Contractor License from New Mexico to Georgia: Does It Transfer? (2026)
A contractor license transfers from New Mexico to Georgia by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (Office of Secretary of State), verify your New Mexico license, and meet Georgia's endorsement requirements. Georgia accepts the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Examination for the general-contractor trade exam. Georgia licenses residential (residential-basic/light-commercial) and general contractors as SEPARATE classes through the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Georgia has no license-to-license agreement covering New Mexico for the selected trade, so this move runs on Georgia's case-by-case endorsement process. If you do commercial general-building work, note that Georgia accepts the NASCLA exam in place of its own trade exam. Electricians should check Georgia's NERA status.
What changes, New Mexico → Georgia
| New Mexico (current) | Georgia (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $36 (Qualifying Party application fee to PSI; classification license fee is additional and varies by classification (approx. $45-$450 per the CID fee schedule)) | Board fee applies; specific figure not verified (board site blocked) |
| Processing time | Board does not publish a stated processing time | Not verified |
| Licensing authority | New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department — Construction Industries Division (CID) | Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (Office of Secretary of State) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Georgia sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Georgia's current requirements on the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (Office of Secretary of State) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (Office of Secretary of State).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold an equivalent contractor license in good standing (used toward reciprocity/experience).
- Pass the Georgia Business and Law examination.
- Provide financial-responsibility documentation and required insurance.
- Pay the fees (Board fee applies; specific figure not verified (board site blocked)). Processing time: Not verified.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Georgia accept a New Mexico contractor license?
A contractor license transfers from New Mexico to Georgia by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (Office of Secretary of State), verify your New Mexico license, and meet Georgia's endorsement requirements. Georgia accepts the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Examination for the general-contractor trade exam. Georgia licenses residential (residential-basic/light-commercial) and general contractors as SEPARATE classes through the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors.
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
Georgia's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the New Mexico-to-Georgia move cost and how long does it take?
Board fee applies; specific figure not verified (board site blocked). Processing time: Not verified.
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
Possibly, for the trade it covers: Georgia's board accepts a NASCLA accredited exam in place of its own trade exam (verified 2026-07-21). The business/law exam, bond and application still apply.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- NASCLA - States accepting the NASCLA Accredited Commercial GB Exam (Georgia listed) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NM RLD CID — How to Apply for a Construction Industries License ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NASCLA — Electrical exam participating state agencies (New Mexico listed) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]