American Trades Index Get my free pay report

How to get a sheet metal worker license in New Mexico

Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority, sourced from New Mexico's official board.

New Mexico regulates sheet metal on two levels: the Construction Industries Division certifies the individual worker through the JSM journeyman sheet metal certificate of competence, which is required of anyone performing mechanical work, and separately licenses the contracting business under classifications such as MM-3 HVAC, MM-98 Mechanical, or GS-32 Miscellaneous sheet metal for non ducted work.

Issuing authority: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID). Official page: https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/

License levels in New Mexico

New Mexico sheet metal worker licensing at a glance

RequirementsNew Mexico is one of the states that credentials the individual as well as the firm. Under 14.6.6.11 NMAC a journeyman certificate of competence in the appropriate trade classification is required of all individuals performing mechanical and plumbing work, except that a registered apprentice may work under the direct supervision of a validly certified journeyman. The JSM journeyman sheet metal certificate requires two years of experience and can be used only while working under an MM-3 or MM-98 licensed contractor. Applicants must document satisfactory work experience before becoming eligible to test, and a passing exam score is seventy five percent or higher. On the contractor side, MM-3 Heating, ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC) requires four years of experience and covers HVAC air handling and refrigeration equipment and piping including ductwork and accessories; MM-98 Mechanical also requires four years of experience and covers the work of MM-1 through MM-4. A separate general specialty classification, GS-32 Miscellaneous sheet metal, requires two years of experience and permits on site fabrication and installation of sheet metal such as cornices, flashing, gutters, leaders, rainwater downspouts, pans and prefabricated chimneys, but expressly does not permit installation of HVAC duct systems, vents, grease hoods or other appurtenances authorized by the mechanical or plumbing classifications.
ReciprocitySection 60-13-19(C) NMSA 1978 provides that the division, with the consent of the commission, may enter into a reciprocal licensing agreement with any state having equivalent licensing requirements. For journeyman certificates, 14.6.4 NMAC provides expedited certification for military service members, their spouses and dependents, and veterans who are currently licensed or certified and in good standing in another jurisdiction under substantially equivalent requirements; the rule sets out no general reciprocity pathway for other out of state journeyman applicants.
RenewalUnder Section 60-13-39(A) NMSA 1978, certificates of competence are not transferable and expire on the date established by the division, not more than three years from the month of issuance. Contractor licences expire two years after the issuance date under Section 60-13-18(B) NMSA 1978. Continuing education is required for renewal of the JSM journeyman sheet metal certificate: 14.6.4 NMAC requires a minimum of 16 hours of approved course work before renewal or reinstatement, of which at least eight hours must cover the current CID code enforced by that journeyman classification.
NotesNew Mexico regulates sheet metal on two levels: the Construction Industries Division certifies the individual worker through the JSM journeyman sheet metal certificate of competence, which is required of anyone performing mechanical work, and separately licenses the contracting business under classifications such as MM-3 HVAC, MM-98 Mechanical, or GS-32 Miscellaneous sheet metal for non ducted work.

What are sheet metal workers worth in your market?

A free report on your market: what the trade pays, how that compares with nearby counties, and where your credential sits against the local licensed workforce. No account needed.

Thanks, we'll be in touch.
Something went wrong. Please try again.

Common questions

Do you need a license to work as a sheet metal worker in New Mexico?
New Mexico regulates sheet metal on two levels: the Construction Industries Division certifies the individual worker through the JSM journeyman sheet metal certificate of competence, which is required of anyone performing mechanical work, and separately licenses the contracting business under classifications such as MM-3 HVAC, MM-98 Mechanical, or GS-32 Miscellaneous sheet metal for non ducted work.
What sheet metal worker license levels does New Mexico have?
The levels are JSM journeyman sheet metal (journeyman certificate of competence), MM-3 Heating, ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC) contractor licence, MM-98 Mechanical contractor licence, GS-32 Miscellaneous sheet metal contractor licence.
How do you get licensed as a sheet metal worker in New Mexico?
New Mexico is one of the states that credentials the individual as well as the firm. Under 14.6.6.11 NMAC a journeyman certificate of competence in the appropriate trade classification is required of all individuals performing mechanical and plumbing work, except that a registered apprentice may work under the direct supervision of a validly certified journeyman. The JSM journeyman sheet metal certificate requires two years of experience and can be used only while working under an MM-3 or MM-98 licensed contractor. Applicants must document satisfactory work experience before becoming eligible to test, and a passing exam score is seventy five percent or higher. On the contractor side, MM-3 Heating, ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC) requires four years of experience and covers HVAC air handling and refrigeration equipment and piping including ductwork and accessories; MM-98 Mechanical also requires four years of experience and covers the work of MM-1 through MM-4. A separate general specialty classification, GS-32 Miscellaneous sheet metal, requires two years of experience and permits on site fabrication and installation of sheet metal such as cornices, flashing, gutters, leaders, rainwater downspouts, pans and prefabricated chimneys, but expressly does not permit installation of HVAC duct systems, vents, grease hoods or other appurtenances authorized by the mechanical or plumbing classifications.
Does New Mexico have sheet metal worker license reciprocity?
Section 60-13-19(C) NMSA 1978 provides that the division, with the consent of the commission, may enter into a reciprocal licensing agreement with any state having equivalent licensing requirements. For journeyman certificates, 14.6.4 NMAC provides expedited certification for military service members, their spouses and dependents, and veterans who are currently licensed or certified and in good standing in another jurisdiction under substantially equivalent requirements; the rule sets out no general reciprocity pathway for other out of state journeyman applicants.

Related

Supply
How many sheet metal workers in New Mexico
Appliance Repair Technician
Appliance Repair Technician license in New Mexico
Boiler Operator
Boiler Operator license in New Mexico
Electrician
Electrician license in New Mexico
Elevator Mechanic
Elevator Mechanic license in New Mexico
Fire Sprinkler Fitter
Fire Sprinkler Fitter license in New Mexico
HVAC
Hvac Technician license in New Mexico
Plumber
Plumber license in New Mexico
Sign Electrician
Sign Electrician license in New Mexico
Hub
All New Mexico trades pages

Sources: www.rld.nm.gov, www.rld.nm.gov, www.srca.nm.gov, www.rld.nm.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.

This number changes tonight.

This page is a free snapshot of New Mexico. Track the same market every night and see which contractors just got licensed, added a trade, or dropped off, and pull the full record, with contact details, on any of them. Ask it anything, track what matters, and get the weekly intelligence email. Free trial, cancel anytime.