It issues state licenses for general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors, HVAC contractors and roofing contractors. Use the official lookup below to check a contractor. Information as of October 6, 2026.
Verify a New Mexico contractor license on the PSI search page that CID links to. source Search by license number, business name, city or zip code; the form requires a CAPTCHA. source Licenses holding only tile, fencing, cabinets, flooring, ornamental iron, painting, sandblasting, vault or gunite classifications show as cancelled because those trades no longer need a state license (since April 1, 2016). source A license covers only the work in its listed classifications; check the classification matches your job. source
Confirm the record is active and the class matches the job (GB-98 General building or GB-2 Residential). The board's own record governs. A license is required for jobs above A handyman doing casual, minor work of no more than $7,200 a year in total, one project at a time, who files an annual declaration with CID, does not need a contractor license (does not apply to electrical, plumbing or gas fitting work). source
Check the bond and insurance on the record against the state minimums: Contractor license bond of $10,000, required at initial licensure and as a condition of renewal (applies to every CID contractor license). source Workers' compensation insurance required of all licensees (sole proprietors with no employees may be exempt); no general liability minimum found on an official source. source
Report unlicensed activity or health and safety issues to the Regulation and Licensing Department by filing a complaint. source
Homeowner protections in New Mexico
Claims against the $10,000 license bond must be made within two years of final inspection or of the certificate of occupancy, whichever is earlier. source
The license bond pays to cure code violations certified by CID that the contractor caused and did not correct. source
Get licensed
For a general contractor working in New Mexico.
Apply to New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department as a GB-98 General building or GB-2 Residential.
Qualifying party must pass the GB-98 two-part trade exam (includes GB-2) plus the Contractor Business and Law exam (or an approved Business and Law course). source
Experience: 4 years (Four years of foreman level or related trade experience, two of them commercial, within the 10 years before applying (GB-98; GB-2 Residential requires two years)). source
Post a contractor license bond of $10,000, required at initial licensure and as a condition of renewal (applies to every CID contractor license). source
Carry workers' compensation insurance required of all licensees (sole proprietors with no employees may be exempt); no general liability minimum found on an official source. source
Pay the contractor license application fee of $36 ($30 non-refundable application fee plus $6 certificate fee), plus a classification fee: $36. source
License is effective for three years from the date of issuance. source
Other trades
Electrical: state license, $10,000 bond, $36 fee. Requirements
Plumbing: state license, $10,000 bond, $36 fee. Requirements
HVAC: state license, $10,000 bond, $36 fee. Requirements
Roofing: state license, $10,000 bond, $36 fee. Requirements
Requirements by trade
General contractorSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Qualifying party must pass the GB-98 two-part trade exam (includes GB-2) plus the Contractor Business and Law exam (or an approved Business and Law course). source
Experience
4 years (Four years of foreman level or related trade experience, two of them commercial, within the 10 years before applying (GB-98; GB-2 Residential requires two years)). source
Bond
Contractor license bond of $10,000, required at initial licensure and as a condition of renewal (applies to every CID contractor license). source
Insurance
Workers' compensation insurance required of all licensees (sole proprietors with no employees may be exempt); no general liability minimum found on an official source. source
Renewal
3 years (License is effective for three years from the date of issuance). source
Reciprocity
No general contractor license reciprocity found; CID may waive the New Mexico trade exam for a qualifying party who passed the NASCLA accredited general construction or electrical exam. source
Fees
Contractor license application fee of $36 ($30 non-refundable application fee plus $6 certificate fee), plus a classification fee. source
Classification fee of $300 for GB-98 or GB-2, charged on new and renewal licenses (the PSI schedule does not say whether this covers the full three-year term). source
Qualifying party certificate application fee of $36, paid by the individual who qualifies the license before exams are scheduled. source
GB-98 exam fee of $269.06 (two-part test including GB-2). source
Business and Law exam fee of $68.88 (required of all new qualifying party candidates; an approved course may be taken instead). source
Late renewal penalty of $1 per day for the first 30 days; after 30 days the equivalent of one year's fees; license cancelled after 90 day. source
ElectricalSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Qualifying party must pass the EE-98 three-part trade exam plus the Contractor Business and Law exam (or an approved Business and Law course). source
Experience
4 years (Four years of experience within the 10 years before applying (EE-98; ER-1 Residential requires two years)). source
Bond
Contractor license bond of $10,000, required at initial licensure and as a condition of renewal (applies to every CID contractor license). source
Insurance
Workers' compensation insurance required of all licensees (sole proprietors with no employees may be exempt); no general liability minimum found on an official source. source
Renewal
3 years (License is effective for three years from the date of issuance). source
Reciprocity
No electrical contractor license reciprocity found; CID may waive the New Mexico trade exam for a NASCLA accredited electrical exam, and only the EE-98J journeyman certificate is reciprocated (from 10 listed states). source
Fees
Contractor license application fee of $36 ($30 non-refundable application fee plus $6 certificate fee), plus a classification fee. source
Classification fee of $300 for EE-98, charged on new and renewal licenses (the PSI schedule does not say whether this covers the full three-year term). source
Qualifying party certificate application fee of $36, paid by the individual who qualifies the license before exams are scheduled. source
EE-98 exam fee of $269.06 (three-part test). source
ER-1 Residential electrical exam fee of $107.63. source
Business and Law exam fee of $68.88 (required of all new qualifying party candidates; an approved course may be taken instead). source
Late renewal penalty of $1 per day for the first 30 days; after 30 days the equivalent of one year's fees; license cancelled after 90 day. source
PlumbingSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Qualifying party must pass the MM-1 Plumbing trade exam plus the Contractor Business and Law exam (or an approved Business and Law course). source
Experience
4 years (Four years of experience within the 10 years before applying (MM-1)). source
Bond
Contractor license bond of $10,000, required at initial licensure and as a condition of renewal (applies to every CID contractor license). source
Insurance
Workers' compensation insurance required of all licensees (sole proprietors with no employees may be exempt); no general liability minimum found on an official source. source
Renewal
3 years (License is effective for three years from the date of issuance). source
Reciprocity
Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Fees
Contractor license application fee of $36 ($30 non-refundable application fee plus $6 certificate fee), plus a classification fee. source
Classification fee of $150 for a single specialty classification such as MM-1 (MM-98 is $300), charged on new and renewal licenses (the PSI schedule does not say whether this covers the full three-year term). source
Qualifying party certificate application fee of $36, paid by the individual who qualifies the license before exams are scheduled. source
MM-1 Plumbing trade exam fee of $68.88 (first attempt or retake). source
Business and Law exam fee of $68.88 (required of all new qualifying party candidates; an approved course may be taken instead). source
Late renewal penalty of $1 per day for the first 30 days; after 30 days the equivalent of one year's fees; license cancelled after 90 day. source
HVACSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Qualifying party must pass the MM-3 HVAC trade exam plus the Contractor Business and Law exam (or an approved Business and Law course). source
Experience
4 years (Four years of experience within the 10 years before applying (MM-3)). source
Bond
Contractor license bond of $10,000, required at initial licensure and as a condition of renewal (applies to every CID contractor license). source
Insurance
Workers' compensation insurance required of all licensees (sole proprietors with no employees may be exempt); no general liability minimum found on an official source. source
Renewal
3 years (License is effective for three years from the date of issuance). source
Reciprocity
Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Fees
Contractor license application fee of $36 ($30 non-refundable application fee plus $6 certificate fee), plus a classification fee. source
Classification fee of $150 for a single specialty classification such as MM-3 (MM-98 is $300), charged on new and renewal licenses (the PSI schedule does not say whether this covers the full three-year term). source
Qualifying party certificate application fee of $36, paid by the individual who qualifies the license before exams are scheduled. source
MM-3 HVAC trade exam fee of $68.88 (first attempt or retake). source
Business and Law exam fee of $68.88 (required of all new qualifying party candidates; an approved course may be taken instead). source
Late renewal penalty of $1 per day for the first 30 days; after 30 days the equivalent of one year's fees; license cancelled after 90 day. source
RoofingSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Qualifying party must pass the GS-21 Roofing trade exam plus the Contractor Business and Law exam (or an approved Business and Law course). source
Experience
Two years of foreman level or related trade experience within the 10 years before applying (GS-21). source
Bond
Contractor license bond of $10,000, required at initial licensure and as a condition of renewal (applies to every CID contractor license). source
Insurance
Workers' compensation insurance required of all licensees (sole proprietors with no employees may be exempt); no general liability minimum found on an official source. source
Renewal
3 years (License is effective for three years from the date of issuance). source
Reciprocity
Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Fees
Contractor license application fee of $36 ($30 non-refundable application fee plus $6 certificate fee), plus a classification fee. source
Classification fee of $150 for a single specialty classification such as GS-21, charged on new and renewal licenses (the PSI schedule does not say whether this covers the full three-year term). source
Qualifying party certificate application fee of $36, paid by the individual who qualifies the license before exams are scheduled. source
GS-21 Roofing trade exam fee of $68.88 (first attempt or retake). source
Business and Law exam fee of $68.88 (required of all new qualifying party candidates; an approved course may be taken instead). source
Late renewal penalty of $1 per day for the first 30 days; after 30 days the equivalent of one year's fees; license cancelled after 90 day. source
Questions
Does New Mexico require a contractor license?
Yes, in most cases New Mexico requires a state license for general contractors. A handyman doing casual, minor work of no more than $7,200 a year in total, one project at a time, who files an annual declaration with CID, does not need a contractor license (does not apply to electrical, plumbing or gas fitting work). The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division issues it as the GB-98 General building or GB-2 Residential credential.
How do I look up a contractor license in New Mexico?
The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division keeps the record for general contractors in New Mexico. Use the official lookup linked in the Look up a license table, and treat the board's own record as final.
How do I look up an electrician license in New Mexico?
The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division keeps the record for electrical contractors in New Mexico.
How do I look up a plumbing license in New Mexico?
The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division keeps the record for plumbing contractors in New Mexico.
Does New Mexico have an HVAC license?
The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division keeps the record for HVAC contractors in New Mexico.
Do roofers need a license in New Mexico?
The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division keeps the record for roofing contractors in New Mexico.