If you want to learn how to become a bail bondsman in New Mexico, you must complete the following steps:
 | Meet New Mexico Basic Requirements |
 | Complete education |
 | Complete On-the-Job Training in New Mexico |
 | Take the New Mexico Exam |
 | Find Work in New Mexico |
 | New Mexico License Maintenance |
The New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance, Agent Licensing Bureau, is responsible for licensing bail bondsmen in the state. The Bureau protects insurance consumers by determining qualifications and eligibility for bail bondsmen and by processing their license applications and ensuring they meet all requirements for continuing education and licensure renewal.
Step 1. Meet Basic Requirements as a New Mexico Bail Bondsman
You must be at least 18 years old to become a bail bondsman in New Mexico, you must be a United States citizen, and you must have no felony convictions. Further, you must not be an attorney or a law enforcement, adjudication, jail, court or prosecution official/employee.
Step 2. Complete Bail Bondsman Education in New Mexico
Before you can become licensed to operate as a bail bondsman in New Mexico, you must meet specific educational requirements, which include completing at least 30 clock hours of formal classroom education in topics related to the duties and responsibilities of becoming a bail bondsman. Educational topics may include ethics, laws, and rules related to the bail bond business.
Many individuals choose to obtain their education through an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Further, a degree in criminal justice and subsequent position as a bail bondsman is a common path for individuals to take when seeking a career in law enforcement as a police officer or similar profession.
Upon completion of the required bail bondsman education courses, the educational provider, who must be accredited by the Bureau, will provide you with a written certificate stating that you have successfully completing the required formal pre-licensing education in accordance with the approved curriculum.
Note: You may bypass the Bureau’s education requirement by apprenticing for a minimum of six months with a sponsoring bail bondsman who must certify in writing that you have been taught all subjects related to the duties and responsibilities of becoming a bail bondsman, including ethics and laws related to the bail bondsman business, and that you are prepared to take the examination for licensure.
Step 3. Complete On-the-Job Bail Bondsman Training in New Mexico
Upon completion of an educational program that satisfies the Bureau’s requirement of at least 30 clock hours of formal classroom training, you must successfully complete at least 120 hours of on-the-job training, which must be completed under the supervision of a sponsoring bail bondsman.
Upon completion of your training, your supervising bail bondsman must certify in writing that you have been taught all pertinent information related to becoming a bail bondsman, including the duties and responsibilities of the profession, and that you are prepared to take the examination.
Step 4. Take the Bail Bondsman Examination in New Mexico
The New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance, Agent Licensing Bureau, has contracted with PSI to offer the bail bondsman examination in New Mexico. PSI will handle registering and scheduling you for the exam. They will also provide computerized testing to complete the exam and will process your license application.
- Before you can test for the bail bondsman examination, you must complete and submit a license application, an exam registration form, any associated documentation, and $105 (includes a $30 license fee and a $75 examination fee, both made payable to PSI) to PSI’s New Mexico Processing Center at P.O. Box 28909, Santa Fe, NM 87592.
- You must also include fingerprint cards and a $44 check made payable to PSI with your application for licensure. You can obtain your fingerprint cards by mail by sending an e-mail request to [email protected].
- Once PSI has received your application packet, you must then contact PSI to schedule the date, time and location of your examination. You may schedule your exam using PSI’s Internet scheduling system or you can schedule by phone at 1-800-733-9267. You must schedule and take your examination within 6 months of receiving notification to test from PSI or you will need to complete the application process again.
- There are more than 250 PSI testing centers in the United States. Within New Mexico, you may schedule your exam at one of the following locations:
- Albuquerque
- Farmington
- Las Cruces
- Roswell
- Santa Fe
- You may prepare to take the exam by taking the online practice examination for your New Mexico Insurance Examination online at www.psiexams.com.
- On the day of the exam, you must bring a government-issued photo ID with you, and you must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment.
- You will be notified immediately whether you have passed or failed the exam at the end of the exam. Upon completion of the examination, your passing grade will be electronically submitted to the Office of Superintendent of Insurance. Upon receipt of your passing grade the OSI will issue your New Mexico bail bondsman license within 10 working days.
- If you fail the exam, you must wait at least one business day before you can reschedule to take the examination. The application is valid for only six months; therefore, if you fail the examination twice, you will not be allowed to take it for 30 days. If you fail the exam an additional two times, you must wait at least 6 months to reschedule and take your exam. As such, you must submit a new application form, registration form, and applicable registration fees.
Step 5. Get to Work in New Mexico
You must become appointed by an authorized insurer to act as your agent within 60 days from the date your license is issued or else your issue will expire. You must complete and submit a Notice of Appointment and mail it, along with a $20 application fee (made payable to OSI), to:
OSI
P.O. Box 1689
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504
Some of the largest bail bond companies in New Mexico include:
- New Mexico Bonding, LLC
- Jerry Gonzales Bail Bonding, Inc.
- Jackie Sanchez Bail Bonds
- Hank’s Bail Bonds
- Gerald Madrid Bonding
- All Pro Bail Bonds, Inc.
Step 6. Maintain your New Mexico License
To maintain your New Mexico bail bondsman license, you must complete at least 15 clock hours of continuing education that directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of being a bail bondsman in New Mexico. All license renewals are now handled by the National Insurance Producer Registry. Information on registration and fees can be found on their website.
You must provide the OSI with proof of your continuing education by completing the Continuing Education Certificate of Completion form and mailing it to:
OSI Producer Licensing Bureau
P.O. Box 1689
Santa Fe, NM 87504
Sources:
http://www.osi.state.nm.us/agent-licensing/
http://www.osi.state.nm.us/agent-licensing/forms-applications.html#individualapplications