Meeting your New Mexico insurance license requirements is not just about staying legal but about staying ready. As insurance professionals, you are responsible for more than just your clients’ policies. You also have to keep up with compliance rules that change over time. At BetterCE, we design our insurance CE courses to make that process easier, clearer, and more efficient for agents across the state.
This article explores everything New Mexico insurance professionals need to know about staying compliant.
Understand the CE Requirements for Each License Type
Every licensed insurance producer in New Mexico who holds a Life, Health, Property, Casualty, or Personal Lines license must complete 24 hours of New Mexico insurance license continuing education every two years. These 24 hours are split into general and ethics components.
At least 3 of those 24 hours must be in ethics, and another 3 hours must be completed through a classroom, classroom-equivalent, or live webinar format. The rest can be done online, using self-paced, text-based courses.
New Mexico’s rules are license type-specific, so your CE courses must match your active line(s) of authority. For example, if your license covers Life and Health, your CE courses need to be approved for those specific lines of authority. If you are a Property and Casualty producer, your courses must be approved for those specific lines. Agent who are multi-lines licensed (Property & Casualty and Life or Health) only need to complete 24 credits total and must complete courses approved for at least one of their license types held.
Some producers may be exempt from CE if they meet the 25-year rule. You may qualify for a waiver if you have held your license in good standing for at least 25 years without any lapses longer than 90 days. However, agents who sell Long-Term Care, Flood, or Stop Loss products must still fulfill the special training requirements required to sell these types of policies.
When and How to Renew Your Insurance License
Timing matters when it comes to your New Mexico insurance license renewal. You must complete all CE requirements and submit your renewal application prior to your license expiration date. License expiration dates occur on the last day of your birth month, every 2 years. Agents can locate their expiration date and other license info using the NAIC License Manager.
Renewal is not automatic after completing your CE. You still need to submit your renewal application and pay your renewal fee. The state opens your renewal window 90 days before your license expiration date. During that window, you may submit your application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) or Sircon. The renewal fee is $60. We always encourage agents to start early to avoid last-minute issues.
There are additional penalties if you fail to renew your license prior to your expiration date and wish to reinstate your license:
- If you late renew within 30 days, there is an additional fee of $90, plus the renewal fee of $60 ($150 total).
- If you renew between day 31 and one year after expiration, the late renewal fee is $120 in addition to the $60 renewal fee ($180 total) . .
Your license is considered lapsed if you fail to complete your CE and renew your license within 1 year of your license expiration date. You will be required to re-test and re-fingerprint to obtain an active insurance license. Once your CE is completed and reported, your compliance status will be reflected in the state system.
At BetterCE, we report your completed CE credits online directly to the state on the same day as courses are completed, so there is no need for paperwork on your part.
Ethics and Special Training Rules You Should Know
Every producer must complete 3 hours of ethics training as part of their 24-credit requirement. The course must be approved by the New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance.
Agent selling certain types of products must complete specialized CE training that counts toward their 24 credit requirement:
- Flood Insurance: Producers must complete a one-time, 3-hour NFIP course before they can sell flood policies.
- Long-Term Care (LTC): Agents must first complete an 8-hour initial training course. Then, they must complete a 4-hour refresher course every two years.
- Stop Loss Insurance: To sell stop loss, producers must complete an 8-hour course focused specifically on that product.
These specialized training courses ensure producers understand the legal, financial, and ethical aspects of high-stakes policy types. At BetterCE, we offer state-approved courses for all of these areas. Our goal is to give you the tools you need to serve clients and meet all regulatory expectations.
Renew Your New Mexico License With Confidence
Navigating your New Mexico insurance license requirements does not need to be stressful. Once you know what is expected—how many hours, what formats are allowed, and what deadlines apply—you can approach your New Mexico insurance license renewal with confidence and clarity.
At BetterCE, we support insurance professionals throughout every step of their CE journey. Whether you are preparing for your New Mexico insurance license exam, meeting ethics standards, or completing your 24-hour CE cycle, our online tools and expert-designed courses are here to help. Start your CE courses with BetterCE today.