New Mexico Private Security and Private Investigation Licensing Guide

New Mexico maintains a centralized, statewide licensing regime for private investigation and private security services under the Private Investigations Act, NMSA 1978, § 61-27B-1 et seq.

Licensing is administered by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department through the Private Investigations Advisory Board.

The statute provides for licensure of private investigation agencies and private investigators. It also provides for licensure of security guard companies and registration or licensing of individual security guards as defined by statute.

Licensure is required prior to engaging in regulated services. Both business entities and individual licensees are regulated at the state level.

New Mexico issues firearms permits under separate provisions of New Mexico law. Firearms credentials are governed under a separate statutory framework and are not themselves private security or private investigation licenses.

Regulation of private investigation and private security services is centralized at the state level.

New Mexico requires state-level licensure for private investigation agencies, private investigators, security guard companies, and individual security guards under the Private Investigations Act.

Security guard regulation and private investigation regulation are administered under the same statutory chapter and regulatory structure.

Firearms permits are governed under separate statutory provisions and do not substitute for required licensure under the Private Investigations Act.