Being an electrician isn’t just a job, it’s a solid career path. Electrical contractors enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities and earn a respectable income. There’s also job security—customers will always need skilled trade professionals to install and service electrical systems in their homes and businesses.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 762,600 electricians nationwide and 5,060 work in New Mexico. The national number is predicted to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, adding almost 50,000 to the ranks. That growth rate is expected to be more than twice that in New Mexico — projected at 16%, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website.
Many contractors nationwide are trying to find skilled tradesmen. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 2022 AGC-Autodesk Workforce Survey, 93% of firms in the U.S. had unfilled hourly craft positions like plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians. So, if you get the training you need you will have a lot of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.
The process of becoming an electrician takes time, but you get paid while you learn and gain experience.
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Is a state license required to be an electrician in New Mexico? Yes.
To perform electrical work in the state of New Mexico, you must be a licensed journeyman or electrical contractor. A contractor's license is mandatory to bid and contract all electrical services.
GAIN NECESSARY EXPERIENCE: You must earn field experience under the supervision of a journeyman electrician or electrical contractor. There are three paths to gaining the necessary experience: on-the-job training, trade school, or apprenticeship.
New Mexico offers several choices for earning a journeyman electrician license, each with varying requirements.
The following journeyman electrician license classifications require two years (4,000 hours) experience or equivalent:
The following journeyman electrician license classifications require four years (8,000 hours) experience or equivalent:
TAKE THE JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN EXAM: After gaining the necessary work experience, you become eligible to register for the journeyman exam, administered by PSI. The test consists of two parts: Code Examination and Theory Examination. You must score at least 70% to pass. Journeyman licenses remain valid for three years and require renewal through PSI. In addition to renewal, you must complete at least 16 hours of continuing education. Here’s a list of approved courses.
OBTAIN AN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS LICENSE: Electrical contractors in New Mexico need two to four years (4,000-8,000 hours) of practical experience related to the specific license classification.
The following electrical contractor license classifications require two years (4,000 hours) experience or equivalent:
The following electrical contractor license classifications require four years (8,000 hours) experience or equivalent:
After meeting the required training, you'll need proof of financial responsibility and a current New Mexico tax ID number to apply for an electrical contractor's license. You must take two exams: the Business and Law Exam and The Electrical Inspector Exam. PSI administers both of the open-book exams. You may use the most current edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the New Mexico Electrical Code (NMAC).
You must score at least 75% on both tests to pass.
Your electrical contractor license remains valid for one year and requires annual renewal at a cost of $50.
What are the different types of electrician licensing in New Mexico?
New Mexico offers two types of electrician licenses: an electrical journeyman license and an electrical contractor license.
There are many benefits to pursuing a New Mexico electrician license:
The annual mean pay for electricians in New Mexico is $58,880 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. That salary, as you might expect, increases as you acquire more experience, according to Indeed.com.
Salaries can vary widely, depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Getting the most out of an electrical technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one electrician software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
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You can expect to pay up to $10,000 to attend a New Mexico trade school or community college. Costs may vary depending on the license type. All licenses include additional costs for testing, application fees, and bond procurement.
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It takes two to four years to become a licensed journeyman electrician, depending on your chosen certification. An electrical contractor license requires two to four years of experience. Both licenses require continuing education and training to remain valid.
New Mexico is home to several community colleges and trade schools offering the required training to become a licensed electrician.
Training at most technical schools covers the following topics:
Some New Mexico community colleges and trade schools include:
Apprenticeship programs include:
Program Prerequisites: Program prerequisites vary by license type. Most programs, however, require you to be 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license, and pass an aptitude test.
On-the-Job Experience: While on the job, you'll gain an understanding of electrical standards, as well as math and scientific principles. Electricians need keen eyesight and good hand-eye coordination, as well as proper time management skills. They also need good customer service skills, independence, good physical endurance, and logical problem-solving techniques. Electricians also learn how to read blueprints, circuit diagrams, and other technical documents.
PSI Exams administers both the New Mexico journeyman license and electrical contractor license. After successfully completing the work experience requirements, candidates need to seek approval from PSI Exams to take the journeyman licensing exam. Candidates must fill out an application and submit the signed affidavit documenting their work experience and classroom training.
After approval, candidates may register online for the New Mexico Journeyman Licensing Exam or in person at a PSI examination center in Las Cruces, Santa Fe, Farmington, Albuquerque, or Roswell. If you need to contact PSI by phone, you can call 800-733-9267.
New Mexico electrician exam topics include:
The New Mexico Electrical Bureau manages and regulates electrician licensing across the state. Additionally, the Bureau oversees permitting, inspections, and amendments to the existing electrical codes for approval by the licensing department of the Construction Industries Division (CID).
Yes. New Mexico maintains reciprocity agreements for a journeyman license with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Electricians must have a valid journeyman electrician license or higher in a participating state. Applicants seeking reciprocity must submit an application, pay a non-refundable application fee, and provide a copy of their qualifying license.
To keep your state-issued license current, New Mexico requires you to renew it before it expires every three years. The fee for an active timely renewal is $75.
Journeyman electricians in New Mexico need to demonstrate 16 hours of approved continuing education course work every three years to keep licenses active.
While optional, national certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency in certain aspects of the electrical trade to potential employers and clients, which often translates into more job opportunities and higher pay.
You can stay up to date on all electrician industry news in several ways: