No matter if you decide to work for a major company, or run your own business, becoming licensed is something that is worth considering.
As you may already know, each state in the U.S. has requirements for individuals wishing to become contractors, and New Mexico is not an exception.
Individuals who want to become plumbers in New Mexico have to go through an apprenticeship program and become a journeyman before being eligible to work as a plumbing contractor.
If you want to know what is involved in each of these stages, we are sure that you will find answers to all your questions in this guide.
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New Mexico Plumbing Journeyman License Requirements
Prior to becoming a licensed journeyman plumber in New Mexico, you will need to take a couple of years of experience and training as well as some basic fees, including a license application fee of $30 and an annual license renewal charge of $50.
Many people decide to seek out professional development which is needed to succeed as a new plumbing contractor, which may cause some additional costs.
However, so as to become a journeyman must first complete an apprenticeship, including fieldwork, and take the plumbing journeyman exam.
Upon getting a license, you have not finished with training and advancement in a plumbing career.
You need to renew it every year and it costs $50.
Plumbing Journeyman Exam
The requirement that you need to meet so as to apply to take the journeyman exam is to acquire an affidavit from the plumber you worked under during your apprenticeship in which it will be stated the number of hours you worked.
The test is offered by PSI Exams and so as to be allowed to take part in the exam, you must be pre-approved and pay a fee of approximately $68.88.
If you want to find more information on how you can register for the exam, you can take a look at the New Mexico Contractor Examination Registration Bulletin, and find the registration form on page 38.
Other ways of registering are by calling a PSI registrar at (800) 733-9267 or by sending a written request to:
PSI
2301 Yale SE, Ste. C-4
Albuquerque, NM 87106
We are offering more details about the exam, as follows:
- You can sit for the exam on a computer or by reporting to an examination site, as there are PSI testing centers in New Mexico on numerous locations – Albuquerque, Farmington, Las Cruces, Roswell, and Santa Fe.
- If you will be testing from out of state, you can make an exam accommodation request by using the form on the last page of the bulletin.
- The exam is an open-book test with 100 questions.
- In the bulletin, you will find links to allowed reference materials which you are expected to bring on the test day.
- You have to make at least 75 questions correct, and you are given 250 minutes to complete it.
New Mexico Plumbing Apprenticeship Requirements
Apprenticeship is allowed only to those people who are at least 18 years old, have completed high school, and have no criminal record.
If you do not meet these requirements, you may not be eligible to become a plumbing apprentice.
Other requirements include a driver’s license or another form of state ID, passing a drug test, and a good driving record.
It is worth mentioning that an apprenticeship program in New Mexico lasts at least four years, and includes at least 144 hours of instruction.
There are two ways of getting started on the path to becoming a plumber, that is, attending a college/trade school with a program in plumbing or finding an apprenticeship.
New Mexico Plumbing Apprentice Jobs
Being that becoming an apprentice is an initial and the most important step to becoming a plumbing contractor, we believe that reaching out to a local plumber’s union to ask about apprenticeship opportunities is a smart idea.
U.A. Local Union No. 412
411 Arizona SE,
Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 256-9257
During an apprenticeship, people gain experience and mentorship, while at the same time they receive wages.
The main aim of the United Association labor union is to offer training to those looking to become plumbers, but not only that.
This is a state-registered program that will also connect qualified individuals with employers.
If you do not want to join this union, you may also choose to reach out directly to plumbing companies near you to ask about apprenticeship opportunities.
Plumbing Trade Schools in New Mexico
These are some of the top programs for aspiring plumbers in the state:
Central New Mexico Community College
900 University Blvd. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(888) 453-1304
It offers the Plumbing and Gas Fitting Program through which you can become an Associate of Applied Science in the subject and get a certificate of completion.
New Mexico State University – Doña Ana Community College
3400 Espina St
Las Cruces, NM 88003
(575) 527-7500
This University’s Associate of Applied Science Degree in Building Construction Technology offers 17 credit hours related to Plumbing.
Santa Fe Community College
6401 Richards Ave.
Santa Fe, NM 87508
(505) 428-1000
Sante Fe Community College offers an Associate of Arts in Building Science and Construction Technologies, as well as a plumbing certificate.
New Mexico Professional License Search
You can easily check whether an individual’s license is current or has expired on the New Mexico E-Services for Contractor Licensing.
If you search by individual, you will need the contractor’s certificate number and if you search for a company, you will need the business name and license number.
Insurance for Plumbers in New Mexico
It is our suggestion that you should obtain insurance before you open a plumbing business or before you do any contract work.
Insurance is significant as it protects your customers from any damage that might occur and your workers from any possible injury.
Salary
With your license, you can repair plumbing and sewer systems, install new pipes, and oversee the work of other plumbers.
How much you will earn highly depends on your experience and certification, so the average wage for plumbing apprentices in New Mexico is $21 an hour, while journeyman plumbers earn much more.
The average Plumber salary in New Mexico is $52,538.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Plumbers in New Mexico
City Name Salary Albuquerque $54,046 Las Cruces $48,859 Santa Fe $54,320 Rio Rancho $53,874 Roswell $50,411 Farmington $53,321 Alamogordo $51,273 Clovis $50,920 Hobbs $49,589 Carlsbad $50,411 Regional Salary
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Albuquerque, NM 1,500 $58,480 $28.12 $81,880 $37,710 Farmington, NM 260 $49,900 $23.99 $83,100 $32,810 Las Cruces, NM 180 $51,030 $24.54 $73,030 $34,150 Santa Fe, NM 160 $51,010 $24.52 $65,630 $36,550
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Plumber Schools by City
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