Plumber in New Mexico
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NM. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, New Mexico.
Jobs (NM)
10-yr job growth
Est. total cost
Time to complete
route How to become a plumber in New Mexico
To become a Journeyman Plumber in New Mexico, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and accumulate 4,000 hours of practical plumbing experience. After meeting the experience requirement, you must pass both a written and practical New Mexico Journeyman Plumber (JP) Examination. The licensing process is managed by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division, with applications and exams handled by PSI Exams. New Mexico offers reciprocity for journeyman licenses with several states, including Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
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Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for New Mexico. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist New Mexico requirements
| Licensing body | New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department - Construction Industries Division |
| State license | Required |
| Education | None |
| Experience | 4,000.0 hours |
| Exam | New Mexico Journeyman Plumber (JP) Examination ($138) |
| Application fee | $75 |
| Renewal | Every 3.0 years |
| Continuing education | 16.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age is 18 years old. A high school diploma or GED is also required. For those wishing to own a business, a Plumbing Contractor (MM-1) license is available, requiring 4 years (8,000 hours) of experience, passing a plumbing trade exam and a business and law exam, and a $10,000 surety bond. New Mexico does not issue master plumber licenses. |
Source: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department - Construction Industries Division
workspace_premium New Mexico license tiers
New Mexico offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Journeyman Plumber (JP) | 4,000 |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleNew Mexico license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk