident License Details: For current reciprocal states and requirements, contact the NM Office of Superintendent of Insurance at osi.state.nm.us or call (505) 827-4601.
New Mexico Insurance License Renewal
New Mexico insurance licenses renew biennially. Your license expires on the last day of your birth month — even birth years renew in even years, odd birth years renew in odd years. To renew, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education (21 general + 3 ethics hours). Renewals are processed through NIPR.com.
2 yrs
Renewal Cycle
24 hrs
CE Required
3 hrs
Ethics (included)
CE courses may not be repeated within a 3-year period. Non-residents who have met CE requirements in their home state are typically exempt from the NM CE requirement. For renewal deadlines, approved CE providers, and current fees, visit osi.state.nm.us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get an insurance license in New Mexico?
Total costs typically range verify current pricing to current fee for a single line of authority. This includes the PSI exam fee ($75), fingerprinting (current fees via IdentoGO), license application via NIPR ($30–current fee + current fee transaction fee), and an optional but recommended exam prep course (current fees). Getting both Life & Health and Property & Casualty licenses will increase costs since you'll pay additional exam fees.
How long does it take to get an insurance license in New Mexico?
Most candidates complete the process in 2–6 weeks. Since New Mexico has no mandatory pre-licensing hours, you can schedule your PSI exam as soon as you're ready. The main time factors are exam prep (1–3 weeks), background check processing (5–10 business days), and NIPR application review. Full-time study may shorten the study phase, but exam availability, background checks, and state processing still control timing.
Does New Mexico require pre-licensing education hours?
No. New Mexico is one of the few states that does not require a minimum number of pre-licensing education hours before sitting for the state insurance exam. Exam prep is optional but commonly used to review national insurance content and New Mexico-specific rules before scheduling PSI.
How hard is the New Mexico insurance licensing exam?
The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions with a 2-hour time limit and a 70% passing score. The difficulty is moderate — the questions cover both general insurance concepts and New Mexico-specific statutes. Because pre-licensing is not required, many candidates underestimate the exam; using an exam prep course from providers like Kaplan or ExamFX is highly recommended.
Who administers the New Mexico insurance licensing exam?
PSI Exams administers all New Mexico insurance licensing exams as of October 16, 2024 (replacing Prometric). You can schedule online at test-takers.psiexams.com/NMINS or by calling (855) 560-3714. Exams can be taken at PSI test centers or via online remote proctoring.
What are the requirements to get an insurance license in New Mexico?
You must be at least 18 years old, have a valid U.S. Social Security number, pass the PSI state exam with 70% or higher, and complete a fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGO before applying. No college degree is required. You must also obtain an appointment from an insurance carrier within 60 days of receiving your license.
How much do insurance agents make in New Mexico?
New Mexico insurance career outcomes vary by license line, carrier appointment, product mix, experience, and market. Candidates can research agency and carrier opportunities in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, and other local markets after licensing.
Can I get a New Mexico insurance license if I already have one in another state?
Yes. New Mexico offers non-resident producer licenses to agents with active licenses in their home state. Most reciprocal states allow NM residents to apply via NIPR without retaking the exam. Non-resident applicants pay the same $30 application fee per line plus the current fee NIPR transaction fee. The fingerprint/background check may also be waived in some cases.
Can I take the New Mexico insurance exam online?
Yes. PSI offers remote online proctored exams in addition to in-person testing at PSI test centers. Online proctoring allows you to test from home or your office, provided you meet the technical requirements (webcam, microphone, stable internet). Review PSI's system requirements at helpdesk.psionline.com before scheduling.
How do I renew my New Mexico insurance license?
New Mexico insurance licenses renew biennially. Your license expires on the last day of your birth month every two years — even birth years renew in even years, odd birth years in odd years. Before renewing, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education (21 general + 3 ethics). Renewals are processed through NIPR.com. Non-residents who have met CE requirements in their home state are generally exempt from the NM CE requirement.