New Mexico Plumber License Requirements (2026)

The New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) Mechanical Bureau licenses plumbing contractors under the MM-98 classification and certifies individual plumbers as JP-1 Journeyman Plumbers under NMSA 1978 Chapter 60 Article 13 and 14.6 NMAC. Every JP-1 applicant must document four years of qualifying experience and pass the PSI Uniform Plumbing Code examination; MM-98 contractor applicants must also pass the New Mexico Business and Law examination, file a financial statement, and post a license bond.

The Licensing Authority

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

Baseline Eligibility

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No New Mexico residency requirement.

Good moral character

CID Mechanical Bureau reviews criminal history on each applicant.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the CID application.

Experience and Education Requirements

At least four years (8,000 hours) of practical plumbing experience under a licensed MM-98 contractor or JP-1 journeyman plumber, documented on CID Certification of Work Experience forms has to be evidenced and confirmed. Retain payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records, since the board may audit the experience claimed.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

CID Certification of Work Experience signed by each supervising MM-98 contractor or JP-1 journeyman
W-2, 1099, or payroll records covering the qualifying period
Approved plumbing apprenticeship completion certificate (where applicable)

Education substitution

Completion of a U.S. Department of Labor-approved plumbing apprenticeship satisfies the experience requirement. Accredited plumbing trade school may substitute for up to two years.

The Licensing Examination

Testing is handled by PSI Services LLC (under contract to CID). The applicant has to pass each part listed here before the credential is granted:

New Mexico JP-1 Journeyman Examination — Uniform Plumbing Code (NM-adopted edition) — 80 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%
New Mexico MM-98 Trade Examination — UPC, fixture and pipe sizing, backflow, gas piping — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%
New Mexico Business and Law Examination (MM-98 only) — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $87 per examination paid to PSI at the time of scheduling.

Retake policy: Any failed examination may be retaken by paying a new $87 fee. Application approval remains valid for one year.

Financial Security and Insurance

The applicant must secure and file a $10,000 surety bond before the CID will release the license.

General liability

CID does not impose a state-level general liability minimum. Most commercial owners contractually require $1,000,000/$2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory under NMSA 52-1 for construction employers with three or more workers (one or more for construction-services businesses).

Additional financial requirements

MM-98 contractors must file a current financial statement on the CID form demonstrating positive net worth. JP-1 journeyman applicants do not need a financial statement.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$30
Examination	$174
Initial license	$360
Renewal (every 3 years)	$360

License Renewal

The New Mexico MM-98 Plumbing Contractor (and JP-1 Journeyman Plumber) must be renewed every 3 years. The fee to renew is presently $360. MM-98 and JP-1 renew every three years. Lapsed credentials may require re-examination.

Continuing education: Continuing education in the adopted UPC edition each renewal cycle under 14.6 NMAC.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

New Mexico grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Arizona	Trade exam waived	Bilateral CID–ROC reciprocity for plumbing contractors in good standing for at least one year.
Texas	Journeyman exam waived	Bilateral journeyman plumber reciprocity under TSBPE–CID agreement.
Colorado	Journeyman exam waived	Bilateral journeyman reciprocity with Colorado Examining Board of Plumbers.

Reciprocity is limited to applicants who passed an equivalent UPC-based examination and hold an active credential in good standing.

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

The Licensing Roadmap

Document four years of plumbing experience. Collect CID Certification of Work Experience forms totaling at least 8,000 hours under licensed supervision.
Apply for the JP-1 Journeyman examination. File the CID JP-1 application and pay the PSI exam fee.
Pass the PSI UPC examination at 75%. The JP-1 exam is based on the New Mexico-adopted edition of the UPC.
Work as a JP-1 Journeyman. Gain additional field experience before applying for MM-98 contractor status.
Apply for the MM-98 contractor classification. File the CID application with classification, financial statement, and Business and Law exam pass certificate.
Pass the MM-98 trade and Business and Law exams. Both at 75% or better.
Post the license bond. File a $10,000 license bond or cash deposit with CID.

Preparation Resources

The list below collects the board's cited references and the materials applicants typically study from. CLR is not paid to recommend any of them.

Uniform Plumbing Code (NM-adopted edition) — IAPMO. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the PSI test center.
NMSA 1978 Chapter 60 Article 13 and 14.6 NMAC — State of New Mexico. Licensing law and rules.
Uniform Mechanical Code (NM-adopted edition) — IAPMO. Required for gas piping sections of the exam.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Before submitting to CID, the applicant should have each of the following ready:

☐ Four years (8,000 hours) documented on CID Certification of Work Experience forms
☐ CID JP-1 application with $30 fee
☐ PSI UPC exam pass certificate at 75%+
☐ Financial statement (MM-98 only)
☐ PSI Business and Law exam pass certificate at 75%+ (MM-98 only)
☐ $10,000 license bond or cash deposit (MM-98 only)
☐ Workers' compensation certificate (if applicable)

Common Application Pitfalls

These are the recurring mistakes that most often delay or reject a New Mexico Plumber application, based on the official instructions cited here.

Insufficient hour documentation

Every hour must be signed off by a licensed supervisor. Self-reported hours are rejected.

Wrong code edition

Candidates routinely study the wrong UPC edition. Always confirm the adopted edition in 14.8 NMAC before scheduling.

Skipping JP-1 for MM-98

The MM-98 contractor classification must be qualified by a JP-1 journeyman. You cannot skip straight to MM-98.

Missing the bond

CID will not issue the MM-98 until the $10,000 bond or cash deposit is on file.

Letting the credential lapse

A lapsed JP-1 suspends any MM-98 license it qualifies.

Other New Mexico Trade Licenses

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

Answers to Common Questions

What is the difference between JP-1 and MM-98?

JP-1 is the individual journeyman plumber certificate. MM-98 is the plumbing contractor classification that authorizes a business to bid and contract for plumbing work. MM-98 applicants must be qualified by a JP-1 journeyman.

Which plumbing code does New Mexico use?

CID adopts the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) by reference. Check the current 14.8 NMAC for the exact adopted edition before testing.

How many hours are required for the JP-1?

Four years and 8,000 hours of qualifying plumbing experience under licensed supervision, or completion of an approved apprenticeship.

Does New Mexico reciprocate plumber credentials?

Yes. CID maintains bilateral reciprocity agreements with Arizona, Texas, and Colorado for plumbers in good standing.

How often do plumbing licenses renew?

Every three years. JP-1 renewal requires continuing education in the adopted UPC.

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