New Mexico P&C Producer Licensing Requirements

Pre-License Education

Legal Requirements

New Mexico does NOT legally require pre-licensing education for P&C insurance, but completing coursework is strongly recommended.

Why Complete Education Anyway?

Even though not required, most successful candidates complete 40 hours of pre-licensing education because:

1. Exam Pass Rates: Candidates who study score significantly higher
2. Comprehensive Coverage: Courses cover all exam topics systematically
3. Time Efficiency: Structured learning is faster than self-study
4. Career Foundation: Builds knowledge for actual producer work

Reality Check: While New Mexico doesn't require education hours, the PSI exam is not easy. Allocate 40-60 hours of study time regardless of whether you take a formal course.

Basic Licensing Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

To obtain a New Mexico P&C producer license, you must:

Disqualifying Factors

OSI may deny licenses to applicants who have:

• Felony convictions involving dishonesty or breach of trust
• Insurance license revocations in any state
• Outstanding insurance-related debts or judgments
• Misrepresented facts on license application
• Demonstrated untrustworthiness or incompetence

The Licensing Examination

Exam Details

Exam Content Areas

The 100-question exam covers:

National P&C Content (~70 questions):

• Property insurance principles and coverages
• Casualty insurance fundamentals
• Policy provisions, conditions, exclusions
• Commercial insurance basics
• Personal lines insurance concepts
• Risk management principles
• Insurance terminology

New Mexico State Content (~30 questions):

• NMSA Chapter 59A provisions
• OSI regulatory structure
• New Mexico auto insurance requirements (25/50/10)
• State-specific policy provisions
• Licensing and ethical standards
• Consumer protection laws
• Producer responsibilities

Scheduling Your Exam

Online Scheduling:

1. Visit www.psiexams.com
2. Create a PSI account
3. Select "New Mexico Insurance"
4. Choose "Property & Casualty"
5. Pay $75 exam fee
6. Select testing center or remote proctoring
7. Choose date and time

Phone Scheduling:

• Call PSI: (855) 560-3714
• Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM CT
• Have payment information ready

Testing Center Option

Advantages:

• Controlled testing environment
• No technology issues
• Familiar setting for many test-takers

Requirements:

• Arrive 30 minutes before scheduled time
• Bring two forms of ID (one government-issued with photo)
• No personal items allowed in testing room
• Provided: scratch paper, calculator (if needed)

Remote Proctored Option

Advantages:

• Take exam from home or office
• Flexible scheduling
• No travel required

Requirements:

• Reliable internet connection (minimum 1 Mbps upload/download)
• Webcam and microphone
• Private, quiet room
• Government-issued photo ID
• Complete system check before exam
• Live proctor monitors via webcam

Prohibited During Remote Exam:

• Other people in room
• Books, notes, phones, or other devices
• Leaving camera view
• Talking or looking away from screen

Exam Tip: Remote proctoring is convenient but requires strict environmental control. If your home has interruptions (pets, children, roommates), consider testing center option.

Application Process

Step 1: Complete Background Check (Residents Only)

Who Must Complete:

• All New Mexico resident applicants
• Non-residents only if NM is Designated Home State

Process:

1. Schedule fingerprinting with IDEMIA IdentoGo

   • Website: www.identogo.com
   • Service Code: 1KY6ZN
   • Fee: $44 (paid to Gemalto)

2. Visit fingerprint location

   • Bring government-issued photo ID
   • Electronic fingerprint capture
   • 10-15 minute appointment

3. Background check conducted

   • New Mexico Department of Public Safety check
   • FBI national criminal history check
   • Results sent directly to OSI

4. Wait for clearance

   • Typically 2-3 weeks for results
   • OSI will not issue license until results received
   • Delays possible if manual review required

Step 2: Pass the Exam

• Schedule and pass PSI P&C exam with 70%+
• Results submitted to NIPR within 48 hours
• Exam score valid indefinitely (no expiration)

Step 3: Submit License Application

Application Platform: www.NIPR.com (required—no direct OSI applications)

Application Steps:

1. Create NIPR account

2. Select "Apply for New License"

3. Choose "New Mexico" as state

4. Select "Property" and/or "Casualty" lines of authority

5. Complete application form:

   • Personal information
   • Residential history (past 5 years)
   • Employment history
   • Background questions (criminal, financial, regulatory)
   • Exam confirmation number

6. Upload supporting documents:

   • Copy of government-issued ID
   • Background check receipt (residents)
   • Additional documents if background questions answered "Yes"

7. Pay fees:

   • Application fee: $30
   • NIPR transaction fee: $5.60
   • Total: $35.60

8. Submit application electronically

Step 4: Receive License

Timeline:

• Processing time: 5-10 business days (if no issues)
• Delayed if background check results pending
• OSI notifies via email when license issued
• License active immediately upon issuance

License Details:

• Valid for 2 years from issuance
• Renews biennially by last day of birth month
• Lines of authority: Property, Casualty, or both
• Displayed on NIPR/NAIC Producer Database

Step 5: Obtain Insurer Appointment

Requirement: Must be appointed by insurance company within 60 days of license issuance.

What is an Appointment?

• Insurance company designates you to sell their products
• Company reports appointment to OSI through NIPR
• You can have multiple appointments (different companies)
• Required to transact insurance business

Appointing Process:

1. Contact insurance company/agency you'll represent
2. Complete company's producer agreement
3. Company submits appointment through NIPR
4. Appointment fee paid by insurer
5. Appointment appears on your license record

Important: You cannot sell insurance without an active appointment. If your appointment lapses, you must be reappointed before transacting business.

License Maintenance and Renewal

License Renewal

Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

Total Hours: 24 hours every 2 years

CE Rules:

• Courses must be OSI-approved
• Submit through PSI SBS system
• Complete before renewal deadline
• Excess hours do not carry over
• Must be completed in 2-year renewal period (no early completion)

Exempt License Types (from CE requirements):

• Public adjusters
• Service contract providers
• Temporary licenses

2026 Update: New Mexico repealed a rule requiring 2 hours of specialized training for producers selling excepted benefit plans (deadline was April 1, 2026).

Address Changes

Producers must report address changes to OSI within 30 days:

Reporting Method:

• Update through www.NIPR.com
• Email to Agents.Licensing@osi.nm.gov
• Include license number and new address

Consequences of Failure to Report:

• OSI communications may not reach you
• License disciplinary actions for non-compliance
• Renewal notices sent to address on file

Name Changes

Report name changes within 30 days:

1. Submit through NIPR
2. Provide legal documentation (marriage certificate, court order, etc.)
3. New license issued with updated name

Non-Resident Licensing

Reciprocity

New Mexico grants reciprocal licenses to non-residents who:

• Hold active resident P&C license in their home state
• Home state grants reciprocity to NM residents
• Apply through NIPR
• Meet New Mexico licensing requirements

Non-Resident Application Process

Simplified Process (vs. resident applicants):

1. No background check required (unless NM is Designated Home State)
2. No exam required if you hold resident license in home state with same lines
3. Submit NIPR application with home state license number
4. Pay application fee ($30 + $5.60 transaction fee)
5. Obtain insurer appointment within 60 days

Non-Resident CE Requirements

Follow home state CE rules:

• Complete CE required by your resident state
• New Mexico accepts home state CE compliance
• If home state has no CE, complete NM's 24-hour requirement

Special License Types

Temporary Licenses

OSI may issue temporary licenses (up to 180 days) for:

• Death or disability of producer
• Allows servicing existing business
• Issued to family member or employee
• Non-renewable

Business Entity Licenses

Requirements for Agencies:

• Apply through NIPR as business entity
• Designate Responsible Licensed Producer (DRLP)
• DRLP must hold active NM resident or non-resident license
• DRLP lines of authority must cover all agency lines
• Can have multiple DRLPs to cover different lines

License Lookup and Verification

Verify Producer Licenses

NIPR/NAIC Producer Database:

• Website: https://sbs.naic.org/solar-external-lookup/
• Search by name or license number
• Free public access
• Shows: license status, lines of authority, appointments, disciplinary actions

What You Can Check:

• Active/inactive license status
• Lines of authority held
• Insurer appointments
• License expiration date
• Continuing education compliance
• Public disciplinary actions

Consumer Protection: New Mexico requires producers to provide consumers with their license number upon request. Consumers can verify licenses online before doing business.