The path to becoming a Security Guard in New Mexico is similar to a lot of other US states: you need to meet basic requirements such as age, language proficiency, and other usual security licensing requirements of this nature.
Furthermore, to get a Security Guard license in NM (New Mexico Guard Card), you need to take a government approved NM Security Guard licensing course.
This is an 8hr hour NM security license training course.
In New Mexico, there is government body that controls a NM Security Guard's license:
New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department.
So, it is the NMRLD that will have to approve your NM Security Guard licensing course. The NMRLD will accept the 8hr security training course if it is taught by a NMRLD authorized security academy.
Just make sure your 8hr course is taught by a NMRLD licensed school:
A list of training course providers is available on the NMRLD website.
Once you submit the proof of your ability to meet the requirements to the NMRLD, you will get your New Mexico Level One Security Guard license.
New Mexico L1 Security Guard License Requirements
(NM Guard Card)
Age: You must be 18yo or older.
Criminal Record: You cannot have a criminal record of any kind. The records check will be performed on you through the NMRLD. You will just have to authorize them to perform a check on you via the NM security application.
Fingerprints: You need to submit fingerprinting in your NM application. Contact the NMRLD for more information on the fingerprinting process.
Passport Photo: You need to submit two passport photos in your NM application.
U.S. Citizen: You need to be an American citizen or be legally allowed to work in New Mexico. You will have to submit a copy of US or NM government ID in the NM security license application.
English: You must be able to speak and write in English.
NM Approved Security License Course: You need to take a New Mexico approved 8hr security licensing course. You will have to submit a NM security training verification document in your application. The security course will need to be administered by an approved instructor.
Specialized NM Security Guard: There are multiple specialized NM security fields you can enter, such as armed security. These fields require NMRLD approved education as well as evaluation by a New Mexico psychologist.
Fee: You will have to pay a small licensing fee, around $50USD. The fee will be made payable to REGULATION AND LICENSING DEPARTMENT.
Application: You can apply via mail.
Boards and Commissions Division
Private Investigations Advisory Board
2550 Cerrillos Road
P.O. Box 25101
Santa Fe
NM 87504
What Does a New Mexico Security Guard Do?
New Mexico Security Guards Patrol Vacant Locations
New Mexico Security Guards will do foot patrols of locations for a set number of times per shift.
A common task for a New Mexico Security Guard will be checking mechanical rooms for any unusual signs or potential health and safety issues.
New Mexico Security Guards watch for hazards and fill out hazard reports (New Mexico Guards write a lot of reports).
Guards in New Mexico document and report maintenance issues to supervisors.
Many New Mexico security sites require Guards to monitor fire extinguishers to ensure that they are not overdue for inspection (official reviews are done by maintenance personnel).
New Mexico Security Guards write a lot, including filling in logs as their shifts progresses with what activities are being done at what times. New Mexico Guards will have their own security notebooks and will constantly note all unusual sightings, occurrences, and incidents.
New Mexico Security Guards will respond to alarms and act accordingly as per the Emergency Response plan set in place by supervisors. This may include,
Evacuation of the security site.
Checking alarm system on the way out for information about where the problem is occurring.
Contacting supervisors.
Responding to incidents and completing all reports as necessary.
New Mexico Security Guards Protect Sites with Customers
If a New Mexico Security Guard is working in a team environment, they will usually meet for a pre-shift briefing at a set location. Once the meeting has been completed the New Mexico Security Guards will go directly to their designated sites.
In New Mexico security site locations with customers, Guards will do a lot of patrolling. This can be in a building or outside in places such as parking lots.
New Mexico Security Guards are usually responsible for site cleanliness when there are no designated cleaning staff. This means as a New Mexico Security Guard, expect to be cleaning a lot of trash.
Monitoring CCTV cameras will be a big part of a New Mexico Security Guard’s job. This will be on a continuous basis with follow ups on issues seen.
When it comes to security sites in the service industry, New Mexico Security Guards will have to assist customers in various non-security ways. This can be giving them directions or carrying items for them. Furthermore, New Mexico Security Guards will often be expected to be friendly, outgoing, and talkative with customers in their security sites.
A constant security issue for New Mexico security sites with customers will be smoking, alcohol consumption, and narcotics. New Mexico Security Guards will often be making sure people aren’t smoking in non-smoking areas, consuming alcohol, or narcotics. For the latter, a New Mexico Security Guard will usually report the issue to local police.
If the New Mexico security site is a residence, responding to noise complaints will be a big part of the job.
Of course, catching shoplifters will be a constant for a New Mexico Security Guard in a site with customers.
New Mexico Security Guards Work at Security Gates
New Mexico Security Guards will patrol parking areas to make sure vehicles are registered at that security site.
Every person entering through the security gate will produce valid photo ID to the New Mexico Security Guard. The Guard will determine if the individual may pass.
During medical emergencies, the New Mexico Security Guard will direct traffic to allow easy access for New Mexico EMS vehicles.
New Mexico Security Guards Deal with Medical Issues
Emergencies at a New Mexico security site can happen at any time, day or night. On going communication will be key for all New Mexico Security Guards involved to get through the emergency with the best possible outcome.
New Mexico EMS/ ambulances will often be called by New Mexico Security Guards.
The New Mexico Security Guard that places the 911 call will relay info regarding who, what, where, why, and when.
New Mexico Security Supervisors will usually take lead on these incidents and direct other New Mexico Guards to specific tasks to perform during the emergency.
New Mexico Security Guards will always remain calm and professional. Furthermore, they will assist however they can.
About the Author
Peter Sandru is an Instructor & Co-Founder of NDIL with over 15 years working in security. Peter has spent more than a decade conducting security operations throughout the world, primarily for corporations, law firms, and government agencies. Peter has assisted in the creation of numerous security training programs in various capacities.