Electrician licensing in New Mexico

Scope

New Mexico licenses electrical work at the contractor level through the Construction Industries Division (CID) within the Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD) under the Construction Industries Licensing Act (NMSA 60-13-1 et seq.) and the Electrical Trades Regulations (14.6.5 NMAC). The standard electrical-contractor classification is EE-98, covering the installation, alteration, and repair of electrical wiring and equipment. Source: NM RLD CID Electrical (https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/licensing/electrical/).

Classifications

CID electrical classifications include:

- EE-98 Electrical Contractor (general electrical). - ER-1 Residential Electrical Contractor (limited to one- and two-family dwellings). - EE-98J Journeyman Electrician (individual qualifying license). - Various specialty designations (EL-1 low voltage, EE-98S signs, etc.) for limited-scope electrical work.

Qualifying Party

Every CID classification license is held by a business entity and must designate a qualifying party responsible for the technical operations of the licensed business. The qualifying party must document experience and pass the trade exam and the New Mexico Business and Law exam. Source: NMSA 60-13-11.

Experience

The qualifying party must document four years (equivalent) of related experience in the classification sought, per 14.6.5 NMAC and CID rule. Years can be earned as a journeyman (EE-98J) or in equivalent field and supervisory positions. Technical training can substitute for a portion of the experience up to the cap defined in the rule.

Exam

Administered by PSI Services for CID. Candidates take (1) the EE-98 trade exam covering the National Electrical Code edition currently adopted by New Mexico plus NM-specific electrical rule (14.10 NMAC) and (2) the NM Business and Law exam. Verify current exam fees and Candidate Information Bulletin on the PSI New Mexico CID page.

Bonding

NMSA 60-13-13 requires every CID contractor applicant to file a surety bond with the Division. For specialty electrical contractors, the license bond ranges historically from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on classification; the EE-98 general electrical classification typically requires a higher bond. Verify current bond amount directly with CID at https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/ before posting.

Reciprocity

New Mexico does not publish broad trade-exam reciprocity for EE-98. Out-of-state applicants are evaluated on an endorsement basis under NMSA 60-13-28 and related Division rule. Confirm directly with CID before relying on a prior-state license.

Renewal and CE

CID licenses renew annually. Licensees must complete continuing-education hours each renewal under 14.5.1 NMAC, including Code-update instruction. Confirm the current hour requirement on the NM CID Continuing Education page (https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/continuing-education/).

Background Check

NMSA 60-13-11 authorizes CID to require fingerprint-based criminal-history checks for qualifying-party applicants.

Scope Limits

EE-98J (journeyman) is an individual license and does not authorize contracting. Contracting for electrical work in New Mexico requires the firm to hold a CID EE-98 (or ER-1 residential) contractor license with a qualifying party of record.