New Mexico Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: MM-1 Plumbing Contractor · Issued by the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), Mechanical Plumbing Bureau, Regulation and Licensing Department.

🔧 PlumberNM ✔ Verified 2026-09-30

In New Mexico, plumbers must hold the MM-1 Plumbing Contractor, issued by the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), Mechanical Plumbing 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 plumber in New Mexico

Follow these steps to earn your MM-1 Plumbing Contractor. Every figure is verified against the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), Mechanical Plumbing Bureau, Regulation and Licensing Department; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. MM-1 Qualifying Party (QP): 4 years (8,000 hours) within the 10 years immediately preceding application. JP Journeyman Plumber: 2 years (4,000 hours). Accredited technical training may substitute for up to 50% of the experience requirement at one-half year per year of training.
Pass the exam for the license class you are applying for. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
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.
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.
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).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), Mechanical Plumbing Bureau, Regulation and Licensing Department — $30 QP application fee; $6 per additional classification; $75 journeyman application fee; $6 journeyman certificate fee application fee, plus a $150 per classification (MM-1, MM-2); $300 (MM-98 combined mechanical) 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.
Keep the license active. Renewal: 3 years. Continuing education: JP/JPG Journeyman Certificate: 16 hours per 3-year renewal cycle — minimum 8 hours must cover current CID plumbing code changes, 8 hours additional industry-related instruction. Contractor (QP) license: no separate CE requirement specified by CID for contractor license holder.

For the general path in every state, see the Plumber guide →

New Mexico plumber license lookup

To confirm a plumber 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.

Verify a license now: Search the official public.psiexams.com database →

License types

MM-1 Plumbing Contractor — Install, alter, repair, service, and maintain plumbing, plumbing fixtures, and piping including water systems, drainage, septic tanks, and solar thermal piping. Excludes natural gas appliance installation.
MM-2 Natural Gas Fitting Contractor — Install, alter, repair, service and maintain natural gas piping and fittings including boiler systems and warm-air heating. Cannot install LP Gas systems.
MM-98 Mechanical Contractor — Encompasses all work under MM-1 through MM-4 and all specialty mechanical classifications — plumbing, natural gas, HVAC, and process piping.
JP Journeyman Plumber Certificate — Journeyman-level plumbing work under an MM-1 or MM-98 licensed contractor.
JPG Journeyman Plumber and Natural Gas Fitter Certificate — Journeyman-level plumbing and natural gas fitting work under an MM-1, MM-2, or MM-98 licensed contractor.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	MM-1 Qualifying Party (QP): 4 years (8,000 hours) within the 10 years immediately preceding application. JP Journeyman Plumber: 2 years (4,000 hours). Accredited technical training may substitute for up to 50% of the experience requirement at one-half year per year of training.
Application fee	$30 QP application fee; $6 per additional classification; $75 journeyman application fee; $6 journeyman certificate fee
License fee	$150 per classification (MM-1, MM-2); $300 (MM-98 combined mechanical)
Renewal fee	$150 per classification (every 3 years); $75 journeyman certificate renewal
Renewal period	3 years
Continuing education	JP/JPG Journeyman Certificate: 16 hours per 3-year renewal cycle — minimum 8 hours must cover current CID plumbing code changes, 8 hours additional industry-related instruction. Contractor (QP) license: no separate CE requirement specified by CID for contractor license holder.
Bond required	$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.
Liability insurance	Not specified by CID as a dollar minimum in 14.6.3 NMAC
Property damage	Not specified by CID as a separate minimum
Workers' comp	Required for all licensed entities under Section 60-13-23 NMSA 1978; sole proprietors with no employees may be exempt
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).
Credit requirement	None specified by CID
Reciprocity	New Mexico does not have reciprocity agreements with other states for plumbing contractor licenses; journeyman plumber reciprocity also not offered per CID · compare all states
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.

What a New Mexico plumber license costs

Application fee	$30 QP application fee; $6 per additional classification; $75 journeyman application fee; $6 journeyman certificate fee.
License fee	$150 per classification (MM-1, MM-2); $300 (MM-98 combined mechanical).
MM-1 Plumbing Contractor Trade Exam	$68.88.
New Mexico Contractor Business and Law Exam	$68.88.
JP Journeyman Plumber Written Exam	$68.88.
JP Journeyman Plumber Practical Exam	$68.88.
Surety bond	$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. A bond's premium is a percentage of the bond amount, set by the surety.
Renewal fee	$150 per classification (every 3 years); $75 journeyman certificate renewal.
Renewal period	3 years.

Exams

MM-1 Plumbing Contractor Trade Exam	Provider: PSI Exams (on behalf of CID) · Passing: 75% · Fee: $68.88
New Mexico Contractor Business and Law Exam	Provider: PSI Exams (on behalf of CID) · Passing: 75% · Fee: $68.88
JP Journeyman Plumber Written Exam	Provider: PSI Exams (on behalf of CID) · Passing: 75% · Fee: $68.88
JP Journeyman Plumber Practical Exam	Provider: PSI Exams (on behalf of CID) · Passing: 75% · Fee: $68.88

Renewing a New Mexico plumber license

The MM-1 Plumbing Contractor renews on a fixed cycle set by the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), Mechanical Plumbing Bureau, Regulation and Licensing Department. Finish the continuing-education requirement before you file — boards generally will not process a renewal without it. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	3 years
Renewal fee	$150 per classification (every 3 years); $75 journeyman certificate renewal
Continuing education	JP/JPG Journeyman Certificate: 16 hours per 3-year renewal cycle — minimum 8 hours must cover current CID plumbing code changes, 8 hours additional industry-related instruction. Contractor (QP) license: no separate CE requirement specified by CID for contractor license holder.
Where to renew	New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), Mechanical Plumbing Bureau, Regulation and Licensing Department

Local / municipal notes

Licensing and exam administration managed by PSI Exams on behalf of CID. Contact PSI at 877-663-9267. CID Mechanical Plumbing Bureau: Santa Fe (505) 476-4700, Albuquerque (505) 222-9800, Las Cruces (575) 524-6320.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a New Mexico plumber license cost?

Application: $30 QP application fee; $6 per additional classification; $75 journeyman application fee; $6 journeyman certificate fee. License: $150 per classification (MM-1, MM-2); $300 (MM-98 combined mechanical). Renewal: $150 per classification (every 3 years); $75 journeyman certificate renewal.

How do I look up a plumber license in New Mexico?

Search the official license database at public.psiexams.com. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do plumbers in New Mexico need a surety bond?

$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.

What experience is required for a New Mexico plumber license?

MM-1 Qualifying Party (QP): 4 years (8,000 hours) within the 10 years immediately preceding application. JP Journeyman Plumber: 2 years (4,000 hours). Accredited technical training may substitute for up to 50% of the experience requirement at one-half year per year of training.

Is insurance required for plumbers in New Mexico?

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.

How long does it take to get a New Mexico plumber license?

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.

Is a background check required for plumbers in New Mexico?

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).

Is there a credit or financial requirement for a New Mexico plumber license?

Credit requirement: None specified by CID.

How often must a New Mexico plumber license be renewed?

3 years. Continuing education: JP/JPG Journeyman Certificate: 16 hours per 3-year renewal cycle — minimum 8 hours must cover current CID plumbing code changes, 8 hours additional industry-related instruction. Contractor (QP) license: no separate CE requirement specified by CID for contractor license holder.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-09-30 — always confirm current requirements directly with the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), Mechanical Plumbing Bureau, Regulation and Licensing Department before applying. This is not legal advice.