How to Get Your
New Mexico Plumbing License
Your complete guide to becoming a licensed plumber in New Mexico. Learn about requirements, exams, costs, and the step-by-step process to launch your plumbing career in the Land of Enchantment.
New Mexico Plumbing License Quick Facts
Minimum Age
18 years (Apprentice)
Experience Required
2 years (4,000 hours)
License Fee
$75 - $186
Licensing Body
NM Regulation & Licensing Dept
Renewal Period
Every 3 years
Continuing Education
16 hours/3 years
Who Provides Plumbing Licenses in New Mexico?
The Mechanical Plumbing Bureau of New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department is governed to look at all the affairs related to plumbing licenses. Its duty is to inspect the mechanical and plumbing industry and enforce the state's adopted codes, standards, and licensing.
New Mexico Licensing Authority
Mechanical Plumbing Bureau, Construction Industries Division
NM RLD - Mechanical Plumbing BureauIssues all plumbing licenses and oversees mechanical and plumbing industry regulations throughout New Mexico
New Mexico Reciprocity Status
Important: New Mexico currently does not have any reciprocity agreements with other states.
This means that plumbing licenses from other states will not be recognized or held valid in New Mexico. You must obtain a New Mexico-specific license to practice plumbing in this state.
Types of Plumbing Licenses in New Mexico
License Types Available
Choose Your License Path
Apprentice Plumber License
Entry-level license for those learning the trade under supervision of a licensed plumber.
Key Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have high school diploma or GED
- Enroll in plumbing apprentice program
Journeyman Plumber License
Full license to provide plumbing services independently without supervision.
Key Requirements
- 2 years experience (4,000 hours)
- 144 hours of classroom training
- Pass written and practical exams
Plumbing Contractor License (MM-1)
Required for those who want to start their own plumbing business and take contracts.
Key Requirements
- 4 years experience (8,000 hours) or qualifying party
- Pass plumbing trade and business & law exams
- $10,000 surety bond
Requirements for New Mexico Plumbing Licenses
State Requirements
New Mexico Plumbing License Requirements
1Apprentice Plumber
Entry-level requirements
Apprentice Plumber
Entry-level requirements
- Meet the age requirement of 18 years or older
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Enroll in a plumbing apprentice program from an employer or sponsor
2Journeyman Plumber
JP or JPG classification
Journeyman Plumber
JP or JPG classification
- Get 2 years (4,000 hours) of practical plumbing experience as an apprentice
- Complete 144 hours of classroom training from a plumbing union, trade school, or community college
- Submit the application for journeyman plumber along with required documents
- Pass both written and practical examinations
- Pay the required fees ($75 application + $137.76 exam fees)
- Determine classification: JP (Journeyman Plumber) or JPG (Journeyman Plumber and Natural Gas Fitter)
3Plumbing Contractor (MM-1)
For business owners
Plumbing Contractor (MM-1)
For business owners
- Meet the eligibility criteria yourself (4 years and 8,000 hours of plumbing experience) OR find a qualifying party
- Submit the application for plumbing contractor along with required documents
- Pass required exams: Plumbing trade and Business & law exam
- Provide proof of financial responsibility: $10,000 bond issued in exact business name
- Provide proof of current New Mexico Tax ID number
- For Corporation or LLC: Proof of registration with NM Secretary of State
- Workers' compensation insurance (may be exempt if sole proprietor with no employees)
- If performing work on manufactured homes: Registration with Manufactured Housing Division (MHD)
- Pay the required fees ($186 total + $137.76 exam fees)
You don't need to qualify yourself as a contractor to get this license. If you have a business partner or an employee who meets these requirements, you are all set with him/her being the qualifying party.
Plumbing License Costs in New Mexico
State Fees
New Mexico Plumbing License Fees
| License Type | Exam Fee | License Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journeyman Plumber $68.88 for written + $68.88 for practical exam | $137.76 | $75 | |
| Plumbing Contractor $68.88 for trade + $68.88 for business & law exam | $137.76 | $150 | $150 |
Source: PSI License Fees - New Mexico Construction Industries Division
Payment Methods: Cash is not allowed when paying application fees. You must pay by check, money order, VISA, MasterCard, or American Express.
Renewal Deadline: You need to renew your plumbing license every 3 years. If the renewal due date passes by more than 90 days, your license will be canceled.
New Mexico Plumbing Exam Details
Journeyman Plumber Exam
Written and Practical Exams
NM Journeyman Plumber Examination
21 questions
10 questions
9 questions
6 questions
5 questions
4 questions
4 questions
4 questions
4 questions
4 questions
Plumbing Contractor Exam (MM-1)
MM-1 Trade Exam
NM Plumbing Contractor Trade Examination
25 questions
15 questions
10 questions
10 questions
10 questions
9 questions
9 questions
6 questions
6 questions
Business and Law Examination (Contractor)
Required for Contractor License
Business and Law Examination
8 questions
8 questions
8 questions
5 questions
5 questions
5 questions
4 questions
4 questions
3 questions
You don't need to give a Business & Law Exam if you have passed a business and law course from a CID-approved school. In this case, you will have to submit an official transcript showing a passing grade.
Steps to Get Your New Mexico Plumbing License
Step-by-Step Guide
Your Path to Becoming a Licensed Plumber
Meet Basic Requirements
Be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED.
Find an Employer or Sponsor
Find an employer or sponsor for your apprenticeship program and work under the guidance of a licensed journeyman or contractor.
Complete Required Experience and Training
Gather 2 years (4,000 hours) of practical plumbing experience and 144 hours of classroom training by a plumbing union, trade school, or community college.
Determine Your Classification
Choose the classification for your journeyman license based on the type of work you intend to do. JP is for Journeyman Plumber and JPG is for Journeyman Plumber and Natural Gas Fitter.
Submit Application Packet
Submit the application packet for the journeyman license by hand or mail to PSI at 2820 Broadbent Pkwy NE, Suite E&F, Albuquerque, NM 87107. Include completed and notarized journeyman application form and work experience form (one per employer).
Journeyman Application FormSchedule and Pass Your Exams
Wait for approval and notification via USPS postcard. Upon approval, schedule your written and practical exams by calling PSI at 1-800-733-9267 or online. Pay required exam fees ($137.76 total).
Schedule Exam OnlineSubmit Passing Report
After passing both exams, submit the passing report to PSI and wait for your license to arrive.
Congratulations! You're a Licensed Journeyman!
You are now a licensed journeyman plumber in New Mexico. Your license will be active for 3 years.
Fulfill Continuing Education (For Renewal)
Complete 16 hours of continuing education every 3 years, with 8 hours being code-related, to renew your journeyman license.
Journeyman Renewal ApplicationDetermine Contractor Classification
If you want to become a contractor, determine the classification based on your work type. MM-1 is for Plumbing Contractor.
Check Business Name Availability
Check with PSI if the name you intend to use for your business is available.
Prepare Contractor Application Packet
Submit the contractor license application packet by hand or mail to PSI. Include contractor license form, qualifying party certificate or passing exam scores, $10k bond, NM Tax ID proof, Secretary of State registration (if LLC/Corp), and self-addressed envelope.
Pass Contractor Exams
Pass the required exams: Plumbing trade exam (MM-1) and Business & law exam. Pay exam fees ($137.76 total).
Contractor ApplicationCongratulations! You're a Licensed Contractor!
Once your application is approved, your contractor license will be issued and sent to you by USPS. Your license will be active for 3 years.
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Start Your FREE TrialFrequently Asked Questions
You will have to complete 16 hours of continuing education every 3 years, out of which 8 hours must be code-related.
No, currently New Mexico doesn't have any reciprocity agreement. So no plumbing licenses of any other state will be held valid. You must obtain a New Mexico-specific license to practice plumbing in this state.
You need to submit your application packet by hand or mail to:
PSI 2820 Broadbent Pkwy NE, Suite E&F Albuquerque, NM 87107
You can schedule exams by calling PSI at 1-800-733-9267 or online at www.psiexams.com.
Plumbers in New Mexico earn an average of approximately $27.38 per hour, according to Indeed. This provides a lucrative opportunity for licensed plumbers in the state.
Yes, you can. You don't need to qualify yourself as a contractor to get this license. If you have a business partner or an employee who meets the requirements (4 years and 8,000 hours of plumbing experience), you are all set with him/her being the qualifying party.
Your license will be canceled if the renewal due date passes by more than 90 days. Make sure to renew your license before the 3-year expiration date to maintain your active status.
Conclusion
With all these details served, you are now ready to take your first step in your plumbing journey in New Mexico - get the required license. Remember that without a license, it is illegal to provide any plumbing services in the state.
Aim to become a plumbing contractor and start your own plumbing business to maximize your earning potential. With the average plumber in New Mexico earning $27.38/hour, owning your own business can significantly increase your income.
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