In the state of New Mexico construction contractors must be licensed. Upon request the Construction Industries Division will send out a brochure and an information sheet on the application process.

The state of New Mexico does not recognize any license from another state.

New Mexico residence requirements for licensing.

• Corporations must incorporated in the state or be qualified to do business in New Mexico.
• Out-of-state corporations must either have a registered agent or office in New Mexico for at least 90 days.
• Individuals or partnerships must have either a residence or street address in New Mexico for at least 90 days.
• Al applicants must have a current New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department tax identification number
• Applicants also must workers' compensation insurance validated by the New Mexico Workers' Compensation Administration (if applicable).
• A PSI exam

The following trades require two (2) or four (4) years of work experience.

General Construction

• Asphalt, bitumen, concrete construction
• Streets, road, highways, tunnels, parking lots, alleys, seal coat, surfacing
• Striping
• Maintenance, repairs
• Highway signs, guardrails
• Curbs, gutters, culverts

Building Construction

• Residential
• General building

Building Specialty

• Acoustical/insulation, urethane foam
• Awnings, canopies
• Ceramic tile, marble, terrazzo
• Concrete, cement, walkways, driveways
• Demolition
• Door installation
• Drywall
• Earthmoving, excavating, ditching
• Elevators, escalators, conveyers
• Fencing
• Fixtures, cabinets and millwork
• Floor covering, seamless and wood floors, finishing
• Framing
• Glazing, weatherstripping, storm doors, window installation
• Caissons, piers, pile driving
• Masonry
• Ornamental iron, welding
• Painting, decorating
• Remodeling
• Trenching and backhoe owner/operator
• Roofing
• Sandblasting
• Sign construction (nonelectrical)
• Structural steel erection
• Swimming pools (nonmechanical/electrical)
• Vaults, depositories
• Gunite
• Construction and technical specialties
• Plastering, stucco, lathing
• Siding
• Sheet metal
• Concrete coring, drilling, slab sawing

Electrical

• Electrical signs, outline lighting
• Cathodic protection
• Sound, intercommunication, electrical alarm systems
• Electrical traffic control systems
• Microwave communications systems
• Cable tv
• Telephone communication systems
• Telephone interconnect systems

Mechanical

• Plumbing
• Natural gas fitting
• Air conditioning, ventilation
• Heating, cooling, process piping

Mechanical Specialty

• 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

Journeyman classifications

Electrical

• Electrical distribution systems, including transmission lines
• Electrical specialties
• Electrical signs, outline lighting
• Cathodic protection
• Sound, intercommunication, electrical alarm systems
• Electric traffic control systems
• Microwave communication systems
• Cable TV
• Telephone communications systems
• Telephone interconnect systems

Mechanical

• Plumber
• Natural gas fitter
• Boiler operator
• Sheet metal
• Pipefitter
• Welder
• Specialty

Consumers are advised to also check for municipal license requirements as contractor laws can differ from county to county. It is also advisable to double check with the state’s requirements before hiring a contractor.