New Mexico Low Voltage License Requirements (2026)

New Mexico licenses low-voltage work through the Regulation and Licensing Department Construction Industries Division (CID) under the Construction Industries Licensing Act (NMSA 1978, Chapter 60 Article 13). CID issues the ES-1 Residential Alarm, Security, and Communication classification and the ES-2 Commercial equivalent as specialty contractor licenses covering burglar alarm, fire alarm, CCTV, access control, intercom, and structured cabling. Individual installers must hold the EE-98J Journeyman Electrician certificate with a low-voltage specialty endorsement or equivalent. Fire alarm plans for commercial projects additionally require review by the New Mexico State Fire Marshal under NMSA 1978 §59A-52 and NMAC 10.25. Any contract exceeding $7,500 requires CID licensure under NMSA 1978 §60-13-12.

Regulatory Body Profile

New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division (CID) is the statutory authority responsible for issuing and enforcing this license under 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

The Eligibility Audit

The threshold requirements are straightforward: age 18 or above, plus a valid Social Security Number. No New Mexico residency requirement, but the license must designate a qualifying party who is a regular employee of the applicant.

Good moral character

CID conducts a fitness review on every applicant. Felony convictions within the last seven years are reviewed individually under NMSA 1978 §60-13-23 and may result in denial.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application. The State Fire Marshal additionally requires fingerprint-based NM DPS and FBI clearance for Fire Alarm Installer certification.

Experience and Education Standards

A minimum of two years (approximately 4,000 hours) of supervised low-voltage installation experience under a licensed EE-98J or ES-1/ES-2 specialty contractor for the journeyman endorsement, or four years for the specialty contractor qualifying party must be documented and verified. Unless the board publishes a different lookback period, applicants should keep payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records that support the claimed experience.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

CID Certification of Work Experience (Form CID-E2) signed by each supervising licensee
W-2 statements or 1099 records covering the qualifying period
NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level II certificate
Approved New Mexico apprenticeship program completion certificate

Education substitution

Completion of an approved two-year electronics associate program substitutes for one year of the experience requirement under NMAC 14.6.6.8.

The Exam Syllabus

The exam, administered by PSI Services LLC under contract to CID, breaks into the parts shown below — all must be passed before licensure:

PSI ES-1 Residential Alarm, Security, and Communication Trade Examination — NEC, NFPA 72, NM low-voltage rules — 80 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 75%
PSI New Mexico Business and Law Examination — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $88 per examination section paid to PSI on the day of testing ($176 total).

Retake policy: Failed sections may be re-taken after 30 days by paying a new $88 fee. Each CID application remains valid for one year.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

A $10,000 surety bond, in the form prescribed by the CID, must be posted as a condition of licensure.

General liability

CID requires specialty contractors to carry a minimum $10,000 license bond plus proof of $300,000 commercial general liability under NMAC 14.6.5.9. Commercial owners contractually require $1,000,000/$2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory under NMSA 1978 §52-1-6 for any New Mexico business with three or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required for ES-1 or ES-2. GB-98 General Building classifications require a $50,000 net worth statement.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$30
Examination	$176
Initial license	$175
Renewal (every 3 years)	$175

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The New Mexico EE-98 Electrical / ES-1 Low Voltage Specialty Contractor (CID) runs on a 3 years renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $175. CID specialty contractor licenses renew every three years on the license anniversary. Lapsed licenses may be reinstated within one year by paying back fees plus a 50% penalty under NMAC 14.6.5.11.

Continuing education: CID does not currently mandate continuing education for ES-1/ES-2 classifications, but the State Fire Marshal requires eight hours of NICET-approved CE for Fire Alarm Installer renewal.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, New Mexico does not recognize the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Arizona	Trade exam waived	Bilateral CID-Arizona ROC reciprocity for specialty classifications held in good standing for two years.
Nevada	Trade exam waived	Bilateral CID-NSCB reciprocity for C-2 low-voltage subclassifications.
Utah	Trade exam waived	Bilateral CID-DOPL reciprocity for S211/S200 classifications.

New Mexico CID maintains limited bilateral reciprocity with Arizona, Nevada, and Utah for specialty classifications held actively for two years. Reciprocal applicants must still pass the NM Business and Law examination.

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

The Application Roadmap

Confirm classification. ES-1 = residential alarm, security, communication. ES-2 = commercial equivalent. EE-98J = journeyman electrician with low-voltage endorsement. Pure structured cabling under 50V may qualify for a limited registration.
Document two to four years of qualifying experience. Compile CID Certification of Work Experience forms signed by each supervising licensee covering the required hours under a licensed contractor.
Submit the CID ES-1/ES-2 specialty contractor application. File the application with the $30 application fee, $6 filing fee, experience verification, and qualifying party designation.
Pass the PSI Trade and Business and Law examinations at 75%. Score 75% or better on both the 80-question ES-1 trade exam and the 50-question NM Business and Law exam.
File the $10,000 license bond and $300,000 liability certificate. Submit the CID-approved license bond, commercial general liability certificate, and workers compensation certificate.
Register with the State Fire Marshal for fire alarm work. File the NM SFM Fire Alarm Installer certification with NICET Level II evidence and the $100 fee for commercial fire alarm projects.
Receive the CID license on the three-year cycle. CID specialty contractor licenses renew every three years. The initial license fee is $25-$175 depending on project value tier (monetary limitation).

Recommended Study Materials

These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

New Mexico Electrical Code (2020 NEC with NM amendments) — CID. Primary technical reference for the ES-1/ES-2 trade exam.
NFPA 72 - National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code — NFPA. Required reference for fire alarm work.
NMAC 14.6 Construction Industries General Provisions — State of New Mexico. CID licensing rules and monetary limitation tiers.
NMSA 1978 Chapter 60 Article 13 — State of New Mexico. Construction Industries Licensing Act.

Pre-Application Checklist

Have each of the following squared away before the packet goes to CID:

☐ Two to four years of supervised low-voltage experience
☐ CID Certification of Work Experience forms
☐ CID ES-1 or ES-2 application with $30 fee
☐ PSI trade and Business and Law exam passes at 75%+
☐ $10,000 license bond
☐ $300,000 commercial general liability certificate
☐ Workers compensation coverage certificate
☐ State Fire Marshal Fire Alarm Installer certification (if doing fire alarm)

Where Applications Stall

The errors below are the ones that most frequently cost New Mexico Low Voltage applicants time, drawn from the cited board guidance.

Holding ES-1 for commercial work

ES-1 is residential only. Performing commercial burglar alarm, CCTV, or fire alarm work with only the ES-1 classification is unlicensed activity and subjects the contractor to CID fines and contract voiding.

Bidding above the monetary limitation tier

CID specialty licenses carry a maximum project value tier. Bidding above the tier without upgrading the license voids the contract and exposes the contractor to unlicensed-activity penalties.

Missing the license bond

CID will not issue or renew any specialty license without a continuously effective $10,000 (or higher) license bond. A canceled bond automatically suspends the license.

Confusing EE-98J with specialty contractor

The EE-98J Journeyman certificate authorizes the individual to perform work under supervision. To contract as a business, the firm must hold the ES-1 or ES-2 specialty contractor license with a qualifying party designation.

Ignoring the $7,500 contract threshold

Any contract exceeding $7,500 requires CID licensure under NMSA 1978 §60-13-12. Breaking jobs into smaller invoices to avoid licensure is prohibited and routinely prosecuted.

Other New Mexico Trade Licenses

For a different New Mexico credential, see these companion guides published by CLR:

Common Questions

What is the difference between ES-1 and ES-2 in New Mexico?

ES-1 is the Residential Alarm, Security, and Communication specialty classification covering one- and two-family dwellings. ES-2 is the commercial equivalent covering multi-family, commercial, and industrial installations. Commercial contractors should hold ES-2.

Does New Mexico require a bond for low-voltage contractors?

Yes. CID requires every specialty contractor to file a minimum $10,000 license bond under NMAC 14.6.5.9. The bond amount increases with the monetary limitation tier of the license.

What is a monetary limitation on a CID license?

CID specialty licenses are issued with a maximum project value tier (for example $60,000, $250,000, $750,000, or unlimited). The tier determines the fee and bond amount. Contractors bidding above their tier must upgrade before signing.

Does NICET certification replace the PSI exam?

No. NICET Fire Alarm Systems Level II is required by the State Fire Marshal for Fire Alarm Installer certification but does not waive the PSI ES-1/ES-2 trade and business exams.

How often does the CID specialty contractor license renew?

Every three years. Renewal requires continuing maintenance of the bond, liability coverage, and workers compensation, plus any continuing education adopted by the CID board.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-06-13 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-11