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To receive your general building contractor license in New Mexico, you must first pass two professional state exams. These are the GB-98 General Building License Exam and the Business and Law Exam.

Professionals who hold a GB-98 General Building License are legally able to demolish, alter, repair, or build commercial and residential buildings, along with certain other structures. There are different classifications for various types of work in New Mexico. With the GB-98 General Building License, individuals can work on all projects authorized under the following classifications:

• GB-2 specialty classification
• GS specialty classification
• GF-5 classification
• GF-7 classification

GB-98 licensure also permits work such as stripping and seal coating parking lots and driveways.

What Are the Requirements for Obtaining a New Mexico General Building Contractor License?

Before you can apply for your GB-98 license, you’ll need to accumulate and provide proof of at least four years of industry experience, or a total of 8,000 hours.

You’ll then need to fill out and submit the licensure application to the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department via its website and pay all associated fees. Once you’ve done these things, you’ll be eligible to become an approved Qualifying Party.

However, the most significant requirement is that you sit for and pass the New Mexico Business and Law Exam, as well as the two-part GB-98 General Building Contractor Exam. You must pass both parts with a minimum score of 75%.

The New Mexico GB-2 Residential Building Contractor Exam, Parts 1 and 2

This first part of the exam features 80 questions, with an allotted time limit of 225 minutes. The test is open-book and covers a range of topics, including:

• Plan reading and estimating
• OSHA safety
• Masonry and carpentry
• Concrete and concrete reinforcement
• Footings and foundations
• Sitework
• Roofing and carpentry
• Associated trades
• General codes

The second part has 100 questions, and you will be given 310 minutes to finish. It, too, is an open-book exam and includes all the topics in part one plus a section on metals.

The New Mexico Business and Law Exam

This test is required for all industry professionals across many different trades, from electricians to plumbers to contractors. It comprises 50 questions, and you must answer at least 75% of them correctly. You’ll be given 130 minutes for this open-book test.

The topics on the Business and Law Exam include:

• Risk management
• Contracts
• Environment and safety
• Licensing requirements
• Financial management
• Tax laws
• Project management
• Lien laws
• Estimating and bidding
• Business organization
• Labor laws

It’s important to note that although these tests are all conducted in an open-book format, you aren’t permitted to access any actual online courses during the testing period. However, you may use certain references that are highlighted and tabbed.

Get Ready With RocketCert

Make sure you have every possible advantage when the time comes to take your licensure tests. Sign up with RocketCert today and get started with the most comprehensive set of test prep materials available online.