Quick Reference Table
License Type | Details |
|---|---|
Agency | New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID of RLD) |
Classifications | EE-98: Electrical contractor (≤ 5000 V); EE-98J: Journeyman; ER-1J: Residential, EL-1J: Distribution, ES-1J: Signs, ES-2J: Protection systems |
Experience | EE-98, EE-98J, EL-1J: 4 years; ER-1J, ES-1J, ES-2J: 2 years |
Exam Required | Yes (trade exam and Business & Law exam), administered by PSI, 75% passing score |
Renewal & CE | Journeyman: Every 3 years, 16 hours CE (8 code change, 8 industry); contractor renewal cycle not specified |
Fees | QP app: $36; License app: $36 + license fee (not specified); Exam fees: not specified; Bond required (amount not listed) |
Key Links | Board/CID Home, Apply, License lookup (via Apply page), Forms & CE |
Who Needs a License in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, anyone who contracts to install, alter, repair, service, or maintain electrical systems, regardless of project value, must hold the proper electrical license or certification. There are no dollar thresholds or size exemptions for electrical license requirements in New Mexico.
This includes all work for hire on residential, commercial, and industrial wiring up to 5000 volts, as well as specialty installations like cathodic protection, signs, or distribution lines. You cannot legally perform or contract for these services in New Mexico without an active license in the correct classification.
Journeyman certificates are required for individuals performing hands-on wiring or similar work. Apprentices can assist but always under direct supervision of a certified journeyman. General contractors need a separate electrical classification if the electrical portion of a job is the project's major part.
The law does contain a narrow exemption: No license is required to install TVRO (television receive-only) satellite dishes on single-family homes if those systems do not use 120 V. All other electrical contracting activities, large or small, must meet formal electrical license requirements in New Mexico. Verify the scope of your planned work against current board rules to avoid violations.
Electrical License Requirements in New Mexico: License Types
The state recognizes multiple license types for electrical work. The main electrical license requirements in New Mexico center on these classifications and certificates:
EE-98: Electrical contractor license for residential, commercial, and industrial wiring up to 5000 volts. This is required for bidding or managing most electrical contracting projects in New Mexico.
EE-98J: Journeyman certificate permitting residential and commercial wiring work under EE-98 or ER-1 companies. Requires four years of documented experience.
ER-1J: Journeyman for residential wiring only, requiring two years’ experience.
EL-1J: Journeyman for electrical distribution systems, including transmission lines (four years’ experience).
ES-1J: Journeyman for signs and outline lighting (two years’ experience).
ES-2J: Journeyman for cathodic protection and lightning protection systems (two years’ experience).
Each journeyman category allows you to work only on jobs within that specialty. For example, ER-1J cannot do commercial wiring; ES-1J is limited to sign and lighting work. Only the EE-98 license allows a company or individual to contract full-scope electrical projects for others across both residential and commercial settings. The correct license type depends on your work scope and experience (review details at the Construction Industries Division site).
How to Get Licensed in New Mexico
To meet electrical license requirements in New Mexico, you must complete the following main steps. All steps require careful documentation, and missing information will delay or block your application.
Eligibility and Experience Documentation
Verify Qualifying Party (QP) Eligibility. Determine who in your company will act as Qualifying Party. This individual must have at least the minimum required experience within the past 10 years (4 years for EE-98/EE-98J/EL-1J, 2 years for ER-1J/ES-1J/ES-2J). Complete the notarized Work Experience Affidavit with detailed job descriptions.
Application and Examination Steps
Submit QP Application to PSI. File the QP application form and Work Experience Affidavit directly with PSI (the exam administrator), along with the $36 application fee (as of Jan 2026, verify fees here). Submissions can be made in person or by mail to the PSI Albuquerque office.
Schedule and Pass the Exams. After your QP application is approved, schedule and pass two exams with PSI: the trade classification exam (matching your desired license/scope) and the Contractor Business & Law exam. Each requires a separate passing score of at least 75%.
Final Application, Bond, and Issuance
Company License Application. After exam success, submit the main electrical contractor license application to PSI, including all required documentation: proof of bond, tax registration, QP exam documentation, confirmation of workers compensation coverage, and another $36 application fee (plus undisclosed license fees).
Bond and Insurance Submission. Provide proof of a license bond (amount not specified on any official page; verify requirement at the CID site) and valid workers compensation insurance.
Wait for Processing and License Issuance. Applications are reviewed by PSI and CID. Processing times are not listed by the board. Once approved, your license is issued and will appear in the public lookup system.
Company applications must be submitted to PSI; fax or email is not accepted. Always use the latest forms found at the Forms & Applications page. If you are pursuing a journeyman certificate (not full contractor) the process is similar but focuses on experience and CE compliance.
Online vs Mail Submission
You may only submit QP and license forms in person or by mail directly to PSI’s Albuquerque office. No fax or email is accepted (per Apply page).
Fingerprinting and Background Checks
For electrical contractor and journeyman licensing, New Mexico does not require a background check or fingerprinting. Background checks only apply to inspectors, not new licensees or QPs. Confirm any change to this rule before applying, especially if applying for multiple trades.
Application Requirements
To meet electrical license requirements in New Mexico, applicants must assemble a complete package of eligibility documents and compliance forms. Incomplete submissions will be rejected.
Experience and Age
All applicants must document the required experience within the last 10 years. Submit a notarized Work Experience Affidavit detailing your job roles, tasks, and time spent on qualifying projects. For EE-98, EE-98J, and EL-1J, four years are required. For ER-1J, ES-1J, and ES-2J, two years are required. There are no published age or citizenship requirements for contractor applicants, but you must be able to work legally in the United States.
Bond and Insurance
A surety license bond is required for all electrical licenses, but the bond amount is not specified on any official board page. You must also provide proof of workers compensation insurance for any employees. There is no stated general liability insurance minimum for electrical contractors in New Mexico, but check the application instructions for any updates each renewal cycle.
Background Check and Federal Certifications
No background check, fingerprinting, or EPA 608 federal certifications are mentioned as requirements for electrician or contractor licensing in New Mexico (see current board rules for any future updates).
Exams
Passing specific board-authorized exams is a required part of electrical license requirements in New Mexico. Both the trade classification exam and the Business & Law exam are mandatory.
The exams are administered by PSI. After your eligibility is confirmed by PSI, you can schedule each exam online or by phone. A 75% minimum score is required for each part. The trade exam focuses on code, safety, and practical trade knowledge for your scope (EE-98, EE-98J, etc.), while the Business & Law exam covers contract law, liens, labor laws, OSHA standards, and business management practices.
Specifics about the number of questions, exam duration, and retake limits are found in the Candidate Information Bulletin on the PSI Exams portal, these are not published directly by the board. Always reference the latest guide at the official PSI Exams website linked from the board's application page.
The same exam requirements apply to all qualifying parties and journeyman certification applicants. Retake policy details are not provided on the official site; verify with PSI customer support before scheduling.
Fees
Costs are an important part of understanding electrical license requirements in New Mexico. As of January 2026, the following are the confirmed fees (all must be paid directly to PSI or the RLD):
Qualifying Party (QP) application fee: $36 (as of Jan 2026, verify at official fee schedule)
Company license filing fee: $36 (as of Jan 2026, same link); plus an additional license fee (amount not listed, "applicable license fees" per official instructions)
Exam fee: Not specified in official board documents. Exam fees are disclosed in the PSI registration portal, not the board site.
Bond: Required, but the board does not publish the amount for electrical licenses. (GB-2 building bond is $10,000, not electrical, confirm at the official board site.)
Renewal and late fees: Not published by the board. Always check the official renewal page for the current amounts.
Because only select fees are officially listed and amounts may change, verify the latest details each year at the Construction Industries Division or PSI registration page.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Electrical license requirements in New Mexico include strict rules for renewal and continuing education (CE), especially for journeyman certificates. Contractors should monitor their renewal dates and document CE participation to avoid losing their license.
Renewal Period and Process
The journeyman certificate (e.g., EE-98J) must be renewed every three years. Renewal is only processed with documented CE and a completed renewal application. No CE means no renewal. The renewal cycle for the EE-98 electrical contractor license is not specified in current state rules or applications (verify at the CID renewal page).
Continuing Education (CE) Hours and Content
Journeymen must complete 16 hours of board-approved CE every three years. Of these, 8 hours must focus on code changes, and the remaining 8 must cover other relevant electrical industry instruction. Only courses and instructors approved by the Electrical Bureau of the CID count toward your renewal requirement. Course details and pre-approval status are listed at the Continuing Education page.
Proof of CE must accompany every journeyman renewal application. Failing to submit proof halts the renewal; consequences for lapses are not detailed in official codes, so contact the board promptly if your certificate expires.
Reciprocity
No state-board-recognized reciprocity or endorsement agreements exist for electrical contractor licenses in New Mexico as of 2026. All applicants, even if already licensed in another state, must meet full electrical license requirements in New Mexico, including passing the local trade and Business & Law exams and meeting the NM experience requirement. There is no formal process for out-of-state license transfer.
Official Links
Forms and Applications (including Continuing Education info)
License lookup: through "Apply" page "verify a contractor license HERE" link
