Is there a New Mexico Handyman License?
The answer is no. There is no official contractor license for Handymen operating in New Mexico. There is, however, a handyman certificate.
As long as you adhere to the following rules:
- You may not earn over $7,200 per year
- You may not engage in installation, connection or repair of electrical, plumbing or gas fitting.
- Your work may not be apart of a larger construction project or involve work that requires a building permit
- You may not advertise or present yourself through marketing as a Contractor
- You must file a declaration annually with the New Mexico Construction Industries division, that you are not operating as a Contractor
For the full definition of a Contractor in the state of New Mexico, you can check out the Construction Industry Licensing Act
What Kind of Work Can a Handyman Perform in New Mexico?
Any person holding a Handyman's Certificate may perform any of the following :
- Minor or inconsequential repairs to buildings or other structures (no structural repairs)
- Repair holes in interior walls
- Repair broken windows and doors (no replacement)
- Repair portions of porches and decks (no structural work or complete replacement)
- Repair wooden or concrete stairs/steps (no complete replacement)
- Repair siding excluding any work on stucco.
Types of Jobs Handyman Cannot Perform
- Work on any projects as a sub-contractor to a licensed contractor
- Add on a room to an existing building or remodel any portion of an existing room or building
- Build or erect an entire building or any other structure such as a porch, deck, shed, gazebo or other garden structure
- Perform any kind of roof construction or roof repair
- Perform any kind of stucco application or stucco repair
- Use the services of others, or hire employees or sub-contractors
- Combine with others, including other handyman certificate holders, to accomplish work
- Perform any plumbing, mechanical, or electrical work
- Work on more than one undertaking at a time
- Build a driveway
The application for Handymen in New Mexico can be found here
Recommended Courses
New Mexico Contractor License Classifications
There are 5 areas of construction that are regulated in New Mexico:
- General Building
- Building Specialty
- Electrical Specialty
- Mechanical Specialty
- Public Works
Each area of expertise requires different years of experience to get licensed.
New Mexico Contractor 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 Contractor License Application Processing
The steps to get licensed in New Mexico are as follows:
1. Qualifying Party Certificate
3. Get approved for 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 Contractor License Classifications
If you are not sure about which license you need, you may submit a classification determination request.
The following are the contractor license classifications available in New Mexico:
General Building – GB98
Residential Building Contractor – 2 Years experience (4,000 Hours)
General Building Contractor – 4 Years experience (8,000 Hours)
Building Specialty
4 Years experience required:
- Acoustical or insulation construction, including installation of urethane foam
- Awning and canopy construction
- Caissons, piers, pile driving
- Ceramic tile, marble, terrazzo
- Concrete, cement, walkways, driveways
- Concrete coring, drilling, slab sawing
- Construction and technical specialties
- Demolition
- Door installation
- Drywall
- Earthmoving, excavating, ditching
- Elevators, escalators, conveyors
- Fencing
- Fixtures, cabinets and millwork
- Floor covering, seamless and wood floors, finishing
- Framing
- Glazing, weatherstripping, storm doors, window installation
- Gunite
- Masonry
- Ornamental iron, welding
- Painting, decorating
- Plastering, stucco, lathing
- Remodeling
- Roofing
- Sandblasting
- Sheet metal
- Siding
- Sign construction (nonelectrical)
- Structural steel erection
- Swimming pools (non mechanical/electrical)
- Trenching and backhoe owner/operator
- Vaults, depositories
Electrical Specialty
- Residential and Commercial Electrical Wiring
- Electrical Distribution and Transmission Systems
- Residential Electrical Wiring
- 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
Mechanical
4 Years experience required:
- Plumbing
- Natural gas fitting
- Air conditioning and ventilation
- Heating, cooling, and process piping
Mechanical Specialty
2 Years experience required:
- Residential plumbing
- Residential natural gas fitting
- Cesspools, septic tanks, sewers
- Appliance installation, service
- Evaporative coolers
- Lawn sprinklers
- Swimming pool piping
- Water conditioners
- Refrigeration
- Boiler installation, repair, service
- Controls (mechanical systems)
- Fire protection sprinkler systems
- Pneumatic tube systems
- Dry chemical fire protection
Public Works
2 Years experience required:
- Airports
- Bridges
- Canals, reservoirs or irrigation systems
- Drainage or flood control systems
- Railroad and tunnel construction
- Recreation areas (golf courses, miniature golf, tennis courts, playgrounds, campgrounds, etc.)
- Tanks, towers
- Transmission lines, tanks, and substations (non-electrical)
- Utility lines and systems (including natural gas, sewage, water treatment and underground telephone cables)
New Mexico 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
How Do I Get a Business License In New Mexico?
Contractor licenses in New Mexico can only be issued to a legal business entity.
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 workers' 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
Construction 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. Learn about project management and other business skills.
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 into engineering or obtain construction licensing.
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!
Becoming a handyman or getting a 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. 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 have found this article, be sure to let us know! and check back for more updates in the future about handyman licensing in other states!