Licensing Guides
New Mexico Plumbing License: How to Become a Plumber in New Mexico
Plumbing, NM
Joanne Bratton
Table of Contents
Benefits of Getting a Plumbing Contractors License in New Mexico
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Plumbing Contractor License in New Mexico?
How Long Does it Take to Get a Plumbing Contractors License in New Mexico?
Does My New Mexico Plumbing Contractors License Work in Any Other State?
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for a Plumbing License in New Mexico?
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Plumbing Work in New Mexico?
You can’t rush through the training it takes to become a plumber, but time and effort leads to a career that is long-lasting, lucrative, and fulfilling. Almost every state requires plumbers to be licensed because it’s complicated work that affects the health and safety of our society.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 504,500 plumbers nationwide, and New Mexico employs 2,900 of them. The national number is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, adding 44,000 to the ranks across the country. In New Mexico, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate is double at 12% for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
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 or 18% from February 2020.
If you get the training you need, you should have a variety of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.
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Licensing requirements for plumbers vary from state to state and, in some cases, from locality to locality. New Mexico has statewide standards for working in the plumbing business, beginning at the journeyman level.
Plumbing License Requirements for Plumbers in New Mexico
Is a license required for plumbers in New Mexico? Yes. It is mandated from the very beginning. In the state of New Mexico, to legally perform plumbing work, you must be licensed.
The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department Construction Industries Division (CID) issues journeyman certificates for the plumbing, electrical, and mechanical (HVAC) trades. It also issues contractor licenses for contracting businesses in these trades. The state does not issue master plumber licenses. PSI Exams manages the licensing application process on behalf of the CID.
Types of Plumbing Licenses in New Mexico
What are the types of plumber licenses in New Mexico? The state has a total of 13 journeyman certification classifications within the mechanical and plumbing category. This includes the following plumbing journeyman certifications:
JP Journeyman plumber — Permits the installation, altering, repairing, and servicing of plumbing fixtures and piping.
JPF Journeyman pipe fitter — Permits the installation, fabrication, and repair of piping systems.
JG Journeyman natural gas fitter — Permits the installation, altering, repairing, and servicing of natural gas piping, fittings, and incidental controls and control wiring.
JPG Journeyman plumber and natural gas fitter — Permits both plumbing and natural gas fitter work.
Plumbing contractor business license classifications include the following:
MM-1 Plumbing — The contracting business may install, alter, repair, service, and maintain plumbing, plumbing fixtures, and piping.
This license also permits the following work:
Incidental concrete supports
Excavating, trenching, and backfilling
Hot water heating systems not exceeding 30 p.s.i. or 400,000 b.t.u./hour input
Piping for fuel, oil, and gasoline
Piping and appurtenances for solar thermal energy systems
Potable water irrigation sprinkler systems
Swimming pools and spas
Pneumatic or electric controls and control wiring not greater than 24 volts
Septic tanks
Manholes
Sewer lines
Mechanical Specialty Classification MS-3 Septic Tanks and Sewer — For contracting businesses to install, alter, repair, service, or maintain septic tanks and private sewage disposal systems, manholes, and sewer lines, beginning at a connection to a public or private utility and ending at a point five feet beyond the outside wall of a building or structure. It also permits a business to excavate, trench, backfill, and grade; and install or repair incidental plug-in type electrical control panels, controls, and control wiring not to exceed 24 volts.
Each certificate or license has requirements.
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:
Be at least 18 years of age.
Have at least two years of experience (4,000 hours) in the plumbing trade. Applicants may complete an accredited apprenticeship program or meet part of the work experience requirement by showing proof of technical training through an accredited college, university, manufacturer’s accredited training program, or technical vocational institute. (Each year of equivalent training counts as half a year of experience, but may not exceed half of the total work experience requirement.)
Submit an application and work experience form to PSI Exams for pre-approval.
Pay the $75 application fee.
Take and pass the journeyman plumbing exam. Exam cost is $68.88 each for a journeyman plumber written exam and a practical exam.
Submit a passing score report to PSI and receive a three-year journeyman certificate.
The Qualifying Party (QP) for the business must be at least 18 years of age.
For an MM-1 license, the QP must have at least four years of experience (8,000 hours). An MS-3 license requires two years of experience.
Submit a Qualifying Party application to PSI for exam approval. Pay the $30 QP application fee and $6 certificate fee.
Take and pass a trade exam and a business and law exam, or obtain a completion certificate for an approved business and law course. Cost is $68.88 for each exam.
Show proof of financial responsibility by obtaining a $10,000 license code bond.
Provide a copy of the business registration certificate from the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department.
If the business is a limited liability company, limited liability partnership, limited partnership, or corporation, show proof of registration with the New Mexico Secretary of State.
Obtain workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
Complete a contractor’s license application and submit it to PSI, along with supporting documents. Pay the $30 application fee, $6 certificate fee, and $150 fee for each classification.
Receive the three-year contractor license.
Steps to Get a Plumbing Contractor License in New Mexico
Be at least 18 years of age.
Have at least two years of experience in the plumbing trade. Technical training from an accredited college, university, manufacturer’s accredited training program, or technical vocational institute may count for a portion of the work experience requirement.
Submit an application and work experience form to PSI Exams for pre-approval. Pay the $75 application fee and certificate fee.
Take and pass the journeyman plumbing exam. Exam cost is $68.88 each for a journeyman plumber written exam and a practical exam.
Submit your passing score report to PSI.
Receive a three-year journeyman certificate.
To become a plumbing contractor, the Qualifying Party must have at least four years of experience (8,000 hours).
Submit a Qualifying Party application to PSI for exam approval. Pay the $30 QP application fee and $6 certificate fee.
Take and pass a plumbing exam and a business and law exam (or obtain a completion certificate for an approved business and law course).
Show proof of financial responsibility by obtaining a $10,000 license code bond.
Provide a copy of the business registration certificate from the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. If the business is a limited liability company, limited liability partnership, limited partnership, or corporation, show proof of registration with the New Mexico Secretary of State.
Obtain workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
Submit a complete contractor’s license application to PSI, along with supporting documents.
Pay the $30 license application fee, $6 certificate fee, and $150 fee for each classification.
Receive the three-year New Mexico Contractor License.
Benefits of Getting a Plumbing Contractors License in New Mexico
There are many benefits to obtaining your New Mexico plumbing license:
Most importantly, it is required by law in New Mexico to be licensed through the state to legally perform any plumbing work.
A trade license is proof of your experience and skill.
Only licensed plumbing contractors can operate a business and advertise services, obtain commercial insurance, pull building permits and pass inspections, and bid on public and government projects.
Having a license protects your company and customers.
A license gives you a competitive advantage in the job market and increases your earning potential as you acquire more experience.
What Is the Mean Wage for a Plumber in New Mexico?
The annual mean wage for a plumber in New Mexico is $61,090, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, that salary can increase as you acquire more experience. A plumbing salary database, shared with ServiceTitan by Payscale.com, projects the median plumber salary will increase nationally in 2025 by 3.65% for entry-level workers, and 3.55% for both intermediate and senior level plumbers. In New Mexico those salary projections are:
Entry (<2 years): $52,200
Intermediate (2-4 years): $67,800
Senior (4-7 years): $73,500
Salaries 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.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of a plumbing technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one plumbing 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 up the average ticket.
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 a Plumbing Contractor License in New Mexico?
The cost to get started as an apprentice in New Mexico is fairly low. If you work as an apprentice in New Mexico, you don’t need to register with the state. Apprenticeship program costs vary depending on the program you choose. Program fees cover course instruction, textbooks, and materials. Your employer or union will typically absorb these costs.
You’ll have application and exam fees to obtain your journeyman plumber certificate. The journeyman application fee is $75. It costs a total of $137.76 to take a journeyman plumber written exam and practical exam from PSI. The journeyman certificate fee is $6.
To obtain a contractor license, the Qualifying Party will need to pay a $30 application fee and take a trade exam and business and law exam from PSI. The cost for the two exams is $137.76. The contracting business will pay another $30 license application fee, a $6 certificate fee, and a $150 fee for each classification.
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How to Get a Plumbing License in New Mexico
Becoming a plumbing professional in New Mexico isn’t fast, but is straightforward.
APPRENTICESHIP/WORK EXPERIENCE: You will need at least two years of experience (4,000 hours) in the plumbing trade. Applicants may complete an accredited apprenticeship program or meet up to half of the work experience requirement by showing proof of technical training from an accredited college, university, manufacturer’s accredited training program, or technical vocational institute.
TAKE LICENSING EXAM: Submit a journeyman certificate application to PSI for exam approval. Pay the $75 application and certificate fee. Submit the application in person or by mail to PSI at 9550 San Mateo Blvd NE, Suite F, Albuquerque, NM 87113. (Note: This is PSI’s new license processing office location as of June 2025). Once you’re approved, you may take the journeyman plumber exam. Cost is $68.88 each for a journeyman plumber written exam and a practical exam.
SUBMIT EXAM SCORES: Submit a passing score report to PSI and receive your three-year journeyman certificate.
CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS: If you have at least four years of experience (8,000 hours), you are eligible to become a Qualifying Party for a contracting business license. You’ll need to submit a Qualifying Party certificate application to PSI for contractor exam approval, and pay the $30 QP application fee and $6 certificate fee. Submit the application in person or by mail to PSI at 9550 San Mateo Blvd NE, Suite F, Albuquerque, NM 87113. If approved, you’ll need to pass a trade exam and a business and law exam. Cost is $68.88 for each exam. To receive a contractor license, submit a contractor license application with all the required supporting documentation. This includes:
The Qualifying Party passing score report.
Proof of a $10,000 license code bond.
A copy of the business registration certificate from the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. If the business is a limited liability company, limited liability partnership, limited partnership, or corporation, show proof of registration with the New Mexico Secretary of State.
Proof of workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
Submit the license application with the $30 application fee, $6 certificate fee, and $150 fee for each classification to PSI. You may submit the application in person or by mail to the address above to receive your three-year contractor license.
The CID provides information about how to apply for licenses on its application instruction page. A complete list of license applications and forms is found on PSI’s electronic service portal for New Mexico journeyman certificates and contractor licenses. PSI also provides a license fee document and an FAQ page.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Plumbing Contractors License in New Mexico?
It will take a minimum of two years (4,000 hours) to gain the required work experience to become a journeyman plumber in New Mexico. To become the Qualifying Party for a contractor business license, it takes a minimum of four years (8,000 hours).
The great news is that as an apprentice you earn a wage from the very beginning and compensation increases each year as you acquire more training and knowledge, until you receive a journeyman license. Your salary increases again when you acquire your contractor license. As a licensed contractor you can be your own boss and grow your business as much as you want.
New Mexico Plumber Training Programs and Schools
Plumbers are responsible for more than just fixing leaks or clogs. They design, install, and renovate systems that carry liquids or gasses. In addition to mechanics, they must know and follow plumbing code.
Since the state of New Mexico requires plumbing professionals to begin with a minimum of two years of work experience, you may not choose to get a postsecondary degree. However, the state allows journeyman plumbers to meet up to half of the work experience requirement through technical training from an accredited college, university, manufacturer’s accredited training program, or technical vocational institute.
Trade Schools/Community College
Educational opportunities for the plumbing trade include:
Apprenticeship
Plumbing apprenticeship opportunities include:
Program Prerequisites: For most apprenticeship programs in the state, you need to be at least 18 years old and be a high school graduate or possess a GED certificate. Requirements vary on the program. Some programs require applicants to pass a placement exam, possess a driver’s license, and pass a drug screening.
On-the-Job Experience: While on the job, you will need to use good customer service skills, possess mechanical capability, 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 plumbing school options, check out our Ultimate Guide to Plumbing Schools in New Mexico.
New Mexico Plumbing Contractor Licensing Exam Details
To receive a journeyman plumber certificate, you’ll need to pass a written and practical exam from PSI. To do this, you submit a journeyman certificate application to PSI for exam approval. Once you’re approved, you can schedule your exam. PSI testing centers are in Albuquerque, Farmington, Las Cruces, Roswell, and Santa Fe.
PSI provides an electronic service portal for New Mexico applicants to schedule exams or download information. PSI also provides a journeyman candidate bulletin with detailed exam information and reference materials. Cost is $68.88 each for the written and practical exam.
The journeyman plumber written examination includes the following subject areas:
Backflow prevention
Drainage waste and vents
General knowledge and general regulations
Interceptors and traps
Isometric analysis
Plumbing fixtures, including water heaters and fixtures for accessibility
Septic and sewer
Storm drainage systems
Water supply systems
The practical exam includes:
Copper/PEX water piping assembly
Drainage pipe project
Island vent assembly
Tub assembly
Washer box assembly
The tests are open book, and test takers may use approved reference materials such as the New Mexico Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code, 2021.
The Qualifying Party for a contractor license must pass a trade and business and law exam. Cost is $68.88 each. The CID also accepts a completion certificate from an approved business and law course. PSI provides an electronic service portal where applicants may schedule or download exam information. PSI also provides a contractor candidate information bulletin with detailed exam information, including exam content and reference materials.
Who Issues Plumbing Contractors Licenses in New Mexico?
The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department Construction Industries Division (CID) issues journeyman plumber and contractor licenses. The CID may be reached at:
Albuquerque: (505) 222-9800; 5500 San Antonio Dr., Albuquerque, NM 87109
Las Cruces: (575) 524-6320; 505 South Main St., Las Cruces, NM 88001
Santa Fe: (505) 476-4700; 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, NM 87507
PSI handles the licensing application process on behalf of the CID. PSI may be reached at (877) 663-9267. Its licensing processing office is at 9550 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Suite F, Albuquerque, NM 87113.
Does My New Mexico Plumbing Contractors License Work in Any Other State?
No. New Mexico does not have reciprocity agreements with other states for plumbing licenses.
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for a Plumbing License in New Mexico?
New Mexico does not have reciprocity agreements with other states for plumbing licenses. If you hold a plumbing license in another state, you’ll need to complete New Mexico’s process for obtaining your journeyman plumber certificate or plumbing contractor license.
Plumbing Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. National Inspection Testing and Certification (NITC), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (ASSE Certifications) and other professional certifications are not required but may make you a more attractive hire to prospective employers or can increase your marketability to customers.
Other Requirements Unique to New Mexico
New Mexico’s licensing requirements and plumbing regulations may be found in its Construction Industries Licensing Act and New Mexico Administrative Code.
Are There Plumbing Scholarships in New Mexico?
Yes, there are several plumbing or trade school scholarships in New Mexico. Scholarship opportunities for the trades include:
Central New Mexico Community College — New Mexico Workforce Connection and Opportunity Scholarship
Be sure to check with your high school or area community organizations for local scholarships.
How Can Someone Verify My Plumbing License in New Mexico?
Your New Mexico plumbing license can be verified by potential clients or employees by using PSI’s contractor licensing online services. Search by individual or company name, certificate or license number, city, or ZIP code.
When Can a Plumbing License Be Suspended in New Mexico?
A suspended plumber’s license means the plumber is temporarily prohibited from legally practicing their trade. In New Mexico, a plumbing license can be suspended for many reasons, including:
If the licensee or qualifying party willfully violates the Construction Industries Licensing Act, or other rules or regulations.
Knowingly contracts or performs a service beyond the scope of the license.
Misrepresents facts in obtaining a license.
Failure to maintain proof of responsibility or workers' compensation insurance.
Unjustified abandonment of a contract.
Departing from plans that result in code violations.
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For specific information about New Mexico plumbing license regulations, refer to New Mexico statutes.
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Plumbing Work in New Mexico?
Performing plumbing work in New Mexico without a license is a misdemeanor and can incur 90 days of jail time and/or a fine of $100 to $300.
Contractors found working without a license may be found guilty of a misdemeanor and face penalties based on the contract’s value. For a job costing $5,000 or less, the contractor may face 90 days of jail time and/or a fine of $300 to $500, according to the CID. If the work costs more than $5,000, the contractor may be sentenced to six months in jail and/or a fine of 10% of the contract amount.
Continuing Education
Journeyman certificates expire every three years on the last day of the month of issuance. Journeymen must complete a total of 16 hours of continuing education before renewing. Of those 16 hours, eight must be specific to code change/update and eight of other industry-related approved course work. The CID provides a spreadsheet list of approved journeyman continuing education courses.
To renew your journeyman certificate, complete continuing education and submit a journeyman certificate renewal form to PSI. Certificate renewal is $75.
Contractor licenses expire every three years on the last day of the month of issuance. Contractors submit a contractor license renewal form, supporting documentation, and the $150 fee per classification to PSI.
Resources
You can stay up to date on all plumbing industry news in several ways:
Check top plumbing blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends.
Listen to top plumbing podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive plumbing 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.
