Occupational Licensing in New Mexico
New Mexico requires a licence for 125 of the 246 occupations the Archbridge Institute tracks, against a national median of 124. It ranks 33 of 51 on their index, where 1 is the most burdensome.
- Licensed occupations
- 125
- With any entry barrier
- 156
- National rank
- #33
- In the Mountain
- #3
Moving to New Mexico with a licence
New Mexico recognises out-of-state licences broadly — Archbridge grades its reform gold. Universal recognition is the reform that lets someone already licensed elsewhere practise after moving, instead of repeating the training; 28 of the 51 jurisdictions have some version of it.
Licensed here, rarely elsewhere
These are the occupations New Mexico licenses that few other jurisdictions do — the clearest sign of where its rules go further than the national norm.
- Dietetic Technician/Nutrition Associatelicensed in 2 of 51
- Naprapathic Physician/Doctorlicensed in 2 of 51
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographerlicensed in 4 of 51
- Funeral Supervisorlicensed in 7 of 51
- Plumberlicensed in 7 of 51
- Medical Gas Fitterlicensed in 8 of 51
- Dental Therapistlicensed in 9 of 51
- Landscape Architect In-Training/Trainee/Internlicensed in 9 of 51
Every licensed occupation in New Mexico
All 125, alphabetically. Archbridge tracks 246 occupations in total, so anything absent here is either unlicensed in New Mexico or outside their list.
- Acupuncturist
- Addictions/Chemical Dependency Counselor
- Anesthesiologist Aide/Assistant
- Architect
- Art Therapist
- Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor
- Associate Broker (Standard Real Estate)
- Athlete Agent/Manager
- Athletic Trainer/Sports Trainer
- Attorney
- Audiologist
- Barber
- Barber Apprentice
- Body Piercing Artist
- Broker (Standard Real Estate)
- Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)
- Certified Nurse Aide/Assistant
- Certified Nurse Midwife
- Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist
- Certified Prevention Specialist, CPP, or CPPA
- Certified Public Accountant
- Chiropractor
- Chiropractor Assistant
- Clinical Mental Health Counselor/Mental Health Counselor
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Cosmetologist
- Cosmetology Teacher
- Court Interpreter
- Crane Operator
- Dental Assistant
- Dental Hygienist
- Dental Radiographer
- Dental Therapist
- Dentist
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Dialysis Technician
- Dietetic Technician/Nutrition Associate
- Dietitian
- Electrical Contractor
- Electrologist
- Embalmer
- Emergency Dispatcher / Public Safety Telecommunicator
- EMT
- Esthetician
- Esthetician Instructor
- Family-Marriage Therapist/Counselor
- Fuel Piping Contractor
- Funeral Director/Mortician
- Funeral Resident Intern
- Funeral Supervisor
- General Insurance Agent Manager or Exclusive
- Genetic Counselor
- Hearing Aid Dealer/Hearing Aid Dispensers/Hearing Instrument Specialist
- HVAC Installer
- Insurance Producer
- Investment Advisor
- Journeyman Electrician
- Landscape Architect
- Landscape Architect In-Training/Trainee/Intern
- Landscaping Contractor
- Level Class II Wastewater Operator
- Level Class III Wastewater Operator
- Level Class IV Wastewater Operator
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Limited X-ray Machine Operator
- Lineman
- Manicurist
- Massage Therapist
- MD Physician/Surgeon
- Medical Health Physicist
- Medical Gas Fitter
- Medication Technician/Aide /Assistant
- Mortgage Loan Originator
- Nail Technician
- Naprapathic Physician/Doctor
- Nuclear Medicine Technicican
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Home Administrator
- Nutritionist
- Occupational Therapist
- Occupational Therapist Assistant
- Optometrist
- Parole /Probation Officer
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacy Technician
- Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Physician Assistant
- Piping Contractor
- Plumber
- Plumbing Inspector
- Podiatrist
- Polygraph Examiner
- Polysomnographic Technologist
- Preschool Teacher, except Special Education
- Private Investigator
- Professional Counselor/Professional Clinical Counselor
- Professional Engineer
- Professional Land Surveyor
- Provisional Psychologist
- Psychological Assistant/Associate/Technician
- Psychologist
- Public School Administrator
- Public School Principal
- Public School Teacher
- Radiologic Technologist
- Radiologist Assistant
- Real Estate Appraiser
- Real Estate Instructor
- Real Estate Salesperson
- Registered Nurse
- Respiratory Therapist/Respiratory Care Practitioner
- Security Guard
- Septic System Servicer/Pumper/Cleaner
- Shampoo Assistant
- Sign Language Interpreter/Translator
- Social Worker
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Tattoo Artist
- Title Insurance Agent (Individual)
- Veterinarian
- Veterinarian Technician
- Wastewater Operator
- Well Driller
Where this comes from
The Archbridge Institute's State Occupational Licensing Index 2026, retrieved 2026-09-16. The index records whether an occupation needs a licence — it does not record fees or training hours, so nothing here says what a licence costs or how long it takes. The rank is Archbridge's own and is not part of the FreedomRankings score. Check the relevant New Mexico board before acting on any of it.
More on New Mexico: its freedom score and rank · school choice · homeschool laws
