New Mexico contractor license (CID)Requirements, cost, exam
New Mexico licenses general contractors through the NM Regulation and Licensing Dept. A license is required to act as a contractor, which covers building, altering, repairing, installing or demolishing almost any structure.1
New Mexico · general contractor
State license required
- Experience
- Four years of work experience within the last 10 years in the classification for most classes (some, such as GA-2, require two).2
- Exam
- The person who qualifies the license (the qualifying party) must pass a business and law exam plus a trade exam for the classification.2
- Bond
- A $10,000 surety bond from a surety authorized in New Mexico is required at the start and at every renewal.2
- Insurance
- The Act sets no general liability insurance minimum.3
- Fees
- A $30 non-refundable application fee.4
- Renewal
- Contractor licenses expire two years after issue, or on a date the Division sets, and no less than one year.3
How do you get a New Mexico contractor license?
Check that you need a license
A license is required to act as a contractor, which covers building, altering, repairing, installing or demolishing almost any structure.1
Meet the experience rule
Four years of work experience within the last 10 years in the classification for most classes (some, such as GA-2, require two).2
Pass the exam
The person who qualifies the license (the qualifying party) must pass a business and law exam plus a trade exam for the classification.2
What's on the examFile the bond and insurance
A $10,000 surety bond from a surety authorized in New Mexico is required at the start and at every renewal. The Act sets no general liability insurance minimum.2
New Mexico bond and insurance rulesGet the license, then renew$100
Contractor licenses expire two years after issue, or on a date the Division sets, and no less than one year.3
Renewal and CE
Electrical, plumbing and HVAC licenses in New Mexico
- ElectricalState licenseNM Regulation and Licensing Dept
- PlumbingState licenseNM Regulation and Licensing Dept
- HVACState licenseNM Regulation and Licensing Dept
- RoofingAsk the boardNM Regulation and Licensing Dept
Which license class do you need in New Mexico?
Licenses are issued by classification.5
Does New Mexico have license reciprocity?
The only waiver found is the NASCLA accredited exam, which can replace the state trade exam.2
Do you need workers' comp?
Licensees must comply with the state Workers' Compensation Act, and failing to carry required workers' compensation insurance is grounds for discipline.3
New Mexico insurance and bondsSources
- NM Regulation and Licensing Dept: who needs a license (rld.nm.gov, 2026-10-27)
- NM Regulation and Licensing Dept: experience (srca.nm.gov, 2026-10-27)
- NM Regulation and Licensing Dept: insurance (rld.nm.gov, 2026-10-27)
- NM Regulation and Licensing Dept: fees (srca.nm.gov, 2026-10-27)
- NM Regulation and Licensing Dept: license classes (srca.nm.gov, 2026-10-27)
- NM Regulation and Licensing Dept - Construction Industries Division (CID) (rld.nm.gov, 2026-10-27)