General Construction
The General Construction licenses are issued by the General Building Bureau. All applications for licenses and examinations must be submitted through PSI© (business and law examination will be needed as well). Approved licenses have 3-year effectiveness from the date of issuance.
The Construction Industries Division (CID) issues the licenses to qualified entities that are owned or that employ certified Qualifying Parties in the General Construction category. Once obtaining a license, contracting can only be done within the scope of the chosen trade.
For further information on becoming a Qualifying Party, visit PSI©. While navigating through all these licenses, it is useful to understand the meaning of the different acronyms. Recall that G stands for general construction, E stands for electrical, and M stands for mechanical/plumbing. These first letters are typically followed by an A, B, F, or an S, which stand for asphalt, building, fixed works, and specialties.
General Construction Classification Trades
- Fixed Works
- Airports (GF-1)
- Bridges (GF-2)
- Canals, Reservoirs, or Irrigation Systems (GF-3)
- CORE (GF)
- Drainage or Flood Control Systems (GF-4)
- Fixed Works (GF-98)
- Recreation Areas (GF-5)
- Railroad and Tunnel Construction (GF-6)
- Roofing (GS-21)
- Tanks and Tower (GF-7)
- Transmission Lines, Tanks, and Substations (NonElectrical) (GF-8)
- Utility Lines (GF-9)
- Asphalt, Bitumen and Concrete Construction
- Residential and Commercial Building
- Specialty Classifications
- Acoustical Insulation and Insulation (GS-1)
- Awnings and Canopies (GS-2)
- Caissons, Piers and Pile Driving (GS-15)
- Concrete, Cement, Walkways, and Driveways (GS-4)
- Concrete Coring, Drilling and Slab Sawing (GS-34)
- Demolition (GS-5)
- Door Installation (GS-6)
- Drywall Installation and Texture (GS-7)
- Earthmoving, Excavation, and Ditching (GS-8)
- Elevators, Escalators, Conveyors (GS-9)
- Framing (GS-13)
- General Building Inspector
- Masonry (GS-16)
- Miscellaneous Sheet Metal (GS-32)
- Plastering, Stucco and Lathing (GS-30)
- Sign Construction (Non-Electrical) (GS-23)
- Structural Steel Erection (GS-24)
- Swimming Pools (GS-25)
- Windows, Doors and Skylights (GS-14)
Experience Requirements for General Construction licenses in NM
New Mexico requires all contractors applying for one of the general construction licenses to have at least two years of documented experience in their respective fields. The exception to these requirements is the GA-98 (Asphalt, Bitumen, and Concrete Construction), GB-98 (General Building), and the GF-98 (Fixed Works) licenses; for those three licenses, applicants must show proof of four years of experience.
How to apply for the General Construction licenses?
- Select the trade based on the scope of work performed.
- Apply for eligibility through PSI©.
- Fill out the Qualifying Party Certificate.
- Complete the Work Experience Certificate.
- Send these documents via mail with the corresponding application fee to:
PSI©
2820 Broadbent Pkwy NE Suites E & F
Albuquerque, NM 87107
877-663-9267 - Once the documents and the eligibility have been approved, schedule and pay for the examination.
- To apply online, the candidates must:
- Sign in or create an account on the PSI© official website.
- Choose the corresponding examination and add the social security number.
- Pay for and schedule the exam.
- Enter zip code for exam locations.
- To apply by mail or fax:
- Open and check the General Construction Candidate Information Bulletin.
- Fill out the New Mexico Contractor Examination Registration Form.
- Pay the fees and send the documents via mail or fax to:
PSI©
2820 Broadbent Pkwy NE Suites E & F
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Fax: (702) 932-2666
877-663-9267
- If applying by phone, please fill out the Examination Registration Form and call PSI© registrars at (855) 807-3994
- If applying Out-of-State, fill out the Exam Accommodations Request Form and send it via email to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or fax it to (702) 932-2666.
- To apply online, the candidates must:
- After exam approval, complete the Application for Contractor License and the Construction Industries Division Contractor License Code Bond.
- Gather the following documents to be sent:
- Contractor License Form
- CID Contractor License Code Bond
- Valid Qualifying Party Certificate
- Passing score examination (Trade and Business & Law).
- Proof of Financial Responsibility Bond
- Proof of current New Mexico Tax ID number application with a registration certificate or official stamp.
- The application must be sent by mail to:
PSI©
2820 Broadbent Pkwy NE Suites E & F
Albuquerque, NM 87107
(877) 663-9267 - Once accepted, the license will be delivered via USPS.
General Construction Useful Links
- New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department
- Construction Industries Division (CID)
- General Building Bureau
- Building Codes, Laws, and, Rules
- Obtain a Qualifying Party Certificate
- FAQs-PSI©
- List of trades for the State of New Mexico
- Contractor License Application Information
- General Construction Bulletin and Examination Forms
Contact Information for General Construction
Regulation and Licensing Department
RLD – Albuquerque Office
5500 San Antonio Dr. Suite F
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109
(505) 222-9800
Construction Industries Division (CID)
CID – Santa Fe Office
2550 Cerrillos Road – 3rd Floor
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
(505) 476-4700
CID – Las Cruces Office
505 South Main Street, Suite 103
Loretto Town Center
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001
(575) 524-6320
For further information, contact
General Building Bureau
Bureau Chief: Martin Romero
(505) 795-1640
PSI©
2820 Broadbent Pkwy NE, Suite E&F
Albuquerque, NM 87107
(877) 663-9267
