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The state of New Mexico has several different inspector licenses. Two of the most popular options are the residential/home inspector license and the general building inspector license. If you are interested in becoming an inspector, our guide outlines the paths available.  

How to Become a Residential/Home Inspector 

To become a residential/home inspector in New Mexico, you can apply for licensure using one of these three options: 

• Application by training and examination 
• Application by experience and examination 
• Application by credentials 

The application by credentials route allows you to use certified license history if you have a home inspector license in good standing from a state that has similar requirements to New Mexico. This approach allows you to skip the exam. 

Alternatively, you can apply based on your experience or training. Both of these routes require you to pass an exam. The application by experience requires you to have at least 24 consecutive months of experience as a home inspector prior to January 1, 2020. You must also have completed at least 100 inspections for compensation prior to that deadline, and you must pass the NHIE or Inter-NACHI exam.  

The training-based approach requires you to complete 80 hours of online or classroom training, pass the National Home Inspector Examination, and obtain 80 hours of field experience. The field experience must include at least 30 parallel inspections that you complete alongside a licensed home inspector.  

If you meet those requirements, you are eligible to sit for the Residential Building Inspector Exam. The test consists of 40 questions and allows 100 minutes. It is open book, and you must obtain a passing score of 75%.  

How to Become a General Building Inspector 

To qualify as a general building, mechanical, LP gas, or electrical inspector, you must have three years of relevant experience. For instance, general construction inspector applicants need at least three years of foreman experience. Applicants seeking a specialty inspector license need three years of journeyman experience in that field (e.g., electrical journeyman).  

If you are applying for a general, electrical, or mechanical inspector license, you can substitute up to two years of technical or college training for two years of journeyman/foreman experience. However, the remaining one year must consist of actual field experience in an eligible role.  

If you meet the minimum requirements, you can apply for and sit for the exam. The General Building Inspector Exam is 50 questions and requires a passing score of 75%. You will have 150 minutes to complete this open-book exam.  

Choosing the Right Course to Prep for Your Exam 

Ready to prepare for your New Mexico general or residential inspector exam? Choosing the right prep resources will set you up for success and increase your odds of passing the exam on the first attempt.  

RocketCert offers exam bundles for general building, residential building, and specialty inspector applicants. Our bundles include access to user-friendly online content as well as physical books and other study materials. Order your bundle today!