How to get an HVAC license in New Mexico: the official requirements

In New Mexico, the state HVAC license for individual HVAC technicians is issued by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division. The journeyman refrigeration certificate of competence (JR), issued by the Construction Industries Division. You may not work as a journeyman without one; before the certificate is issued you must show compliance with the EPA refrigerant recovery requirements. A journeyman may work in the trade only when employed by a licensed entity. Apprentice or trainee registration: An apprentice may work under the direct supervision of a validly certified journeyman who is employed by a validly licensed person or a holder of a valid annual permit. Experience and training: Two years. Under the statute you can sit the exam after two years' experience in the trade (or the equivalent as determined by the commission), or after completing a course in the trade approved by the vocational education division of the state department of public education. The Division's rule says the mechanical-plumbing journeyman classifications (which include JR) require two years of experience unless otherwise specified, documented within the 10 years before you apply; accredited training counts as half a year of experience per year, for no more than half of the requirement. Licensing exam: A Division-approved exam on the rules governing the trade and your technical knowledge, administered by PSI. You can test only after your work experience documentation is accepted; the passing score is 75 percent. How to apply: Apply on the Division's journeyman certificate application form with the certification fee, and submit proof of your experience on the Division's forms. CID licensing paperwork is processed by PSI; the exam registration form is at the end of the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin (Journeyman).