The Original and #1 Website for Security Guard Training

Online Security Guard Training and Career Center

Welcome to Security Guard Training Headquarters! We have everything you need to make your life easier as you begin your career as a security guard officer. State specific training requirements, a step-by-step hiring process, potential employers and interviews to help you get hired are just some of the helpful things you'll find here.



Security Guard Training in New Mexico

In New Mexico, unarmed security guards are required to be licensed/registered. There are three levels of registration; level one, two or three. The same criteria must be met on all levels except for level three, which requires more hours of training.

Basic requirements for an unarmed security guard in New Mexico (All Levels):

  • Must be at least 18 years old (age 21 for level 3)
  • United States resident
  • High school diploma or equivalent (Level 2 and 3)
  • No felony convictions or misdemeanors associated with violence (which includes domestic), drugs ( use or sale), theft or fraud
  • Good moral character
  • Submit (2) passport photos
  • Submit fingerprint cards (2) obtained from the board office and certificate form
  • Copy of background history from employer
  • Successfully complete department approved training and examination (Level 1, 2 and 3)
  • Employee by a private security company and under supervision from a licensed patrol officer (Level 1 and 2)
  • Signed and notarized release of information form

Other Requirements that May Be Helpful:

  • Driver’s License
  • Good Communication skills
  • Good physical conditioning
  • Be able to stand long periods of time

Training and experience: 24 hours of training is required for level 1, 2 and 3; however, levels 2 and 3 require an additional 24 hours of training as levels increase.

Level 1

  1. Role of the security guard – one (1) hour
  2. Basic first aid and CPR training – eight (8) hours
  3. Investigations – three (3) hours
  4. Interview skills – two (2) hours
  5. Preservation of evidence – two (2) hours
  6. Asset protection – one (1) hour
  7. Chain of command – one (1) hour
  8. Report writing – two (2) hours
  9. Testifying in court – one (1) hour
  10. Ethics and professionalism – three (3) hours

Level 2: In addition to level one requirements, 24 additional hours of training in the following must be completed within 12 months before applying for registration.

  1. Use of force – three (3) hours
  2. Self defense weapons and techniques – eight (8) hours
  3. Side handle batons – four (4) hours
  4. Handcuffing – four (4) hours
  5. Use of tasers – five (5) hours

Level 3: In addition to levels 1 and 2 requirements, 24 additional hours of training in the following must be completed within 12 months before applying for registration.

  1. Fire protection and life safety – four (4) hours
  2. Threat assessment – two (2) hours
  3. Safety awareness – one (1) hours
  4. Environment/hazardous materials – four (4) hours
  5. Firearms training – twenty four (24) hours

Fees: All fees are non-refundable

  • Application: $15
  • Background: $29.95

For more information, please see Instructions for Level 1, 2, and 3 Security Guard Registration, see the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department website, or call 505-476-4650.

27 Responses to “Security Guard Training in New Mexico”

  1. I live in Virginia currently and will be moving to New mexico soon. I have my unrmed certification throught the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice(vadcjs). Also I worked as an armed guard. My question is, are Virginias certifications valid in New Mexico?

  2. Can you get a gaurd card an all the training if you are unemployed or do you have to be employed to a security company before you can get 1 I was employed as a security before I was laidoff but the company never mentioned training and now im trying to get a job as a security again but I never get picked I have no training so im trying to find out if you can get a gaurd card in NM before I get a job

  3. Interested in level 2 training

  4. I am the Director of Career Services for Brown Mackie College, 10500 Copper Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123. We have both an associates and a bachelor program in Criminal Justice and I have students interested in Security Guard Training. Most of your cirruculum is already included in our programs. My question is would it be possible to give our students credit for the training they are already receiving and bring in a guest speaker or make other arrangements for the few things we are missing?

  5. Is there any schools in the Roswell area??

  6. What count as (2) passport photos? Would student id counts as one passport photos.

  7. What is the starting salary for security guards in the state of New Mexico that do not carry a fire arm? Thank you

  8. I am now in Viet Nam, how can I get guard card level 1 online, I am going to live and work in New Mexico, The USA

  9. Hi I was wondering can military and veterans get a card without attending to the class.

  10. Can an inexpensive guard 1 class be taken online?

    Scott

  11. http://www.rld.state.nm.us/boards/private_investigations_faqs.aspx

    FAQ’s
    10. Can a security guard work/stand post once training has been completed or while an application is in the “pending” status.

    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 toward being licensed as a security guard.

  12. Security Guard Training Requirements

    Level One

    Pursuant to 16.48.2.17 D. NMAC, the following eight hour curriculum is the minimum training required and must be completed within twelve months prior to application for security guard level one licensing:

    (1) legal training for security guards;
    (a) legal responsibilities, qualifications, restrictions and liability of level one security guard;
    (b) introduction to use of force continuum, appropriate use of force and de- escalation techniques;
    (c) appropriate search and seizure, legal restrictions and civil liability , and;
    (d) New Mexico laws on trespass pursuant to the act, Section 30-14-1 NMSA 1978;
    (2) authority and responsibility of the security guard;
    (a) communication with local law enforcement;
    (b) radio dispatch protocol and other communication tools;
    (c) image, professional communication, note-taking and report writing;
    (3) incident scene management and preservation;
    (a) identifying evidence;
    (b) care and handling of evidence;
    (c) securing the immediate area, and;
    (d) witness/participant identification

    Level Two

    Pursuant to 16.48.2.18 D & E. NMAC, the following twenty hour curriculum in addition to the Level One training is the minimum training required and should be completed within twelve months prior to application for security guard level two registration.

    (1) legal and practical aspects of use of force and personal/employer liability;
    (2) verbal and written communication and conflict management;
    (3) restraint and control devices training shall include, but not be limited to, the following subjects:
    (a) handcuffing nomenclature;
    (b) daily maintenance and safety checks;
    (c) applying and removing handcuffs;
    (d) potentially uncooperative and uncooperative handcuffing;
    (e) handcuffing from control holds;
    (f) handcuffing from standing and prone;
    (g) dangers of positional asphyxia and excited delirium;
    (h) standing a prone handcuffed subject;
    (i) conflict resolution;
    (j) handcuffing guidelines and best practice; and
    (k) use of force and justification for handcuffing;
    (4) defensive impact tools training shall include, but not be limited to, the following subjects:
    (a) moral and legal aspects of baton usage;
    (b) use of force;
    (c) baton familiarization and uses;
    (d) first aid for baton injuries;
    (e) fundamentals of baton injuries;
    (f) stances and grips;
    (g) target areas;
    (h) defensive techniques;
    (i) control techniques;
    (j) arrest and control techniques, and;
    (k) skill practice;
    (5) chemical agents training shall include, but not be limited to the following subjects:
    (a) effects of chemical agents;
    (b) avoiding bad positions;
    (c) disengagement;
    (d) proper defensive positions;
    (e) shielding;
    (f) drawing techniques;
    (g) defense against moving attacks;
    (h) spraying techniques;
    (i) using OC spray with light;
    (j) multiple opponent defense;
    (k) proper weapon retention and disarming;
    (l) cautions and hazards;
    (m) recovery and decontamination;
    (n) functioning when contaminated, and;
    (o) storage and maintenance;

    Level Three

    Pursuant to 16.48.2.19 D. NMAC, the following sixteen hour curriculum in addition to the Level One and Level Two training and firearm certification is the proposed minimum training to be required and would be completed within twelve months prior to application for security guard level three registration.
    1. The four firearms safety rules
    2. Weapon manipulation
    3. Types of side arms
    4. Firearm retention and equipment
    5. Firearm storage devices
    6. Locking devices
    7. Ammunition and storage
    8. Training household members
    9. Hazards of loaded firearms in the home
    10. Mental conditioning and tactics
    11. Weapon manipulation and marksmanship
    12. Threat recognition and judgmental shooting
    13. Laws pertaining to firearms, deadly physical force and the exercise of the powers of arrest

  13. i’ve had some experience while in the army but that was a long time ago. I am currently unemployed.

  14. I have had a security guard company in Texas for 12 years. I will be geting business in New Mexico and need level three and a company license in N M I have level 3 and 4 in Texas. Does anything transfer from texas to NM and what will the cost be for training?

  15. I am veteran for us army, and held a MOS of a 31b military police for 8 years. I as well held a secret clearance and have a BA in criminal justice. I am relocating to New Mexico, am I required to take all the 3 level courses ? Is there a waiver for my back ground?

  16. Interested in getting a level 3 license to continue and further my career in security

  17. Where can i get taser certified in Abq new Mexico?

  18. when and where can i get level two training i’m already a level one

  19. I am trying to get a level 3 guard card and was wondering if I have to get the lvl 1, then the lol 2, then the 3, or if I can jump to lvl 3?

  20. I’m 18 and want to be a level 2 guard is there a way to do it my company doesn’t authorize the use of a tazer do I still have to go threw that?

  21. I have level 1 and level 2 security guard experience from el paso, tx for over 10 years. i want to become a security guard again. I have been arrested in 1997 for rape back in dallas, tx but dallas police dept dropped charges against me. it was self-defense and back in 2008 was self defense as well. Charges have been dropped and i want to know how to become a security guard again.

  22. Can I transfer my SC guard card to NM? Please respond and let me know what I have to do! Thank you Charles J enkins.

  23. I am interested in security guard training and I’d like to obtain my permit to work as a security guard. what do I need to do? thank you for your help.

    Best Regards,
    Sebastian

  24. How much is the cost of each level for security gaurd training?

  25. Any level one training in near future?

  26. […] New Mexico […]

  27. Inquiring about getting a level 2 and level 3 for security guard would like to know class time and do you teach it in New Mexico canopy certified in New Mexico thank you for your time

Leave a Reply