What handyman work requires a license in Farmington, San Juan County, New Mexico?

Work that typically requires a license or a licensed trade professional includes: ANY compensated construction work regardless of dollar amount (no exemption threshold in New Mexico); Electrical work beyond simple fixture changes (requires EE license); Plumbing work beyond simple fixture replacement (requires MM license); HVAC system work (requires MM license); Gas fitting and LP gas work (requires GF license); Structural modifications or framing. Always verify with your local licensing authority.

What Can a Handyman Do Without a License in Farmington, San Juan County, New Mexico?

Q: What can a handyman do without a license in Farmington, San Juan County, New Mexico?

Common examples include: Owner-builder work on your own residence for personal occupancy (not for sale or as a business); Minor drywall repairs and patching (non-structural); Interior painting (non-lead, non-structural); Basic carpentry (trim, shelving, non-structural framing); Fixture replacement (light fixtures, faucets, cabinet hardware—not plumbing or electrical work); Caulking and weatherstripping.

By Ray Duke, Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Last reviewed July 2026

New Mexico has NO handyman exemption and NO dollar threshold—any contractor performing work for compensation requires a valid CID (Construction Industries Division) license regardless of project value, making it one of the strictest licensing states. Farmington-based contractors must obtain a state GB-2 or GB-98 contractor license (~$575–$710 plus bond), a city business license from Farmington (fee unconfirmed; call 505-599-1100), and likely a San Juan County business registration. Specialty trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, gas) require separate CID licenses. Critical: work on Navajo Nation land (immediately adjacent to Farmington) requires separate tribal authorization and is NOT covered by state licenses.

✅ What You Can Do Without a License

Owner-builder work on your own residence for personal occupancy (not for sale or as a business)
Minor drywall repairs and patching (non-structural)
Interior painting (non-lead, non-structural)
Basic carpentry (trim, shelving, non-structural framing)
Fixture replacement (light fixtures, faucets, cabinet hardware—not plumbing or electrical work)
Caulking and weatherstripping
Gutter cleaning and minor maintenance
Landscaping and yard work (non-structural)

Common Jobs Handymen Take in Farmington

Based on the NM threshold, handymen in Farmington commonly take on:

Owner-builder work on your own residence for personal occupancy (not for sale or as a business)
Minor drywall repairs and patching (non-structural)
Interior painting (non-lead, non-structural)
Basic carpentry (trim, shelving, non-structural framing)
Fixture replacement (light fixtures, faucets, cabinet hardware—not plumbing or electrical work)
Caulking and weatherstripping
Gutter cleaning and minor maintenance

⚠️ What Requires a License

ANY compensated construction work regardless of dollar amount (no exemption threshold in New Mexico)
Electrical work beyond simple fixture changes (requires EE license)
Plumbing work beyond simple fixture replacement (requires MM license)
HVAC system work (requires MM license)
Gas fitting and LP gas work (requires GF license)
Structural modifications or framing
Roofing work
Foundation or concrete work
Window or door installation affecting structure
Water heater installation or replacement
Drain line or sewer work
Any work on tribal land (requires tribal license in addition to state license)

Business License — Farmington

Required. City of Farmington Business License / Business Registration

Setting Up Your Business in NM

To get paid professionally and protect yourself, register your business. LLC filing fee in NM: $50 (one-time). You'll also need a free EIN from the IRS and a business checking account.

Your Next Steps to Operating Legally in Farmington

Step 1: Determine your business structure. Form an LLC with the New Mexico Secretary of State (portal.sos.state.nm.us, $50 filing fee) or operate as a sole proprietorship.
Step 2: Register for Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) with the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department (tax.newmexico.gov or call 505-827-0700). No fee; this is a tax registration.
Step 3: Obtain a state contractor license from the New Mexico CID. Pass the Business & Law exam and your trade exam (GB-2 Residential or GB-98 General Building). Total cost: ~$575–$710 plus exam fees. Apply via PSI at test-takers.psiexams.com/nmcon. Farmington test center: 1307 E. 20th St., Farmington, NM 87401.
Step 4: Obtain a surety bond ($10,000 minimum). Contact a bonding company; expect to pay $100–$300/year in premiums.
Step 5: Obtain a city business license from Farmington. Call (505) 599-1100 to confirm the current fee and application process.
Step 6: Obtain a San Juan County business registration if you work in unincorporated county territory. Call (505) 334-9481 to confirm the fee.
Step 7: Obtain general liability insurance. Typical cost: $400–$1,200/year. Most cities require this for permit issuance.
Step 8: If you plan to work on Navajo Nation or Jicarilla Apache Nation land, contact the respective tribal economic development office to obtain tribal contractor authorization and tribal business license.
Step 9: For each job, obtain the required building permits from the City of Farmington (Development Services, 505-599-1170) or San Juan County before starting work.

Licensing rules and fees change over time, so this information may be out of date. Verify all requirements with your local licensing authority before making business decisions.