⚠️ Important: This comparison is based on published state licensing requirements and may not reflect recent changes. Reciprocity and transfer rules change frequently and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by state licensing boards. This tool is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Always contact New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division (CID) directly to confirm current transfer requirements before submitting any applications or fees.

Transfer Your Plumber License: Texas → New Mexico

Everything you need to know about transferring your plumber license from Texas to New Mexico

Reciprocity Available

Endorsement

Requirements Comparison

Requirement	Texas (TX)	New Mexico (NM)
Education Requirements	High school diploma or GED	High school diploma or GED
Exam Requirements	Provider: Pearson VUE	Provider: PSI Exams
Experience Requirements●	apprentice: Registration required; no prior experience; journeyman: 8,000 hours of experience working in the plumbing trade; must complete a 48-hour training course approved by TSBPE, OR be enrolled in/have completed a DOL Office of Apprenticeship-approved training program. The 48-hour course is waived only if the applicant holds a Journeyman or Master Plumber License issued by another state.; master: Must hold Journeyman license; effective September 1, 2025: 2 years as licensed journeyman (REDUCED from previous 4 years — signed by Governor); Alternative: 1 year as journeyman + completion of DOL-approved training program	apprentice: Registration required; no prior experience; journeyman: 2 years / 4,000 hours practical experience + 144 hours classroom instruction (journeyman pathway); 4 years / 8,000 hours for MM-1 contractor qualifying party; master: New Mexico does NOT issue a master plumber license. The Plumbing Contractor license (business license) requires a Qualifying Party with appropriate journeyman certification.
Fees	apprentice registration: $15; journeyman license: $40; master license: $75; exam fee: $128.50; renewal fee: $35 (Tradesman) / $40 (Journeyman) / $75 (Master); total initial fees: $208.50; confidence: high	apprentice registration: $30; journeyman license: $68.88; exam fee: $68.88; total initial fees: $105; confidence: high
Renewal / CE Requirements●	Period: Annual (1 year); CE hours: 6; Fee: $35 (Tradesman) / $40 (Journeyman) / $75 (Master)	Period: 3 years; CE hours: 16; Fee: $50

Data verified as of 2026-04-03. Requirements may have changed since verification.

Key Differences

New Mexico accepts out-of-state plumber licenses via reciprocity/endorsement.
Experience differs: Texas — apprentice: Registration required; no prior experience; journeyman: 8,000 hours of experience working in the plumbing trade; must complete a 48-hour training course approved by TSBPE, OR be enrolled in/have completed a DOL Office of Apprenticeship-approved training program. The 48-hour course is waived only if the applicant holds a Journeyman or Master Plumber License issued by another state.; master: Must hold Journeyman license; effective September 1, 2025: 2 years as licensed journeyman (REDUCED from previous 4 years — signed by Governor); Alternative: 1 year as journeyman + completion of DOL-approved training program; New Mexico — apprentice: Registration required; no prior experience; journeyman: 2 years / 4,000 hours practical experience + 144 hours classroom instruction (journeyman pathway); 4 years / 8,000 hours for MM-1 contractor qualifying party; master: New Mexico does NOT issue a master plumber license. The Plumbing Contractor license (business license) requires a Qualifying Party with appropriate journeyman certification..
Renewal differs: Texas — Period: Annual (1 year); CE hours: 6; Fee: $35 (Tradesman) / $40 (Journeyman) / $75 (Master); New Mexico — Period: 3 years; CE hours: 16; Fee: $50.

Next Steps

1
Contact the destination state board to confirm current transfer/reciprocity requirements. Visit New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division (CID) →
2
Request credential verification from Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) — this often takes 4–8 weeks. Visit Texas board →
3
Gather required documentation (education transcripts, experience logs, exam scores).
4
Submit your application to New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division (CID).

These steps are general guidance based on common transfer processes. Your state may have a different process. Always follow the instructions provided by your state licensing board.

New Mexico Licensing Board

Board: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division (CID)
Website: https://rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/
Phone: (505) 476-4700

Contact New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division (CID) to confirm current transfer requirements →

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LicenseMap is a research tool and does not provide legal, financial, or professional licensing advice. Licensing requirements vary by state and change frequently. Verify all information directly with your state licensing board before making licensing decisions.

Requirements Comparison

Requirement	Texas (TX)	New Mexico (NM)
Education Requirements	High school diploma or GED	High school diploma or GED
Exam Requirements	Provider: Pearson VUE	Provider: PSI Exams
Experience Requirements●	apprentice: Registration required; no prior experience; journeyman: 8,000 hours of experience working in the plumbing trade; must complete a 48-hour training course approved by TSBPE, OR be enrolled in/have completed a DOL Office of Apprenticeship-approved training program. The 48-hour course is waived only if the applicant holds a Journeyman or Master Plumber License issued by another state.; master: Must hold Journeyman license; effective September 1, 2025: 2 years as licensed journeyman (REDUCED from previous 4 years — signed by Governor); Alternative: 1 year as journeyman + completion of DOL-approved training program	apprentice: Registration required; no prior experience; journeyman: 2 years / 4,000 hours practical experience + 144 hours classroom instruction (journeyman pathway); 4 years / 8,000 hours for MM-1 contractor qualifying party; master: New Mexico does NOT issue a master plumber license. The Plumbing Contractor license (business license) requires a Qualifying Party with appropriate journeyman certification.
Fees	apprentice registration: $15; journeyman license: $40; master license: $75; exam fee: $128.50; renewal fee: $35 (Tradesman) / $40 (Journeyman) / $75 (Master); total initial fees: $208.50; confidence: high	apprentice registration: $30; journeyman license: $68.88; exam fee: $68.88; total initial fees: $105; confidence: high
Renewal / CE Requirements●	Period: Annual (1 year); CE hours: 6; Fee: $35 (Tradesman) / $40 (Journeyman) / $75 (Master)	Period: 3 years; CE hours: 16; Fee: $50

Data verified as of 2026-04-03. Requirements may have changed since verification.

Key Differences

New Mexico accepts out-of-state plumber licenses via reciprocity/endorsement.

Experience differs: Texas — apprentice: Registration required; no prior experience; journeyman: 8,000 hours of experience working in the plumbing trade; must complete a 48-hour training course approved by TSBPE, OR be enrolled in/have completed a DOL Office of Apprenticeship-approved training program. The 48-hour course is waived only if the applicant holds a Journeyman or Master Plumber License issued by another state.; master: Must hold Journeyman license; effective September 1, 2025: 2 years as licensed journeyman (REDUCED from previous 4 years — signed by Governor); Alternative: 1 year as journeyman + completion of DOL-approved training program; New Mexico — apprentice: Registration required; no prior experience; journeyman: 2 years / 4,000 hours practical experience + 144 hours classroom instruction (journeyman pathway); 4 years / 8,000 hours for MM-1 contractor qualifying party; master: New Mexico does NOT issue a master plumber license. The Plumbing Contractor license (business license) requires a Qualifying Party with appropriate journeyman certification..

Renewal differs: Texas — Period: Annual (1 year); CE hours: 6; Fee: $35 (Tradesman) / $40 (Journeyman) / $75 (Master); New Mexico — Period: 3 years; CE hours: 16; Fee: $50.

Next Steps

Contact the destination state board to confirm current transfer/reciprocity requirements. Visit New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division (CID) →

Request credential verification from Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) — this often takes 4–8 weeks. Visit Texas board →

Gather required documentation (education transcripts, experience logs, exam scores).

Submit your application to New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division (CID).

These steps are general guidance based on common transfer processes. Your state may have a different process. Always follow the instructions provided by your state licensing board.

New Mexico Licensing Board

Board

New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division (CID)

Website

https://rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/

Phone

(505) 476-4700

Contact New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division (CID) to confirm current transfer requirements →

Transfer Your Plumber License: Texas → New Mexico

Reciprocity Available

Requirements Comparison

Key Differences

Next Steps

New Mexico Licensing Board

Prepare for Your Licensing Exam

Related Pages

Transfer Your Plumber License: Texas → New Mexico

Reciprocity Available

Requirements Comparison

Key Differences

Next Steps

New Mexico Licensing Board

Prepare for Your Licensing Exam

Related Pages