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Wyoming to New Mexico: journeyman plumber license reciprocity

No credit· Start overVerified September 16, 2026· 7 sources

Wyoming does not issue a statewide journeyman plumber license, so there is nothing to transfer. Here is New Mexico's standard path for out-of-state applicants.

Your origin state does not issue a statewide license at this level, so there is no license to transfer. The destination's standard out-of-state path is shown; expect to meet it in full.

Reference only, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the licensing board before you apply. Full disclaimer.

Out-of-state journeyman plumber (all states)

Your out-of-state credentials give no advantage. You meet the destination's requirements from scratch.

No state has a plumbing journeyman reciprocity agreement with New Mexico. The RLD Construction Industries page and the 2025 PSI journeyman application both state that the only reciprocated journeyman classification is EE-98J (electrical), and 14.6.4 NMAC contains no general endorsement provision, only an expedited path for military service members, spouses, dependents and veterans certified in another jurisdiction. A plumber licensed elsewhere therefore applies exactly like a new candidate: a notarized Journeyman Certificate Application to PSI with $75 for the JP classification (or $75 for JPG, which covers both plumbing and gas fitting), notarized Mechanical/Plumbing Work Experience Affidavits from employers or supervisors covering two years (4,000 hours) within the past ten years, then the JP written exam (70 questions, open book on the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code and 2015 New Mexico Plumbing Code) and the JP practical exam. Experience from another state counts if it was gained while employed by a contractor licensed in the trade or was legal work in the state where it was performed; the out-of-state license itself is not a substitute for the affidavits. New Mexico has no separate law exam for journeymen; state code and rule questions are part of the trade exam. All requirements must be met within six months of the application or the fee is forfeited.

Verified against the current RLD page and the 2025 PSI application: no plumbing reciprocity partners are named (Texas and Utah appear only in the electrical EE-98J context, and Utah is not even on that list). Accredited technical training or apprenticeship classroom time counts as one-half year of experience per year, capped at half of the requirement (14.6.4.8(C)). 14.5.5.9 NMAC still lists a $25 mechanical journeyman exam fee and $25 per-year renewal fee; PSI currently charges $68.88 per exam, so the renewal amount should be confirmed with PSI at renewal time. Applying for JP and JG separately costs $150; JPG covers both for one $75 fee.

At a glance

Trade exam
Required
Law / code exam
Not required
Out-of-state hours
Count toward eligibility

What you must already have

  • You must document at least 4,000 hours of qualifying work experience.Two years (4,000 hours) in the plumbing trade within the ten years before application (NMSA 60-13-38(G); 14.6.4.8(C) and (F) NMAC; PSI experience table), documented on notarized affidavits by employers, supervisors, foremen or other contractors; applicants may not self-verify.
  • Experience must have been gained while employed by a contractor licensed in the trade, or be work that was legal in the state where it was performed (PSI application, step TWO 2(d))

What you'll do to get licensed in New Mexico

  1. 1Application fee. Pay the application fee ($75). Journeyman Certificate Application fee paid to PSI, per classification (JP; or JPG for plumbing plus natural gas).
  2. 2Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. JP Journeyman Plumber written exam by PSI: 70 questions, 185 minutes, open book (2015 NM Plumbing Code 14.8.2 NMAC, 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, 2015 NM Mechanical Code), 75% (53 points) to pass.
  3. 3Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($68.88). PSI fee for the JP written exam, charged per attempt.
  4. 4Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. Journeyman Plumber practical exam by PSI: 100 points, 120 minutes, 75% to pass; copper/PEX assembly and air test, tub drain, washer box, island vent, drainage pipe project, fitting and tool identification.
  5. 5Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($68.88). PSI fee for the JP practical exam ($137.76 combination fee when both parts are scheduled together).
  6. 6Continuing education. Complete continuing education. 16 hours of CID-approved continuing education before each three-year renewal, at least eight hours on the current enforced plumbing code (14.6.4.8(H) NMAC).
  7. 7License fee. Pay the license or certificate fee ($25). Journeyman certificate renewal fee of $25 per year per classification under 14.5.5.9 NMAC (collected by PSI at the three-year renewal; confirm current amount).

Published fees on this path total $237.76, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.

What you'll need to buy or arrange

Exam preparation

Most boards contract PSI, Prov, or ICC for exams. Check which code edition the exam is written to before buying a prep course.

  • Trade exam
  • Exam fee · $68.88
  • Trade exam
  • Exam fee · $68.88

Continuing education

Renewals usually need approved CE hours, often on the latest NEC. Reciprocal licensees are rarely exempt.

  • Continuing education

How New Mexico licenses journeyman plumbers

New Mexico journeyman plumber · “JP Journeyman Plumber (certificate of competence)

Statewide license

Verified September 16, 2026· 6 sources

Issued by New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID), Mechanical Bureau; applications and exams processed by PSI

New Mexico requires every individual doing plumbing work to hold a Construction Industries Division (CID) journeyman certificate of competence; the JP Journeyman Plumber certificate is the plumbing journeyman credential, and the JPG Journeyman Plumber and Natural Gas Fitter certificate adds natural gas piping (JG and JPF cover gas fitting and pipe fitting alone). A JP applicant needs two years (4,000 hours) of plumbing experience within the last ten years, files a notarized application and work-experience affidavits with PSI for $75 per classification, and must pass the open-book JP written exam and a hands-on practical exam, each at 75%. Certificates run for three years and JP, JPG, JG and JPF holders complete 16 hours of continuing education (eight on the enforced code) before each renewal. CID reciprocates only the EE-98J electrical journeyman classification, so an out-of-state plumbing license earns no exam waiver, although out-of-state hours count toward the experience requirement. A journeyman may work only while employed by a contractor licensed in the classification (MM-1 or MM-98 for a JP).

Moving to New MexicoLeaving New Mexico

Why Wyoming has nothing to transfer

Wyoming journeyman plumber

Licensed by cities and counties

Verified September 16, 2026· 12 sources

Wyoming has no statewide plumber license at any level. The only state construction-trade licensing program is the State Fire Marshal's electrician program, which lists no plumbing or mechanical credential, so a journeyman plumber license exists only where a city ordinance creates one. Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Gillette and Sheridan each license journeyman plumbers (and apprentices) individually, all requiring four years or a completed apprenticeship plus an ICC National Standard plumbing exam (G28-N journeyman or G27-N master), while Jackson has stopped issuing journeyman cards altogether and Rock Springs only registers contractors. No city accepts another state's journeyman license: Casper, Gillette and Jackson reciprocate only with other Wyoming jurisdictions, Sheridan expressly refuses licenses from other cities or states, Cheyenne's Board keeps discretion but cites a state statute limiting reciprocity to Wyoming jurisdictions, and Laramie's building official may waive the exam for a certificate from any governmental agency whose exam is judged at least equal. An out-of-state journeyman should expect to document their hours, present or sit the ICC exam through Pearson VUE, and apply separately in each city where they will work.

How local licensing works in Wyoming

How local licensing works. Wyoming licenses electricians through the State Fire Marshal but has no plumbing board, so plumber licensing is entirely a matter of city ordinance and each city sets its own classes, hours, exam and fees. The reciprocity statute the cities cite reaches only licenses issued by other Wyoming jurisdictions; none of the cities below publishes a path that recognizes another state's plumber license.

Cheyenne. The Contractor Licensing Board licenses Plumbing (Class C1, tested) contractors and requires every employee on a plumbing job site to hold a master, journeyman or apprentice license. A journeyman (12.1.9) documents 4 years/8,000 hours as a licensed apprentice (or certified equivalent training) and passes a current ICC, NICET or NASCLA exam from the Board's list, paid to the testing agency; a Residential Plumbing Journeyman (12.1.11) needs 2 years/4,000 hours and may work only on IRC residential structures at a 1:1 apprentice ratio. Fees: $50 application plus $30 initial and $15 renewal (apprentice $25 + $25, $15 renewal); licenses expire annually. Up to three apprentices may work under one journeyman or master. Trade employees registered for the exam can get a one-time 30-day temporary work authorization (60 days maximum). Reciprocity (3.3.2): the Board 'may grant reciprocity with other State jurisdictions and agencies as the Board determines appropriate', notes that Wyoming's statute allows reciprocity for Wyoming jurisdictions only, evaluates even those case by case, and may accept a test exceeding its published exams from someone holding a current equivalent license elsewhere - no partner list is published.

Casper. The Community Development Department issues Journeyman Plumber licenses ($25 new, $15 renewal) to applicants with a federally recognized plumbing apprenticeship or the equivalent of four years in a Casper-licensed plumbing shop plus proof of passing ICC G27-N or G28-N (or equivalent); apprentice licenses ($3) are issued to the contractor in the apprentice's name. Reciprocal Plumbing Master/Journeyman licenses ($50/$25) exist only for holders of a current, good-standing license from another Wyoming jurisdiction with comparable testing.

Laramie. A journeyman plumbing certificate of qualification requires four years' employment with a licensed plumbing contractor (Table 15.24.020-1) and the building official's examination; the application fee is $5 per exam attempt, and a failed exam bars retesting for 30 days (six months after a second failure). In lieu of the exam, the building official may issue the certificate to anyone presenting a valid certificate from 'any other governmental agency giving an examination' that the board of examiners considers at least equal - the only Wyoming city whose rule is not limited to Wyoming jurisdictions. Journeymen work only under a certified master, each journeyman or master may supervise two apprentices, certificates expire December 31 (renew by January 31), and applications go through the Civic Access portal.

Gillette. Journeyman Plumber ($25 new, $25 renewal) requires four years of approved experience and passing ICC examination results (5-III-21/22); the ICC computer-based exam is taken through Pearson VUE. Apprentices ($5) qualify after 30 days with a Gillette-licensed plumbing contractor, and one master or journeyman supervises up to three apprentices. Reciprocity (5-III-1(d), effective July 1, 2024) is granted without fee only to active, good-standing licenses of a similar class from another Wyoming city, county or town, with testing waived on proof of the ICC plumbing exam.

Sheridan. Journeyman Plumber ($50 new, $50 annual renewal) requires four years of journeyman plumber experience (Form JP) or a completed approved four-year apprenticeship and the 2018 ICC G28 Journeyman Plumber with Gas exam; one licensed contractor or journeyman is required per three apprentices. The City's FAQ states it 'does not accept licensing from other cities, towns, counties, or states as a means to obtain licensing locally'. Applications go through the OpenGov portal.

Jackson. The Town no longer issues or requires Apprentice or Journeyman Certificate of Qualification cards; only Master COQ cards are issued. A journeyman-level plumber works in Jackson as an employee of a Town-licensed plumbing contractor whose Master of Record holds a Master COQ, and needs no individual Town card.

Rock Springs. The Building Inspection Office registers contractors ($125 fee plus a certificate of insurance) and licenses no individual plumbers; no exam or hours are required.

Moving to WyomingLeaving Wyoming

Common questions

Do I have to take the New Mexico journeyman plumber exam if I'm licensed in Wyoming?
Yes. New Mexico requires the trade exam on this path.
What does it cost to get a New Mexico journeyman plumber license from Wyoming?
Published fees on this path total $237.76, not counting exam vendor fees or bonds.
Do my Wyoming work hours count in New Mexico?
Yes. Documented out-of-state experience counts toward New Mexico's eligibility requirements.
Does it work the other way, from New Mexico to Wyoming?
Not necessarily. Reciprocity is directed. Going from New Mexico to Wyoming, the mechanism is not applicable.

Sources

  1. Construction Industries Licensing Act, NMSA 1978 Chapter 60, Article 13 (RLD compilation as of July 1, 2021) · NMSA 1978 §§ 60-13-14, 60-13-38, 60-13-49 · New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department · Statute · verified September 16, 2026
  2. 14.5.5 NMAC - Construction Industries General Provisions: Fees · 14.5.5.8, 14.5.5.9 and 14.5.5.14 NMAC · New Mexico Commission of Public Records, State Records Center and Archives · Admin Rule · verified September 16, 2026
  3. 14.6.4 NMAC - Construction Industries Licensing: Journeyman Certification · 14.6.4.8 NMAC · New Mexico Commission of Public Records, State Records Center and Archives · Admin Rule · verified September 16, 2026
  4. 14.6.6 NMAC - Construction Industries Licensing: Classifications and Scopes (mechanical and plumbing) · 14.6.6.11 NMAC · New Mexico Commission of Public Records, State Records Center and Archives · Admin Rule · verified September 16, 2026
  5. NM CID / PSI - How to Obtain a Journeyman Certificate and Application for Journeyman Certificate (2025) · PSI Services for the NM Construction Industries Division · Form · verified September 16, 2026
  6. State of New Mexico Journeyman Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin (PSI, updated 4/13/2023) · PSI Services for the NM Construction Industries Division · Other · verified September 16, 2026
  7. NM Regulation and Licensing Department - Apply for a Construction Industries License · New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division · Agency Page · verified September 16, 2026

Verified dates are when a person last opened each source and confirmed the facts above. Cite the board, not us.

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