Plumbing and HVAC rules in New Mexico
What the state says about plumbing and heating and cooling work, with the page each rule comes from. It's a summary of the published rules, not legal advice, and your city or county can have rules of its own.
Checked September 23, 2026
Plumbing licensing
In New Mexico, a plumbing contractor holds an MM-1 Plumbing or MM-98 Mechanical license from the Construction Industries Division, and workers hold journeyman plumber certificates.1, 2, 3
Heating and cooling licensing
Heating and cooling contractors in New Mexico hold an MM-3 HVAC or MM-98 Mechanical license from the Construction Industries Division, and workers hold journeyman refrigeration or sheet metal certificates.1
Plumbing and mechanical codes
Your local building department can tell you which plumbing and mechanical codes apply where you live.
Permits to replace a water heater, furnace or AC
New Mexico's rules say plumbing and mechanical work may not be installed, repaired or altered without a permit from the authority that has jurisdiction. In an emergency, equipment can be replaced first, with the application due the next working day.4
Backflow testing
If your home has a backflow preventer, your water utility can tell you whether it needs testing and who can test it.
Sources
What plumbing and HVAC work costs in New Mexico
Published national ranges for plumbing, water heater, sewer, AC, heat pump and furnace jobs, and a planning estimate for your own job.
Contractors in New Mexico
129 plumbers and heating and cooling contractors are listed in New Mexico. 70 hold an active USDOT registration. Browse them by county, or ask for quotes and we'll pass your job to contractors near you.
Cite this page
“Plumbing and HVAC rules in New Mexico.” PlumbingInformationSite.com, updated September 27, 2026. https://plumbinginformationsite.com/nm/rules/