Updated
Does New Mexico require a septic license?
Yes. New Mexico requires septic installers to hold a state credential issued by the NMED Liquid Waste Program and the Construction Industries Division. New Mexico septic installers need a Construction Industries Division license; homeowners may install their own systems under NMED rules.
Who licenses septic contractors in New Mexico?
NMED Liquid Waste Program and the Construction Industries Division.
New Mexico's septic credentials:
- CID MM-1, MM-98, MS-1 or MS-3 license
- NMED installer specialist certification
How to check a septic contractor's license in New Mexico
- Open the NMED Liquid Waste Program and the Construction Industries Division lookup.
- Search by the contractor's name, the license holder's name or the license number.
- Check the license type covers your job (installation, pumping or inspection) and that the status is active.
- If the contractor's business name doesn't come up, ask which person on staff holds the license: several states license individuals, not companies.
Septic permits in New Mexico
A contractor license says who may do septic work; a permit authorizes a specific system. In New Mexico, permits for new systems, replacements and most repairs come from the local health department or the state agency office that covers the property. Ask your installer to pull the permit and include the fee in the quote.
Licensed septic companies in New Mexico
The Septic Guide lists 9 septic companies and licensed professionals in New Mexico. This is what we could match as of October 2026, not an official count.
All septic companies in New Mexico →
New Mexico septic licensing: common questions
Do you need a license to install septic systems in New Mexico?
Yes. New Mexico requires septic installers to hold a state credential issued by the NMED Liquid Waste Program and the Construction Industries Division. New Mexico septic installers need a Construction Industries Division license; homeowners may install their own systems under NMED rules.
Who issues septic licenses in New Mexico?
The NMED Liquid Waste Program and the Construction Industries Division issues New Mexico's septic credentials: CID MM-1, MM-98, MS-1 or MS-3 license; NMED installer specialist certification.
How do I check a septic contractor's license in New Mexico?
Open the NMED Liquid Waste Program and the Construction Industries Division lookup. Search by the contractor's name, the license holder's name or the license number. Check the license type covers your job (installation, pumping or inspection) and that the status is active. If the contractor's business name doesn't come up, ask which person on staff holds the license: several states license individuals, not companies.
How many licensed septic contractors are in New Mexico?
The Septic Guide lists 9 septic companies and licensed septic professionals in New Mexico (data as of October 2026). This counts what we could match; it is not an official total.
Do you need a permit for a septic system in New Mexico?
New septic systems, replacements and most repairs need a permit before work starts. The permit comes from the local health department or the state agency office that covers your property, and the permit, not the contractor license, is what authorizes a specific job.
Sources: NMED Liquid Waste Program and the Construction Industries Division; state license lists loaded into The Septic Guide. See how we verify licenses.