New Mexico General Contractor License Requirements

Official classification: GB-98 General Building Contractor · Issued by the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), General Building Bureau, Regulation and Licensing Department.

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In New Mexico, general contractors must hold the GB-98 General Building Contractor, issued by the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), General Building Bureau, Regulation and Licensing Department, and a $10,000 surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed general contractor in New Mexico

Follow these steps to earn your GB-98 General Building Contractor. Every figure is verified against the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), General Building Bureau, Regulation and Licensing Department; full detail for each step is further down the page.

1. Build the required experience. GB-98 Qualifying Party (QP): 4 years (8,000 hours) within the 10 years immediately preceding application, with at least 2 years in commercial construction. GB-2 QP: 2 years (4,000 hours). GA-98 QP: 4 years (8,000 hours). Accredited technical training may substitute for up to 50% of the experience requirement at one-half year per year of training.
2. Pass the exam for the license class you are applying for. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
3. Secure your surety bond. New Mexico requires $10,000 contractor license bond, underwritten by a corporate surety authorized to transact business in New Mexico; must remain in force for entire license period; 30-day cancellation notice to CID required; claims must be made within 2 years following final inspection or certificate of occupancy.
4. Check the insurance rules. Liability: Not specified by CID as a dollar minimum in 14.6.3 NMAC. Property damage: Not specified by CID as a separate minimum. Workers' compensation: Required for all licensed entities under Section 60-13-23 NMSA 1978; sole proprietors with no employees may be exempt.
5. Clear the background check. Criminal history review required; disqualifying convictions include tax evasion, crimes involving physical harm, theft and fraud-type offenses, and bribery (Section 28-2-4 NMSA 1978, the Criminal Offender Employment Act, and 14.6.3.8(F) NMAC).
6. Submit your application and fees. Apply through the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), General Building Bureau, Regulation and Licensing Department — $36 QP certificate application ($30 application fee + $6 certificate fee); $36 contractor license application ($30 + $6) application fee, plus a $300 per classification (GB-98, GB-2 and GA-98 are all in the $300 group) license fee. Processing time: QP application review + exam scheduling: 4–7 business days for exam registration; all requirements must be completed within 6 months of application receipt; passing exam scores are valid for 1 year and must be attached to a valid license within 12 months.
7. Keep the license active. Renewal: 3 years.

For the general path in every state, see the General Contractor guide →

New Mexico general contractor license lookup

To confirm a general contractor is properly licensed in New Mexico — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

License types

• GB-98 General Building Contractor — Erect, alter, repair, or demolish residential and commercial buildings and structures; encompasses GB-2 residential scope, specialty subcontractor work, and asphalt sealing incidental to construction. Excludes independent mechanical, electrical, and specialized structure work requiring separate licenses. Requires at least 2 of the 4 years' experience in commercial construction.
• GB-2 Residential Building Contractor — Erect, alter, repair, or demolish residences and apartment houses of not more than four family units; includes incidental specialty work necessary for residential construction completion.
• GA-98 Asphalt, Bitumen and Concrete Construction Contractor — All GA-1 through GA-5 work: asphalt, roadways, concrete, curbs, striping, and highway safety installations.

Requirements at a glance

What a New Mexico general contractor license costs

Exams

Renewing a New Mexico general contractor license

The GB-98 General Building Contractor renews on a fixed cycle set by the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), General Building Bureau, Regulation and Licensing Department. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Local / municipal notes

A business entity must employ or be owned by one or more Qualifying Parties (QPs) with the required certification. A New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department tax registration number and Secretary of State business registration (if incorporated) are required at license application. Minimum age: 18.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

public.psiexams.com/pdf/License_Fees.pdf
public.psiexams.com/pdf/QP App MAY 2025.pdf
rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/apply-for-a-construction-industries-license
srca.nm.gov/parts/title14/14.006.0006.html
srca.nm.gov/parts/title14/14.006.0003.html
srca.nm.gov/parts/title14/14.005.0005.html
rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/continuing-education

Other New Mexico contractor licenses

General Contractor licensing in other states