Just like other states, you will need to have an electrician license to perform any electrical-related work in New Mexico.
In this article, we cover steps to become a licensed electrician in New Mexico. This starts from being an apprentice or joining the trade school to journeyman and then to the independent electrical contractor. So let get started!
Table of Contents
How to Get a Licensed Electrician in New Mexico? Steps by Steps
You can become a licensed electrician in New Mexico by following the following steps:
Step 1: Enrol in an electrical education program and acquire the hands-on experience needed to become a journeyman.
Step 2: Become a licensed journeyman.
Step 3: Take the exam that will qualify you as a licensed electrical contractor.
Step 1 – Enrol in an electrical education program and acquire the hands-on experience needed to become a journeyman.
The first step to establishing an electrical career in New Mexico is acquiring hands-on experience to become a journeyman electrician.
There are many options to consider, and it would be up to you to choose which works for you.
These options are:
- Union or Non-Union Apprenticeship
- Trade School
- On-the-Job Training
Trade School
If you decide to go through a trade school, you can get an electrical education with the approved program in New Mexico. Below are some of the schools that you can obtain electrical education in New Mexico:
- Central New Mexico Community College—Alberquerque
- Navajo Technical University—Crownpoint
- New Mexico State University—Carlsbad
- Northern New Mexico College—Espanola
Some of the topics you will be exposed to during your educational program are:
- Electrical Basics and Tools
- Grounding and Wiring
- The Service Entrance and Electrical Panels
- Electrical Wiring Protection Devices
- Electrical Boxes, Receptacles, and Switches
- Conduit Work
- Installing Lighting, Ceiling Fans, and Appliances
- Introduction to Commercial Wiring
- Electrical Equipment for Commercial Installation
- Electrical Circuits and Systems
By going through with the classroom training, you will not just be limited to classroom training; however, in addition to that, you will also gain practical experience working under the supervision of a licensed electrician in New Mexico at the field at the same time. There would be construction companies and independent electrical contractors who would be interested in taking on apprentices from your school.
Union or Non-Union Apprenticeship
If you opt for an apprenticeship in your quest for a journeyman electrician license, you would either belong to a unionized training or one without a union.
One of the benefits of a union apprenticeship is the possibility of being paired with an electrical contractor and receiving training on how to complete different tasks centered on wiring commercial and industrial buildings.
On the Job Training
You can also decide to become a journeyman electrician through on-the-job training. This is an excellent choice if you look to work under a specific contractor or with a certain company.
The experience acquired through apprenticeship is essential as you will be unable to earn a journeyman license without a minimum of 8,000 hours of hands-on experience.
Step 2 – Become a licensed journeyman in New Mexico
Before you can even consider sitting for the exam that would make you licensed as a journeyman electrician in New Mexico, you need to have acquired a minimum of 8,000 hours (about four years) of hands-on experience as an electrician, including installing, altering, or repairing electric light, heat or power.
Once your application to become a journeyman has been approved, you can then go ahead and register for the journeyman exam.
There are two parts to this exam:
- Code Examination
- Theory Examination.
Some of the topics the test will cover are:
- Electrical Installation Requirements
- Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
- Overcurrent Protection
- Grounding and Bonding
- Conductors and Cables
- Raceways and Boxes
- Hazardous Locations, Special Occupancies, and Special Equipment
- Lighting, Signs, and General-Use Equipment
- Motors, Transformers, and Generators
- NM State Code
To get a pass on this exam, you will need at least 70%.
Step 3: Take the exam to be qualified as a licensed electrical contractor
Without an electrical contractor’s license in New Mexico, it would be impossible to submit any bid nor sign any contracts for any electrical work, including sound, alarms, TV systems, computer data, and telephones. So, you will need one to do these things.
To get one, you would have to submit a contractor license application by providing proof of financial responsibility and a current New Mexico tax ID number.
You would also be required to sign up for the examination through PSI exams. In New Mexico, to get the electrical contractor license, you will be required to take the Business and Law exam together with the Electrical Inspector exam. To pass, you must have a minimum score of 75% on both tests.
The Business and Law Examination covers questions bordering on:
- Licensing Requirements
- Labor laws
- Estimating and Bidding
- Business Organization and Financial Management
- Project Management and Lien Law
- Tax Laws
- Risk Management
- Environmental and Safety
- Contracts
The Electrical Inspector Examination covers questions bordering on:
- General Knowledge and Electrical Installation Requirements
- Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
- Low Voltage
- Overcurrent Protection
- Grounding and Bonding
- Raceways and Boxes
- Hazardous Locations, Special Occupancies, and Special Equipment
- Lighting, Signs, and General-Use Equipment
- Conductors and Cables
- Motors, Transformers, and Generators
- New Mexico State Code
The Business and Law Examination, as well as the Electrical Inspector Examination, are open-book exams. You would be provided with the most current edition of the national electrical code and the New Mexico Electrical Code while the exams are ongoing.
If you need more information on the electrical contractor exams, you can consult the Contractor Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin.
Electrician License Renewal in New Mexico
- Journeyman Electrician License: This license will expire every three years, and a renewal would be required every time it expires. While submitting your renewal application, you shall need to submit a proof of continuing eduction with a minimum 16 hours.
- Electrical Contractor License: The electrical contractor license will expire annually, and you will need to renew it with a $50 fee.
Electrician License Reciprocity in New Mexico
New Mexico has electrical license reciprocity agreements with the following states: Utah, Arkansas, Alaska, Idaho, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.
References
- ElectricianSchoolEdu.org How to Become an Electrician in New Mexico
- Housecall Pro New Mexico Electrician License: Everything You Need To Know
