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All professionals hoping to obtain a residential building license in New Mexico must meet several specific requirements. While many of these requirements pertain to education and experience, one of the most important aspects of licensure is testing — in this case, the GB-2 Residential Building License Exam and the New Mexico Business and Law Exam.  

Licenses must be sought through the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, and applicants can submit all of the necessary materials online. New Mexico doesn’t require any continuing education for this license or its renewal, so once you’ve got it, you won’t have to jump through any more hoops to keep it. 

As a bonus, New Mexico offers reciprocity for Journeyman licenses with Colorado, Idaho, Arkansas, Alaska, Nebraska, Montana, Oklahoma, Wyoming, South Dakota, Utah, and Texas. 

What You Need for Your New Mexico Residential Building License

In addition to taking and passing the two previously mentioned professional tests, you’ll also need to provide proof that you possess at least two years of experience in the field. This equates to about 4,000 hours.  

Furthermore, you must submit a completed and signed application to the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department and pay any associated fees. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be eligible to become an approved Qualifying Party. 

Passing the Exams for the New Mexico Building License

You must pass both the GB-2 Residential Building Contractor Exam and the New Mexico Business and Law Exam with a score of at least 75%.  

Both tests are conducted in an open-book format. However, you won’t be permitted to access any online study materials during the exams. You’ll only be able to refer to specific notes, tabs, and highlighted sections of approved reference materials. 

The GB-2 Residential Building Contractor Exam Part 1 contains a total of 80 questions, and you’ll be given 225 minutes to complete it. You must answer 60 of the 80 questions correctly to pass. Site work, concrete, carpentry, masonry, general code, OSHA safety, and plan reading are just a few of the topics featured on the test. 

The New Mexico Business and Law Exam has 50 questions, with an allotted time limit of 130 minutes. You must answer at least 37 of the 50 questions correctly to pass. Topics you must know include: 

• Licensing Requirements
• Labor Laws
• Project Management
• Environment and Safety
• Estimating and Bidding
• Financial Management
• Business Organization
• Labor Laws
• Lien Law
• Contracts
• Risk Management
• Tax Laws

Pass Your Exams With Flying Colors With RocketCert

RocketCert has everything you need to fully prepare for both of the exams required for licensure in New Mexico. All of our materials are devised by expert industry professionals and are available 24/7 from any device. 

We offer self-paced education, meaning you can study at a speed that best suits your schedule and needs. With RocketCert, you’ll gain access to everything from organized lesson plans on crucial subjects to simulated tests and much more.  

We proudly stand by our materials with a “No Pass, No Pay” policy. Get started today to see for yourself just how far RocketCert can take you within your field.