New Mexico plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
New Mexico plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (CID), how to check one online, the license types, and 683 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in New Mexico?
| Who licenses them | New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID) |
|---|---|
| License types | MM-1 Plumbing (contractor), MM-98 Mechanical (contractor), JP Journeyman Plumber, JPG Journeyman Plumber and Natural Gas Fitter |
| When a license is required | Contractor license required; the $7,200-a-year handyman exemption never covers plumbing, gas fitting or electrical work (14.6.2.8 NMAC) |
New Mexico licenses both the contracting business (MM-1 or MM-98) and the individual journeyman, who must work under a licensed contractor. Contractors post a $10,000 surety bond that can be used to fix uncorrected code violations; plumbing jobs need a permit and inspection.
How do you look up a plumber's license in New Mexico?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the New Mexico plumbing 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 plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact CID.
What plumbing licenses does New Mexico issue?
- MM-1 Plumbing (contractor)
- MM-98 Mechanical (contractor)
- JP Journeyman Plumber
- JPG Journeyman Plumber and Natural Gas Fitter
How do you get a plumbing 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 plumbers are there in New Mexico?
The Census Bureau counted 683 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in New Mexico in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Bernalillo County | 238 |
|---|---|
| Santa Fe County | 80 |
| Doña Ana County | 58 |
| Sandoval County | 41 |
| Valencia County | 35 |
| Chaves County | 26 |
| San Juan County | 25 |
| Taos County | 24 |
What do New Mexico homes mean for plumbing 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 plumber in New Mexico?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: New Mexico licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.