FAQs

From the homepage, select Verify a License or Permit, then click on Licensed Professional or Licensed Facility. Then fill in the known information.

Send a written request for a replacement license, a 2” x 2” passport-style photograph, and an explanation of how your license was lost or stolen. Mail or email photo to the PI Board with your current return address:

Private Investigations Board

PO Box 25101

Santa Fe, NM 87504

From the date the Private Investigations Board receives an application until the date a license is issued and mailed takes from one to three weeks. Background issues may delay issuance of a license. Applicant must include court documents regarding the disposition of any charges brought against you. Failure to include documentation will delay application review and issuance.  

Fingerprints are required for background checks.

The board does NOT issue temporary licenses or extensions.

However, if a private investigator licensed in another state originates an investigation in his/her state, the investigator may continue the investigation into New Mexico for up to 30 days. The New Mexico PI Board must be given written notice as to when, where, and the scope (interviews, surveillance, etc.) of the investigation prior to working in New Mexico.

The ORI number is: NM920250Z. If any other number is used, the background report will not be accessible to the PI Board.

NO, it is unlawful for an individual to act as a security guard or make any representation as being a security guard unless the individual is licensed by the department.

An individual is not licensed until a security guard ID card is issued with the individual’s unique registration number. A “pending” status only means the PI Board has received and is processing an application. Completion of security guard training is only the first step towards being licensed as a security guard.

However, due to COVID-19, we have made a notice titled “Notice of Display of Guard Card” which can be found on our “Overview” page. The notice states that a security guard can go to the license verification section of the website and print out proof of their registration. They may use this print out on post until the registration card arrives.

If after receiving notification of your identification record the subject thereof believes that is incorrect or incomplete in any respect and wishes changes, corrections, or updating of the alleged deficiency, the subject shall direct their challenge as to the accuracy or completeness of any entry on their record to the FBI, Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division, ATTN: SCU, Mod. D-2, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306. The FBI will then forward the challenge to the agency which submitted the data requesting that agency to verify or correct the challenged entry. Upon the receipt of an official communication directly from the agency which contributed the original information, the FBI CJIS Division will make any changes necessary in accordance with the information supplied by that agency

In order to be considered for the approved instructor list, you will need to submit your intructor certifications and curriculum for each level you wish to instruct. Please refer to part two of the rules to see what must be included in the curriculum for each level of security guard.