New Mexico contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
New Mexico contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (CID), how to check one online, the license types, and 605 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in New Mexico?
| Who licenses them | New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID) |
|---|---|
| License types | GB-2 Residential (general contractor), GB-98 General Building, GS specialty classifications, Handyman Certificate (exemption filing, not a license) |
| When a license is required | License required for contracting; exempt only as a registered handyman doing casual, minor work, one project at a time, up to $7,200 compensation a year, with no electrical, plumbing or gas work and no contractor advertising (14.6.2.8 NMAC) |
For home building or remodeling, ask for a GB-2 or GB-98 license. Licensed contractors must keep a $10,000 surety bond that can be used to cure code violations they leave uncorrected; claims are due within two years of final inspection or certificate of occupancy.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in New Mexico?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the New Mexico contractor license lookup run by CID.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact CID.
What contractor licenses does New Mexico issue?
- GB-2 Residential (general contractor)
- GB-98 General Building
- GS specialty classifications
- Handyman Certificate (exemption filing, not a license)
How do you get a contractor license in New Mexico?
Licenses are issued by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official CID source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which New Mexico city is the job in?
How many home improvement contractors are there in New Mexico?
The Census Bureau counted 605 residential remodelers with employees in New Mexico in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Bernalillo County | 203 |
|---|---|
| Santa Fe County | 119 |
| Doña Ana County | 49 |
| Sandoval County | 31 |
| Valencia County | 23 |
| San Juan County | 20 |
| Lincoln County | 18 |
| Curry County | 16 |
What do New Mexico homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in New Mexico was built in 1984, 31% of households rent and 68% of homes are single-family houses. 62% of homes heat with utility gas and 23% with electricity.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in New Mexico?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: New Mexico licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.