New Mexico Electrician License: Everything You Need to Know

Careers in practical trades are thriving, and the electrical trade is no exception. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that job growth for electricians will increase at a rate of about 11% over the next decade. In New Mexico, the job outlook for electricians is even brighter—it’s estimated to improve at a rate of 17% over the next ten years!  

A New Mexico electrical license provides an opportunity for you to earn a competitive salary and become a highly skilled professional. Electricians work for hotels, school systems, utility companies, and home builders. The electrical industry is experiencing unprecedented growth.

If you’re ready to make a career change, apply for a New Mexico electrical license. Read this guide to learn how to get your license and apply for a job in the electrical industry. We include the links you need for education and training, finding a job, and getting your New Mexico electrician license.

Does New Mexico require an electrical license?

Electricians in New Mexico must have a valid license prior to accepting an electrician job. It is against the law to perform electrical work without a license. If you want to bid on electrical projects in the state, you must have an electrical contractor’s license.

The New Mexico Construction Industries Division, Regulation & Licensing Department issues electrician licenses in New Mexico.

What are the different types of electrical licenses in New Mexico?

The different types of New Mexico electrical licenses are:

• Electrical Contractor
• Journeyman Electrician

How to get a New Mexico electrician license

Your first step to getting your electrician license in New Mexico is getting the appropriate training. While some states require an apprenticeship before getting a license, New Mexico gives electricians-in-training several options for training:

• On-the-job training under a licensed journeyman or contractor
• Trade school
• Apprenticeship

New Mexico electrician apprenticeship requirements

If you’re seeking an apprenticeship, you have the option of a union-affiliated apprenticeship, like those offered by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), or one of the non-union apprenticeships, like these:

• New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions Apprentice Programs
• New Mexico JATC for the Electrical Industry
• Northern New Mexico Independent Electrical Contractors Apprenticeship Programs

New Mexico apprenticeship application fees are between $20 and $50. Expect to pay up to $10,000 to attend a trade school or community college. Accredited colleges and trade schools generally offer financial aid options for students. Some apprenticeship sponsors pay for classroom training and provide a salary for apprentices. You can take your courses in a classroom or online.

New Mexico electrician apprenticeship prerequisites:

• Be at least 18 years old to enroll in an apprenticeship program
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Attend a job interview
• Make a 4-year commitment to the program
• Be physically capable of performing the work

On-the-job experience:

• Learn New Mexico electrical codes and safety requirements
• Perform installations for commercial and residential properties
• Attend electrician training courses as required
• Replace and repair electrical wires in existing dwellings
• Perform all jobs under the direction of a licensed journeyman electrician

New Mexico license examination information: Applicants must score at least 75% to pass the exam. The fee is between $100 and $150 per test. New Mexico electrician exams are administered by PSI Exams. You can find practice tests here and here.

New Mexico electrical examination content includes:

• Electrical safety
• Electrical installations
• New Mexico electrical codes
• Electrical signs and outline lighting
• Fire detection and alarm systems

Once you have the required years and hours of education and training, you can apply for one (or more) of the journeyman electrician licenses.

Journeyman electrician license requirements

Journeyman electricians are authorized to install, maintain, and repair electrical wires in commercial and residential buildings. Applicants for the journeyman electrician license must:

• Submit an application
• Pay a license fee
• Pass an examination
• Be at least 18 years old
• Possess a New Mexico Tax Identification Number
• Have a high school diploma or GED

New Mexico offers several types of journeyman license specialties, each of which requires at least 2 years, or 4,000 hours, of education and training:

• ES-1J Electrical Signs and Outline Lighting
• ES-2J Cathodic Protection and Lightning Protection
• ES-3J Sound and Intercommunication and Electrical Alarm Systems
• ER-1 Residential
• ES-7J Telephone Communication Lines

In addition, there are two more types of journeyman electrician licenses that require at least 4 years, or 8,000 hours, of education and training:

• EE-98J Electrical (includes all ESJ Specialties)
• EL-1J Electrical Distribution Systems, including transmission lines

Electrician contractor license requirements

Electrical contractor licensees are authorized to bid and perform electrical jobs that include computer data, sound, television systems, telephones, and alarms. Applicants for the electrical contractor license must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Have at least 4 years and 8,000 hours of experience as an electrician
• Submit an application, including a notarized verification document
• Pass a journeyman examination
• Pay a license fee

In addition, once you are a licensed electrical contractor, you can bid on state projects and start your own electrical contracting business.

Professional certifications for New Mexico electricians

You need an electrician’s license to work independently, handle government projects, or run a business. While optional, certifications can enhance your career and set you apart. Recognized nationwide, these credentials showcase your expertise in specialized electrical work, adding credibility and helping you advance in the field.

NECA professional certifications

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) is the largest and most respected organization for professional electricians in the U.S. Open to all electricians, NECA offers valuable opportunities for networking, continuing education, and career development. It provides certifications tailored to different experience levels, helping electricians strengthen their credentials.

Earning an NECA certification showcases your expertise and distinguishes you from competitors, making you more appealing to employers and customers. NECA also keeps electricians informed about industry advancements, safety regulations, and best practices, ensuring they stay competitive in the field while enhancing their professional credibility and career growth.

National Fire Protection Association certification

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers certifications for electricians specializing in fire suppression systems, security alarms, and related fields. These credentials validate your expertise and strengthen your professional standing. NFPA provides various certification options for different career paths and skill levels. It also offers continuing education to help electricians stay updated with industry standards, new technologies, and safety regulations, ensuring they remain knowledgeable and competitive in the field.

These certifications are important, as the NFPA is the organization responsible for codifying the National Electric Code (NEC), used in all 50 states.

Independent Electrical Contractors Certified Professional Electrician

The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) is a national trade association representing merit shop electricians and contractors. It offers the Certified Professional Electrician (CPE) designation, recognizing top electricians nationwide and accepted in every state. IEC provides various certifications for those not yet ready for CPE, including specialized options for niche fields. IEC also offers continuing education and apprenticeships to help electricians stay current with industry advancements. If you’re not pursuing a union apprenticeship or trade school, IEC serves as a strong alternative for foundational education and career development in the electrical trade.

Average wages for electrical professionals in New Mexico

How much do electricians make? Your salary depends on your experience, training, and education. Wages vary by position, with different roles offering different pay. In New Mexico, the average salary for the most commonly advertised electrician jobs reflects these factors, providing a range based on skill level and job type. Here’s what you can expect:

• Apprentice electrician: $22.45 per hour
• Electrical technician: $41.01 per hour
• General electrician: $73,996 per year
• Journeyman electrician: $35.16 per hour
• Electrical foreman: $33.51 per hour
• Electrical Project Manager: $105,041 per year

New Mexico electrician wages are higher than the national average. With the cost of living in most parts of the state lower than the U.S. average, your dollars will stretch a lot further. General electricians in New Mexico earn considerably more than the national average: $73,996 per year, compared to $63,627 per year for the country overall. Even beginner electricians earn a little more in New Mexico than the national average: $22.45 per hour, compared to the U.S. average of $22.03 per hour.

Your education, training, and experience all affect your pay. More experienced electricians, those with multiple licenses and certifications, and those who completed a top apprenticeship typically make much more than those without these additional qualifications.

Should I join an electrician union in New Mexico?

Before you decide to join a union, consider your career goals. If you want a long-term career in the industry, it makes sense to join a union to receive the benefits. Union perks include a pension plan, paid vacation time, sick pay, and competitive salaries.

The largest electrician union in the country, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), is also the largest in New Mexico. It offers collective bargaining for members as well as apprenticeships. If you’re interested in joining, you can talk to members of a Local union, like the IBEW Local 611 in Albuquerque and IBEW Local 583 serving Las Cruces and El Paso, Texas.

How to use your electrician license to get a job

Businesses, government agencies, and residential property owners rely on skilled electricians. Find your electrician apprentice or journeyman job on one of the following career websites:

• CareerBuilder
• Indeed
• Glassdoor

You could also work for the state, either by bidding on jobs as an electrical contractor or working as an electrician for a state agency. New Mexico offers state jobs online here.

Don’t neglect the power of networking when it comes to getting a job. The mentors you meet working as an apprentice, instructors from your community college or trade school, and members of a union you join can all help you find a job or provide a referral for you.

When interviewing for an electrician job, arrive a few minutes early, dress professionally, and bring your tools. Many employers ask for a practical demonstration of your abilities, so it’s better to have your tools just in case.

Electrician insurance in New Mexico

Working with electricity is dangerous. You can be injured by a live wire or fall from a ladder, so insurance is important.

New Mexico electricians are required to have liability insurance coverage. Self-employed contractors must pay for their own policies, while employed electricians are covered under their company’s policy. Depending on the type of job and its cost, some clients may require additional liability insurance coverage or a surety bond.

If you are an electrical contractor and you have more employees than just yourself, then you must also carry New Mexico Workers’ Compensation insurance coverage.

Electrician industry trends

Newly constructed homes and office buildings have increased the demand for skilled electrical professionals. This includes retrofitting older buildings to accommodate more electronics and adding electrical vehicle charging ports to homes and businesses.

Renewable and sustainable energy are popular. People are looking for ways to meet their daily needs and protect the environment. Electrical companies must know how to harness energy efficiently. Solar energy is a growing industry in New Mexico. With more than 300 sunny days each year, there’s plenty of clean, alternative energy to harness. Electricians who know how to install and repair solar panels and transfer harvested energy to the grid will likely be in high demand in the years to come.

Attend electrical trade shows to learn about the latest trends. The New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Vendor Expo in Albuquerque is a popular show for electricians.

FAQ

Is my license only valid in New Mexico?

New Mexico has reciprocity with Nebraska, Arkansas, and Texas.

How can I change my name or other information on my New Mexico electrician license?

To update your name or other details on your New Mexico electrician license, submit a Name and Address Change Request form to the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department. If changing your name, include supporting documents like a marriage certificate or court order. A small fee applies. Contact the department for the exact process and required forms.

How can I reorder a replacement license?

To request a replacement New Mexico electrician’s license, you can complete an ELC-LIC-004-E form and mail it in. You can also request a replacement card through Housecall Pro.

How often do I need to renew my electrician license in New Mexico?

Renew your New Mexico electrical license every three years. The electrician license renewal fee is between $75 and $200.