Real Estate Commission: FAQs

Do I have to be licensed to sell, buy, rent, or lease my own home?

No, you are not required to be a licensed real estate broker to sell, rent, buy, or lease your own property.

What are the requirements for getting a New Mexico Real Estate Broker's license?
  • 90 hours of education
    • 30 hours real estate principles and practice
    • 30 hours real estate law
    • 30 hours broker basics
  • Passage of the National Broker Exam & New Mexico Exam with a minimum score 75%
  • Current errors and omissions insurance (required for active licensees)
  • Associate brokers need to be affiliated with an actively licensed qualifying broker
  • Qualifying brokers need to be affiliated with a brokerage (trade name)
  • Submission of a criminal background check, a list of disqualifying convictions can be found at https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title16/16.061.0003.html
How do I transfer my license to another Brokerage or Qualifying Broker?
  • An active associate broker is required to be affiliated with a qualifying broker. An active qualifying broker is required to be associated with a brokerage.
  • To change affiliation, you will need to submit a transfer application, fee, and current E&O insurance. The broker that holds your license is required to return it to the commission.
  • To change your brokerage, you will need to complete a trade name application, fee, and return your QB license and E&O insurance. A transfer form is required for each associate broker that you are supervising. 
I'm a licensed real estate salesperson in another state. Does New Mexico offer reciprocity?

No, New Mexico does not have reciprocity for a real estate salesperson license.

    Does the New Mexico Real Estate Commission have reciprocal licensing agreements with other states?

    Yes, New Mexico has reciprocal agreements with Georgia, Louisiana, and Massachusetts. Licensees with a current license in Georgia, Louisiana, or Massachusetts are not required to take pre-licensing education or the either portion of the exam. A licensee needs to provide a certified copy of their license history from Georgia, Louisiana, or Massachusetts with their application

    I'm a licensed real estate broker in another jurisdiction. Am I eligible for an education or exam waiver?
    • You will need to request a waiver and provide a certified license history for each real estate license you have held to the Real Estate Commission Education Administrator to be considered for a waiver. Please email your request and license history to: rldrealestate.comsn@rld.nm.gov.
    • Please review the Pre-Licensing Waiver Facts for additional information.
    • Waivers will not be provided to licensed real estate salespeople, only brokers.
    • All applicants are required to complete the 30-hour Broker Basics class.
    • Recognition License Application 
    Do I need a real estate license to manage someone else's property or sell their home?
    • You must hold a current broker license with a property management endorsement. 
    • Yes, it is a fourth-degree felony punishable by a $5,000 fine and 18 months imprisonment to practice real estate without a license.
    • To obtain a property management endorsement you must submit the following to the commission:

     

    Associate Broker

    Qualifying Broker

    Residential Property Management**

    Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act

    6 hours

    6 hours

    Commercial Property Management**-CCMM101

    OR

    Zen & the Art of Property MGMT

     

    10 hours

    OR

    6 Hours

     

    10 hours

    OR

    6 Hours

    Commission Meeting, rule hearing, or disciplinary hearing

    Up to 4 hours per renewal

    Up to 4 hours per renewal

    Addition Property Management Courses

    6 hours

    12 hours

    * Brokers are exempt from CE if they were 65 years of age and had 20 continuous years of licensure prior to July 1, 2011 (NMAC 16.61.13.8).

    Brokers offering property management services are required to submit the following:** A broker should complete the residential or commercial required course based upon the type of property management offered, the other class may be completed as part of the 6- or 12-hour requirement.

    Can I have more than one license?
    • Associate brokers can only hold one license.
    • Qualifying brokers can hold multiple licenses; each license is $270, and is required to be renewed prior to expiration date.
    How do I become a Qualifying Broker?
    • An applicant for a qualifying broker license is required to have been actively licensed for at least 2 years of the last 60 months (non-supervisor) or 4 years of the last 60 months (supervisory)
    • Documented qualifying transaction experience totaling 100 points in each of the years proceed the applications as verified by the applicant’s qualified broker— Transactional Log
    • 30-hour brokerage office administration course, including passage of the in-class exam
    • 8-hour contract forms class (RANM forms)
    • 8 hours of core elective courses
    • Attendance at a commission meeting, rule hearing, or disciplinary hearing
    • Current errors and omissions insurance (required for active licensees)
    • Original associate broker wall license
    • Trade name application — needed if you will be the qualifying broker for a brokerage
    • Acknowledgement of supervisor qualifying broker responsibilities — needed if you will not be acting as a supervisor
    What are the continuing education requirements for my renewal?

    The requirements are listed in detail on our Instructors, Training Requirements, and Continuing Education page. 

    How do I become a real estate instructor and teach classes?
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