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As a building inspector, you can contribute to the safety and function of residential, commercial, or industrial structures. By conducting on-site inspections to evaluate structural integrity, fire safety, accessibility, and various systems and components, you ensure compliance with building codes and regulations.

Before you can become a residential/general building inspector in New Mexico, you must first obtain certification from the Construction Industries Division of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department. However, you’ll have to meet some strict requirements before you qualify for certification.

Required Education and Experience

Registered building inspectors in New Mexico can perform on-site inspections during the construction, renovation, or alteration of structures. To qualify for registration, you must demonstrate that you have experience or education in the field. This means having at least three years of experience as a journeyman or foreman in the trade. 

However, you may substitute education for a portion of this work requirement as follows: one year of relevant work experience and two years of education in general building courses at a college, university, or technical school, with four full-time semesters equating to one year.

Alternatively, a candidate with five years of experience as a certified inspector in another recognized jurisdiction may qualify after completing just two years of trade experience or equivalent education.

Other Requirements

Once you have completed the experience and education requirements, you must submit to a background check, conducted by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, dating back seven years. 

A felony conviction during that time could be grounds for rejection of your application, although you may file a written appeal within 20 days of the rejection. 

Additionally, applicants who pass the background check must take the required exams before qualifying for certification.

Proving Knowledge With State Exams

Building inspectors must pass two exams to earn certification: the Business and Law Exam and a relevant trade exam. The Business and Law Exam features 50 questions on topics like these:

• 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

You will have 130 minutes to complete this exam. 

If you’re applying for a general building inspector certification, you must also take the General Building Inspector Exam, consisting of 50 questions on the following topics:

• Concrete and concrete reinforcement
• Sitework, footings, and foundations
• Associated trades
• Carpentry
• Metals
• General code

This exam allows you 150 minutes to answer the questions.

Finally, residential building inspectors must pass the Residential Building Inspector Exam, which includes 40 questions on these topics:

• Sitework, footings, and foundations
• Concrete and concrete reinforcement
• General code
• Masonry
• Roofing
• Carpentry

You will have 100 minutes to complete this exam. All tests are open-book. You must answer at least 75% of the questions on each test correctly to pass.

How to Prepare for Testing

The best exam prep program for busy, working professionals will offer 24/7 online access to facilitate self-paced learning. Are you ready to move forward in your career and obtain a residential or general building inspector certificate in New Mexico? Contact RocketCert now to begin.