New Mexico Contractor License Lookup

New Mexico requires a Construction Industries Division license, classified for the type of work, to act as a contractor. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work must be done by a contractor licensed for that trade. Search contractors on the official site of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID), and see the rules for trades and the job price where each applies. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Search New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID)

New Mexico rules checked against official sources on October 25, 2026.

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Labor and materials together, in dollars. Leave it blank to see the state's dollar limits.

New Mexico: Remodel, repair or home improvement

  • This rule depends on the contractor's work over a whole year, not on one job's price. Credential: contractor license.

    A CID contractor license is needed to build, remodel or repair. The only dollar exemption is for an individual doing casual, minor handyman work, one project at a time, earning no more than $7,200 a year. Source: NMSA 1978 60-13-12(A), 60-13-3(D)(14)

    Conditions and exceptions for this rule:

    • The handyman exemption never covers electrical wiring, plumbing or gas fitting.
    • The exemption does not apply if the work is part of a larger operation.
    • The $7,200 limit is total compensation per year, not per job.
    • The exemption does not apply to anyone who advertises or uses a sign or card suggesting they are a contractor.
    • The handyman must file a yearly declaration with the Construction Industries Division to use the exemption.

Look up a contractor on the official site

Search New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID)

RLD's Verify a License page sends CID license checks to this PSI search. Pick company type Contractor to search a business, or search an individual by name or certificate number.

What to check on the board's record

  • The name or business on the record matches the name on your contract or estimate.
  • The status is active, not expired, suspended or revoked.
  • The license type or class covers your kind of job.
  • The license number in the contractor's ads and contract is the same one.

This summarises state rules from official sources. Only the board's own record can confirm one contractor's license. Checked October 25, 2026.

How New Mexico licenses contractors

New Mexico requires a Construction Industries Division license, classified for the type of work, to act as a contractor. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work must be done by a contractor licensed for that trade. NMSA 1978 60-13-12(A)

Contracting without a required license is a misdemeanor. For work of $5,000 or less, the sentence is 90 days in jail, a fine of $300 to $500, or both. Larger jobs carry six months or a fine of 10% of the job value. NMSA 1978 60-13-52(A)

Rules by type of work

Home improvement, new homes and roofing

  • contractor license: A CID contractor license is needed to build, remodel or repair. The only dollar exemption is for an individual doing casual, minor handyman work, one project at a time, earning no more than $7,200 a year. Issued by New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID). NMSA 1978 60-13-12(A), 60-13-3(D)(14)
    • The handyman exemption never covers electrical wiring, plumbing or gas fitting.
    • The exemption does not apply if the work is part of a larger operation.
    • The $7,200 limit is total compensation per year, not per job.
    • The exemption does not apply to anyone who advertises or uses a sign or card suggesting they are a contractor.
    • The handyman must file a yearly declaration with the Construction Industries Division to use the exemption.

Electrical work, plumbing and HVAC

  • CID electrical or mechanical contractor license: Work under the CID electrical bureau or mechanical bureau (plumbing, gas and HVAC) must be done by a contractor licensed for that work, at any job size. Issued by New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID). NMSA 1978 60-13-12(B)

Where to look up contractors in New Mexico

  • New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID): official license search. RLD's Verify a License page sends CID license checks to this PSI search. Pick company type Contractor to search a business, or search an individual by name or certificate number.

On the record, check that the name matches your contract, the status is active (not expired, suspended or revoked), the license type covers your job, and the license number matches the one the contractor gave you.

What this tool does not do

  • It does not check any one contractor. Only the board's own record shows whether a license is active and what it covers.
  • It covers state rules. Cities and counties can add their own licenses and permits, and the tool cannot list every local rule.
  • It does not decide whether a contractor broke the law or what you can recover. For a dispute, contact the board or a lawyer.
  • It does not cover every specialty trade a state licenses (for example pest control, elevators or well drilling).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up a contractor license in New Mexico?

Use the official online license search from the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID). Search by the contractor's name, business name or license number, and check that the status is active and the license type covers your job.

Does New Mexico require a contractor license?

A CID contractor license is needed to build, remodel or repair. The only dollar exemption is for an individual doing casual, minor handyman work, one project at a time, earning no more than $7,200 a year.

Which trades need a state license in New Mexico?

Electrical: CID electrical or mechanical contractor license from the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID). Plumbing: CID electrical or mechanical contractor license from the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID). HVAC: CID electrical or mechanical contractor license from the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID).

What happens if a New Mexico contractor works without a required license?

Contracting without a required license is a misdemeanor. For work of $5,000 or less, the sentence is 90 days in jail, a fine of $300 to $500, or both. Larger jobs carry six months or a fine of 10% of the job value.

Sources

Checked against official New Mexico sources on October 25, 2026.

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