Overview:

<<USE the MENU LIST  to access the information you need.

Please Note: Cash is not accepted for payment.

NAME CHANGE: Effective July 1, 2019 our Division, formerly known as The Alcohol & Gaming Division, will now be Alcoholic Beverage Control Division or "ABC".

Alcoholic Beverage Control Division: issues, transfers and revokes liquor licenses as specified in the Liquor Control Act. It administers the Alcohol Server Training Program, educating licensees and servers to prevent sales of alcoholic beverages to minors and intoxicated persons.  To find out the status of a pending application or if you have any questions regarding liquor licenses or general licensure questions, please contact our office at (505) 476-4875. Remember to make a copy for your records of Application Packet and all supplemental documents submitted.

The Division approves the issuance of new licenses for Non-Dispenser Type Licenses such as: Craft Distiller, Small Brewer, Winegrower, Wholesaler, Bottler, Manufacturer, Governmental, Clubs, and Restaurant - commonly known as “Beer and Wine”, and for Dispenser Type Licenses: the Sale, Lease, and Transfer of all existing liquor licenses both for change in ownership or location, and publishes a list of the most recent liquor license sales prices.  We also issue Public Celebration Permits and Special Dispenser Permits, sometimes called “picnic licenses” for special events.

It’s the primary responsibility of this Division to protect the health, safety and welfare of all New Mexicans and those visiting our State, while regulating sale, service and public consumption of alcohol.  ABC takes seriously every complaint alleging potential violations of liquor laws and works closely with the Special Investigations Unit of the Department of Public Safety in investigating and prosecuting such violations.

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NEWS: 
2019 Letter from the Director               

NEWSLETTER:  Issue No. 1 -Renewals, Server Permits         Issue No. 2.1 -Hours for Alcohol Service

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Annual License Renewals

Thank you for your participation in our testing of online renewals, however, there are some issues that must be addressed before we move forward with that format so we have returned to the hard copy with a check for the fees.  Please note that your Renewal Application Packet is due at least three months in advance, which will allow ABC to review and process the thousands of applications we handle statewide.

You may access the application forms at any time, See instructions with forms under RENEWAL Tab to the left.  Keep in mind that should you fail to submit your Renewal timely, a $350.00 base late fee is imposed with a $10.00 daily late fee that continues to accrue until your application has been received.  The deadline is addressed at NMSA §​60-6B-5, went into effect on 6/19/2015 with Licensees informed at Renewal by the annual letter from the Director. 
MARK YOUR CALENDAR, deadlines are listed below:

DISPENSER, INTER-LOCAL, all Dispenser Type Licenses, and DIRECT SHIPPER:  APRIL 1st

RESTAURANT, CLUB, WHOLESALER and MANUFACTURER: AUGUST 1st
Gross Revenue from June 1st thru May 31st

NON-DISPENSER such as CRAFT DISTILLER, SMALL BREWER, WINEGROWER, OFF-SITE LOCATIONS, PUBLIC SERVICE, GOVERNMENTAL, BED AND BREAKFAST, BOTTLER AND LIMITED WHOLESALERS: DECEMBER 1st
Production calculated from November 1st thru October 31st.

ALCOHOL SERVER PERMITS, Effective 4/25/2017

You are no longer required to carry an original or a copy of your Alcohol Server Permit Card, per NMAC 15.11.2. 
The Employer is now responsible for preparing and maintaining a Current List of all Servers, including the server permit number, expiration date and hire date, which shall be available for inspection.

To Clarify, pursuant to NMSA §​60-6E-6, EMPLOYERS /LICENSEES ARE STILL REQUIRED TO RETAIN A COPY OF ALL SERVER PERMITS ON THEIR LICENSED PREMISES, FOR INSPECTION.

Employers and Servers may also utilize the License Search option to verify valid permits, which contains the most current information, accessible from our website.  A copy of that information may be printed for your records, should you choose to do so.  See License Search Tab to the left or the instructions below:

LICENSE SEARCH: VERIFY VALID ALCOHOL SERVER PERMIT and EXPIRATION DATE, or LICENSED PREMISES.

Search RLD Database by selecting the link below and under Profession, SELECT > "LIQUOR CONTROL", THEN > Enter Permit/License Number OR to the right, Enter the Name and Click "Search".

FOR SERVERS: LICENSED PROFESSIONAL               FOR LICENSED PREMISES: LICENSED FACILITY

Should you still want a hard copy, Servers may still obtain Duplicate replacement card upon request for a $10.00 fee, payable by money order only. See Server Permit Tab to the left for instructions.

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ABC Rules and Regulations Printable Booklet, issued 7June2017, Effective 30May2017: Click Here  
Click here for OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

NM State Statutes (NMSA), Printable Booklet, Effective 1JULY2019: Click Here
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APPROVED FINGERPRINT LOCATIONS IN NEW MEXICO: CLICK HERE

To check your Local Option Districts Sunday Sales ELECTIONS, CLICK HERE

IPRA Requests and Media Inquiries:

The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department responds to all record requests and media inquiries in a timely and accurate manner. To help facilitate a timely response and meet tight deadlines of news reporters, all requests and inquiries must be directed to: CLICK HERE.

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CHRISTMAS HOURS

Dispenser, Canopy, Restaurant, Club, Small Brewer, Craft Distiller, Bed and Breakfasts, and Governmental licensees may sell serve or allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages by the Drink on licensed premises from noon until 10:00pm, provided that the Licensee also has a valid food establishment permit – otherwise no Christmas sales allowed.

When Christmas falls on a Sunday, the above sales are only permitted in those local option districts that have voted to allow Sunday sales.

Winegrowers’ sale or service of alcoholic beverages is unaffected by Christmas Day.

No Package Sales allowed on Christmas Day.  Wholesalers cannot deliver alcoholic beverages.

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NEW YEARS EVE

HB 262 became law in June 2017.  It addresses New Year’s Eve falling on a Sunday, and assures that the following Licensees: Dispensers, Clubs, Governmental, and includes Small Brewers and Craft Distillers with their offsite locations, are able to remain open until 2:00am, as long as the local option district in which they are located allows Sunday sales.

Retailers, Restaurants and Winegrowers with offsite locations will close at their usual times.

***NOTICE REGARDING CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS***

Effective December 1, 2017

*As of Friday, December 1, 2017, RLD will no longer accept Credit Card payments in person at RLD offices, nor by electronic mail (email), or direct mail.

*RLD will continue to accept checks and money orders (no cash) at all RLD offices (Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Las Cruces) or by direct mail.  However, please do not send Credit Card information to RLD by electronic mail (e-mail) or by direct mail.  On and after December 1, 2017, credit card information received via email or regular mail will be destroyed without processing.

*RLD will continue to accept Credit Card payments through our existing secure online systems that can be accessed via the Internet from your home, place of business, or mobile Internet device.

*No credit card breach of data incidents have occurred to date.  However, RLD is changing credit card processing to ensure a secure system is maintained in the future.