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Skilled trades have long served as an alternative for adults seeking a path to gainful employment without a traditional four-year college degree. Homes and businesses alike need working heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) to ensure a comfortable interior environment. As an HVAC contractor, your services may be in high demand.

Before you can legally offer HVAC services, however, you must obtain a suitable license from the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department. In this deep dive into becoming an HVAC contractor in New Mexico, you’ll learn what is required to obtain your license and what you can do with it.

What Does an HVAC Contractor Do?

With an MM-3 Heat, Vent, and Air Conditioning License, you will be permitted to install, service, repair, and alter a range of HVAC and refrigeration systems and equipment, including: 

• Piping
• Ductwork
• Fans
• Coils
• Evaporative cooling units 
• Condensing units
• Self-contained AC and heating units
• Pneumatic tube and solar energy systems 

The scope of this license involves certain HVAC-related plumbing, electrical, and control unit tasks as well.

Requirements to Obtain an HVAC License

Before you can obtain your journeyman-level license, you must first meet all state requirements. This starts with completing four years, amounting to 8,000 hours, of suitable work experience and becoming a Qualifying Party. From there, you’ll have to pass two state exams to prove adequate knowledge and proficiency.

What to Expect With State Exams

Many skilled trades are required to pass the Business Law Exam in New Mexico, consisting of 50 questions covering topics like:

• Licensing requirements
• Business organization and financial management
• Estimating and bidding
• Labor laws
• Tax laws
• Contracts
• Project management and lien law
• Environmental and safety
• Risk management

This test is open-book, and you’ll have 130 minutes to complete it. You must answer at least 75% of the questions (38) correctly to pass. You also have to pass the MM-3 Heat, Vent, and Air Conditioning trade exam, featuring 100 questions on topics like:

• Controls, low-voltage wiring, and motors
• Piping
• Cooling and heating general knowledge
• Cooling and heating components and equipment
• Refrigeration and  refrigerants 
• Ductwork, exhaust, and ventilation

Also open book, this timed test is 245 minutes in length, and you must answer a minimum of 75 questions correctly to pass. If you already hold an equivalent license from Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, or Wyoming, ask about reciprocity before you take exams.

Convenient Test Prep

Passing your exam on the first try is easier when you choose a state-approved program designed for working professionals. The right program will offer courses created by industry experts and educators, along with 24/7 online access that allows you to set your own pace. 

Lifetime access means you can refer to course materials as needed. Additionally, our exceptional customer support ensures that you will always have helpful tech support at your fingertips.

Are you ready to take your career to the next level by obtaining an MM-3 Heat, Vent, and Air Conditioning License in New Mexico? If so, contact RocketCert now to sign up for your exam prep program.