In New Mexico electrical contractors are regulated by the:
- New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department
- Construction Industries and Manufactured Housing Division
Contracting in New Mexico without a license can result in criminal charges.
Electrical Contractor Classifications
There are 9 Electrical Contractor Classifications in New Mexico:
Residential and Commercial Licenses (4 years experience required)
- Residential and Commercial Electrical Wiring
- Electrical Distribution and Transmission Systems
- Residential Electrical Wiring
Specialty Licenses (2 years experience required)
- Electrical Signs and Outline Lighting
- Cathodic Protection and Lightening Protection Systems
- Low Voltage Special Systems
- Telephone Communication Systems
- Water Well Pump Installer
- Residential Water Well Pump Installer
Who Needs To Have an Electrical License in New Mexico?
Anyone performing electrical wiring of any kind or work requires pulling a building permit.
Projects that involve building, altering, repairing, installing, or demolishing electrical systems.
Projects include but are not limited to:
- A/C and D/C wiring, switches, and conduits
- Sub panels, solar and photovoltaic arrays
- Electrical systems associated with water well pumps
- Telephone, cable, communication, video and all low voltage systems
- Electrically activated systems to prevent galvanic damage
- Electrical signs and outline lighting
- All electrical wiring operating at under AND over 5000 volts
- Wiring on two-family dwelling units and multi-family dwellings
- Overhead or underground electrical distribution and transmission circuits, equipment, and associated towers
- Tower foundations and other supporting structures, trenching and ductwork and sub-stations and terminal facilities.
Any scope of electrical work covered under the Construction Industry Licensing Act
New Mexico Electrical License Requirements
- 18 years of age
- Valid USA Identification
- Social Security Number or ITIN #
- Not currently on probation or parole
You must also have:
- 2 or 4 Years of Journeyman level experience (depending on trade)
- Passed a LAW Exam + Trade Exam
- Active Contractor Bond
- Registered Legal Entity (Sole, Partnership, LLC, or Corporation)
What is Journeyman Level Experience?
The New Mexico Construction Industries Division (NMCID) will require that you have journeyman-level experience in the construction trade.
While different regions may have varying definitions for what a journeyman is, typically this is someone who:
- Can perform all of the duties associated with their trade
- Has worked un-supervised performing their trade
- Has supervisory level experience
- (in some cases) has completed a Journeyman certification
How Do I Prove My Experience to the NMCID?
You will need to provide:
- A description of your work experience
- Signature from either a supervisor, contractor, employer or journeyman
- The dates when your experience was gained
New Mexico Journeyman Electrician
In order to get the New Mexico electrical license or perform electrical wiring or work of any kind in New Mexico, you must hold a journeyman electrician certificate
- There are electrical journeyman licenses offered for each of the 9 electrical specialties
- An apprentice may work under the direct supervision a validly certified journeyman
Electrical Apprentice
New Mexico construction law requires a certain amount of electrical journeymen and apprentices on a job site.
The ratio of certified journeymen to unregistered apprentices must not exceed:
- one journeyman to two unregistered apprentices on commercial or industrial work
- one journeyman to two unregistered apprentices on commercial or industrial special systems low-voltage work;
- one journeyman to three unregistered apprentices on residential work.
Journeyman Electrician Reciprocity
Currently, New Mexico has reciprocity agreements with:
Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
This means that if you have obtained a journeyman electrician certification in one of these states you may apply and possibly forego the journeyman exam in New Mexico.
Learn more about Contractor License Reciprocity!
New Mexico Contractor License Application Processing
The steps to get licensed in New Mexico are as follows:
1. Qualifying Party Certificate
3. Get approved for the exam
4. Pass Exam
5. Submit Contractor License Application Packet. Must include:
- Contractor License Application Fee – $36.00
- Licensing Fee – $150.00 (all fees)
- Additional Classification Fee – $150.00
- Contractor Bond
- New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Registration
- Copy of Qualifying Party Certificate and Test Scores
Applications can be sent to:
PSI – New Mexico Construction Licensing Services2820 Broadbent Pkwy NE, Suite E&FAlbuquerque, NM 87107(877) 663-9267
New Mexico Electrical Contractor License Exam
All applicants must pass the New Mexico Business & Law Exam. The exam is administered by a third-party company called PSI.
The test is:
- 50 Questions
- 75% Required to pass
- 130 Minutes
- Computerized Multiple Choice Test
- Bring 2 forms of Identification
The test covers the following topics:
- Licensing Requirements
- Estimating and Bidding
- Business Organization and Financial
- Management
- Tax Laws
- Labor Laws
- Project Management and Lien Law
- Contracts
- Risk Management
- Environmental and Safety
Electrical Contractor License Exam
In addition to the New Mexico law and business exam, you will also have to pass a trade test.
Each of the 9 electrical subclassifications has its own trade exam.
To be able to perform electrical work across all 9 classifications you will need to pass THREE exams:
EE-98 Residential and Commercial Electrical Part 1
EE-98 Residential and Commercial Electrical Part 2
EE-98 Residential and Commercial Electrical Part 3
The exam covers the following topics:
- General Knowledge and Electrical Installation Requirements
- Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
- Over-current Protection
- Grounding and Bonding
- Conductors and Cables
- Raceways and Boxes
- Hazardous Locations, Special Occupancies, and Special Equipment
- Lighting, Signs, and General-Use Equipment
- Motors, Transformers, and Generators
- New Mexico State Code
- Low Voltage, including alarms
- Electrical Signs and Outline Lighting
- Cathodic Protection and Lightning Protection Systems
- Telephone and Computer Systems
- Sound and Communication Systems
To see the full list of electrical trade exam questions check out this guide.
How Do I Get a Business License In New Mexico?
Contractor licenses in New Mexico can only be issued to legal business entities.
You will have to form a legal entity through the: New Mexico Secretary of State
For additional information about business licenses in New Mexico, consult the New Mexico Economic Development Department.
You will choose a name and then select the type of entity you want. Typically, construction companies choose either:
- Sole Proprietor – License held through an individual
- Partnership – License held through a partnership
- LLC – License held through a company that exists as its own entity
- S-Corporation – License held through a corporate entity
For a complete explanation of the difference between these types of entities and which one makes the most sense for someone applying for a contractor license, check out this free guide!
Workers Compensation
New Mexico requires all contractor license applicants to hold worker's compensation insurance. However, If you apply as a sole proprietorship and have no employees you may be exempt.
If you are applying for a contractor license in New Mexico and have workers or employees, you will disclose this on your application.
You will need to include:
- Name of your provider
- Policy Number
- Expiration on your renewal form
Check out the New Mexico Workers Compensation website, for a deeper look at state insurance requirements.
New Mexico Contractor License Look Up
The New Mexico Construction Industries Department ultimately exists as a consumer protection mechanism.
The agency exists not only to enforce rules on construction contractors but also to ensure that homeowners are not being overcharged by unlicensed contractors.
If you are a homeowner or business owner looking to verify a contractor license in the state of New Mexico, you can check a license here
Electrical Apprenticeships in New Mexico
Whether you are looking to become a journeyman in New Mexico or begin a career as a contractor, you will want to begin by mastering the trade.
One of the best ways to build a solid foundation and position yourself as a professional in the construction industry is by looking into an apprenticeship program or training course.
These types of schools can provide you with valuable training in a variety of different trades including Electrical, Plumbing, Concrete, Landscaping, Painting, HVAC, Roofing, Carpentry, and much more!
If you are one day looking to get the New Mexico General Contractor license, you will need to demonstrate a skill set beyond just construction. You can obtain electrical certificates online and even prepare for the journeyman electrician test.
If you are new to the construction industry and have heard the term “journeyman” or “apprentice” and are not sure what these terms mean, or perhaps where to even start.
Each state may have different requirements and standards for what is considered a journeyman, check your state laws.
To learn more about the step-by-step path from an Apprentice to Journeyman!
What You Need To Know About Contractor License Schools
If you are looking to prepare for your New Mexico Contractor License exam, taking contractor classes could be a huge help.
Most contractor resources include:
- Bilingual study materials
- Online classes taught by industry professionals
- Application assistance
- Insurance and Business services
Many tradesmen find themselves a bit confused when faced with questions about construction accounting, balance sheets, workers compensation, employee rights, job site safety, and New Mexico construction law.
These topics can be learned quickly. Studying consistently in the weeks leading up to your exam day will help you greatly.
Practice exams and study guides breaking down everything you need to know can be found here.
Construction LAW vs Construction TRADE
A contractor license school's main focus should be on the law.
Most states offer several different types of licenses, so if a school is telling you it can teach you your trade, be wary… as that is not realistic.
You can however review trade concepts you may have forgotten.
Many excellent online resources cover the basics of Electricity, HVAC, Masonry, Carpentry, and much more
Blueprint Reading Course
For those looking to do pursue a career in construction or get a New Mexico General contractor license, reading construction blueprints is fundamental.
Blueprints communicate important information about the way in which a structure is built as well as what materials are necessary or have been used for its construction.
Being comfortable with construction blueprints is an invaluable skill especially for those looking to become licensed electricians.
See our Free Blueprint Reading Course!
OSHA New Mexico Regulations
Statistically, 21% of all work-related fatalities are in construction.
That equals about 1 and 5 worker deaths on average.
In the construction industry, the leading cause of worker deaths is reported as falls, struck by an object, electrocution, and caught-in/between.
Safety is a huge part of engaging in construction.
Whether it be roofing, painting, landscaping, carpentry, electrical or any other trade.
If you or your workers are not properly trained, it can place unnecessary risk to not only your personal safety but your bottom line as a business.
For employment with a licensed general contractor, you may be asked to complete some level of New Mexico OSHA Training.
Get Started!
Getting the contractor license in New Mexico can be a huge step up in your career if you are looking to start your own business or become an RMO for a company!
The construction industry is very lucrative, no matter which state you are in. There will be more and more opportunities for skilled tradesmen in the future.
The key is to take action and follow these steps from beginning to end. If you are looking to get work in another state you can find information here about electrical contractor licenses in California, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida
If you have found this article, be sure to let us know! and check back for more updates in the future on how to become an electrician.