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How to become a licensed general contractor in New Mexico. State-level licensing required. Experience: 2 years. Total initial fees: $134.53 - $269.06. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
Yes
License Required?
2 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$134.53 - $269.06
Total Initial Fees
3 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
Description
GB-2 classification covers residential construction. Limit: $260,000 per project. Requires 2 years experience + trade exam + B&L exam (or course). QP must be W-2 employee.
Project Limit
All residential construction requires licensure
Additional Requirements
Description
GB-98 classification for unlimited commercial/general building. No project limit. Requires 4 years experience + trade exam + B&L exam (or course). QP must be W-2 employee.
Project Limit
All commercial construction requires licensure
Additional Requirements
Description
GB-2: General Building (residential and small commercial up to $260,000 per project). GB-98: General Building Unlimited (no project limit). Both require Qualifying Party (QP) who must be a W-2 employee and can only qualify one company at a time.
Project Limit
All construction requires licensure
Additional Requirements
Description
Specialty contractor license for New Mexico. Covers specialized trades and construction activities. Categories: GB (General Building), GS (General Commercial/Industrial), GF (General Residential).
Additional Requirements
Experience & Documentation
Verified2
Years Required
Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
GB-2 (residential/small commercial): minimum 2 years experience. GB-98 (unlimited general building): minimum 4 years experience. Experience must be documented and verified.
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Trade Exam
Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
PSI
Passing Score
70%
Open Book
Yes
Trade Exam Details
Trade-specific examination covering construction practices, codes, and safety standards
Business & Law Exam Details
Business and Law examination required through PSI. Alternatively, applicants may complete an approved Business and Law course in lieu of the exam. Open book exam.
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a waiting period. Contact the board for specific retake policies.
Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Required
$10,000 construction industries code compliance bond required for all licensed contractors
Surety Bond Amount
Bond Types
Surety bonds protect consumers by providing financial recourse if a contractor fails to complete a project or violates licensing regulations. Bond costs are typically 1-3% of the bond amount annually.
Insurance & Workers' Comp
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
Required
Workers' Compensation
Minimum Coverage
General liability insurance required per state regulations
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 3 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
New Mexico requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 3 or more employees. Sole proprietors may be exempt but coverage is recommended.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Varies by license type: QP exam $36, B&L exam $68.88, GB-2 total ~$134.53, GB-98 total ~$269.06 | $36 - $269.06 |
Exam Fee Business and Law exam fee. Trade exam fees vary by classification. | $68.88 |
License Fee GB-2 (residential/small commercial): $134.53; GB-98 (unlimited): $269.06. Includes CID fee + recovery fund. | $134.53 - $269.06 |
Renewal Fee Per 3 years | $150 |
Total Initial Fees Total varies by classification. GB-2: ~$134.53, GB-98: ~$269.06 (includes all CID fees) | $134.53 - $269.06 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified3 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$150
Regulatory Board
Contractor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Many states require continuing education covering building codes, safety practices, business law, and energy efficiency standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Not Accepted
Reciprocity Type
Exam required
Transfer Details
New Mexico does not offer reciprocity. Out-of-state contractors must meet all New Mexico licensing requirements including examinations.
General contractor license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states recognize ICC certifications, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials. Always verify current policies with the state licensing board.
NM requires a Qualifying Party (QP) who must be a W-2 employee and can only qualify one company at a time. B&L course can substitute for B&L exam. GB-2 limited to $260K per project; GB-98 is unlimited. $10K code compliance bond required.
New Mexico requires all contractors to be licensed regardless of project value.
License categories: GB-2 (General Building up to $260K), GB-98 (General Building Unlimited), GS (General Commercial/Industrial), GF (General Residential).
Qualifying Party (QP) must be a W-2 employee and can only qualify ONE company at a time.
Business and Law exam can be replaced by completing an approved B&L course.
$10,000 code compliance bond required for all licensed contractors.
Workers' compensation insurance required for 3 or more employees.
There is no interstate compact for general contractors.
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 120 days after completion
New Mexico construction lien law: Preliminary notice is required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 120 days after completion.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New Mexico.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#36 of 51
Salary
#40 of 51
Cost
#25 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (SOC 47-1011)
Entry Level
$58,100
25th percentile
Median
$73,860
-6% vs. national avg ($78,690)Experienced
$92,330
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
6,590 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades" is broader than general contractors specifically. It includes supervisors across all construction specialties.
Source: BLS OEWS – First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.5%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+40,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
55,200
per year (avg.)
729,900 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+30% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$73,860
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$56,890
You are here
Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$73,860
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 216–230 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: New Mexico Contractor Licensing
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: New Mexico Contractor Licensing
Study guides and practice tests for the general contractor licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
New Mexico requires state-level contractor licensing. 2 years of experience is required. All licensing is managed through the New Mexico Construction Industries Division.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.