Browse New Mexico Contractor Classifications
Exam prep for the New Mexico RLD — Construction Industries Division.
New Mexico General Building Contractor (GB-98) Exam Prep
Choose your access term:
Choose Plan & EnrollGetting your New Mexico contractor license? Contractor Pathway offers an original, exam-focused study guide and four full-length practice exams for every New Mexico classification that requires a state board exam — currently 4 courses across Electrical, HVAC / Mechanical and Building / General Contractor. Choose your classification below and study with 30-, 60-, or 90-day access at $99, $129, and $169. Many New Mexico classifications also require passing a separate Business & Law exam — and that course is included free with any trade course in your cart for the matching term.
Who licenses contractors in New Mexico
These are the New Mexico classifications we build exam prep for, each licensed by its responsible board:
| Trade area | Licensing authority | Exam basis |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | New Mexico Construction Industries Division | National Electrical Code (NEC) |
| HVAC / Mechanical | New Mexico Construction Industries Division | Mechanical & fuel-gas codes, EPA 608 |
| Building / General Contractor | New Mexico Construction Industries Division | Adopted building code (IBC / IRC) |
Always confirm the current code edition, experience requirements, fees, and passing score with the board and testing vendor before you schedule. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-prep provider and is not affiliated with any New Mexico board or testing vendor.
How to get licensed in New Mexico
- Meet the experience requirement. Each classification requires documented on-the-job hours (and, for senior licenses, time as a licensed journeyman). A registered apprenticeship is a common path.
- Apply to the board for your trade, submit fees and proof of experience, and get approved to test.
- Pass the exam. New Mexico trade exams are typically open book against the adopted code, with a passing score commonly around 70%. Speed at finding and applying the right code section is what separates passers from re-testers.
- Hold and renew the license on its cycle, including any continuing-education and code-update hours.
Choose your New Mexico classification
Each course includes a comprehensive 5,000-plus-word study guide — worked calculations, code-section breakdowns, common exam traps, a glossary, and a 30/60/90-day study plan — plus four full-length practice exams matched to the topic weightings of the New Mexico test.
New Mexico contractor licensing — FAQ
Who licenses contractors in New Mexico?
The Construction Industries Division (CID) of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department licenses contractors statewide. The broad general building classification is the GB-98.
What exams does New Mexico require?
Two PSI exams: a trade exam (the GB-98 General Building exam is 110 questions over 240 minutes) plus the New Mexico Business and Law exam (50 questions over 120 minutes). Both require a 75% score to pass – higher than the 70% used in many states.
What is covered and what does it cost?
The trade exam covers the IBC, IRC, adopted building codes, plan reading, and project management; the Business and Law exam covers NMSA 60-13, contracts, labor, tax, and safety. Each PSI exam is $87, and a financial statement plus a license bond are required before CID issues the classification.
Do I need experience for a New Mexico license?
Yes – applicants document qualifying experience and post a license bond before licensure. Confirm the current experience and bonding requirements with CID.
How long should I study for the New Mexico exam?
Most candidates do well on a 30-, 60-, or 90-day plan depending on experience, which is why we offer access at all three terms ($99 / $129 / $169). Each guide includes a day-by-day study plan.