All states · New Mexico
Licensing in New Mexico
In New Mexico, most licenses are issued by boards under the Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD): barbers and cosmetologists, massage therapists, and contractors, electricians and plumbers through the Construction Industries Division. Nurses are licensed by the Board of Nursing.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | Training | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,600 hours | Annually |
| Hairstylist | 1,200 hours | Annually |
| Barber | 1,200 hours | Annually |
| Esthetician | 600 hours | Annually |
| Manicurist/Pedicurist | 400 hours | Annually |
| Electrologist | 600 hours | Annually |
- Licenses are issued by the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists under RLD. The exam has three parts: national practical, national theory and state law.
- There is a combined manicurist/esthetician license — 900 hours. Salon licenses also renew annually.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Massage Therapist | 650 hours | MBLEx or NCBTMB + state law | Every 2 years, by October 31 | 16 |
- Licenses are issued by the Massage Therapy Board under RLD. Of the 16 CE hours, at least 4 must be ethics and at least 8 live (approved webinars count).
| License | Issued by | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | New Mexico Board of Nursing | NCLEX-RN |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | New Mexico Board of Nursing | NCLEX-PN |
| Certified Nurse AideCNA | Health Care Authority | State exam |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification |
- New Mexico is in the Nurse Licensure Compact: a multistate nursing license is valid.
- CNA: at least 75 training hours (16 clinical), written and skills exams; renewal every 2 years.
| License | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| GB-2 Residential | Construction Industries Division | 2 years of foreman-level experience |
| GB-98 General Building | Construction Industries Division | 4 years of experience, 2 of them commercial |
| Journeyman Electrician EE-98J | Construction Industries Division | 4 years of experience + exam |
| Journeyman Plumber JP | Construction Industries Division | 2 years of experience + exam |
- A contractor license requires an exam (75% to pass) and a $10,000 bond. Journeymen renew with 16 CE hours, 8 of them on the current code.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Salon or barbershop | Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists | Establishment license, renewed annually |
| LLC | New Mexico Secretary of State | Registration — file Articles of Organization online |
Your state requires an exam — we prepare you online
An exam-prep platform for Cosmetology, Barber, Esthetician and Nail Technician, as well as state law tests. Questions in the real exam format, a breakdown of every mistake, access from your phone and computer — study whenever it suits you.
Learn about the program- Tests in the real exam format
- An explanation for every answer
- Study materials in your personal account
- Study in Russian and English
New Mexico specifics
- Annual renewal. Beauty and salon licenses renew every year.
- A three-part exam. National practical, theory and New Mexico law.
- Massage — 650 hours. Plus a state law exam and 16 CE hours every 2 years.
- Construction through CID. GB-2 for homes, GB-98 for any building.
- A contractor bond. $10,000 and an exam with a 75% passing score.
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate nursing license is valid here.
What professionals earn in New Mexico
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does a cosmetologist need?
1,600 hours, then the three-part exam.
How often do beauty licenses renew?
Every year.
What does a massage therapist need?
650 hours, a national exam and a state law exam.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in New Mexico?
Yes. New Mexico is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact.
*Current as of September 30, 2026. The information on this page is not official and is for general reference only. Requirements are set by state and local authorities and may change — always check the official websites: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, New Mexico Board of Nursing, New Mexico Health Care Authority, New Mexico Administrative Code, New Mexico Secretary of State. Wage data — BLS.