How to get a New Mexico life & health license
Requirements, exam, fees and the order to do things in — from the Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) and the exam handbook.
Step by step
- Study for the exam — New Mexico doesn't require a pre-licensing course for this license, but most first-time candidates take an exam-prep course.
- Schedule and pass the state exam with PSI ($75). Read the candidate handbook.
- Get fingerprinted if required — Required for all residents; cost unverified.
- Apply for the license through NIPR or the Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) ($30).
- Get appointed by an insurance company (agents) and keep up with continuing education — 24 incl. 3 ethics per 2 yrs hours per renewal (license term: 2 years (biennial birth month)).
Pre-licensing & exam prep courses
- Kaplan Financial Education — state-approved pre-licensing and exam prep, the long-running market leader
- ExamFX — pre-licensing and exam prep with a pass guarantee
- AceableAgent — mobile-first pre-licensing courses
- XCEL Solutions — low-cost online pre-licensing and exam prep
Pick a course approved in New Mexico (optional here, but it lifts pass rates). Some links may be affiliate links.
New Mexico Life & Health requirements
| Life | Life, Accident & Health | |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-licensing education | None required | None required |
| Exam vendor | PSI | PSI |
| Exam fee | $75 | $75 |
| Questions / time | — | — |
| License application fee | $30 | $30 |
| Fingerprints | Required for all residents; cost unverified verify | Required for all residents; cost unverified verify |
| Continuing education | 24 incl. 3 ethics per 2 yrs hours · 2 years (biennial birth month) | 24 incl. 3 ethics per 2 yrs hours · 2 years |
Life: No prelicensing; new Life producers must complete a 4-hr course before transacting (since 10/1/2022). Exam 18-25. Max 4 attempts then 6-month wait.
Life, Accident & Health: Combined exam 18-27; vendor switched Prometric -> PSI Oct 2024
Minimum age 18. Sources: PSI New Mexico OSI Candidate Information Bulletin (6/4/2026) · NIPR New Mexico resident licensing · OSI PSI Services contract 2026. Checked 2026-10. Values marked verify haven't been confirmed against an official source yet.
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Life & Health license rules across the US
Other New Mexico licenses
Property & Casualty license · Adjuster license · All New Mexico insurance licenses
Questions
How long does it take to get a life and health insurance license in New Mexico?
New Mexico has no required pre-licensing hours, so many candidates sit the exam within 1–3 weeks of studying. After you pass, license approval usually takes a few days to a few weeks after fingerprints clear.
How much does a New Mexico Life & Health license cost?
State fees (exam + application) come to about $210, plus fingerprints and a course if you take one.
Who runs the New Mexico insurance exam?
PSI. Book the exam on the vendor's site after reading the candidate handbook.