New Mexico Solar Contractor License Requirements (2026)

New Mexico is one of the few states that issues a dedicated solar classification. The GS-3 Solar Installation Contractor license is administered by the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) of the Regulation and Licensing Department under NMSA 1978 §60-13. GS-3 authorizes installation of solar thermal and solar photovoltaic systems, but PV work that connects to building wiring still requires coordination with an EE-98 Electrical Contractor. Solar thermal plumbing is covered by GS-3 but complex plumbing may require MM-98. NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification is voluntary but industry standard.

Regulatory Body Profile

Authority over this credential rests with New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division (CID), which issues and polices it 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

Eligibility begins with two baseline checks: the applicant must be 18 or older and must provide a valid Social Security Number. No New Mexico residency requirement.

Good moral character

CID reviews criminal history.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Experience and Education Standards

A minimum of four years (2,000+ hours per year) of practical solar or related experience as a journey-level installer 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 experience verification affidavits
Certified payroll covering the qualifying period
NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification (counts toward experience)

Education substitution

NABCEP certification and related trade school credit count toward the experience requirement.

The Exam Syllabus

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

New Mexico GS-3 Solar Trade Examination — 80 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 75%
New Mexico Business and Law Examination — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $88 per part.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be retaken individually after 14 days.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

No statewide contractor license surety bond is required for this credential in the cited sources. Project-specific, permit, or public-works bonds may still apply, so confirm bonding before bidding a given job.

General liability

CID requires commercial general liability insurance appropriate to the monetary limit.

Workers' compensation

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

Additional financial requirements

CID uses a tiered monetary limit scaled to the applicant’s financial capacity.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$150
Examination	$176
Initial license	$150
Renewal (every 3 years)	$150

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The New Mexico CID GS-3 Solar Installation Contractor License runs on a 3 years renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $150. CID GS-3 licenses renew every three years.

Continuing education: No state CE requirement for GS-3.

Downloadable Asset

2026 New Mexico Solar 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	Limited CID–ROC reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).
Utah	Trade exam waived	Limited CID–DOPL reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).
Nevada	Trade exam waived	Limited CID–NSCB reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).

New Mexico CID maintains limited reciprocity (verify directly with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) with several neighboring states.

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

The Application Roadmap

Document four years of solar experience. Compile CID experience affidavits and payroll.
Submit the GS-3 application. File with the application fee and financial information.
Pass the GS-3 trade and business and law exams at 75%. Both administered by PSI.
File the certificate of insurance. Amount scaled to monetary limit.
Receive the GS-3 Solar Installation Contractor license. CID issues the credential after exam pass.
Earn NABCEP certification (optional). Voluntary but expected by PNM and El Paso Electric.
Pull local building and electrical permits per project. Each NM jurisdiction requires local permits.

Recommended Study Materials

The following references are cited by the regulator, used in the application process, or commonly used to prepare for the trade scope. Listed for reader convenience; CLR receives no compensation for these recommendations.

NEC Article 690 — Solar Photovoltaic Systems — NFPA. Primary technical reference.
NMSA 1978 §60-13 — State of New Mexico. Statutory framework.
PSI New Mexico GS-3 Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI. Free PDF outlining exam content.

Pre-Application Checklist

Ahead of submission to CID, confirm every item on this short list:

☐ Four years of documented solar experience
☐ CID GS-3 Solar Installation Contractor application
☐ Pass trade and business and law exams at 75%+
☐ Commercial general liability insurance
☐ Workers' compensation coverage
☐ Local building and electrical permits per project
☐ NABCEP certification (recommended)

Where Applications Stall

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a New Mexico Solar application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Assuming GS-3 covers all electrical

GS-3 does not replace EE-98 for complex interconnection work.

Skipping the financial information

CID monetary limit depends on the submitted financial disclosure.

Letting workers compensation lapse

Mandatory for any business with three or more employees.

Skipping local permits

State licensure does not exempt you from city/county permits.

Underestimating the exam difficulty

The GS-3 trade exam is NEC-heavy; study Article 690 carefully.

Other New Mexico Trade Licenses

Looking at a different trade? CLR also publishes these New Mexico licensing guides:

Common Questions

Does New Mexico have a solar license?

Yes. The GS-3 Solar Installation Contractor license is issued by the Construction Industries Division.

Is NABCEP required?

No. NABCEP is voluntary in New Mexico but counts toward the experience requirement.

Does GS-3 cover electrical work?

GS-3 covers solar-specific work. Interconnection with building wiring may require coordination with an EE-98 Electrical Contractor.

What about solar thermal?

GS-3 covers both solar PV and solar thermal installation.

Does New Mexico reciprocate?

Yes. CID maintains limited reciprocity (verify directly with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) with Arizona, Utah, and Nevada.

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