Licensing Guides
New Mexico Electrical License: How to Become a Licensed Electrician in New Mexico
Electrical, NM
May 18th, 2026
Joanne Bratton
Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements for Electrical Contractors in New Mexico
What Is the Mean Wage for an Electrical Technician in New Mexico?
How Much Does It Cost to Get an Electrician License in New Mexico
How Long Does It Take to Get an Electrician Contractors License in New Mexico?
How Can I Prepare for the Electrician License Exam in New Mexico?
Does My New Mexico Electrician License Work in Any Other State?
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for an Electrician License in New Mexico?
How Can Someone Verify My Electrician License in New Mexico?
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Electrical Work in New Mexico?
Working with electricity is a dangerous and demanding job, but with the right education and training you can learn how to do it right and become an electrical professional in New Mexico.
Everyone needs an electrician at some point. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 818,700 electricians nationwide and 5,020 in New Mexico.
The national number is predicted to grow 10% from 2024 to 2034, adding more than 80,000 to the ranks of this important workforce. In New Mexico, that growth rate is projected at 17%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.
Contractors struggle to find skilled tradesmen like plumbers, electricians, and HVAC or mechanical professionals, while the demand for them continues to grow. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, construction employment in New Mexico in July 2025 totaled 61,400, an increase of 7,700 (14%) from July 2024 and an increase of 9,500 (18%) from February 2020. So if you get the training you need, you should have a variety of jobs to choose from.
Licensing Requirements for Electrical Contractors in New Mexico
Is a license required for electricians in New Mexico? Yes.
The Construction Industries Division (CID) within the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department issues electrical journeyman certifications and electrical contractor licenses. PSI Exams performs license management on behalf of CID.
Steps to Get an Electrical License in New Mexico
To get an electrical license in New Mexico, follow these steps:
Be at least 18 years old.
Complete work experience requirements.
Apply for a certification or license with the CID.
Pass an electrical exam.
Pay all applicable fees.
How to Become an Electrician in New Mexico
To become a licensed electrician in New Mexico, you must:
Be at least 18 years old.
Meet the work experience requirements.
Pass an electrical exam.
Pay all applicable fees.
Below are the specifics for each license.
ELECTRICAL JOURNEYMAN LICENSE
Work experience: Residential and commercial Journeyman Electrician applicants seeking an EE-98J certificate classification (more on classifications in the section below) must have four years of work experience. Some classifications require two years of experience. Technical training from an accredited apprenticeship program, accredited college, university, manufacturer’s accredited training program, or technical vocational institute will be considered in lieu of work experience. The CID applies one-half year of experience for each year of equivalent training, for up to half of the total work experience requirement.
Apply for license: Submit a journeyman certificate application to PSI, which performs license management on behalf of CID.
Pay fees: Pay the $75 application and certificate fee.
Pass exam: Once your application is approved, pass the journeyman exam. The exam differs depending on your journeyman classification. For the EE-98J residential and commercial journeyman electrical certification, pass a two-part written exam and a practical exam, administered by PSI. Total exam cost is $206.64. PSI provides a complete list of New Mexico exams on its website and provides a journeyman exam candidate information bulletin with detailed exam information. Submit the passing exam score report to PSI.
Limitations: Journeyman Electricians must work for a licensed entity. Those with a specific classification may perform electrical work only within that classification.
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR LICENSE
Work experience: The qualifying party for an EE-98 residential and commercial Electrical Contractor license must have four years of work experience (classifications are listed in the section below). Technical training from an accredited apprenticeship program, accredited college, university, manufacturer’s accredited training program, or technical vocational institute will be considered in lieu of work experience. The CID applies one-half year of experience for each year of equivalent training, for up to half of the total work experience requirement.
Apply for exam: The qualifying party submits a certificate application to PSI, which performs license management on behalf of CID. Pay the $36 application and certificate fee.
Pass exam: Once the application is approved, the qualifying party passes electrical exams based on the classification. An EE-98 electrical contractor license requires passing three exams administered by PSI. Applicants have the option to take a fourth exam, business and law, or instead take an approved business and law course and receive a completion certificate. The three exams are commercial/industrial, residential, and specialties. The cost is $269.06 for three exams. PSI provides a complete list of New Mexico exams on its website and a contractor exam candidate information bulletin with detailed exam information. The qualifying party must submit the passing exam score report to PSI to receive certification.
Apply for contractor license: Once the qualifying party receives certification, the electrical contracting business may submit a contractor license application to PSI, which performs license management for CID. The following must be included with your application:
A $10,000 contractor license code bond form.
A tax registration certificate from New Mexico Taxation and Revenue.
A certificate from the New Mexico Secretary of State, if applicable.
A copy of the qualifying party’s certificate or test scores.
Contractors must also meet state workers’ compensation insurance coverage requirements.
Pay fees: Pay the $36 contractor license application and certificate fee. Pay the license fee, which varies based on the classification. For the EE-98 classification, the license fee is $300. Other single-classification licenses cost $150 instead.
Limitations: Contractors are limited to performing the work within the license classification.
Increased authority: Contractors may hire licensed Journeyman Electricians and own their own businesses.
PSI lists certificate and licensing forms on its New Mexico E-Services for Contractor Licensing page. It also has a FAQ document with answers to frequently asked licensing questions.
Types of Electrical Licenses in New Mexico
What are the different types of electrician licenses in New Mexico? The state issues Electrical Journeyman certificates and contractor licenses. The state offers nine types of journeyman certificate classifications, three types of commercial and residential electrical contractor classifications, and six types of electrical contractor specialty classifications.
Electrical Journeyman Certifications
The electrical work permitted under these license classifications is listed below.
EE-98J Journeyman Residential and Commercial Electrical: Requires four years of experience.
ER-1J Journeyman Residential Wiring: Requires two years of experience.
EL-1J Journeyman Electrical Distribution Systems: Requires four years of experience.
ES-1J Journeyman Electrical Signs and Outline Lighting: Requires two years of experience.
ES-2 Journeyman Cathodic Protection and Lightning Protection Systems: Requires two years of experience.
ES-3J Journeyman Sound, Intercommunication, and Electrical Alarm Systems: Requires two years of experience.
ES-7J Journeyman Telephone Communication Systems and Telephone Interconnect Systems: Requires two years of experience.
ES-10RJ Journeyman Residential Water Well Pump Installer: Requires two years of experience.
ES-10J Journeyman Water Well Pump Installer: Requires two years of experience.
Residential and Commercial Electrical Contractor Licenses
EE-98 Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Electrical Wiring 5,000 volts, nominal or less: This license requires four years of experience. Work permitted under the license includes all electrical systems and wiring methods operating at 5,000 volts, nominal or less. It does not include electrical wiring defined in the EL-1 classification, other than trenching and ductwork.
ER-1 Residential Electrical Wiring 5,000 volts, nominal or less: Requires two years of experience. Work permitted under the license includes electrical systems and wiring methods of 5,000 volts, nominal or less at residential one- or two-family dwelling units and multi-family dwellings when the units are all on the ground floor, with no occupancies above or below. This does not include more than four dwelling units in any single building or structure, or wiring for commercial use, such as motels or hotels.
EL-1 Electrical Distribution and Transmission Systems over 5,000 volts, nominal: Requires four years of experience. Work permitted under the license includes all electrical systems and wiring methods operating at over 5,000 volts, nominal; overhead or underground electrical distribution and transmission circuits, equipment, associated towers, tower foundations and other supporting structures; associated excavating, trenching, boring, shoring, backfilling, compacting and ductwork; and substations and terminal facilities.
Electrical Specialty Contractor Licenses
ES-1 Electrical Signs and Outline Lighting: Requires two years of experience. This lighting is an arrangement of LED, incandescent lamps, or gaseous tubes to call attention to certain features. The license permits installation work only at commercial locations, including electrical wiring methods of 5,000 volts, nominal or less required to complete the installation of the sign or outline lighting where a sign circuit or outline lighting circuit has been provided within 10 feet of the roof or wall of the structure supporting it; concrete for the foundation of poles; build structures for the support of such signs; and associated excavating, trenching, boring, shoring, backfilling, and compacting.
ES-2 Cathodic Protection and Lightning Protection Systems: Requires two years of experience. This license permits the work of interior and exterior cathodic protection and lightning protection systems at commercial and residential locations; electrical wiring methods of 5,000 volts, nominal or less required to complete the system. It does not include the installation of the service riser, main service, or service grounding.
ES-3 Low Voltage Special Systems: Requires two years of experience. This license permits interior and exterior special systems, cabling, and interconnections at commercial and residential locations operating at 50 volts or less. This includes telecommunications systems, fire alarm systems, CATV systems, audio and visual systems, security systems, door- and gate-operated control circuits, temperature control circuits, and other low-voltage specialty systems.
ES-7 Telephone Communication Systems: Requires two years of experience. This license permits interior and exterior telecommunications cabling and interconnections at commercial and residential locations.
ES-10R Residential Water Well Pump Installer: Requires two years of experience. This license permits the installation, maintenance, repair, or replacement of residential water well pumps operating at 120/240 volts or less, single phase 15 HP or less.
ES-10 Water Well Pump Installer: Requires two years of experience. This license permits the installation, maintenance, repair, or replacement of commercial water well pumps 600 volts or less, single or three phase.
Benefits of Becoming a Certified Electrician in New Mexico
There are many benefits to obtaining your electrical license in New Mexico.
First and most importantly, New Mexico requires electrical journeymen and contractors to hold a license.
A trade license is proof of your experience and skill.
You begin earning money from the start as an electrical apprentice.
It protects your company and customers.
It gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.
As you build on your expertise, your earning potential increases and you have more authority to pull building permits and bid on projects.
What Is the Mean Wage for an Electrical Technician in New Mexico?
The annual mean wage for electricians in New Mexico is $59,620 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. That salary can increase as you acquire more experience.
An electrician salary database, shared with ServiceTitan by Payscale.com, projects the median electrician salary will increase nationally in 2025 by 3.59% for entry-level workers, 3.24% for intermediate level, and 3.15% for senior level electricians. In New Mexico those salary projections are:
Entry (<2 years): $58,700
Intermediate (2-4 years): $68,900
Senior (4-7 years): $74,200
Salaries can vary widely, depending on the city where you work and other factors like education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. If you choose to start an electrical business, this blog can give you an idea of how to improve your profit margins.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of an electrical technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one electrician software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.
Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.
Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive average tickets.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Much Does It Cost to Get an Electrician License in New Mexico?
The cost of an electrician license varies depending on the license. PSI, which manages licenses on behalf of CID, lists a fee schedule document on its New Mexico E-Services for Contractor Licensing page.
Electrical journeyman application and certificate fee: $75
Qualifying party application and certificate fee: $36
Contractor license application and certificate fee: $36
Contractor license fee: $300 for an unlimited license; $150 for a single classification
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How Long Does it Take to Get an Electrician Contractors License in New Mexico?
The minimum amount of time it takes to get a residential and commercial EE-98J Journeyman Electrician certificate is four years. The state requires journeyman applicants to have four years of work experience before taking the exam. However, some specialty electrical journeyman certificates require only two years of on-the-job training.
It also takes a minimum of four years of experience to become the qualifying party for an Electrical Contractor’s license. For both the journeyman and qualifying party certificate, technical training from an accredited apprenticeship program, accredited college, university, manufacturer’s accredited training program, or technical vocational institute will be considered in lieu of work experience. The CID applies one-half year of experience for each year of equivalent training, for up to half of the total work experience requirement.
The great news is that as an apprentice in the electrical trade, you earn a wage from the very beginning. Compensation increases as you acquire more training and knowledge. As a licensed contractor, you can start your own electrical business, be your own boss, and grow your business as much as you want. And we have a tool to help you.
New Mexico Electrician Training Programs and Schools
There are many programs to get the training you need to become an electrician in New Mexico. The New Mexico State Apprenticeship Office connects applicants with registered electrical apprenticeships throughout the state. The CID also lists apprenticeship information on its construction industries apprenticeships page.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 611 and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) sponsor the New Mexico Electrical JATC in Albuquerque to train electrical workers. The jurisdiction of the El Paso Electricians JATC in El Paso, Texas, covers southern New Mexico.
Other apprenticeship programs include:
Several schools offer an electrical trades certificate or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Electrical Technology. These include:
Tuition: Tuition cost depends on the program you choose. Some apprenticeships are fully paid by your employer with required good grades. A New Mexico state resident who enrolls in community college can expect to pay about $2,058 per year in tuition.
Program Prerequisites: You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED high school equivalent degree.
On-the-Job Experience: While on the job, you will need to use good customer service skills, possess mechanical capability, perform troubleshooting, pay attention to detail, and be physically fit. The job typically includes hours of walking, standing, and working in tight spaces, and includes some heavy lifting.
For more detailed information about electrical school options in New Mexico, check out our post — Electrician Schools in New Mexico: The Ultimate Guide.
New Mexico Electrician Licensing Exam Details
In New Mexico, electrical journeymen and the qualifying party for an electrical contractor license must pass an exam. They submit an application to PSI, which performs license management for the New Mexico Construction Industries Division.
The type of exam you take depends on your license classification. PSI provides a complete list of New Mexico exams on its website. It also provides a journeyman exam candidate information bulletin with detailed exam information.
For the EE-98J residential and commercial journeyman electrical certification, you will need to pass a two-part written exam and one practical exam. Total exam cost is $206.64. The Part 1 Code Examination consists of 50 questions and has a 145-minute time limit. The exam is open book. The Part 2 Theory Examination consists of 50 questions and has a 120-minute time limit. The exam is closed book. The practical exam has 100 points and a 120-minute time limit. A passing score for all exams is 75% or more.
Written exam topics include general knowledge and electrical installation requirements; services, feeders, and branch circuits; overcurrent protection; grounding and bonding; conductors and cables; motors, transformers, and generators; and low voltage. The practical exam consists of four projects, two types of conduit bending, and materials identification.
The qualifying party for an electrical contractor license must pass an exam based on the license classification. PSI provides a complete list of New Mexico exams on its website and a contractor exam candidate information bulletin with detailed exam information.
The EE-98 electrical contractor license requires the qualifying party to pass three exams. The applicant may choose to take a fourth exam, business and law, or opt to take an approved business and law course and receive a completion certificate. It costs $269.06 for three exams.
The EE-98 Residential and Commercial Electrical Part 1 exam has 80 questions and a 200-minute time limit. The Part 2 Residential exam has 40 questions and a 100-minute time limit. The Part 3 Specialties exam has 50 questions and a 135-minute time limit. All three exams are open book.
Exam topics include general knowledge and electrical installation requirements; services, feeders, and branch circuits; overcurrent protection; grounding and bonding; conductors and cables; motors, transformers, and generators; hazardous locations, special occupancies, and special equipment; electrical specialties; and state code.
The business and law exam has 50 questions and a 130-minute time limit. The exam is open book. Topics include licensing requirements, estimating and bidding, business organization and financial management, tax laws, labor laws, project management, and lien law.
How Can I Prepare for the Electrician License Exam in New Mexico?
Those who complete an apprenticeship will receive the work experience, training, and fundamental knowledge necessary to take a licensing exam.
PSI provides journeyman and contractor candidate information bulletins with lists of approved references for each exam.
References vary based on the exam, but many include the NFPA 70 – National Electrical Code (NEC), 2020, by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA); The National Electrical Code Handbook by the NFPA; and New Mexico Electrical Code.
Who Issues Electrician Licenses in New Mexico?
The Construction Industries Division (CID) within the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department issues electrical journeyman certifications and electrical contractor licenses.
The CID has three offices:
Albuquerque: 5500 San Antonio Dr. Suite F, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109. Phone: (505) 222-9800.
Las Cruces: 505 South Main St., Suite 103; Loretto Town Center; Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001. Phone: (575) 524-6320.
Sante Fe: 2550 Cerrillos Road – 3rd Floor, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505. Phone: (505) 476-4700.
PSI administers license management and testing on behalf of CID. PSI’s Albuquerque office and test center is at 9550 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Suite F; Albuquerque, NM 87113.
Does My New Mexico Electrician License Work in Any Other State?
Yes, your New Mexico journeyman electrician certificate will help you obtain a license in several other states. New Mexico has reciprocal licensing agreements for journeyman certificates with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Those seeking a journeyman license in a state with a reciprocity agreement with New Mexico will need to contact that state’s licensing agency, follow the license application process, and meet license requirements.
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for an Electrician License in New Mexico?
New Mexico has reciprocity agreements with several states for journeyman electrician certificates, listed above. Those seeking a New Mexico electrical journeyman certificate must submit a copy of their current certificate or license along with their application. They must have received their license by completing a four-year apprenticeship or four years of equivalent experience, and passing an exam.
Those who are seeking a qualifying party certificate for the EE-98 electrical contractor license may have the trade portion of the exam waived if they have passed a National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) exam and hold a license in another state. Applicants must have held the license for at least one year.
National Electrical Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. The main national electrical certifications are:
Independent Electrical Contractors certification
National Fire Protection Association certification
Professional certifications are not required but can add to your marketability as a service provider and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money.
Are There Electrician Scholarships in New Mexico?
Yes, there are electrical scholarships in New Mexico. Scholarships are awarded through the state, trade schools, trade organizations, and colleges. New Mexico offers several state scholarships and grants to qualifying students. Other scholarship opportunities for trade or vocational schools include:
Cobell Scholarship for members of U.S. federally recognized tribes
How Can Someone Verify My Electrician License in New Mexico?
Potential clients or employees may verify your electrical license through PSI’s New Mexico E-Services for Contractor Licensing page. Search individuals and companies by:
Certificate or license number
Name
City
Zip code
When Can an Electrician License Be Suspended in New Mexico?
A suspended electrical license means the licensee is temporarily prohibited from practicing their trade legally. Some of the reasons an electrical contractor license can be suspended or revoked in New Mexico include:
Violating any provision of the Construction Industries Licensing Act, or any other rule or regulation.
Knowingly contracting or performing a service beyond the scope of the license.
Misrepresenting material fact by the applicant in obtaining a license.
Failure to maintain proof of responsibility.
Unjustified abandonment of any contract.
Conversion of funds or property received for completing a contract.
Disregarding plans that result in code violations.
Willfully or fraudulently committing an act that harms another.
Failing to maintain workers’ compensation insurance.
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For specific information, refer to the New Mexico Construction Industries Licensing Act.
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Electrician Work in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, those who work as a contractor without a license may be charged with a misdemeanor and sentenced to jail for 90 days and/or fined $300 to $500 if the value of the contracting work is $5,000 or less. Those who work as a contractor without a license on a project valued at more than $5,000 may be sentenced to jail for six months and/or fined 10% of the value of the contract work.
Those who work as a journeyman without a license may be charged with a misdemeanor and sentenced to jail for 90 days and/or fined $300 to $500.
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For specific information, refer to the New Mexico Construction Industries Licensing Act.
Continuing Education
The state of New Mexico requires journeyman electricians and journeyman linemen to complete 16 hours of continuing education every three years before renewing their licenses. Of the 16 hours, eight hours must include code-change education, and the remaining eight hours may cover other industry-related topics. The CID provides a list of approved continuing education courses.
Electrical journeyman certificates and electrical contractor licenses must be renewed every three years. Complete the journeyman renewal form or the contractor renewal form, found on PSI’s New Mexico contractor licensing page.
License renewal fees are as follows:
Journeyman certificate: $75
Contractor license: $300 for an unlimited license; $150 for a single classification
Resources
You can stay up to date on all electrical industry news in several ways:
Check top electrician blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your electrical business.
Listen to top electrician podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive electrician business software solution built specifically to help service companies streamline their operations, boost revenue, and achieve growth. Our award-winning, cloud-based platform is trusted by more than 100,000 contractors across the country.
Ready to learn more about what ServiceTitan can do for your business? Contact our team to schedule a demo today.
