How To Get A New Mexico Real Estate License

If you're considering starting a real estate career in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, or any other city in the state, you'll need to earn a New Mexico real estate license. To earn your real estate license in New Mexico, you must be at least 18 years old, successfully complete the 90-hour New Mexico real estate prelicensing education requirement with an approved school, pass the New Mexico Associate Broker licensing exam, complete fingerprinting, and secure errors and omissions insurance prior to applying for your license. While the process to become a real estate broker is similar in most states, each state has unique steps that must be adhered to.

The five steps to becoming a New Mexico real estate broker are as follows:

Step 1: Be at Least 18 Years of Age

In addition to being 18 years of age, you must be a legal US citizen or lawfully admitted alien.

Step 2: Register for and Complete 90 Hours of Required Education

In order to apply for the New Mexico Real Estate License Exam, the state requires you to complete 90 hours of New Mexico Real Estate Commission-approved real estate courses. Kaplan offers four education options that fulfill the 90-hour requirement.

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Step 3: Take the New Mexico Associate Broker Licensing Exam

Applicant must pass both the state and national portions of the exam with a minimum score of 75. Applicants must also pay a non-refundable fee not to exceed $95.

Step 4: Complete Your Fingerprinting and Obtain Errors and Omissions Insurance

All persons applying for a New Mexico real estate license must submit to the commission, along with their application, proof that they have completed a live fingerprint scan. You must register before you complete the live fingerprint scan for matching with a national arrest record database. Fingerprinting shall be done no earlier than 21 days prior to submitting documents to apply for your license. You may find a full Fingerprint Source List for New Mexico residents on the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department's Real Estate Commission: Apply for a License web page.

Step 5: Apply for Your Associate Broker License

Upon passing both portions of the exam, you have 6 months to apply for your New Mexico Associate Broker’s License, or you will be required to take the exam again.