New Mexico GS-3 Landscape Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) of the Regulation and Licensing Department licenses landscape contractors statewide under the GS-3 Landscaping classification under the New Mexico Construction Industries Licensing Act (NMSA §60-13). Any landscape installation, irrigation, hardscape, or maintenance work valued at $7,200 or more (labor + materials) requires a GS-3 license. CID requires two years of qualifying experience, the PSI Business and Law exam plus the GS-3 trade exam, a $10,000 license bond, and proof of liability insurance and workers compensation. Any commercial pesticide application additionally requires a Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification from the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) Bureau of Pesticide Management under NMSA §76-4.

Regulatory Oversight

New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division (CID) administers and enforces this credential under the authority of NMSA 1978 Chapter 60 Article 13 (Construction Industries Licensing Act); NMAC Title 14 Chapter 6. CID licenses construction contractors and tradespeople statewide through its General Construction Bureau, Electrical Bureau, and Mechanical Bureau, enforces adopted building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes, and conducts inspections and disciplinary proceedings.

Official portal: https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction/
Address: 2550 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: (505) 476-4700

Who May Apply

An applicant qualifies only after meeting the age floor of 18 and producing a valid Social Security Number. No New Mexico residency requirement.

Good moral character

CID reviews fitness, including prior license discipline.

Background investigation

Required disclosure on the application.

Required Experience and Education

Plan to substantiate Two years (4,000 hours) of journey-level or supervisory landscape contracting experience within the past 10 years. with hard records. Payroll, tax, project logs, and supervisor verification are what the board relies on when it reviews the claim.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

CID experience verification signed by past employers under penalty of perjury
W-2s, 1099s, and project lists covering the qualifying period

Education substitution

New Mexico State University horticulture or landscape architecture coursework substitutes for portions of the experience requirement.

Examination Requirements

PSI Services LLC (under contract to CID) runs the examination for this credential. Issuance is contingent on passing every part below:

New Mexico Business and Law exam — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 75%
GS-3 Landscaping trade exam — 80 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $78 PSI fee per exam.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be retaken every 21 days; new $78 fee.

Insurance and Financial Requirements

The CID requires a $10,000 contractor license surety bond to be on file before the license will issue.

General liability

CID does not impose a state-level GL minimum; commercial clients commonly require $1,000,000 / $2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Mandatory under NMSA §52-1 for any employer with three or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

Not required for GS-3.

Licensing Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$30
Examination	$156
Initial license	$360
Renewal (every 3 years)	$360

Keeping the License Current

Renewal of the New Mexico GS-3 Landscaping Specialty Contractor (CID) + NMDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator comes due every 3 years. As cited, the renewal fee stands at $360. GS-3 license renews every three years.

Continuing education: No CE required for GS-3 renewal. NMDA Commercial Applicator requires CEUs separately.

Downloadable Asset

2026 New Mexico Landscaping License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and License Transfer

The NASCLA Accredited Examination is not accepted by New Mexico for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Arizona	Trade exam waived	Bilateral CID–ROC reciprocity for active four-year C-21/CR-21 holders.
Texas	Reciprocity not available	Texas does not license landscape contractors at the state level.

Business and Law exam is never waived; only the GS-3 trade exam is reciprocal.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Landscaping license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Application Process, Step by Step

Document two years of qualifying landscape experience. Verified by past employers on CID experience forms.
Submit CID GS-3 application with $30 fee. File with experience documentation.
Pass the PSI Business and Law exam at 75%. New Mexico contracting law and business management.
Pass the GS-3 trade exam at 75%. Landscape installation, irrigation, drainage, planting, and hardscape.
Post a $10,000 contractor license bond. Required by CID under NMSA §60-13-30.
Obtain liability insurance and workers compensation. Mandatory for any employer with 3+ employees.
Obtain NMDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification (if spraying). Core + Category 3A (Ornamental and Turf) required.
Comply with municipal water restrictions. Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces enforce turf-replacement and EPA WaterSense rules.

Document Checklist

The items below are the ones worth confirming before the application is filed with CID:

☐ Two years documented landscape experience
☐ CID GS-3 application
☐ PSI Business and Law exam pass at 75%+
☐ PSI GS-3 trade exam pass at 75%+
☐ $10,000 contractor license bond
☐ Workers compensation (3+ employees)
☐ NMDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator (if spraying)
☐ Local water restriction compliance (Albuquerque/Santa Fe)

Recommended References

The references below are either cited by the board, used during the application, or standard preparation for the trade. They are listed purely for convenience — CLR earns no commission on any of them.

New Mexico GS-3 Landscaping Reference Bibliography — PSI Services / CID. Official open-book references for the GS-3 trade exam.
New Mexico Business and Law Reference Manual — PSI / CID. Required for the Business and Law exam.
New Mexico Pesticide Applicator Core Manual — New Mexico State University Extension. Required for NMDA Commercial Applicator.

Frequent Application Errors

Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a New Mexico Landscaping filing.

Operating without GS-3 over $7,200

NMSA §60-13-12 makes unlicensed contracting a misdemeanor; contracts are unenforceable.

Bond lapse

CID suspends licenses immediately when the $10,000 bond lapses.

Spraying without NMDA certification

Civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation under NMSA §76-4.

Water restriction violations

Albuquerque enforces strict turf and irrigation rules; non-compliant installs trigger water connection denial.

Acequia (community ditch) crossings

Many New Mexico landscape projects involve acequia rights-of-way; mayordomo approval required for any disturbance.

Other New Mexico Trade Licenses

If the Landscaping license is not the right fit, the following published New Mexico trade guides are also covered by CLR:

Questions Applicants Ask

When is the GS-3 required?

For any landscape contracting work valued at $7,200 or more. Below that threshold, no CID license is required, though local rules may apply.

What does GS-3 cover?

Landscape installation, planting, sod, mulch, irrigation, drainage, retaining walls under 4 feet, and incidental hardscape. Larger structural hardscape may require an additional GB-2 General Building classification.

Is the bond really $10,000?

Yes. NMSA §60-13-30 sets the contractor license bond at $10,000 for GS-class licenses.

Are there water restrictions on irrigation?

Yes. Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority caps new turf area, requires EPA WaterSense smart controllers, and offers turf-removal rebates.

How often does the GS-3 license renew?

Every three years. Renewal requires the bond and insurance to remain current.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-06-06 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-04