New Mexico real estate exam
Questions, time and passing score for both license levels, quoted from the official handbook.
Read twice, independently, against the handbook text. Source:
- test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/998 · PSI NM Real Estate Broker CIB, Copyright 2024, 'Updated 10/30/2024' (only NM RE exam listed by PSI API: 'NM Broker Exam', testId 998)
- srca.nm.gov/parts/title16/16.061.0003.pdf · 16.61.3 NMAC as amended through 2/25/2022 (latest history note in file)
Associate Broker
The entry license. Holders must work under a licensed broker. New Mexico’s official name for it is “Associate Broker”.
- Scored questions
- 12575 national + 50 state
- Time
- 3 hr120 + 60 min
- To pass
- 60/75 · 38/50correct answers, on every portion
| Portion | Scored | Pretest | Time | To pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National | 7580 pts | 5-10 | 120 min | 60 of 75 correct |
| State | 50 | 5-10 | 60 min | 38 of 50 correct |
- Some questions are worth up to 2 points, so points and question count differ.
- Number of scored questions answered correctly.
- How you pass
- Each portion is scored and passed on its own. You need to pass every portion.
- If you fail
- Retake only the portion you failed (within the handbook’s time window).
Show the handbook text behind every number8 quotes
- Official license name
“The New Mexico real estate commission issues two types of real estate broker’s licenses; an associate broker’s license and a qualifying broker’s license.”
16.61.3.8 NMAC, https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title16/16.061.0003.pdf p.1 - Is there an exam
“Associate broker’s license: prior to applying for an associate broker’s license, an applicant must pass both a national broker examination prescribed by the commission, and the New Mexico real estate broker’s examination prescribed by the commission.”
16.61.3.9(A) NMAC - National
“Broker National 75 (80 points) 60 correct 120 Minutes”
psi-998.pdf PDF p.9 Examination Summary Table (# of Questions / Passing Score / Time Allowed) - National · points
“Note: National broker exams include questions that are scored up to two points.”
psi-998.pdf PDF p.9 - State
“Broker State 50 38 correct 60 Minutes”
psi-998.pdf PDF p.9 - Each section · unscored pretest items
“A small number of “experimental” questions (i.e., 5 to 10) may be administered to candidates during the examinations. These questions will not be scored, and the time taken to answer them will not count against testing time.”
psi-998.pdf PDF p.9 - Pass rule / retake rule
“You are required to pass both the state and national portions of the examination. If you fail one portion of the examination, you will only need to register to retake the failed portion. You must pass both the national and state-specific examinations within 90 days of passing the first examination. If you do not pass both examinations within 90 days, you must retake both examinations.”
psi-998.pdf PDF p.9 - Time (API)
“NM Broker - National 120; NM Broker - State 60”
https://test-takers.psiexams.com/api/account/nmre/test/X65XZ5E7 (testId 998)
Realty Prep doesn’t cover this exam yet.
Qualifying Broker
The license that can run a brokerage and supervise others. New Mexico’s official name for it is “Qualifying Broker”.16.61.3.9(D) NMAC: 'there is no separate qualifying broker’s examination.' Qualifying broker requires passage of the (same) broker's examination plus associate-broker experience (16.61.3.10) and a Brokerage Office Administration course (per bulletin).
There is no separate exam for this license.
Show the handbook text behind every number3 quotes
- Is there an exam
“Qualifying broker’s license examination: there is no separate qualifying broker’s examination.”
16.61.3.9(D) NMAC, srca.nm.gov 16.061.0003.pdf p.2 - Is there an exam
“Passage of the broker’s examination pursuant to Subsection D of 16.61.3.9 NMAC. B. At least four years active experience as a licensed associate broker during the 60-month period, immediately preceding the filing of the application.”
16.61.3.10 NMAC - Is there an exam (edge case)
“A New Mexico associate broker upgrading to qualifying broker will be exempt from taking the national portion of the broker’s exam.”
16.61.3.9(B)(2) NMAC
Our two independent reads disagreed on is there an exam; resolved by re-reading the original text.
Where the handbook contradicts itself
We list these instead of quietly picking one. If a number above is affected, confirm with the exam vendor before test day.
- Associate BrokerBulletin p.9 says passing scores as 'correct' (60 correct on a 75-question/80-point exam); for the national portion 'correct' must mean points.
- Qualifying BrokerExperience requirement: PSI bulletin (Updated 10/30/2024, p.2) says qualifying broker needs associate-broker experience 'for at least two of the last five years'; 16.61.3.10 NMAC says four years (two years only for a QB who will not supervise). Does not affect exam structure.
- Qualifying BrokerBulletin and NMAC both contemplate some associate brokers 'taking the broker’s examination to upgrade to qualifying broker' (e.g., those auto-converted 1/1/2006); for them it is the same Associate-Broker exam (state portion only per 16.61.3.9(B)(2)), not a distinct exam.
FAQ
How many questions are on the New Mexico Associate Broker exam?
125 scored questions (75 national + 50 state). Each portion also has unscored pretest items (national: 5-10, state: 5-10) that don’t count toward your score.
What is the passing score for the New Mexico Associate Broker exam?
National: 60 of 75 correct; State: 38 of 50 correct. Each portion is scored and passed on its own. You need to pass every portion.
How long is the New Mexico Associate Broker exam?
3 hours (180 min) in total.
What happens if I fail part of the New Mexico Associate Broker exam?
Retake only the portion you failed (within the handbook’s time window).