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Who needs a contractor license in New Mexico? New Mexico requires a license for anyone engaged in construction-related contracting within the state. This includes general contractors and specialty contractors including electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and more — over 100 different classifications of licenses in total. The only exception to the rule is contracting businesses with less than $7,200 in revenue each year, which do not require a license.
If you're starting a new construction business or doing business in New Mexico for the first time, you can take advantage of the guide below to learn more about the New Mexico contractor licensing process.
Table of contents
All construction contractors need to go through the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department for their licenses. And, officially, it’s the Construction Industries and Manufactured Housing Division (CID) that handles the licenses.
But the CID doesn’t handle any of the testing. For that, New Mexico turns to a third-party testing company called PSI. For the most part, the entire process goes through PSI, right up until CID issues you a license.
The following steps apply to all contractor types.
Before a contractor can apply for testing, they must submit a classification determination request. While filling out this request, contractors will describe the types of work they do in as much detail as possible, the industry in which they intend to work (railroad, utilities, public works, etc.), and whether or not they intend to work as the prime contractor.
Once the request is completed, would-be contractors need to mail it to the following address and wait for their classification before applying for an exam:
New Mexico Construction Licensing Services
2820 Broadbent Pkwy NE, Ste E & F
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Phone: 877-663-9267
Fax: 505 433 5266
Each contractor must have a qualifying individual with the required experience for each classification covered by the license. This individual is the person that must have the necessary work experience.
Here are the work experience requirements.
Two years (4,000 hours):
