New Mexico Plumber Licensing FAQs

Who needs to be licensed for plumbing in New Mexico?

Plumbing work must be performed by, or under the supervision of, someone who has a journeyman certificate for the classification of work being performed. Therefore, even if you have a contractor's license in one or more of those classifications, you must also be, or employ, a certified journeyman to perform the work.

Additionally, anyone engaged in construction-related contracting in New Mexico must be licensed. This includes general construction work, electrical, mechanical and plumbing and LP gas.

In order to receive a business (aka contracting) license, your business must employ a Qualifying Party who has a minimum of 4 years experience and is certified (through both a Trades and  Business & Law examination) to undertake contracting responsibilities.

What are the types of plumbing licenses available in New Mexico?

Journeyman Classifications:

• Journeyman (JP)
• Journeyman Pipefitter (JPF)
• Journeyman Gas (JG)
• Journeyman Plumber-Gas (JPG)
• Journeyman Sheetmetal (JSM)
• Journeyman Sprinkler (JS)
• Journeyman Refrigeration (JR)
• Journeyman Fire Protection (MS-12J or MS-14J)

Mechanical Classifications:

• Plumbing (MM-1)
• Natural Gas Fitting (MM-2)
• Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (MM-3)
• Heating, Cooling and Process Piping (MM-4)
• Mechanical (MM-98)
• Septic Tanks & Sewer (MS-3)
• Lawn Sprinklers (MS-6)
• Fire Protection Sprinkler Systems (MS-12)
• Dry Chemical Fire Protection (MS-14)

What fees are associated with becoming a plumber in New Mexico?

Journeyman

• Initial Certificate: $75
• Exam:
  • Written: $68.88
  • Practical: $68.88
• Renewal: $75

When do I need to renew my New Mexico plumbing license?

Business licenses expire every two years on the anniversary of initial licensure.

Journeyman Certificates expire every three years on the last day of the month of issuance.

How do I renew my plumbing license in New Mexico?

Complete an application for renewal and submit it along with required fees and documentation.

Do I need continuing education to renew my plumbing license in New Mexico?

Yes, 16 hours every three years; a minimum of 8 hours must be code related.

My New Mexico plumbing license has expired — how do I get it reinstated?

If renewal is over 90 days past due, license is cancelled and licensee must re-apply.

If within 90 days of renewal date, the board will send a duplicate renewal form. Late penalty fees may apply: $1/day for first 30 days; the equivalent of one year's fees for over 30 days

1. Have 2 years (4,000 hours) experience
2. Submit a completed application packet and required fees to PSI
3. Wait for approval to test
4. Take and pass your exam

• Initial Certificate: $75
• Exam:
  • Written: $68.88
  • Practical: $68.88
• Renewal: $75

The Journeyman Plumber (JP) exam is two parts: practical and written. Both exams are open book.

Written Exam:

70 questions, 185 minute time limit. 75% is required to pass.

Subjects include-

• 21 questions: Drainage Waste and Vents
• 6 questions: Water Supply Systems
• 6 questions: Backflow Prevention
• 6 questions: Storm Drainage Systems
• 8 questions: Plumbing Fixtures, Including Water
• 10 questions: General Knowledge and General Regulations
• 4 questions: Interceptors and Traps
• 5 questions: Isometric Analysis
• 4 questions: Septic and Sewer

Practical Exam:

100 points, 120 minute time limit. 75% is required to pass.

Points Breakdown

• Copper/PEX Water Piping Assembly
  • 5 points: Properly solder copper piping and fittings
  • 5 points: Properly assemble PEX and PEX fittings
  • 10 points: Air test assembly
• Tub Assembly
  • 5 points: Assembly of tub drain
  • 5 points: Water test of tub drain
• Washer Box Assembly
  • 15 points: Overall assembly of project
  • 10 points: Fitting Identification
  • 10 points: Tool Identification
• Island Vent Assembly
  • 10 points: Measure, cut and ream piping
  • 10 points: Correct use of fittings
• Drainage Pipe Project
  • 5 points: Measure and calculate minimum rise
  • 10 points: Set drain to minimum rise

• Administration
• Definitions
• General Regulations
• Plumbing Math
• Fixtures, Faucets and Fixture Fittings
• Water Heaters
• Water Supply & Distribution
• Sanitary Drainage
• Indirect and Special Waste
• Vents
• Traps, Interceptors and Separators
• Storm Drainage
• Appendices
• Hands-On Practical Application

New Mexico Examination Sites:

• Albuquerque
• Farmington
• Las Cruces
• Roswell
• Santa Fe

Other Examination Sites:

• Durango, CO
• Amarillo, TX
• El Paso, TX
• Lubbock, TX
• Midland, TX

You will receive results from your written exam immediately after completing the test. Your practical score report will be mailed to you within 7 days of the test date.

16 hours every three years, a minimum of 8 hours must be code related.

Yes, we are an approved provider of plumbing continuing education in New Mexico.

We will submit your course completions to the state for you.

You may begin immediately! Simply click the Login button in the upper right-hand corner on your desktop or in the upper-right menu on mobile. Once you've entered your login and password, you will be taken to your courses. Follow the instructions and enjoy!

Our courses are available online, 24/7, and you can log in and log out at any time during the course. If you are going to be away from your computer for more than 10–15 minutes, we recommend that you log out. When you log back in, you will be able to re-enter the lesson you were last in.

Continuing education requirements vary by state. Each course lists a minimum number of credit hours required to complete the course.

It depends on your learning style and comfort level with the topics we cover. There is no set time for completing exam prep courses — you go at your own pace!

Many plumbers like to re-watch materials, while others like to re-take the practice tests. Our recommendation is to go through the course as many times as you need to be comfortable with the material and any applicable reference books. The more familiar you are with the materials, the better you will do on your exam!

After you purchase a course, you have unlimited access for six months. If you need additional time, please contact our offices to arrange an extension (please note: a fee may apply).

It depends on course type and location. Most continuing education courses include quizzes.

Exam prep courses have a short quiz at the end of each lesson and a longer practice test at the end of the course. These quizzes and tests are there to help you practice taking an exam and identify areas you may wish to review more.

No. Practice tests are just that: for practice. You will have the opportunity to retake the practice tests until you do pass. The practice tests are there to help you get used to the process of using your reference materials and finding the correct answers during an exam. If you don't pass on the first try, take the time to note what sections of the material you need to review.

You can review the lessons and quizzes at any time during the six months you have access to the courses.