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 2026-06-23

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 MM-1 Plumbing Contractor Trade Exam and New Mexico Contractor Business and Law Exam and JP Journeyman Plumber Written Exam and JP Journeyman Plumber Practical Exam exams. 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.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (Not specified by CID as a dollar minimum in 14.6.3 NMAC), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. Criminal history review required; disqualifying convictions include tax evasion, crimes involving physical harm, theft, and bribery per NMSA 60-13 and 14.6.3 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. Renew 3 years, completing 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.

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 bribery per NMSA 60-13 and 14.6.3 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
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.

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

Preparing for the Plumber exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

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.

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 Workers' compensation: Required for all licensed entities under Section 60-13-23 NMSA 1978; sole proprietors with no employees may be exempt

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 2026-06-23 — 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.