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New Mexico Bail Bond — Requirements & Free Practice

US-NM · License preparation

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Accredited Provider Certification for Bail Pre-Licensing Education

Written authorization under 13.20.2.15; this supplements the underlying bail bondsman license.

Licensing authority: New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance · Application information

Application for certification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply on the superintendent’s prescribed form; superintendent may certify and issues written authorization (13.20.2.15(A)(1)-(3)).
Experience
At least three years actively engaged in the bail bond business (13.20.2.15(A)(2)(b)).
Knowledge
Reasonable knowledge of the bail business and New Mexico laws and rules (13.20.2.15(A)(2)(c)).
License Held
Licensed bail bondsman in good standing in New Mexico or elsewhere (13.20.2.15(A)(2)(a)).
Provider Curriculum
For an accredited classroom provider, use the approved curriculum and file it each January before January 31 (13.20.2.11(C)).
Reputation
Good business and personal reputation (13.20.2.15(A)(2)(d)).
Sponsoring Training Plan
For a sponsoring bondsman, file the supervised training plan each January before January 31 (13.20.2.12(A)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Limited Surety Agent

An insurer-appointed individual who executes or countersigns bail bonds in judicial proceedings for compensation.

Licensing authority: New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance · Application information

License continuation and renewal
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Competence Examination
Under § 59A-11-10(D), the superintendent may require the same written examination required of new individual applicants if competence is questionable; an ordinary renewal does not automatically require retesting.
Continuing Education
14 hours of approved bail-law continuing education per two-year compliance period, including at least 3 hours of ethics; applicable exemptions and timely hardship or military extensions may apply (13.4.7.2(B), 13.4.7.9(A), (F)).
Continuing Qualification
Remain qualified and maintain the appointment or financial security appropriate to the license.
Property Financial Statement
Property bondsmen may be required to file the preceding year-end financial statement (§ 59A-51-10(B)); 13.20.2.23 requires a detailed statement or the described federal-tax-return alternative.
Renewal Timing
The bail-specific § 59A-51-10(A) states annual continuation before April 30. The later general § 59A-11-10(B) and 13.4.7.12 describe biennial birth-month renewal. The higher-ranked bail-specific provision is retained; the different general renewal instructions are disclosed here.
Solicitor Continuation
The appointing bondsman submits the list of continuing solicitors and fees before March 1 (§ 59A-51-12(A)).
Reinstatement of a discontinued, inactive or surrendered license
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Continuing Education Alternative
Complete all required continuing education before applying. If discontinued longer than one biennial period, complete 24 additional hours. Instead of completing the required courses, the licensee may retake the qualifying examination (13.4.7.9(G)).
Examination Choice
The qualifying exam remains a leaf because the rule expressly offers it as the alternative to reinstatement continuing education.
New Application
OSI states that inactive or surrendered reinstatement follows the new-license application process; apply the appropriate appointment, financial-security and qualification conditions.
Prior Status
A prior license is discontinued, inactive or surrendered. OSI treats inactive/surrendered reinstatement as a new-license application.
Nonresident initial licensure without reciprocity
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Application
Submit the prescribed application, fee, identity photograph, personal and business history, relevant education or experience, previous licensing and disciplinary information, and any requested supporting information (13.20.2.9; § 59A-51-5).
Background Check
OSI’s licensing page states that residents must submit electronic fingerprints and that a license will not issue until background results are received; nonresidents generally have no fingerprint requirement unless designating New Mexico as home state.
Business Address
Maintain an accessible New Mexico place of business; if transacting in an entity name, separately license that entity (13.20.2.17(A)-(B)).
Classroom Education
10 clock hours in the approved prelicensing curriculum (13.20.2.11(B)).
Current Addresses
Keep current business, residence, mailing and email addresses on file (13.20.2.9(B)).
Education
High school graduate or passed a high school equivalency examination; the equivalency examination is an applicant qualification, not this profession’s licensing examination (§ 59A-51-4(B)).
Education Waiver
On written request the superintendent may waive prelicensing education based on background and experience (13.20.2.13). This is not a waiver of the licensing examination.
Exam Timing
Pass the superintendent-authorized examination with at least 70% before submitting the application (13.20.2.9(F)(1)).
Hearing Agreement
File the written agreement to appear in response to the superintendent’s hearing notice, show-cause order or subpoena (§ 59A-51-5(F)).
Incompatible License
May not concurrently hold a solicitor license; transacting both surety and property bonds requires both licenses (13.20.2.8(B)).
Incompatible Positions
Section 59A-51-4(C) lists law enforcement, adjudication, jail, court and prosecution officials or employees, attorneys, officials authorized to admit to bail and state or county officers. The official compilation notes that the county-officer prohibition was held invalid in Alvarez v. Chavez.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old (NMSA 1978 § 59A-51-4(A)).
Process Agent
Irrevocably appoint the superintendent for service of process (§ 59A-51-5(E)).
Reputation
Good personal and business reputation (§ 59A-51-4(E)).
Residence
Nonresident applicant without the reciprocal licensing qualification.
Supervised Training
30 clock hours of approved supervised on-the-job training, with completion certification (13.20.2.12(B)-(C)).
Surety Appointment
Appointment by an authorized surety insurer, filed with the application (13.20.2.9(C)).
Nonresident licensure by reciprocity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Proper licensing request, prescribed application and required fees (§ 59A-11-24(A)).
Board Additional Instructions
The limited surety/property application and 13.20.2.9(B) also ask nonresident applicants for process-agent appointment, written agreement to attend hearings and current addresses; the special bail instructions also state prelicensing training requirements. These lower-ranking demands remain visible without overriding the statutory reciprocity waiver.
Home License
Current resident license in good standing in the applicant’s home jurisdiction for the authority requested.
Reciprocity
Home jurisdiction must award nonresident licenses to New Mexico residents on the same basis (§§ 59A-11-23(A), 59A-11-24(A)).
Statutory Waiver
Section 59A-11-23(A) mandates waiver of requirements other than § 59A-11-24 for qualifying reciprocal nonresident applicants.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Relicensure after refusal to continue
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Cause Removed
Evidence must satisfy the superintendent that the applicant is otherwise qualified and the continuing causes of refusal no longer exist and will not recur.
New Application
File the new-license application and satisfy the qualifying examination, appointment or financial-security requirements.
Prior Status
Continuation of a prior license was refused (§ 59A-11-18).
Resident initial licensure by examination
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Application
Submit the prescribed application, fee, identity photograph, personal and business history, relevant education or experience, previous licensing and disciplinary information, and any requested supporting information (13.20.2.9; § 59A-51-5).
Background Check
OSI’s licensing page states that residents must submit electronic fingerprints and that a license will not issue until background results are received; nonresidents generally have no fingerprint requirement unless designating New Mexico as home state.
Business Address
Maintain an accessible New Mexico place of business; if transacting in an entity name, separately license that entity (13.20.2.17(A)-(B)).
Classroom Education
10 clock hours in the approved prelicensing curriculum (13.20.2.11(B)).
Education
High school graduate or passed a high school equivalency examination; the equivalency examination is an applicant qualification, not this profession’s licensing examination (§ 59A-51-4(B)).
Education Waiver
On written request the superintendent may waive prelicensing education based on background and experience (13.20.2.13). This is not a waiver of the licensing examination.
Exam Timing
Pass the superintendent-authorized examination with at least 70% before submitting the application (13.20.2.9(F)(1)).
Incompatible License
May not concurrently hold a solicitor license; transacting both surety and property bonds requires both licenses (13.20.2.8(B)).
Incompatible Positions
Section 59A-51-4(C) lists law enforcement, adjudication, jail, court and prosecution officials or employees, attorneys, officials authorized to admit to bail and state or county officers. The official compilation notes that the county-officer prohibition was held invalid in Alvarez v. Chavez.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old (NMSA 1978 § 59A-51-4(A)).
Relocation Waiver Instructions
The PSI bulletin says a relocating resident insurance licensee may request an exam waiver with an equivalent prior resident license, written request, application within 90 days and fingerprints. OSI’s waiver instructions cite 13.4.2.11(B); 13.4.2.6(B) expressly directs bail licensing to 13.20.2, whose examination requirement remains controlling. Any waiver actually granted is an applicant condition.
Reputation
Good personal and business reputation (§ 59A-51-4(E)).
Residence
New Mexico resident applicant.
Supervised Training
30 clock hours of approved supervised on-the-job training, with completion certification (13.20.2.12(B)-(C)).
Surety Appointment
Appointment by an authorized surety insurer, filed with the application (13.20.2.9(C)).
New licensure after revocation
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Cause Removed
No new license if the circumstances causing revocation still exist or are likely to recur.
New Application
New-license application, qualifying examination and the applicable appointment or financial-security requirements.
Repeat Revocation
Two revocations of a bondsman or solicitor license permanently prohibit further licensing under Article 51 (§ 59A-51-15(C)).
Waiting Period
The superintendent may refuse an application for one year after revocation, or for two years after a final affirming court order if judicial review was sought (§ 59A-51-15(B)).
Reinstatement after suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Cause Removed
The superintendent must find that the circumstances underlying the discipline no longer exist and are unlikely to recur.
Qualification
Resume only after reinstatement; maintain the appointment, financial security and other qualifications of this existing license.
Request
Request reinstatement after the ordered suspension period; the period may not exceed one year subject to discretionary modification (§ 59A-51-15(A)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

bail bonds limited surety

Business entity licensing for bail bonds limited surety; all bail bond business must be conducted in the business entity name.

Licensing authority: Office of Superintendent of Insurance · Application information

Reinstatement of an inactive or surrendered entity license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affiliation
Submit the affiliation form and fees within 30 days of application and maintain affiliations throughout the entity license (§ 59A-11-3; OSI Business Licensing Instructions).
Application
Prescribed entity application signed by the authorized partner or officer, requested ownership and management information, fees and any applicable security.
Licensed Individuals
Maintain affiliated individuals licensed for the bail authority exercised; the entity’s exam exemption does not excuse individual licensing.
Prior Status
Inactive or surrendered entity license; OSI treats reinstatement as a new-license application.
Registration
File a business entity application and New Mexico Secretary of State registration documents; conduct business in the entity name (13.20.2.17(B)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial business entity licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affiliation
Submit the affiliation form and fees within 30 days of application and maintain affiliations throughout the entity license (§ 59A-11-3; OSI Business Licensing Instructions).
Application
Prescribed entity application signed by the authorized partner or officer, requested ownership and management information, fees and any applicable security.
Licensed Individuals
Maintain affiliated individuals licensed for the bail authority exercised; the entity’s exam exemption does not excuse individual licensing.
Registration
File a business entity application and New Mexico Secretary of State registration documents; conduct business in the entity name (13.20.2.17(B)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Entity relicensure after revocation or refusal to continue
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affiliation
Submit the affiliation form and fees within 30 days of application and maintain affiliations throughout the entity license (§ 59A-11-3; OSI Business Licensing Instructions).
Application
Prescribed entity application signed by the authorized partner or officer, requested ownership and management information, fees and any applicable security.
Cause Removed
Show that the entity is otherwise qualified and that continuing causes of revocation or refusal no longer exist and will not recur (§ 59A-11-18).
Licensed Individuals
Maintain affiliated individuals licensed for the bail authority exercised; the entity’s exam exemption does not excuse individual licensing.
Registration
File a business entity application and New Mexico Secretary of State registration documents; conduct business in the entity name (13.20.2.17(B)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Business entity renewal and continuation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affiliations
Maintain at least one affiliated licensee and renew affiliations annually; audit additions or removals and pay affiliation invoices before March 1.
Examination
No examination is required of the business entity itself; individual licensees remain separately qualified.
Renewal
Section 59A-11-10(B) states March 1 renewal for business entities, biennially unless the fee statute prescribes annual renewal; OSI opens entity renewal in December.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Property Bondsman

Licensure for persons who pledge currency or other property as security or surety for bail bonds in judicial proceedings for compensation.

Licensing authority: New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance · Application information

License continuation and renewal
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Competence Examination
Under § 59A-11-10(D), the superintendent may require the same written examination required of new individual applicants if competence is questionable; an ordinary renewal does not automatically require retesting.
Continuing Education
14 hours of approved bail-law continuing education per two-year compliance period, including at least 3 hours of ethics; applicable exemptions and timely hardship or military extensions may apply (13.4.7.2(B), 13.4.7.9(A), (F)).
Continuing Qualification
Remain qualified and maintain the appointment or financial security appropriate to the license.
Property Financial Statement
Property bondsmen may be required to file the preceding year-end financial statement (§ 59A-51-10(B)); 13.20.2.23 requires a detailed statement or the described federal-tax-return alternative.
Renewal Timing
The bail-specific § 59A-51-10(A) states annual continuation before April 30. The later general § 59A-11-10(B) and 13.4.7.12 describe biennial birth-month renewal. The higher-ranked bail-specific provision is retained; the different general renewal instructions are disclosed here.
Solicitor Continuation
The appointing bondsman submits the list of continuing solicitors and fees before March 1 (§ 59A-51-12(A)).
Reinstatement of a discontinued, inactive or surrendered license
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Continuing Education Alternative
Complete all required continuing education before applying. If discontinued longer than one biennial period, complete 24 additional hours. Instead of completing the required courses, the licensee may retake the qualifying examination (13.4.7.9(G)).
Examination Choice
The qualifying exam remains a leaf because the rule expressly offers it as the alternative to reinstatement continuing education.
New Application
OSI states that inactive or surrendered reinstatement follows the new-license application process; apply the appropriate appointment, financial-security and qualification conditions.
Prior Status
A prior license is discontinued, inactive or surrendered. OSI treats inactive/surrendered reinstatement as a new-license application.
Nonresident initial licensure without reciprocity
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Application
Submit the prescribed application, fee, identity photograph, personal and business history, relevant education or experience, previous licensing and disciplinary information, and any requested supporting information (13.20.2.9; § 59A-51-5).
Background Check
OSI’s licensing page states that residents must submit electronic fingerprints and that a license will not issue until background results are received; nonresidents generally have no fingerprint requirement unless designating New Mexico as home state.
Business Address
Maintain an accessible New Mexico place of business; if transacting in an entity name, separately license that entity (13.20.2.17(A)-(B)).
Classroom Education
10 clock hours in the approved prelicensing curriculum (13.20.2.11(B)).
Current Addresses
Keep current business, residence, mailing and email addresses on file (13.20.2.9(B)).
Education
High school graduate or passed a high school equivalency examination; the equivalency examination is an applicant qualification, not this profession’s licensing examination (§ 59A-51-4(B)).
Education Waiver
On written request the superintendent may waive prelicensing education based on background and experience (13.20.2.13). This is not a waiver of the licensing examination.
Exam Timing
Pass the superintendent-authorized examination with at least 70% before submitting the application (13.20.2.9(F)(1)).
Financial Responsibility
Detailed financial statement under oath and an acceptable $25,000 surety bond or deposit, maintained until posted bonds are exonerated (§§ 59A-51-5(B), 59A-51-8).
Hearing Agreement
File the written agreement to appear in response to the superintendent’s hearing notice, show-cause order or subpoena (§ 59A-51-5(F)).
Incompatible License
May not concurrently hold a solicitor license; transacting both property and surety bonds requires both licenses (13.20.2.8(B)).
Incompatible Positions
Section 59A-51-4(C) lists law enforcement, adjudication, jail, court and prosecution officials or employees, attorneys, officials authorized to admit to bail and state or county officers. The official compilation notes that the county-officer prohibition was held invalid in Alvarez v. Chavez.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old (NMSA 1978 § 59A-51-4(A)).
Process Agent
Irrevocably appoint the superintendent for service of process (§ 59A-51-5(E)).
Reputation
Good personal and business reputation (§ 59A-51-4(E)).
Residence
Nonresident applicant without the reciprocal licensing qualification.
Supervised Training
30 clock hours of approved supervised on-the-job training, with completion certification (13.20.2.12(B)-(C)).
Nonresident licensure by reciprocity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Proper licensing request, prescribed application and required fees (§ 59A-11-24(A)).
Board Additional Instructions
The limited surety/property application and 13.20.2.9(B) also ask nonresident applicants for process-agent appointment, written agreement to attend hearings and current addresses; the special bail instructions also state prelicensing training requirements. These lower-ranking demands remain visible without overriding the statutory reciprocity waiver.
Home License
Current resident license in good standing in the applicant’s home jurisdiction for the authority requested.
Reciprocity
Home jurisdiction must award nonresident licenses to New Mexico residents on the same basis (§§ 59A-11-23(A), 59A-11-24(A)).
Statutory Waiver
Section 59A-11-23(A) mandates waiver of requirements other than § 59A-11-24 for qualifying reciprocal nonresident applicants.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Relicensure after refusal to continue
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Cause Removed
Evidence must satisfy the superintendent that the applicant is otherwise qualified and the continuing causes of refusal no longer exist and will not recur.
New Application
File the new-license application and satisfy the qualifying examination, appointment or financial-security requirements.
Prior Status
Continuation of a prior license was refused (§ 59A-11-18).
Resident initial licensure by examination
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Application
Submit the prescribed application, fee, identity photograph, personal and business history, relevant education or experience, previous licensing and disciplinary information, and any requested supporting information (13.20.2.9; § 59A-51-5).
Background Check
OSI’s licensing page states that residents must submit electronic fingerprints and that a license will not issue until background results are received; nonresidents generally have no fingerprint requirement unless designating New Mexico as home state.
Business Address
Maintain an accessible New Mexico place of business; if transacting in an entity name, separately license that entity (13.20.2.17(A)-(B)).
Classroom Education
10 clock hours in the approved prelicensing curriculum (13.20.2.11(B)).
Education
High school graduate or passed a high school equivalency examination; the equivalency examination is an applicant qualification, not this profession’s licensing examination (§ 59A-51-4(B)).
Education Waiver
On written request the superintendent may waive prelicensing education based on background and experience (13.20.2.13). This is not a waiver of the licensing examination.
Exam Timing
Pass the superintendent-authorized examination with at least 70% before submitting the application (13.20.2.9(F)(1)).
Financial Responsibility
Detailed financial statement under oath and an acceptable $25,000 surety bond or deposit, maintained until posted bonds are exonerated (§§ 59A-51-5(B), 59A-51-8).
Incompatible License
May not concurrently hold a solicitor license; transacting both property and surety bonds requires both licenses (13.20.2.8(B)).
Incompatible Positions
Section 59A-51-4(C) lists law enforcement, adjudication, jail, court and prosecution officials or employees, attorneys, officials authorized to admit to bail and state or county officers. The official compilation notes that the county-officer prohibition was held invalid in Alvarez v. Chavez.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old (NMSA 1978 § 59A-51-4(A)).
Relocation Waiver Instructions
The PSI bulletin says a relocating resident insurance licensee may request an exam waiver with an equivalent prior resident license, written request, application within 90 days and fingerprints. OSI’s waiver instructions cite 13.4.2.11(B); 13.4.2.6(B) expressly directs bail licensing to 13.20.2, whose examination requirement remains controlling. Any waiver actually granted is an applicant condition.
Reputation
Good personal and business reputation (§ 59A-51-4(E)).
Residence
New Mexico resident applicant.
Supervised Training
30 clock hours of approved supervised on-the-job training, with completion certification (13.20.2.12(B)-(C)).
New licensure after revocation
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Cause Removed
No new license if the circumstances causing revocation still exist or are likely to recur.
New Application
New-license application, qualifying examination and the applicable appointment or financial-security requirements.
Repeat Revocation
Two revocations of a bondsman or solicitor license permanently prohibit further licensing under Article 51 (§ 59A-51-15(C)).
Waiting Period
The superintendent may refuse an application for one year after revocation, or for two years after a final affirming court order if judicial review was sought (§ 59A-51-15(B)).
Reinstatement after suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Cause Removed
The superintendent must find that the circumstances underlying the discipline no longer exist and are unlikely to recur.
Qualification
Resume only after reinstatement; maintain the appointment, financial security and other qualifications of this existing license.
Request
Request reinstatement after the ordered suspension period; the period may not exceed one year subject to discretionary modification (§ 59A-51-15(A)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

bail bond property

Business entity licensure for bail bond property, with bail bond business conducted in the business entity name.

Licensing authority: Office of Superintendent of Insurance · Application information

Reinstatement of an inactive or surrendered entity license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affiliation
Submit the affiliation form and fees within 30 days of application and maintain affiliations throughout the entity license (§ 59A-11-3; OSI Business Licensing Instructions).
Application
Prescribed entity application signed by the authorized partner or officer, requested ownership and management information, fees and any applicable security.
Licensed Individuals
Maintain affiliated individuals licensed for the bail authority exercised; the entity’s exam exemption does not excuse individual licensing.
Prior Status
Inactive or surrendered entity license; OSI treats reinstatement as a new-license application.
Registration
File a business entity application and New Mexico Secretary of State registration documents; conduct business in the entity name (13.20.2.17(B)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial business entity licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affiliation
Submit the affiliation form and fees within 30 days of application and maintain affiliations throughout the entity license (§ 59A-11-3; OSI Business Licensing Instructions).
Application
Prescribed entity application signed by the authorized partner or officer, requested ownership and management information, fees and any applicable security.
Licensed Individuals
Maintain affiliated individuals licensed for the bail authority exercised; the entity’s exam exemption does not excuse individual licensing.
Registration
File a business entity application and New Mexico Secretary of State registration documents; conduct business in the entity name (13.20.2.17(B)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Entity relicensure after revocation or refusal to continue
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affiliation
Submit the affiliation form and fees within 30 days of application and maintain affiliations throughout the entity license (§ 59A-11-3; OSI Business Licensing Instructions).
Application
Prescribed entity application signed by the authorized partner or officer, requested ownership and management information, fees and any applicable security.
Cause Removed
Show that the entity is otherwise qualified and that continuing causes of revocation or refusal no longer exist and will not recur (§ 59A-11-18).
Licensed Individuals
Maintain affiliated individuals licensed for the bail authority exercised; the entity’s exam exemption does not excuse individual licensing.
Registration
File a business entity application and New Mexico Secretary of State registration documents; conduct business in the entity name (13.20.2.17(B)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Business entity renewal and continuation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affiliations
Maintain at least one affiliated licensee and renew affiliations annually; audit additions or removals and pay affiliation invoices before March 1.
Examination
No examination is required of the business entity itself; individual licensees remain separately qualified.
Renewal
Section 59A-11-10(B) states March 1 renewal for business entities, biennially unless the fee statute prescribes annual renewal; OSI opens entity renewal in December.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Bail Bondsman Solicitor

License for a solicitor employed by a bail bondsman to assist in conducting bail bond business.

Licensing authority: New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance · Application information

License continuation and renewal
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Competence Examination
Under § 59A-11-10(D), the superintendent may require the same written examination required of new individual applicants if competence is questionable; an ordinary renewal does not automatically require retesting.
Continuing Education
14 hours of approved bail-law continuing education per two-year compliance period, including at least 3 hours of ethics; applicable exemptions and timely hardship or military extensions may apply (13.4.7.2(B), 13.4.7.9(A), (F)).
Continuing Qualification
Remain qualified and maintain the appointment or financial security appropriate to the license.
Property Financial Statement
Property bondsmen may be required to file the preceding year-end financial statement (§ 59A-51-10(B)); 13.20.2.23 requires a detailed statement or the described federal-tax-return alternative.
Renewal Timing
The bail-specific § 59A-51-10(A) states annual continuation before April 30. The later general § 59A-11-10(B) and 13.4.7.12 describe biennial birth-month renewal. The higher-ranked bail-specific provision is retained; the different general renewal instructions are disclosed here.
Solicitor Continuation
The appointing bondsman submits the list of continuing solicitors and fees before March 1 (§ 59A-51-12(A)).
Reinstatement of a discontinued, inactive or surrendered license
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Continuing Education Alternative
Complete all required continuing education before applying. If discontinued longer than one biennial period, complete 24 additional hours. Instead of completing the required courses, the licensee may retake the qualifying examination (13.4.7.9(G)).
Examination Choice
The qualifying exam remains a leaf because the rule expressly offers it as the alternative to reinstatement continuing education.
New Application
OSI states that inactive or surrendered reinstatement follows the new-license application process; apply the appropriate appointment, financial-security and qualification conditions.
Prior Status
A prior license is discontinued, inactive or surrendered. OSI treats inactive/surrendered reinstatement as a new-license application.
Nonresident initial licensure without reciprocity
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Application
Submit the prescribed application, fee, identity photograph, personal and business history, relevant education or experience, previous licensing and disciplinary information, and any requested supporting information (13.20.2.9; § 59A-51-5).
Appointment
Written appointment by a licensed bail bondsman who must supervise the solicitor; no concurrent bondsman license or employment by more than one bondsman. The license covers the employer’s licensed bond types and does not authorize signing surety bonds (13.20.2.8(C), 13.20.2.9(E)).
Background Check
OSI’s licensing page states that residents must submit electronic fingerprints and that a license will not issue until background results are received; nonresidents generally have no fingerprint requirement unless designating New Mexico as home state.
Business Address
Maintain an accessible New Mexico place of business; if transacting in an entity name, separately license that entity (13.20.2.17(A)-(B)).
Classroom Education
10 clock hours in the approved prelicensing curriculum (13.20.2.11(B)).
Current Addresses
Keep current business, residence, mailing and email addresses on file (13.20.2.9(B)).
Education
High school graduate or passed a high school equivalency examination; the equivalency examination is an applicant qualification, not this profession’s licensing examination (§ 59A-51-4(B)).
Education Waiver
On written request the superintendent may waive prelicensing education based on background and experience (13.20.2.13). This is not a waiver of the licensing examination.
Exam Timing
Pass the superintendent-authorized examination with at least 70% before submitting the application (13.20.2.9(F)(1)).
Hearing Agreement
File the written agreement to appear in response to the superintendent’s hearing notice, show-cause order or subpoena (§ 59A-51-5(F)).
Incompatible Positions
Section 59A-51-4(C) lists law enforcement, adjudication, jail, court and prosecution officials or employees, attorneys, officials authorized to admit to bail and state or county officers. The official compilation notes that the county-officer prohibition was held invalid in Alvarez v. Chavez.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old (NMSA 1978 § 59A-51-4(A)).
Process Agent
Irrevocably appoint the superintendent for service of process (§ 59A-51-5(E)).
Reputation
Good personal and business reputation (§ 59A-51-4(E)).
Residence
Nonresident applicant without the reciprocal licensing qualification.
Supervised Training
30 clock hours of approved supervised on-the-job training, with completion certification (13.20.2.12(B)-(C)).
Nonresident licensure by reciprocity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Proper licensing request, prescribed application and required fees (§ 59A-11-24(A)).
Board Additional Instructions
The limited surety/property application and 13.20.2.9(B) also ask nonresident applicants for process-agent appointment, written agreement to attend hearings and current addresses; the special bail instructions also state prelicensing training requirements. These lower-ranking demands remain visible without overriding the statutory reciprocity waiver.
Home License
Current resident license in good standing in the applicant’s home jurisdiction for the authority requested.
Reciprocity
Home jurisdiction must award nonresident licenses to New Mexico residents on the same basis (§§ 59A-11-23(A), 59A-11-24(A)).
Statutory Waiver
Section 59A-11-23(A) mandates waiver of requirements other than § 59A-11-24 for qualifying reciprocal nonresident applicants.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Relicensure after refusal to continue
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Cause Removed
Evidence must satisfy the superintendent that the applicant is otherwise qualified and the continuing causes of refusal no longer exist and will not recur.
New Application
File the new-license application and satisfy the qualifying examination, appointment or financial-security requirements.
Prior Status
Continuation of a prior license was refused (§ 59A-11-18).
Resident initial licensure by examination
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Application
Submit the prescribed application, fee, identity photograph, personal and business history, relevant education or experience, previous licensing and disciplinary information, and any requested supporting information (13.20.2.9; § 59A-51-5).
Appointment
Written appointment by a licensed bail bondsman who must supervise the solicitor; no concurrent bondsman license or employment by more than one bondsman. The license covers the employer’s licensed bond types and does not authorize signing surety bonds (13.20.2.8(C), 13.20.2.9(E)).
Background Check
OSI’s licensing page states that residents must submit electronic fingerprints and that a license will not issue until background results are received; nonresidents generally have no fingerprint requirement unless designating New Mexico as home state.
Business Address
Maintain an accessible New Mexico place of business; if transacting in an entity name, separately license that entity (13.20.2.17(A)-(B)).
Classroom Education
10 clock hours in the approved prelicensing curriculum (13.20.2.11(B)).
Education
High school graduate or passed a high school equivalency examination; the equivalency examination is an applicant qualification, not this profession’s licensing examination (§ 59A-51-4(B)).
Education Waiver
On written request the superintendent may waive prelicensing education based on background and experience (13.20.2.13). This is not a waiver of the licensing examination.
Exam Timing
Pass the superintendent-authorized examination with at least 70% before submitting the application (13.20.2.9(F)(1)).
Incompatible Positions
Section 59A-51-4(C) lists law enforcement, adjudication, jail, court and prosecution officials or employees, attorneys, officials authorized to admit to bail and state or county officers. The official compilation notes that the county-officer prohibition was held invalid in Alvarez v. Chavez.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old (NMSA 1978 § 59A-51-4(A)).
Relocation Waiver Instructions
The PSI bulletin says a relocating resident insurance licensee may request an exam waiver with an equivalent prior resident license, written request, application within 90 days and fingerprints. OSI’s waiver instructions cite 13.4.2.11(B); 13.4.2.6(B) expressly directs bail licensing to 13.20.2, whose examination requirement remains controlling. Any waiver actually granted is an applicant condition.
Reputation
Good personal and business reputation (§ 59A-51-4(E)).
Residence
New Mexico resident applicant.
Supervised Training
30 clock hours of approved supervised on-the-job training, with completion certification (13.20.2.12(B)-(C)).
New licensure after revocation
New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34
Cause Removed
No new license if the circumstances causing revocation still exist or are likely to recur.
New Application
New-license application, qualifying examination and the applicable appointment or financial-security requirements.
Repeat Revocation
Two revocations of a bondsman or solicitor license permanently prohibit further licensing under Article 51 (§ 59A-51-15(C)).
Waiting Period
The superintendent may refuse an application for one year after revocation, or for two years after a final affirming court order if judicial review was sought (§ 59A-51-15(B)).
Reinstatement after suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Cause Removed
The superintendent must find that the circumstances underlying the discipline no longer exist and are unlikely to recur.
Qualification
Resume only after reinstatement; maintain the appointment, financial security and other qualifications of this existing license.
Request
Request reinstatement after the ordered suspension period; the period may not exceed one year subject to discretionary modification (§ 59A-51-15(A)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Sponsoring Bail Bondsman Certification

Written authorization under 13.20.2.15; this supplements the underlying bail bondsman license.

Licensing authority: New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance · Application information

Application for certification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply on the superintendent’s prescribed form; superintendent may certify and issues written authorization (13.20.2.15(A)(1)-(3)).
Experience
At least three years actively engaged in the bail bond business (13.20.2.15(A)(2)(b)).
Knowledge
Reasonable knowledge of the bail business and New Mexico laws and rules (13.20.2.15(A)(2)(c)).
License Held
Licensed bail bondsman in good standing in New Mexico or elsewhere (13.20.2.15(A)(2)(a)).
Provider Curriculum
For an accredited classroom provider, use the approved curriculum and file it each January before January 31 (13.20.2.11(C)).
Reputation
Good business and personal reputation (13.20.2.15(A)(2)(d)).
Sponsoring Training Plan
For a sponsoring bondsman, file the supervised training plan each January before January 31 (13.20.2.12(A)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New Mexico Bail Bonds Series 18-34

Provider
PSI Services LLC
Format
Computer examination, in person or remotely proctored
Exam questions
50 scored items; the bulletin permits 5–10 additional unscored experimental questions
Time limit
1 hour
Passing score
70% correct
Examination outline
  • Insurance Regulation (16%)
    • Licensing
    • Licensing / Superintendent's general duties and powers (59A-2-8)
    • Licensing / Process (59A-51-5; Reg 13.20.2.8, .9)
    • Licensing / Persons to be licensed (59A-51-2, 3)
    • Licensing / Types of Licensees
    • Licensing / Types of Licensees / Bail bondsman (59A-51-2(A))
    • Licensing / Types of Licensees / Limited surety Producer (59A-51-2 (2))
    • Licensing / Types of Licensees / Property bondsman (59A-51-2(D))
    • Licensing / Requirements (59A-51-4, 4.1)
    • Licensing / Requirements (59A-51-4, 4.1) / Surety bond (59A-51-8)
    • Licensing / Requirements (59A-51-4, 4.1) / Solicitor appointment (59A-51-5(C), 12)
    • Maintenance and Duration
    • Maintenance and Duration / Expiration and renewal (59A-11-10, 11; 59A-51-10)
    • Maintenance and Duration / Termination of business (59A-51-11(B))
    • Maintenance and Duration / Address change (59A-12-17)(59A-11-24)
    • Maintenance and Duration / Continuing education (59A-12-26)(Reg 13.4.7.9. 12)
    • Disciplinary Actions
    • Disciplinary Actions / Suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew (59A-11-8, 10, 14-16, 18)
    • Disciplinary Actions / Cease and desist order (59A-16-27)
    • Disciplinary Actions / Penalty for violations (59A-51-16, 17, 18)
    • Bondsman regulation
    • Bondsman regulation / Place of business (59A-51-13; Reg 13.20.2.18)
    • Bondsman regulation / Operate under one name (59A-51-13)
    • Bondsman regulation / Records maintenance and examination (Reg 13.20.2.22)
    • Bondsman regulation / Financial statement (59A-51-10(B))
    • Bondsman regulation / List of forfeitures (Reg 13.20.2.22)
    • Prohibited conduct
    • Prohibited conduct / Practice of law (59A-51-13(A)(5))
    • Prohibited conduct / Referral of attorney (59A-51-13(A)(1))
    • Prohibited conduct / Signing bond in blank (59A-51-13(D))
    • Unfair and prohibited practices
    • Unfair and prohibited practices / Twisting (59A-16-6)
    • Unfair and prohibited practices / Falsification, omission of records; misleading financial statements (59A-16-8)
    • Unfair and prohibited practices / Unfair discrimination, rebates; other coverages (59A-16-12, 13, 17)
    • Unfair and prohibited practices / Monopolistic practices (59A-16-19)
    • Unfair and prohibited practices / False applications, claims, proofs of loss (59A-16-23)
    • Unfair and prohibited practices / Knowledge of insurer of prohibited acts (59A-16-25)
    • Unfair and prohibited practices / Penalties (59A-16-29)
    • Unfair and prohibited practices / Misrepresentation (59A-16-4; 59A-51-14(A)(2))
    • Unfair and prohibited practices / False advertising (59A-16-5)
    • Unfair and prohibited practices / Defamation (59A-16-10)
    • Unfair and prohibited practices / Boycott, coercion or intimidation (59A 16-19)
    • Charges and refunds (59A-51-13)
    • Extra territorial fees (59A-51-13)
    • Compensation (Reg 13.20.2.18)
    • Other provisions applicable (59A-51-19)
    • Consumer information privacy (59A-2-9.3; Reg 13.1.3.1–.28)
  • The Legal Framework (39%)
    • Court jurisdictions
    • Court jurisdictions / Original jurisdiction
    • Court jurisdictions / Original jurisdiction / Territorial
    • Court jurisdictions / Original jurisdiction / Judicial
    • Court jurisdictions / Original jurisdiction / Personal
    • Court jurisdictions / Appellate jurisdiction
    • Definitions (31-1-2)
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Acquit
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Adjudicate
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Capital offense
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Conviction
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Custody
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Defendant
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Disposition
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Extradition
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Felony
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Fugitive
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Hearing
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Incarceration
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Indictment
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Misdemeanor
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Recognizance
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Revoke
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Suspend
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Warrant
    • Definitions (31-1-2) / Writ
    • Parties to a surety bond
    • Parties to a surety bond / Principal
    • Parties to a surety bond / Principal / Indemnitor for principal
    • Parties to a surety bond / Principal / Indemnity agreement
    • Parties to a surety bond / Obligee
    • Parties to a surety bond / Surety
  • Bail Bond Principles and Practices (Supreme Court Rules and Criminal Forms, Article 3 - Bail, Article 4 - Provisions) (45%)
    • Duties of bail bond agent
    • Duties of bail bond agent / Approval (Reg 13.20.2.23)
    • Duties of bail bond agent / Premium receipt (Reg 13.20.2.18)
    • Duties of bail bond agent / Power of attorney
    • Duties of bail bond agent / Collateral and trust obligations (Reg 13.20.2.21)
    • Procedure
    • Procedure / Application for bond (Surety/defendant contract)
    • Procedure / Collateral security
    • Procedure / Surety contract
    • Procedure / Posting the bond
    • Procedure / Informational notice
    • Court procedures
    • Court procedures / Court appearances
    • Court procedures / Initial appearance
    • Court procedures / Initial appearance / Arraignment
    • Court procedures / Initial appearance / Trial
    • Court procedures / Initial appearance / Appeal
    • Court procedures / Conditions of bail
    • Court procedures / Conditions of bail / Prior to trial
    • Court procedures / Conditions of bail / Pending appeal
    • Court procedures / Conditions of bail / Failure to appear (31-3-2)
    • Court procedures / Conditions of bail / Revocation of bail
    • Release provisions (Article 4)
    • Release provisions (Article 4) / Cash only bond
    • Release provisions (Article 4) / Personal surety bond
    • Release provisions (Article 4) / Corporate surety bond
    • Release provisions (Article 4) / Personal recognizance
    • Surrender of principal (defendant) (31-3-3)
    • Surrender of principal (defendant) (31-3-3) / Discharge of bond
    • Surrender of principal (defendant) (31-3-3) / Return of premium
    • Surrender of principal (defendant) (31-3-3) / Return collateral
    • Bond forfeiture
    • Bond forfeiture / Motion
    • Bond forfeiture / Notice to defendant and sureties (31-3-2)
    • Bond forfeiture / Judgment
    • Bond forfeiture / Dispersal of funds
    • Bond forfeiture / Arrest after forfeiture
Examination sources