To work as a contractor in the State of New Mexico, you’ll need to obtain a license from the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department — specifically the Construction Industries and Manufactured Housing Division (CID). Those who fail to register and obtain a license will be subject to forced termination of their construction project, and criminal charges of unlicensed contracting in Metropolitan or Magistrate Court.
New Mexico General Contractor License Requirements
New Mexico is interesting in its exam and licensing requirements and procedures in that they leave it almost entirely up to PSI to administer and allocate myriad construction licenses. CID issues these licenses, even though administration is handled by PSI.
General contractor applicants in New Mexico must submit a classification determination request, obtain a notarized Qualifying Party (QP) Certificate for either two or four years of experience, submit a notarized general work experience affidavit, and submit a general contractors application with fees, proof of CID contractor license code bond. Bond insurance is required by most states, and the New Mexico Construction Industry requires any contractor working within the state to post a $10,000 contractor license surety bond. Getting bonded and insured — as well as any additional bonding requirements — can vary depending on local laws. General contractors that employ other contractors in New Mexico are required to have workers’ compensation, but the amount varies depending on your local jurisdiction..
Unlike many other states, there is no statewide requirement for liability insurance in New Mexico. Regardless, there are many reasons for choosing to consider purchasing liability insurance such as protection from false claims (from both client and employees), protection from faulty equipment, and protection from third parties involved within your business. If you choose to purchase coverage, be sure to have your certificate of insurance handy.
Who Needs a Contractors License?
Under New Mexico State Law anyone engaged in construction-related contracting in the state must be licensed, including general construction work, electrical, mechanical and plumbing and LP gas. A complete list of activities considered to be “contracting” can be found in the Construction Industries Licensing Act, NMSA 1978, Section 60-13-3.
What Do You Need To Become a General Contractor in New Mexico?
To become a general contractor in New Mexico, you’ll have to fill out multiple forms and applications for review by CID and PSI. Here is a general overview of everything you’ll need:
- Determine your classification. New Mexico has hundreds of classifications that require licensing. Complete a classification determination request, and send it to:
PSI – New Mexico Construction Licensing Services
2820 Broadbent Pkwy NE, Suite E&F
Albuquerque, NM 87107
(877) 663-9267
public.psiexams.com - Obtain a Qualifying Party Certificate. Each license must have at least one QP per work classification that the license covers. QP applicants are required to:
- Complete a notarized Qualifying Party Application.
- Submit a General Work Experience Affidavit, proving you have either:
- TWO YEARS (4,000 hours) Experience:
- Residential Building (GB-2) and Building Specialties (GS-1 through GS-34)
- Asphalt Bitumen and Concrete Construction (GA-1 through GA-5)
- Fixed Works (GF-1 through GF-9)
- Residential Wiring (ER-1) and Electrical Specialties (ES-1 through ES-10)
- Mechanical Specialties (MS-3 and MS-6)
- FOUR YEARS (8,000 hours) Experience:
- General Building (GB-98)
- Asphalt Bitumen and Concrete Construction (GA98)
- Fixed Works (GF-98)
- Electrical- Residential and Commercial (EE-98)
- Electrical Distribution Systems (EL-1)
- Mechanical (MM-98)
- Plumbing (MM-1)
- Natural Gas Fitting (MM-2)
- HVAC (MM-3)
- Process Piping (MM-4)
- Fire Sprinklers (MS-12)
- Dry Chemical Fire Protection (MS-14)
- TWO YEARS (4,000 hours) Experience:
- Submit an application fee of $30.00 and a Certificate fee of $6.00 (this Certificate fee applies per each application). These fees are refundable.
- Send their completed packets, with notarized signatures, to:PSI – New Mexico Construction Licensing Services
2820 Broadbent Pkwy NE, Suite E&F
Albuquerque, NM 87107
(877) 663-9267
public.psiexams.com - If the Affidavit and work experience are acceptable, approval notice will be sent to the applicant and the applicant may schedule the QP exams with PSI Exam Services.
- Meet all requirements for certification within six months from the date PSI approves your application and affidavit. Failure to do so means your application fees will be forfeit and you will have to apply and pay for an additional six months of approval
- Attach your certificate to a valid license within 12 months from the date of your exams
- Submit a completed CID License application to PSI. The license application must include:
- $36 application fee and applicable license fees
- License bond
- Tax registration certificate from Tax & Rev Dept.
- Certificate from NMPRC if applicable (corporation and LLC)
- Certificate from Secretary of State if Limited Liability Partnership or Limited Partnership
- Copy of QP certificate or test scores applicable to the classification being sought, and Business & Law exam score or course certificate.
Once all of these requirements are satisfied, the CID will review the applicant’s packet and decide whether to issue the CID contractor license.
Licensing and Registration Fees
The amount that you’ll be required to pay for licensing and registration will depend on what classification of contractor you are. More information on New Mexico licensing fees can be found here.
- Contractor License Application fee — $30.00
- Contractor License Certificate fee — $6.00 (per certificate)
- Contractor Qualifying Party Application fee — $30.00
- Contractor Qualifying Party Certificate fee — $6.00 (per certificate)
- License fee — $150.00 – $300.00 per classification
New Mexico Contractors Exam
Those seeking licensing in New Mexico will be required to complete a Qualified Party-required Business Law test, as well as a General Building exam via PSI.
Contractors Exam Fees
Contact PSI for more information about New Mexico exam fees. PSI accepts Money Orders, Cashier’s checks, Visa or Mastercard. All payments can be made through the PSI website once you create an account and create an exam.
You can contact PSI here:
PSI Licensure: Certification
3210 East Tropicana
Las Vegas, NV 89121
Licensure Phone: 1-800-733-9267
Certification Phone:1-800-211-2754
Fax: 1-702-932-2666
New Mexico Contractors License Application
The New Mexico Construction Contractors License Application can be found here. A completed contractor license packet will include:
- A complete Contractor License Application. A signed and dated application, notarized, which includes the type of business entity thath is applying.
- A copy of valid Qualifying Party Certificate. You may submit an official transcript showing a passing grade on a business and law course administered by a CID approved school in lieu of passing score on business and law exam.
- Proof of financial responsibility. This bond may be found online, and must be issued using the exact name shown on the application.
- Proof of current New Mexico Tax ID number (within last year). This must include the official stamp or registration certificate. Contact the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department at: 505-827-0700
- Proof of business registration. All corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and limited liability companies must show proof of registration with the New Mexico Secretary of State
- Self-addressed envelope large enough and with sufficient postage to return your application materials in the case that your application is rejected. If your application is accepted, this envelope will be used to send your new license once it has been issued.
- Proper fees. Make sure you pay the proper fees, either by cash, personal check, company check money order, cashiers check, VISA, MasterCard, or American Express. Make all checks or money orders payable to PSI.
Completed packets and payment can be mailed or walked in to:
PSI – New Mexico Construction Licensing Services
2820 Broadbent Pkwy NE, Suite E&F
Albuquerque, NM 87107
(877) 663-9267
public.psiexams.com
New Mexico Contractor Registration and Permitting Requirements
New Mexico has a variety of planning, zoning, and building construction permits based on the city, town, or county that the construction will be located in.
For example, the City of Tucumcari has its own regulation and licensing requirements independent of the State’s.
Check with your local city and county government to determine what type of additional registration and permitting licenses you’ll need to acquire.
New Mexico State Business Licenses and Registration
Those wishing to do business within the State of New Mexico will be required to register their business with the Secretary of State, obtain a CRS ID number, and prove that they have workers’ compensation insurance.
Anybody wishing to do business in the State of New Mexico must obtain an New Mexico Business License. Visit the NMEDD Business Resource Center for more information.
New Mexico Tax Identification Numbers and Registration
Those engaging in business in New Mexico are required to register with the Taxation and Revenue Department for a Combined Reporting System (CRS) Identification number.
New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Insurance Requirements and Forms
According to the State of New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Adminiation, employers actively engaging in activities required to be licensed by the Construction Industries Licensing Act must have workers’ compensation coverage, regardless of the number of employees. More information on workers’ compensation in New Mexico is available online.
New Mexico Contractor License Lookup and Verification
The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department allows you to look up all regulated state licenses on their website.
See General Contractor Licensing Information in Nearby States
- Texas contractor license
- Oklahoma contractors license
- Colorado contractors license
- Arizona contractors license
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become a General Contractor in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in New Mexico, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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