Loading...
Loading...
General Contractor
Total cost: $134.53 - $269.06
Governing Authority
New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), part of the Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD)
Official website →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
Get the New Mexico General Contractor Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Description
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.
Overall licensing difficulty: 12/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Contractor Licensing Exam
Browse study guides
Contractor Exam Prep Books
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Prepare with realistic Contractor Licensing Exam practice tests from Exam Edge →(affiliate link)See our discount
Launching soon at $20. Be the first to know — and get an early-access link the moment it's ready.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
General Contractor Licensing Exam
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
PSI
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the General Contractor Licensing Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Contractor's License Exam
Prepare for your Contractor's License Exam with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, and practice tests.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare New Mexico with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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.
Not sure this is the right career? Take a 2-minute quiz →
Answer 6 quick questions and we'll match you with the best-fit licensed profession.
Official Sources
General Contractor requirements in New Mexico verified against New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), part of the Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD), March 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
General Contractor Schools in New Mexico
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.