- NM-EE98 Part 1 covers Commercial and Industrial content within the EE-98 classification, administered via PSI.
- Part 1 has 80 questions across 10 domains, 200 minutes, with 60 correct (75%) needed to pass.
- Domain 1 (General Knowledge and Electrical Installation Requirements) carries the most weight at 13 questions.
- Qualifying-party applicants need 8,000 hours (four years) of experience plus a notarized application before testing.
What Is NM-EE98?
NM-EE98 refers specifically to Part 1 of the New Mexico EE-98 Electrical Contractor Exam, the Commercial and Industrial section of the Residential and Commercial Electrical classification overseen by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID). This is not a generic electrical certification exam - it is a state-specific licensing exam tied directly to New Mexico's contractor licensing system, and it exists alongside Part 2 (Residential) and Part 3 (Specialties) as one of three trade-exam components required for full EE-98 qualification unless CID grants an exemption.
If you're researching "what is NM-EE98," you're really asking about a contractor-track exam that verifies a qualifying party's knowledge of commercial and industrial electrical work under New Mexico code before that person can serve as the qualifying party on an electrical contracting license. For a deeper breakdown of eligibility rules, see our NM-EE98 Requirements 2026 guide.
Who Administers the Exam
The New Mexico Construction Industries Division sets the licensing requirements, but the actual testing is handled by PSI, a third-party exam administration company. PSI publishes the candidate bulletin that governs question counts, time limits, and passing thresholds - the version referenced here was revised April 3, 2026. Candidates schedule and sit for the exam through PSI's testing network, while CID reviews and approves the underlying qualifying-party application before a testing authorization is issued.
This two-agency structure matters practically: CID controls whether you're eligible to test at all, and PSI controls exactly how the test is delivered and scored. Understanding both halves of that relationship is covered in more detail in our NM-EE98 Certification overview.
Exam Format and Structure
Part 1 is a computer-administered, multiple-choice, open-book exam. Candidates are permitted a silent, nonprinting, nonprogrammable calculator, but there is no room for guesswork about what materials you can bring - CID and PSI are specific about bound references only.
| Exam Part | Questions | Time Limit | Passing Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 (Commercial and Industrial) | 80 | 200 minutes | 75% (60 correct) |
| Part 2 (Residential) | 40 | 100 minutes | Set by PSI bulletin |
| Part 3 (Specialties) | 50 | 135 minutes | Set by PSI bulletin |
Notice that Part 1 is the longest and most heavily weighted of the three trade exams, which tracks with its role as the core commercial/industrial knowledge check. For a detailed walk-through of how difficult this format actually feels in practice, see How Hard Is the NM-EE98 Exam? and the data-driven breakdown in NM-EE98 Pass Rate 2026.
Key Takeaway
Passing Part 1 requires 60 of 80 correct answers - there's no partial credit for "close enough," so time management across 200 minutes and 10 domains is a real skill to practice, not an afterthought.
The 10 Domains Covered on Part 1
PSI's official bulletin allocates a specific number of questions to each of the 10 content domains on Part 1. This allocation tells you exactly where study time pays off most.
Domain 1: General Knowledge and Electrical Installation Requirements (13 questions)
The largest single domain on the exam, covering foundational NEC concepts, definitions, and general installation rules that show up across every other domain.
- Highest point value on the exam - master this first
Domain 2: Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits (10 questions)
Calculations and code requirements for service entrances, feeder sizing, and branch circuit design in commercial and industrial settings.
Domain 3: Overcurrent Protection (5 questions)
Breaker and fuse sizing, coordination, and protection requirements specific to larger commercial loads.
Domain 4: Grounding and Bonding (10 questions)
A heavily tested area covering system grounding, equipment bonding, and grounding electrode requirements.
Domain 5: Conductors and Cables (8 questions)
Ampacity, insulation types, and conductor selection under commercial/industrial conditions.
Domain 6: Raceways and Boxes (8 questions)
Sizing and fill calculations for conduit, tubing, and enclosures used in commercial installations.
Domain 7: Hazardous Locations, Special Occupancies, and Special Equipment (10 questions)
Tied for second-highest weight - expect scenario questions on classified locations and specialized equipment installations.
Domain 8: Lighting, Signs, and General-Use Equipment (6 questions)
Requirements for lighting circuits, signage, and general equipment commonly found in commercial buildings.
Domain 9: Motors, Transformers, and Generators (6 questions)
Sizing, protection, and installation rules for industrial power equipment.
Domain 10: New Mexico State Code (4 questions)
Amendments and state-specific rules layered on top of the national code base.
For a full walkthrough of study strategy mapped to each domain's weight, read NM-EE98 Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 10 Content Areas.
Approved References and Tools
Because Part 1 is open book, knowing what you're allowed to bring is almost as important as knowing the code itself. Approved references include:
- 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) or NEC Handbook
- 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code
- 2007 National Electrical Safety Code
All references must be bound. Highlighting, underlining, and permanent tabs are permitted, but handwritten notes, loose papers, and temporary tabs are prohibited - bringing an improperly marked-up code book can cause problems at check-in. A silent, nonprinting, nonprogrammable calculator is the only electronic tool allowed.
Fees, Eligibility, and Timelines
Becoming eligible to sit for NM-EE98 Part 1 involves more than registering for a test date. CID requires qualifying-party applicants to document four years (8,000 hours) of relevant experience, submit a notarized application with experience affidavits, and receive CID approval before scheduling with PSI.
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Qualifying-party application | $30 |
| Certificate fee (per classification) | $6 |
| Initial three-part trade exam (Parts 1-3) | $269.06 |
| Failed-part retake | $89.69 per part |
| Business and Law exam | $68.88 |
A few timelines to keep on your calendar:
- CID approval to test is valid for six months.
- Passing exam scores remain valid for one year.
- Contractor licenses renew every three years, requiring a qualifying-party signature and bond coverage for the renewal term.
- A qualifying-party certificate is canceled if left unattached to an active license for two consecutive years.
A CID-approved NASCLA waiver removes only the trade-exam requirement - experience documentation and the separate Business and Law requirement still apply. For the full cost picture across every fee scenario, see NM-EE98 Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown, and for exact scheduling windows check NM-EE98 Exam Dates 2026.
Who Takes the NM-EE98 Exam
Part 1 is taken by individuals seeking to serve as the qualifying party on an EE-98 electrical contracting license in New Mexico, typically experienced electricians moving into contractor or business-owner roles, project supervisors on commercial and industrial jobs, and tradespeople whose companies bid on commercial construction work. Because the license itself supports commercial and industrial project work, employers in commercial electrical contracting, industrial maintenance, and design-build firms often look for candidates who hold or are pursuing this qualification.
Passing Part 1 alone doesn't grant a full trade qualification - Parts 2 and 3 (or an approved exemption) and the separate Business and Law exam are also required. If you're weighing whether pursuing the full EE-98 path fits your career goals, our ROI analysis and salary guide dig into that question, and NM-EE98 Jobs covers where this qualification actually opens doors.
Preparing for Part 1
Given the domain weights, a study plan that spends equal time on all 10 domains wastes effort. Domain 1 (13 questions), Domain 2 (10), Domain 4 (10), and Domain 7 (10) together account for more than half the exam - prioritize those first, then layer in the smaller domains as review rounds.
General Knowledge, Services, and Grounding
- Work through Domain 1 definitions and general installation rules
- Practice feeder and branch circuit calculations from Domain 2
- Drill grounding electrode and bonding scenarios from Domain 4
Hazardous Locations and Equipment Domains
- Study Domain 7's classified location rules and special equipment
- Cover conductors/cables and raceway fill calculations (Domains 5-6)
- Review motors, transformers, and lighting/signage sections (Domains 8-9)
New Mexico Code and Full-Length Practice
- Focus on Domain 10 state amendments
- Take timed, 80-question practice runs under the 200-minute limit
- Finalize your bound reference tabbing system
A simple technique like spaced repetition works well here specifically because Domains 1, 2, 4, and 7 recur across nearly every practice scenario - reviewing them on a repeating schedule reinforces the material that carries the most exam weight. For a structured week-by-week plan built around this exact domain breakdown, see the NM-EE98 Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt. You can also confirm exactly what score you're aiming for in NM-EE98 Passing Score 2026, and keep a condensed version of every major fact handy with the NM-EE98 Cheat Sheet 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Part 1 covers Commercial and Industrial content only. Full EE-98 trade qualification also requires Part 2 (Residential) and Part 3 (Specialties), unless CID approves an exemption, plus a separate Business and Law exam.
Part 1 has 80 questions administered over 200 minutes. You need 75%, or 60 correct answers, to pass.
The 2020 NEC or NEC Handbook, the 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code, and the 2007 National Electrical Safety Code are approved. References must be bound; highlighting, underlining, and permanent tabs are allowed, but handwritten notes, loose papers, and temporary tabs are not.
A passing score on Part 1 remains valid for one year. Note that CID approval to test in the first place is only valid for six months, so timing your application and scheduling matters.
No. A CID-approved NASCLA waiver only removes the trade-exam requirement. You still must meet the experience requirements and pass or complete the separate Business and Law requirement.