100+ Free NM Landscape Practice Questions

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Which New Mexico state agency oversees contractor licensing, including landscape contractors?

New Mexico Department of Agriculture

New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (NMRLD) - Construction Industries Division (CID)

New Mexico Environment Department

New Mexico Board of Architecture

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NM Landscape Exam

75%

Passing Score

NM CID/PSI

2 yrs

Experience Required (4,000 hrs)

NM CID

$10,000

Financial Responsibility

NM CID

GS-29

License Classification

NMRLD

120 days

Lien Filing Deadline

NM Statute

Sample NM Landscape Practice Questions

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1Which New Mexico state agency oversees contractor licensing, including landscape contractors?

A.New Mexico Department of Agriculture

B.New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (NMRLD) - Construction Industries Division (CID)

C.New Mexico Environment Department

D.New Mexico Board of Architecture

Explanation: The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (NMRLD), through its Construction Industries Division (CID), oversees all contractor licensing in the state, including landscape contractors. CID administers applications, exams, and enforcement of contractor licensing laws.

2What is the New Mexico landscape contractor license classification?

A.GB-98

B.GS-29 (Landscaping)

C.MM-98

D.EE-98

Explanation: New Mexico classifies landscape contracting under GS-29 (Landscaping) within the General Specialty (GS) contractor classifications. This classification covers landscape installation, hardscaping, grading, and related landscape construction activities.

3How many years of experience are required for a GS (General Specialty) contractor classification in New Mexico?

A.1 year (2,000 hours)

B.2 years (4,000 hours)

C.4 years (8,000 hours)

D.6 years (12,000 hours)

Explanation: New Mexico requires 2 years or 4,000 hours of full-time work experience in the specialty building trade for GS classifications (GS-1 through GS-30), including GS-29 Landscaping. This experience must be documented through a qualifying party application.

4What exams must a New Mexico GS-29 landscape contractor applicant pass?

A.Only a trade exam

B.Both a Contractor's Business and Law exam and a trade exam applicable to the GS-29 classification

C.Only a business law exam

D.No exams are required

Explanation: New Mexico requires GS-29 applicants to pass both exams: the Contractor's Business and Law exam (covering NM contractor laws, business practices, and safety) and a trade exam specific to the landscaping classification. Both are administered by PSI.

5What organization administers contractor exams in New Mexico?

A.NMRLD directly

B.PSI (PSI Licensure/Certification)

C.Pearson VUE

D.Local community colleges

Explanation: PSI (PSI Licensure/Certification) administers all contractor exams in New Mexico, including both the Business and Law exam and trade-specific exams. PSI also handles qualifying party applications and license renewal processing for the CID.

6What is the fee for the New Mexico Contractor's Business and Law exam?

A.$36

B.$68.88

C.$120

D.$200

Explanation: The New Mexico Contractor's Business and Law exam fee is $68.88, paid to PSI at the time of exam registration. This is separate from the qualifying party application fee ($36) and the trade exam fee.

7What is the qualifying party (QP) application fee in New Mexico?

A.$25

B.$36

C.$75

D.$150

Explanation: The qualifying party application fee in New Mexico is $36, submitted to PSI along with the completed qualifying party application and work experience affidavit. This fee covers the processing of the QP certification.

8What minimum financial responsibility must be filed with the state for a New Mexico contractor license?

A.$5,000

B.$10,000

C.$25,000

D.$50,000

Explanation: New Mexico requires a minimum of $10,000 in financial responsibility to be filed with the state when applying for a contractor license. This can be in the form of a surety bond, cash deposit, or other approved financial instrument.

9What minimum public liability insurance coverage is required for NM contractors?

A.$100,000 per occurrence

B.$300,000 bodily injury per occurrence and $100,000 property damage per occurrence

C.$500,000 combined

D.$1,000,000 per occurrence

Explanation: New Mexico requires contractors to maintain public liability insurance of at least $300,000 bodily injury coverage per occurrence and $100,000 property damage coverage per occurrence. Proof of insurance must be filed with the CID.

10What is the USDA Hardiness Zone range for most of New Mexico?

A.Zones 2-4

B.Zones 4b-8a

C.Zones 9-11

D.Zones 1-3

Explanation: New Mexico spans USDA Hardiness Zones 4b (high mountain areas) through 8a (southern desert valleys). This wide range reflects the state's dramatic elevation changes from 2,842 feet to over 13,000 feet, creating diverse growing conditions that landscape contractors must understand.

About the NM Landscape Exam

The New Mexico GS-29 Landscaping license requires passing both a Contractor's Business and Law exam (75% passing score) and a trade exam through PSI. The classification falls under General Specialty contractors requiring 2 years (4,000 hours) of experience. NM's arid climate (Zones 4b-8a) emphasizes xeriscaping, water conservation, and desert-adapted plant knowledge.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

3.5 hours

Passing Score

75%

Exam Fee

$68.88+ (B&L + trade) (NM Regulation and Licensing Department CID / PSI)

NM Landscape Exam Content Outline

25%

State Laws & CID Regulations

NM Construction Industries Licensing Act, CID regulations, qualifying party requirements, financial responsibility, insurance

25%

Trade Knowledge - Xeriscaping & Plants

Seven xeriscape principles, desert-adapted plants, hydrozoning, caliche management, soil salinity, native species

20%

Trade Knowledge - Irrigation & Water Conservation

Drip irrigation design, ET-based scheduling, smart controllers, water harvesting, backflow prevention, winterization

15%

Safety & Environmental

OSHA safety, heat illness prevention, UV protection, arroyo regulations, fire-wise landscaping, monsoon erosion control

15%

Business & Contract Management

Mechanic's lien law (120-day filing), contract requirements, estimating for NM conditions, workers' comp, business operations

How to Pass the NM Landscape Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 75%
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 3.5 hours
Exam fee: $68.88+ (B&L + trade)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NM Landscape Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the seven xeriscape principles—they are foundational to NM landscape practice

2Study NM-specific plant materials: Desert Willow, Blue Grama, Apache Plume, and other native species

3Understand caliche and its impact on planting, drainage, and excavation in NM soils

4Review drip irrigation design principles including ET-based scheduling and smart controller technology

5Know NM Construction Industries Licensing Act requirements for the qualifying party process and license classifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What exams are required for the NM GS-29 license?

Two exams: a Contractor's Business and Law exam ($68.88) and a trade exam for the GS-29 Landscaping classification. Both are administered by PSI and require a 75% passing score.

How much experience is needed?

2 years (4,000 hours) of full-time work experience in landscape contracting, documented through the qualifying party application submitted to PSI.

What financial responsibility is required?

A minimum of $10,000 must be filed with the state, plus public liability insurance of $300,000 bodily injury and $100,000 property damage per occurrence.

What is xeriscaping and why is it important in NM?

Xeriscaping is water-efficient landscaping using 7 principles: planning, soil improvement, appropriate plants, practical turf, efficient irrigation, mulching, and maintenance. It reduces water use by 50-75% in NM's arid climate.