Licensed jobs in New Mexico
New Mexico: 10 occupations, 8 licensing agencies. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in New Mexico
New Mexico licenses 10 of the 10 occupations below at the state level. Electricians have the most levels here (8 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetologist License 2 credentials in all | New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists | Training 1,600 clock hours1 | $1002 | Every 2 years1 |
| Notary public | Notary Public 3 credentials in all | SOS | – | $304 | Every 4 years5 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Registered Nurse (RN) single-state license 2 credentials in all | NMBON | – | $1506 | Every 2 years7 |
| Plumber | JP Journeyman plumber 4 credentials in all | CID | Experience 2 years9 | – | Every 3 years10 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.), listed on the New Mexico Health Care Authority nurse aide registry 3 credentials in all | New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry | Training 75 clock hours11 | – | Every 2 years12 |
| Electrician | EE-98J Journeyman residential and commercial electrical 8 credentials in all | CID | Experience 4 years9 | – | Every 3 years10 |
| Security guard | Security Guard Level One registration 6 credentials in all | Private Investigations Advisory Board | – | $5014 | Every 3 years15 |
| Massage therapist | Massage Therapist (licensed massage therapist) 3 credentials in all | New Mexico Massage Therapy Board | Training 650 clock hours17 | $7518 | Every 2 years18 |
| Real estate agent | Associate Broker 2 credentials in all | NMREC | Training 90 classroom hours1 | $27020 | Every 3 years21 |
| General contractor | GB-98 General building 8 credentials in all | CID | Experience 4 years9 | $3624 | Every 2 years10 |
Licensing boards
8 agencies issue the New Mexico licenses we cover:
- New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID): plumbers, electricians and general contractors
- Private Investigations Advisory Board: security guards
- New Mexico Board of Nursing (NMBON): registered nurses and nursing assistants
- New Mexico Secretary of State (SOS): notaries
- New Mexico Massage Therapy Board: massage therapists
- New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists: cosmetologists
- New Mexico Real Estate Commission (NMREC): real estate agents
- New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry: nursing assistants
Moving to New Mexico with a license
For electricians and real estate agents, the New Mexico board names the states whose licenses it accepts. The boards for notaries and plumbers publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | License by endorsement and Military service members and spouses13 |
| Notary public | No reciprocity route5 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Interstate compact privilege, License by endorsement, Temporary license or permit, Exam waiver and Military service members and spouses786 |
| Plumber | – |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement12 |
| Electrician | Reciprocity agreements13 |
| Security guard | License by endorsement and Military service members and spouses1516 |
| Massage therapist | License by endorsement and Military service members and spouses119 |
| Real estate agent | Reciprocity agreements, Exam waiver and Military service members and spouses222320 |
| General contractor | Reciprocity agreements, Exam waiver and Military service members and spouses1025 |
Check a license
Every board above runs its own license search. The New Mexico license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- NMSA 1978 Chapter 61, Article 17A Barbers and Cosmetologists ActNew Mexico Compilation Commission (NMOneSource)Checked November 7, 2026
- Barbers and Cosmetologists: FAQsNew Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Board of Barbers and CosmetologistsChecked November 7, 2026
- 16.34.6 NMAC Expedited LicensureNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (NMAC)Checked November 7, 2026
- Become a NotaryNew Mexico Secretary of StateChecked November 7, 2026
- NMSA 1978 Chapter 14 Records, Rules, Legal Notices, Oaths (incl. Art. 14A RULONA)New Mexico Compilation Commission (NMOneSource)Checked November 7, 2026
- 16.12.16 NMAC Registered Nurse (RN) LicensureNew Mexico Board of NursingDated January 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Nursing Practice Act (NMSA 1978 61-3) 6.20.2025New Mexico Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- FAQsNew Mexico Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- 14.6.6 NMAC Construction Industries Licensing - ClassificationsNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (NMAC)Checked November 7, 2026
- NMSA 1978 Chapter 60 Business Licenses (unannotated), incl. Art. 13 Construction Industries Licensing ActNew Mexico Compilation Commission (NMOneSource.com), linked from NMRLD CID Laws and RulesChecked November 7, 2026
- 8.312.2 NMAC Nursing FacilitiesNew Mexico State Records Center and ArchivesDated March 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Certified Nurse Aide Registry (NM Health Care Authority)New Mexico Health Care Authority, Division of Health ImprovementChecked November 7, 2026
- Continuing EducationNew Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
- Private Investigations: FeesPrivate Investigations Advisory Board, New Mexico Regulation and Licensing DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- 16.48.2 NMACNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (NMAC)Checked November 7, 2026
- 16.48.8 NMACNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (NMAC)Checked November 7, 2026
- 16.7.4 NMAC Requirements for Licensure by ExaminationNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (NMAC)Checked November 7, 2026
- New Mexico Register Volume XXXVII Issue 5 (March 10, 2026) - Massage Therapy Board amendmentsNew Mexico Commission of Public Records, Administrative Law Division (New Mexico Register)Dated March 10, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
- Massage Therapy Board: Licensing, Registration, and RenewalNew Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Massage Therapy BoardChecked November 8, 2026
- 16.61.3 NMACNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (New Mexico Administrative Code)Checked November 6, 2026
- 16.61.11 NMACNew Mexico State Records Center and Archives (New Mexico Administrative Code)Checked November 6, 2026
- FAQsNew Mexico Real Estate Commission, Regulation and Licensing DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
- Licensing, Registration, and RenewalNew Mexico Real Estate Commission, Regulation and Licensing DepartmentChecked November 6, 2026
- Apply for a Construction Industries LicenseNew Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries DivisionChecked November 5, 2026
- 14.6.3 NMAC Contractor License RequirementsNew Mexico State Records Center and ArchivesDated January 13, 2023Checked November 5, 2026