New Mexico HVAC Contractor License
New Mexico HVAC contractors must license with CID under MM‑98. Appoint a Qualifying Party with four years’ recent experience, have the QP pass PSI’s trade exam(s) and Business & Law, file through PSI, post a $10,000 bond, maintain workers’ comp, and renew every 1–2 years.
To get a HVAC contractor license in New Mexico, designate a Qualifying Party (QP) with four years of recent mechanical experience, have the QP pass PSI’s trade exam(s) and the New Mexico Business & Law exam, file your license application, post a $10,000 code bond, maintain workers’ comp, and renew every 1–2 years.
Requirements last verified: 2026-10-16
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensing agency | New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department (RLD), Construction Industries Division (CID). Apply for a Construction Industries License. |
| License classification | MM-98 Mechanical (covers MM-1, MM-2, MM-3, MM-4 scopes). See 14.6.6 NMAC. Mechanical classifications and scopes. |
| QP experience | Four years within the 10 years immediately prior to application (Qualifying Party certificate requirement). New Mexico Register (Dec. 13, 2022). |
| Exams | Qualifying Party must pass: (1) trade exam(s) for the classification (PSI lists MM‑1, MM‑2, MM‑3, MM‑4); and (2) New Mexico Contractor’s Business & Law. RLD apply page and PSI fee/exam list. |
| State application and license fees | $30 nonrefundable application fee; MM‑98 license fee $100 per year or $200 for two years per classification; exam review fees if requested. 14.5.5.8 NMAC. |
| Bond | $10,000 contractor license (code) bond required at initial licensure and as a condition of renewal. 14.6.3.8 NMAC (May 24, 2022). |
| Insurance | Workers’ compensation coverage is required for all licensed entities. New Mexico Business Portal – Construction License and RLD apply page. |
| Minimum age | No license if a business is majority‑owned by an individual 17 or younger. 14.6.3 NMAC. |
| Company setup | Register entity and tax accounts (Secretary of State and Taxation & Revenue) per Business Portal guidance. Business Portal. |
| Renewal | Renew every 1 or 2 years (your choice) at $100/year or $200/2 years for MM‑98; maintain $10,000 bond and QP. 14.5.5.8 NMAC and 14.6.3 NMAC. |
How to get a HVAC contractor license in New Mexico
- Confirm your business structure and registrations. Form your entity and obtain New Mexico tax registration as guided by the state Business Portal. Business Portal – Construction License.
- Designate your Qualifying Party (QP). Your QP must document four years of relevant mechanical experience within the past 10 years and submit the QP application and Work Experience Affidavit to PSI for preapproval. RLD apply page.
- Get exam approval and schedule with PSI. After PSI approves the QP, schedule the required trade exam(s) and the New Mexico Contractor’s Business & Law exam. PSI lists MM‑1, MM‑2, MM‑3, MM‑4 trade exams; fees are paid to PSI. PSI exam/fee list.
- Obtain the $10,000 contractor code bond. Purchase and file the CID contractor bond (obligee: CID/RLD). The bond is required for initial licensure and renewal. 14.6.3.8 NMAC.
- Complete the contractor license application. Submit the application (with $30 application fee and the MM‑98 classification fee of $100/year or $200/2 years) through PSI’s portal, attaching exam passes, bond, and registrations. 14.5.5.8 NMAC and PSI contractor licensing portal.
- Maintain workers’ compensation and compliance. Keep workers’ comp active for your licensed entity and follow CID rules for permits and scopes. Business Portal and 14.6.6 NMAC.
- Renew on time. Renew every 1–2 years (your choice), keep the QP attached, and maintain the $10,000 bond; fees per 14.5.5.8 NMAC apply. 14.5.5.8 NMAC.
New Mexico HVAC contractor license: who needs MM‑98?
If you install, service, or contract for HVAC/mechanical systems in New Mexico, you must hold the CID-issued MM‑98 (or work under a properly licensed contractor). Scope and prime‑contracting limits are defined in 14.6.6 NMAC. See mechanical scopes.
Exams for the New Mexico MM‑98 HVAC contractor license
CID requires the QP to pass the New Mexico Business & Law exam and the applicable mechanical trade exam(s) administered by PSI. PSI lists separate MM‑1 (plumbing), MM‑2 (natural gas fitting), MM‑3 (HVAC), and MM‑4 (heating/cooling & process piping) trade exams; each has its own registration and fee. RLD apply page; PSI exam/fee list.
Costs: application, license, exams, bond
Expect state fees of $30 to apply plus $100 per year (or $200 for two years) for MM‑98. PSI charges separate exam fees. New Mexico also mandates a $10,000 contractor code bond. For real‑world budgeting of exam prep, bonding, and first‑year expenses, see our breakdown in New Mexico HVAC contractor license cost. 14.5.5.8 NMAC; 14.6.3.8 NMAC; PSI.
Company setup, workers’ comp, and tax registration
The state Business Portal outlines entity setup and tax registration steps. RLD notes workers’ compensation is required for all licensed entities. Keep these current to avoid licensure issues. Business Portal – Construction License; RLD apply page.
Renewing a New Mexico HVAC contractor license
Renew annually or biennially (your choice) at the MM‑98 rate ($100 per year or $200 for two years). Renewal requires maintaining the $10,000 bond and an attached QP; observe CID rules on permits and scope. 14.5.5.8 NMAC; 14.6.3 NMAC; 14.6.6 NMAC.
Related New Mexico licensing paths
If you’re exploring adjacent compliance in New Mexico, our guide to the New Mexico private investigator license process shows how background, testing, and bonding differ outside construction—useful context when building a multi‑service firm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need MM‑98 to bid prime on HVAC work?
Yes. To prime‑contract, your license must cover the major portion of the project’s scope; MM‑98 authorizes the combined mechanical scopes. 14.6.6 NMAC.
How much experience must the QP have?
Four years within the past ten years in the relevant mechanical work is required before a QP can be approved to test. NM Register (Dec. 13, 2022).
What are the exact state fees for MM‑98?
$30 nonrefundable application fee, plus $100 per year (or $200 for two years) for the MM‑98 classification. Exam fees are paid to PSI separately. 14.5.5.8 NMAC.
How much is the required bond?
New Mexico requires a $10,000 contractor license (code) bond at issuance and renewal. 14.6.3.8 NMAC.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes—businesses majority‑owned by an individual 17 or younger are ineligible for licensure. 14.6.3 NMAC.
Who delivers the exams and how do I schedule?
PSI administers New Mexico contractor exams. After QP preapproval, schedule the Business & Law and trade exam(s) through PSI and pay exam fees there. RLD apply page; PSI portal.
Ready to move forward? License Navigator can manage your New Mexico MM‑98 application from QP approval and PSI scheduling to bonding and renewal tracking—so you can focus on winning HVAC projects.
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Licensing Navigator researches business licensing requirements and organizes them into practical, state-by-state guidance. Our pages are research aids, not legal advice.