Loading...
Loading...
How to become a licensed Painting Contractor in New Mexico. Construction Industries Division — General Building (GB-2) or Specialty required. Total initial fees: $250-$700. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Painting Contractor — PC
Governing Authority
New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
41% of data points are verified against official sources. 20 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
License Required
GB-2
License Type
Yes
Exam Required
2 years
Experience Required
$10,000
Bonding Required
$250-$700
Total Initial Fees
State contractor licensing requirements for painting contractors
VerifiedLicense Required
Yes
License Type
Construction Industries Division — General Building (GB-2) or Specialty
Class: GB-2
License Threshold
All construction work
Exemptions
New Mexico requires a contractor license for painting work. Requirements are administered by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division. Always verify current requirements directly with the licensing authority.
Experience, Education & Examination Requirements
Mostly verifiedExperience Required
2 Years
2 years of experience in the trade or equivalent education
Exam Required
Yes
Trade exam and business/law exam through CID
Education
High school diploma or equivalent typically required
New Mexico requires passing an examination to obtain a painting contractor license. Exams typically cover trade knowledge, business practices, and state law. All painting contractors working on pre-1978 homes should obtain EPA RRP certification for lead paint safety.
Insurance & Bonding Requirements
Mostly verifiedGeneral Liability
Required — $100,000
Workers' Compensation
Required for employers with 3+ employees
Surety Bond
Required — $10,000
Insurance requirements vary by state. Even in states that do not mandate insurance for painting contractors, carrying general liability insurance ($1,000,000+ recommended) and workers' compensation insurance is strongly recommended to protect your business and clients. Surety bonds protect consumers if a contractor fails to complete work or meet obligations.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
License Application Fee Application fee for contractor license | $50-$100 |
License Fee License issuance fee | $100-$300 |
Exam Fee Exam administration fee | $50-$100 |
Bond Cost Surety bond face amount (annual premium is typically 1-10% of bond amount) | $10,000 |
Business License Fee General business license/registration fee for New Mexico | $50-$200 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, license, exam, and business license fees. Bond premiums and insurance costs are additional. | $250-$700 |
Renewal Requirements & Ongoing Obligations
Mostly verifiedAnnual
Renewal Period
$100-$200
Renewal Fee
Not Required
Continuing Education
Painting contractor licenses in New Mexico must be renewed annual. Ensure all insurance and bonding requirements remain current between renewal periods. EPA RRP certification must be renewed every 5 years.
New Mexico's Construction Industries Division requires licensing for painting contractors. A GB-2 (General Building) or specialty license with trade and business exams is needed.
New Mexico requires Construction Industries Division — General Building (GB-2) or Specialty for painting contractors.
License is required for projects valued at All construction work.
EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule certification is required for work on pre-1978 homes that disturbs lead-based paint. This is a federal requirement that applies in all states.
Workers' compensation insurance is required in New Mexico: Required for employers with 3+ employees.
A surety bond of $10,000 is required for contractor licensing.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New Mexico.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#43 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Painters, Construction and Maintenance (SOC 47-2141)
Entry Level
N/A
25th percentile
Median
$39,200
-15% vs. national avg ($46,080)Experienced
N/A
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Source: BLS OEWS – Painters, Construction and Maintenance (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2022-2032
Projected Growth
+3%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
N/A
over 10 years
Annual Openings
N/A
per year (avg.)
N/A currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2022-2032 (September 2023)
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.
Source: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division
Estimated total: 6–10 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division
6-10 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division
Study guides and business resources for painting contractor licensing exams.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
New Mexico requires Construction Industries Division — General Building (GB-2) or Specialty for painting contractors. License is required for projects valued at All construction work. An examination is required. A surety bond of $10,000 is required. All painting contractors working on pre-1978 homes must obtain EPA RRP certification. Licensing is managed through the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division.
Requirements vary by state and locality. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.