New Mexico HVAC: How to get certified and licensed in NM

As a desert state with cold winters and scorching hot summers, New Mexico is an environment of temperature extremes. Heating and cooling professionals are in high demand, as most residential and commercial building owners require consistent temperature control. The job prospects for HVAC professionals, from apprentices to contractors, are strong in New Mexico, and wages are competitive.

Our guide explores everything you need to know about obtaining your HVAC license in New Mexico, along with helpful links and more information about fees, testing, and exams.

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

New Mexico requires all HVAC professionals to have a valid license. The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department Construction Industries Division issues state licenses for HVAC techs and contractors.

There are multiple types of licenses for HVAC professionals; the type of license and/ or certification you need depends on your job. PSI Exams administers all applications, renewals, and exams, with testing sites in several major cities.

Journeyman Certificates of Competence

HVAC techs must have a valid Journeyman Certificate of Competence and work under a licensed HVAC general contractor. This license has five classifications, depending on the type of equipment or tasks you’ll be working on. You are permitted to apply for multiple license classifications at one time as long as you have the requisite work experience for each one you’re applying for.

To secure your license, you must submit your Journeyman Certificate Application, plus a $75 fee and proof of work experience for each license.

The five classifications for HVAC Journeyman Applications are as follows:

• Journeyman Gasfitter, requiring 4,000 hours of work experience and passing the Journeyman Gasfitter exam
• Journeyman Refrigeration, requiring 4,000 hours of work experience and passing the Journeyman Refrigeration exam
• Journeyman Plumber and Natural Gasfitter, requiring 4,000 hours of work experience and passing the Journeyman Plumber & Gasfitter exam
• Journeyman Boiler Operator (Low Pressure Only), requiring 1,000 hours of work experience and passing the Boiler Operator 1 exam
• Journeyman Boiler Operator (High and Low Pressure), requiring 1,000 hours of work experience and passing the Boiler Operator 2 exam

Each Journeyman HVAC certificate is valid for 3 years.

HVAC Contractor License

All journeyman HVAC professionals (and apprentices) must work under the supervision of a licensed HVAC contractor. New Mexico issues four types of contractor licenses, which may be held either by a business entity (like a corporation or LLC) or a single individual (for owner-operators of HVAC businesses). You may apply for multiple licenses at once if you have the necessary work experience and can pass the required licensing exam.

You must have a valid Journeyman Certificate of Competence and proof of 8,000 hours of work experience in the appropriate discipline. You must also submit your Qualifying Party Application and pay the application fee of $30 plus $6 for each certification you apply for.

The Contractor license classifications are as follows:

• MM-2: Natural Gas Fitting
• MM-3: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
• MM-4: Heating, Cooling, and Process Piping
• MM-98: Mechanical Contractor, covering all the MM categories, plus plumbing licensure  

In addition to the exams required for the specific certifications, you must also pass a New Mexico Business & law Exam, which is offered through approved vendors like PSI Exams. Licenses are valid for three years.

EPA License

To legally work on refrigeration units or cooling equipment that contains refrigerants, you must have a Section 608 Certification from the EPA. This certification is valid in all 50 stages and does not expire. In addition to the Section 608 Certification, the EPA offers additional certifications for specialty or niche work.

NATE Certificate

Another optional certification for HVAC skills is one issued by the North American Technical Excellence (NATE), a nationwide non-profit HVAC accreditation organization. NATE Certifications designate the best of the best and are available for several specialties. Once you have a NATE certification, it does not expire and is recognized in all 50 states.

Benefits of getting an HVAC license

The primary benefit of getting an HVAC license in New Mexico is that you can legally perform work on heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. Without a license, you cannot legally perform the work, and work that is done may not be to code.

In addition to the legal requirement for holding the appropriate Journeyman or Contractor license, having a license demonstrates to potential employers or customers that the work you perform is up to code and that you possess the skills and experience to perform HVAC work in their building.

Average earnings for HVAC professionals in New Mexico

The average salary for HVAC contractors and other managerial roles, like a field supervisor, in New Mexico is $89,716 per year, although there is a wide range, from $53,189 to $151,327. Some employers may offer bonuses or a higher salary if you have the ability to perform niche work. You may also earn more if you have your own business, as you have more control over your earnings.

Hourly HVAC workers, like Journeyman techs, installers, and mechanics, can earn between $16.73 and $41.50 per hour, with an average wage of $26.35. Some HVAC companies may pay their hourly workers a higher wage if they work on weekends or evenings to respond to emergency calls. Others may permit their employees to work overtime, which can increase the average weekly wage.

Both salaried and hourly HVAC workers in New Mexico can often command a higher salary if they have licenses or certifications that permit them to work on a wider variety of equipment. For example, if you hold all five Journeyman licenses in the state, you may be able to command a higher wage than someone who only has one and is, therefore, more limited.

How much does it cost to get an HVAC license in New Mexico?

The cost of each Journeyman license is $75 per classification. The cost of an HVAC Contractor license in New Mexico is $30 for the application fee plus $6 for each classification you’re applying for. In addition, the license fee is $150 for each category, although it caps at $300 total (so if you apply for three or four categories, you would only pay up to $300).

How to get an HVAC license in New Mexico

HVAC licenses for Journeymen and Contractors are issued by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department Construction Industries Division.

For any type of license, you must submit a completed application, be able to pass a criminal background check and pay the required application and licensing fees. You must also take certain exams, which are proctored by PSI Exams. Testing sites are located in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Roswell, Las Cruces, and Farmington. You can find practice exams for Journeyman and Contractor licenses here and here.

Each Journeyman license classification requires a separate exam and a certain number of work hours, either 4,000 or 1,000.

Contractor licenses require the applicant to present proof of a valid Journeyman Certificate of Competence plus 8,000 hours of experience. You also have to submit a Qualifying Party Application. You must pass the Qualifying Party exam, plus pass the business and law exam proctored by a state-approved organization. Once your application as a Qualifying Party is approved, you then submit an application for your Contractor License, including your Qualifying Party Certificate, the application and license fees, and proof of a $10,000 surety bond.

Exams required for a New Mexico HVAC license

Each license, Journeyman and Contractor, requires an accompanying exam. Passing scores are typically between 70% and 75%.Contractor license applicants must also pass the New Mexico Business & Law Exam, which is proctored by several approved.