New Mexico offers Journeyman electrician certificates and general contractor licenses. Like contractors in construction and plumbing, electricians who intend to do contracting work are required to have a General Contractor’s license.
New Mexico Electrical License Reciprocity
New Mexico has reciprocal electrical licensing agreements with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. An electrician from these states must provide a copy of an electrical license of an equivalent or higher classification, and proof that they have completed four years or greater of electrical apprentice work, along with an examination (or the equivalent). They must also submit an electrical licensing application and a non-refundable fee to the state of New Mexico.
New Mexico Electrical Journeyman Certificate Requirements
According to the New Mexico Administrative Code: “A journeyman certificate of competence in the appropriate trade classification for the work to be performed is required of all individuals performing electrical wiring; provided however, that an apprentice […] may work under the direct supervision of a validly certified journeyman.” The steps to gain an Electrical Journeyman Certificate in the state of New Mexico are as follows:
- Complete the application packet, which includes an application form and proof of experience. Proof of experience must include a form for each party under whom the candidate worked. Each document must be notarized.
- Provide proof of experience, the requirements for which depend on what type of Journeyman license is being applied for:
Four years (8,000 hours) of experience for licensing in:
- Journeyman residential and commercial electrical;
- Journeyman electrical distribution systems;
Two Years (4,000 hours) of experience for licensing in:
- Journeyman residential wiring;
- Journeyman electrical signs and outline lighting;
- Journeyman cathodic protection and lightning protection systems;
- Journeyman sound, intercommunication, electrical alarm systems, and systems 50 volts and under;
- Journeyman telephone communication systems and telephone interconnect systems;
- Water Well Pump Installer;
- Residential Water Well Pump Installer;
- Include the application fee of $75.00 (per classification) with the application packet.
- Deliver the application packet by hand or mail. If mailed, send the application packet in a self-addressed, stamped envelope with return postage.
- Wait for return of the packet (in the case of rejection), or notification of authorization to test (in the case of approval).
- Schedule and complete the exam.
- Submit a passing score report for the exam to PSI (Psychological Services, Inc.) within six months of testing authorization.
- Renew certificate every 3 years.
Electrical Journeyman Exam
The exam fee for the Journeyman exam is included in the application fee. Exams are administered by PSI, and the candidate for certification is responsible for scheduling their test. The minimum passing grade is 70-75%, depending on the classification.
New Mexico Electrical Insurance Requirements
The state of New Mexico requires all licensed electricians to have liability insurance. Employed electricians should be covered under a company policy, and self-employed electrician’s must pay for their own coverage.
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Electrician Apprenticeship Requirements
According to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions: “Apprenticeship is an ‘earn while you learn’ training model that includes paid on-the-job training under the supervision of experienced journeyworkers with related classroom instruction to prepare individuals for skilled occupations.” Electrical apprentices in New Mexico do not need a license. They just need to be accepted into a program that abides by the minimum standards outlined by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions State Apprenticeship Office. The specifics of each program may vary. However, in order to be eligible for an electrical apprenticeship, a candidate must:
- Be 18-years-old or older;
- Have a high school diploma or the equivalent;
- Have passed with a grade of “C” or higher in an algebra class at the secondary or post-secondary level;
- Be reasonably healthy, physically and mentally;
- Pass an aptitude test.
New Mexico Electrical Apprentice Jobs
In New Mexico, apprenticeship programs are a combination of in-class learning and in-field work. As such, getting into a program and getting a job are one and the same for an apprentice. As far as finding a program goes, the three best ways to find one are: applying for a program through the New Mexico JATC for the Electrical Industry, researching trade schools and community colleges, and checking listings on websites like Craigslist (although be cautious of scams in this last case).
Electrical Trade Schools in New Mexico
New Mexico State University (NMSU) at Alamogordo
Institution: Public
Tuition: $6,094 (in-state)
Contact Information:
2400 N. Scenic Drive
Alamogordo, NM 88310
(575) 439-3600
Central New Mexico Community College
Institution: Public
Tuition: $1,472 (in-state)
Contact Information:
525 Buena Vista Drive Southeast
Albuquerque, NM
(888) 453-1304
Luna Community College
Institution: Public
Tuition: $1,298 (in-state)
Contact Information:
366 Luna Drive
Las Vegas, NM 87701
(505) 454-2500
(800) 588-7232
Institution: Public
Tuition: $5,906 (in-state)
Contact Information:
1000 West College Avenue
Silver City, NM 88062
(575) 538-6011
Institution: Public
Tuition: $4,070 (in-state)
Contact Information:
Lower Point Road, State Road 371
Crownpoint, New Mexico 87313-0849
(505) 786-4100
Institution: Public
Tuition: $4,560 (in-state)
Contact Information:
921 Paseo de Onate
Espanola, New Mexico 87532
(505) 747-2100
University of New Mexico-Gallup Campus
Institution: Public
Tuition: $7,340 (in-state)
Contact Information:
705 Gurley Ave.
Gallup, New Mexico 87301
(505) 863-7500
New Mexico Professional License Search
Per New Mexico law, all contractors, including electricians, are required to hold a license issued by the state. In order to confirm that an electrical contractor holds a current license in New Mexico, there is a license search tool available.
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become an Electrical 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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