How to get a GB-98 General building license in New Mexico
New Mexico licenses general contractors statewide through the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID).1 For the GB-98 General building license you need at least 4 years2 of experience and a passing score on the Qualifying party exams: trade exam for the classification plus Contractor's Business and Law exam3. The board lists $36 for the application3 and $200 for the initial license4, each a separate charge. You renew every 2 years5.
Who issues it
New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID)
Training and experience
Experience: at least 4 years2
Exam
Qualifying party exams: trade exam for the classification plus Contractor's Business and Law exam3
Renewal
Every 2 years5
On this page
- New Mexico general contractor licenses
- Rules shared by several license levels
- Who needs a GB-98 General building license
- Requirements for a GB-98 General building license
- Renewal and continuing education
- GA-1 to GA-5 single asphalt classifications
- GA-98 Asphalt, bitumen and concrete construction
- GB-2 Residential
- GF-1 to GF-9 single fixed works classifications
- GF-98 Fixed works
- GS General Specialty classifications
- Handyman Certificate
- City and county rules
- Check a license or report a problem
- Laws and rules
- Common questions
- General contractor licenses in other states
New Mexico general contractor licenses
New Mexico issues 8 general contractor credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.
| License | What it covers | Training or experience | Exam | Application or license fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GA-1 to GA-5 single asphalt classifications | One of GA-1 streets and roads, GA-2 maintenance and repair, GA-3 curbs and gutters, GA-4 striping, GA-5 highway signs and guard rails.2 | Experience 2 years2 | Yes5 | $363 |
| GA-98 Asphalt, bitumen and concrete construction | Covers all work in GA-1 through GA-5: streets and roads, maintenance and repair, curbs and gutters, striping, highway signs and guard rails.2 | – | Yes5 | $363 |
| GB-2 Residential | Build, alter, repair or demolish residences and apartment houses of up to four family units, with incidental Group U items and GS specialty work limited to that residential construction.2 | Experience 2 years2 | Yes5 | $363 |
| GB-98 General building | Build, alter, repair or demolish residential and commercial buildings and certain structures, including GB-2, GF-5, GF-7 and GS work, plus driveway and parking lot seal coating and striping.2 | Experience 4 years2 | Yes5 | $363 |
| GF-1 to GF-9 single fixed works classifications | One of GF-1 airports, GF-2 bridges, GF-3 canals and dams, GF-4 drainage, GF-5 recreation areas, GF-6 railroad and tunnel, GF-7 tanks and towers, GF-8 transmission lines, GF-9 utility lines.2 | Experience 2 years2 | Yes5 | $363 |
| GF-98 Fixed works | Covers all work in GF-1 through GF-9, such as airports, bridges, dams, drainage, recreation areas, railroads, tanks and towers, transmission lines and utility lines.2 | Experience 4 years2 | Yes5 | $363 |
| GS General Specialty classifications | Specialty trades such as insulation, awnings, concrete, demolition, drywall, earthmoving, masonry, siding, plastering and pools. Any regulated classification not listed is issued a GS-29.2 | Experience 2 years2 | Yes5 | $363 |
| Handyman Certificate | One casual, minor job at a time, up to $7,200 compensation a year, not part of a larger operation and with no advertising as a contractor. No electrical, plumbing or gas fitting.6 | – | – | – |
Rules shared by several license levels
These rules are the same for several of the New Mexico general contractor licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.
1. Every license level except Handyman Certificate
Requirements
- Minimum age
- 18 years old1
- Background check
- CID may deny or refuse to renew only for listed disqualifying felony convictions directly related to the trade; the applicant can submit mitigation evidence and appeal.1
- Surety bond
- $10,0001 (Bond face amount, not the premium; premium is set by the surety)
- Insurance
- Workers compensation coverage is required for all licensed entities3
- Business requirements
- License goes to a business entity with a certified qualifying party3
- Business requirements
- Tax registration certificate, and entity certificates where applicable3
- Business requirements
- Corporations, LLCs, LPs and LLPs need their own license and must be authorized to do business in New Mexico1
- Also required
- All requirements must be met within six months of the application date or the application expires and fees are forfeited1
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $363 | PSI | Qualifying party applicant |
| Special examination review fee | $404 | CID | Optional review after two failed exams. Not refundable |
Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.
The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, PSI3, when you schedule.
How to apply
- Have the qualifying party apply: send PSI the notarized QP application and work experience affidavits with the $36 fee.3
- Wait for the approval notice, then schedule the exams with PSI.3
- Pass the classification exam and the business and law exam, or take an approved business and law course instead.3
- Have the company apply to PSI with the application fee, license fees, license bond, tax registration certificate, any entity certificate, and the qualifying party's scores.3
- Application form
- public.psiexams.com3
Renewal
- How often
- Every 2 years5
- When it expires
- Two years from issuance or as set by the division; the fee rule also allows a one-year term.4
- Late renewal
- Late renewal fee: $15 (per day, up to 30 days; after that, twice the renewal fee)
- If it expires
- Failure to renew by the last working day before expiry suspends the license; not renewed within three months, it is canceled.5
- Renew online
- public.psiexams.com3
From another state
- Route
- Reciprocity agreements
- What the board says
- The statute allows reciprocal licensing agreements, but no list of contractor partner states was found. The only reciprocity CID publishes is for the EE-98J electrical journeyman, which is not a general contractor credential.5
- States on New Mexico's list
- The pages cited here give no list of partner states for this route; the board's words above say who qualifies. Ask the board which states it has agreements with.
- Route
- Exam waiver
- What the board says
- NASCLA accredited general construction exam can replace the state trade exam, at the bureau chief's discretion. All other qualifying party requirements still apply.1
- Route
- Military service members and spouses
- What the board says
- Expedited licensing within 30 days for service members, spouses, dependent children and veterans holding a substantially equivalent license in good standing.1
2. Every license level except GB-98 General building, GB-2 Residential and Handyman Certificate
Requirements
- Exam
- Qualifying party exam: Contractor's Business and Law exam, plus any exam applicable to the classification3
Given by: PSI3
When you can take it: After work experience documentation is accepted and CID or PSI sends an approval notice3
Retakes: May retest after reapplying and paying the fee, no more than twice in any 30-day period1
Time limit: A passing score is valid for one year3
Exam waived: Bureau chief may waive the state trade exam for a NASCLA accredited general construction exam passed at the passing score. A business and law course certificate can replace the business and law exam.5
3. GB-98 General building, GA-98 Asphalt, bitumen and concrete construction, GB-2 Residential and GF-98 Fixed works
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $2004 | CID | Two-year license; rule gives half this amount for one year |
Renewal
- Renewal fee
- $2004 (Two-year renewal)
4. GA-1 to GA-5 single asphalt classifications, GF-1 to GF-9 single fixed works classifications and GS General Specialty classifications
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $1004 | CID | Two-year license; rule gives half this amount for one year |
Renewal
- Renewal fee
- $1004 (Two-year renewal)
5. GB-98 General building and GB-2 Residential
Requirements
- Exam
- Qualifying party exams: trade exam for the classification plus Contractor's Business and Law exam3
Given by: PSI3
When you can take it: After work experience documentation is accepted and CID or PSI sends an approval notice3
Retakes: May retest after reapplying and paying the fee, no more than twice in any 30-day period1
Time limit: A passing score is valid for one year3
Exam waived: Bureau chief may waive the state trade exam for a NASCLA accredited general construction exam passed at the passing score. A business and law course certificate can replace the business and law exam.5
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination review fee | $254 | CID | Optional review after a failed exam. Not refundable |
6. GA-1 to GA-5 single asphalt classifications and GF-1 to GF-9 single fixed works classifications
Requirements
Who needs a GB-98 General building license
Build, alter, repair or demolish residential and commercial buildings and certain structures, including GB-2, GF-5, GF-7 and GS work, plus driveway and parking lot seal coating and striping.2
Exemptions and dollar thresholds:
Requirements for a GB-98 General building license
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 3 and group 5 under Rules shared by several license levels.
- Experience
- At least 4 years2
Foreman level practical or related trade experience, part commercial. The rule reads "of which at two years must be commercial experience" as published.2
Supervision: Experience must fall within the 10 years before application3
Substitute: Accredited technical training counts at half a year per year, up to half of the requirement1
Renewal and continuing education
Renewal planner
Enter the expiration date printed on your New Mexico GB-98 General building license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.
GA-1 to GA-5 single asphalt classifications
One of GA-1 streets and roads, GA-2 maintenance and repair, GA-3 curbs and gutters, GA-4 striping, GA-5 highway signs and guard rails.2
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 4 and group 6 under Rules shared by several license levels.
GA-98 Asphalt, bitumen and concrete construction
Covers all work in GA-1 through GA-5: streets and roads, maintenance and repair, curbs and gutters, striping, highway signs and guard rails.2
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Rules shared by several license levels.
GB-2 Residential
Build, alter, repair or demolish residences and apartment houses of up to four family units, with incidental Group U items and GS specialty work limited to that residential construction.2
Requirements
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 3 and group 5 under Rules shared by several license levels.
GF-1 to GF-9 single fixed works classifications
One of GF-1 airports, GF-2 bridges, GF-3 canals and dams, GF-4 drainage, GF-5 recreation areas, GF-6 railroad and tunnel, GF-7 tanks and towers, GF-8 transmission lines, GF-9 utility lines.2
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 4 and group 6 under Rules shared by several license levels.
GF-98 Fixed works
Covers all work in GF-1 through GF-9, such as airports, bridges, dams, drainage, recreation areas, railroads, tanks and towers, transmission lines and utility lines.2
Requirements
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Rules shared by several license levels.
GS General Specialty classifications
Specialty trades such as insulation, awnings, concrete, demolition, drywall, earthmoving, masonry, siding, plastering and pools. Any regulated classification not listed is issued a GS-29.2
Requirements
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 4 under Rules shared by several license levels.
Handyman Certificate
One casual, minor job at a time, up to $7,200 compensation a year, not part of a larger operation and with no advertising as a contractor. No electrical, plumbing or gas fitting.6
How to apply
- File the annual declaration on the division's form.6
Renewal
- How often
- Every year6
City and county rules
GA-98 Asphalt, bitumen and concrete constructionCities may not demand an additional license bond from a state-licensed contractor. Albuquerque sends contractor licensing questions to the state and runs a separate city business license.7
| City or county | What it requires | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | City business license applies separately; contractor license comes from the state.8 | Official page7 |
Check a license or report a problem
Before you hire a general contractor in New Mexico, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in New Mexico is on the New Mexico license lookup page.
- Look up a license
- public.psiexams.com3
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
Common questions
How long does it take to get a GB-98 General building license in New Mexico?
The rules set at least 4 years2 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.
Can I transfer my general contractor license to New Mexico?
CID publishes these routes for the GB-98 General building license: reciprocity agreements5 and exam waiver1. Conditions and forms.
General contractor licenses in other states
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- 14.6.3 NMAC Contractor License RequirementsNew Mexico State Records Center and ArchivesDated January 13, 2023Checked November 5, 2026
- 14.6.6 NMAC Classification and ScopesNew Mexico State Records Center and ArchivesDated March 10, 2022Checked November 5, 2026
- Apply for a Construction Industries LicenseNew Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries DivisionChecked November 5, 2026
- 14.5.5 NMAC FeesNew Mexico State Records Center and ArchivesDated July 1, 2004Checked November 5, 2026
- NMSA 1978 Chapter 60 Business Licenses (unannotated), includes Article 13 Construction Industries…New Mexico Compilation Commission (NMOneSource.com), linked from NMRLD CID Laws and RulesChecked November 5, 2026
- 14.6.2 NMAC Handyman CertificateNew Mexico State Records Center and ArchivesDated December 1, 2000Checked November 5, 2026
- Building Safety & Permits FAQsCity of AlbuquerqueChecked November 5, 2026
- Online Business ServicesCity of AlbuquerqueChecked November 5, 2026