New Mexico permit requirements

Official-source summary. Values we could not confirm are labelled, never filled with assumptions.

At a glance

Permit required to carry

Yes

Permit currently issued

Yes

Issuance structure

Shall Issue

Issuing level

State

Minimum age

Training

15 hours

Live fire

Required

Application fee

Reported: about $144 in one source ($100 plus a $44 fingerprint fee); $100 in another that counts the $44 inside it. Confirm at the source

Permit term

4 years

Residency required

Yes. New Mexico resident, or active military stationed in New Mexico. No non-resident permits. Confirm with the issuing agency

Processing time

30 days Confirm with the issuing agency

Some current details are not fully confirmed. Verify dates, fees, and requirements on the official page before relying on them.

Issuing agency: New Mexico Department of Public Safety

Source: New Mexico Department of Public Safety — last checked 2026-10-04

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What to know in New Mexico

New Mexico is listed as a shall-issue state, and its permit is the Concealed Handgun License (CHL): a single state agency handles permits, so the same office serves every county. The issuing agency is New Mexico Department of Public Safety.

The minimum age to apply is 21. The required training course in New Mexico is 15 hours. Live-fire shooting is part of the course. A new permit lasts 4 years.

We found no New Mexico rule that lets you keep carrying on an expired permit while a renewal is pending, so renew before the date on your card. To replace a lost or stolen New Mexico permit, expect to provide a notarized statement. After a move or name change, tell the issuing agency within 30 days. Confirm with the issuing agency

Official page: New Mexico Department of Public Safety · Reciprocity: where a New Mexico permit is honored

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