Background Report Instructions

Private Investigations: Background Report Instructions

Background Check for Initial License/Registration Application

Pursuant to the Private Investigations Act [§ 61-27B-34, NMSA 1978], the following applicants for initial licensure or registration must submit to a biometric federal criminal history background check:

• Private Investigator
• Private Investigations Employee
• Private Investigation Company (each owner, director, and/or officer)
• Private Patrol Operator
• Private Patrol Company (each owner, director, and/or officer)
• Polygraph Examiner
• Security Guard Level One, Two, and Three

A Private Investigations Manager and Private Patrol Operations Manager are not required to submit to a biometric federal criminal history background check because they must first hold the respective Private Investigator or Private Patrol Operator license or a Level Three Security Guard registration.

Beginning May 1, 2023, providers will need to use the new vendor IDEMIA, which serves 600+ government, state, and federal organizations and 2,300+ enterprise customers across the globe.
During the inaugural week of the IDEMIA solution, 11 sites dispersed geographically throughout New Mexico will be available with more than 2,600 appointment slots open. Additional fingerprinting sites and appointment slots will open each subsequent week until 50 sites are available by June 30, 2023.

Click HERE to schedule a fingerprinting appointment with IDEMIA. ORI lookup is NM920250Z

Click HERE to view IDEMIA sites.

Questions?

New Mexico Department of Public Safety
Email: nmaps.dps@dps.nm.gov
Phone: 505-827-9181

April 28, 2023: Last day for fingerprint sites to capture fingerprints is April 28, 2023, at 5 p.m. All open registrations will be canceled and refunded.

Background Check for License/Registration Renewal

Pursuant to the Private Investigations Act [§ 61-27B-34, NMSA 1978], and rules adopted by the Regulation and Licensing Department [16.48.2 NMAC], the following applicants for renewal must submit to a Department of Public Safety (DPS) state criminal history background check:

• Private Investigator (only if licensee will carry a firearm)
• Private Investigations Employee (only if licensee will carry a firearm)
• Private Patrol Operator (only if licensee will carry a firearm)
• Security Guard Level Three

View or download the DPS Authorization for Release of Information