New Mexico EL-1 Electrical Distribution Systems, including Transmission Lines Contractor Books & Course Rental

Prepare for the New Mexico EL-1 Electrical Distribution Systems, including Transmission Lines Contractor examination with a complete books and course rental package designed for organized study of high-voltage electrical distribution, transmission systems, New Mexico electrical requirements, contractor business law, and licensing regulations. The package combines highlighted and tabbed reference books with 6 months of course access to provide a structured preparation system for the EL-1 trade examination and New Mexico contractor licensing requirements.

The New Mexico EL-1 classification applies to electrical distribution and transmission systems operating over 5,000 volts nominal. The scope includes qualifying overhead and underground distribution and transmission circuits, equipment, towers, tower foundations, supporting structures, excavation and trenching associated with the work, ductwork, substations, and terminal facilities.

The trade portion of this package includes the National Electrical Code, NEC, 2020, New Mexico Electrical Code (NMAC 14.10.4), 2020, and National Electrical Safety Code 2017. Business and licensing references include the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 14th Edition, the New Mexico Construction Industries Licensing Act (NMSA Chapter 60, Article 13), 2006, and the New Mexico Contractor's License Requirement (NMAC Title 14, Chapter 6, Part 3), 2006.

All books in this rental package are highlighted and tabbed. The highlighting helps draw attention to important material during study, while tabs provide recognizable navigation points for major code sections, regulations, and business-law topics.

The book and course rental package price is $1,010 plus a refundable deposit of $450, for a total of $1,460.

Please allow up to 15 business days for book & course rental package orders.

Exam Details

The New Mexico EL-1 Electrical Distribution Systems, including Transmission Lines examination is administered through PSI as part of the New Mexico Construction Industries Division contractor licensing process.

• Exam: EL-1 Electrical Distribution Systems, including Transmission Lines
• Testing Provider: PSI
• Number of Questions: 100
• Time Allowed: 265 minutes
• Passing Score: 75%
• Exam Format: Open book

The published examination content addresses electrical distribution and transmission work through major subjects including general electrical installation requirements, electrical supply and substations, transformers, conductors, poles and structures, grounding methods, overhead systems, underground systems, electrical equipment and safety, and equipment operating above 600 volts.

The exam includes 12 questions on general knowledge and electrical installation requirements, 6 questions on electrical supply and substations, 12 questions on transformers, 12 questions on conductors, and 10 questions on poles and structures.

Additional content includes 10 questions on grounding methods, 8 questions on overhead systems, 8 questions on underground systems, 12 questions on equipment and safety, and 10 questions on equipment over 600 volts.

This distribution requires candidates to prepare broadly. Transformer, conductor, safety, grounding, overhead, underground, and high-voltage equipment requirements all contribute significantly to the final examination.

Open Book Test

The New Mexico EL-1 examination is an open book test. Candidates may use references allowed under PSI examination rules.

Open-book testing places a premium on efficient reference navigation. The exam contains 100 questions in 265 minutes, providing an average of approximately two minutes and 39 seconds per question if time is divided evenly. Candidates who know where major subjects are located can preserve more time for technical interpretation and calculations.

The National Electrical Code, NEC, 2020 supports preparation involving electrical installations, grounding and bonding, conductors, equipment, protection, higher-voltage systems, and other electrical code requirements.

The New Mexico Electrical Code (NMAC 14.10.4), 2020 provides state-specific electrical requirements that work with the adopted electrical code. Candidates should understand how New Mexico provisions interact with national requirements.

The National Electrical Safety Code 2017 in this rental package supports study involving electric supply systems, overhead and underground installations, clearances, structures, grounding, conductors, and electrical safety. PSI's current EL-1 examination reference list identifies an earlier NESC edition for exam-room use, so candidates should use the edition permitted by PSI when appearing for the examination.

The highlighted and tabbed format of the rental books supports repeated study and faster navigation. Tabs help candidates associate subjects with specific locations, while highlighting makes important requirements more visible during review.

Licensing Steps

New Mexico contractor licensing is administered through the Regulation and Licensing Department Construction Industries Division, with PSI providing licensing and examination services.

1. Confirm the EL-1 classification. EL-1 applies to qualifying electrical distribution and transmission systems operating over 5,000 volts nominal.
2. Meet the experience requirement. The EL-1 classification requires four years of applicable experience.
3. Complete the Qualifying Party application process. Applicants must document the required experience for the classification.
4. Receive approval to test. Qualifying Party applicants must be approved before scheduling the applicable examination.
5. Prepare for the EL-1 trade exam. Review electrical distribution, transmission, transformers, conductors, grounding, structures, substations, safety, overhead systems, and underground systems.
6. Complete the Business and Law requirement. New Mexico Qualifying Party applicants must also satisfy the applicable Contractor's Business and Law requirement.
7. Take the EL-1 examination. The trade exam contains 100 questions, allows 265 minutes, and requires a 75% passing score.
8. Complete contractor licensing requirements. The qualifying business entity must complete the applicable licensing process and provide required company documentation.

State Requirements

The New Mexico EL-1 classification covers electrical distribution and transmission systems over 5,000 volts nominal and requires four years of applicable experience.

The authorized scope includes electrical systems and wiring methods operating above 5,000 volts nominal, overhead and underground electrical distribution and transmission circuits, associated equipment, towers, tower foundations, other supporting structures, and related excavation, trenching, boring, shoring, backfilling, compacting, and ductwork.

The scope also includes substations and terminal facilities associated with qualifying distribution and transmission systems.

New Mexico's Construction Industries Division requires licensed business entities to employ or be owned by a properly certified Qualifying Party for the classification in which the company intends to engage. Qualifying Party applicants must have the required experience and complete the applicable examination requirements.

The state also requires the Contractor's Business and Law component for Qualifying Party applicants. This is why the rental package includes dedicated business-law and New Mexico licensing references in addition to the EL-1 electrical books.

Candidates should distinguish between contractor licensing requirements and electrical code requirements. The EL-1 trade exam focuses on technical competency, while the contractor licensing process also addresses business, legal, administrative, and licensing responsibilities.

Reference Books

• National Electrical Code, NEC, 2020
  Included Rental Book: Highlighted and tabbed. The NEC provides requirements involving conductors, electrical equipment, grounding and bonding, overcurrent protection, wiring methods, higher-voltage electrical systems, and other installation topics relevant to EL-1 preparation.
• New Mexico Electrical Code (NMAC 14.10.4), 2020
  Included Rental Book: Highlighted and tabbed. This reference contains New Mexico-specific electrical requirements that supplement and modify the adopted National Electrical Code.
• National Electrical Safety Code 2017
  Included Rental Book: Highlighted and tabbed. The NESC addresses electric supply systems, overhead and underground lines, grounding, clearances, supporting structures, conductors, and electrical safety principles relevant to distribution and transmission work.
• NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 14th Edition
  Included Rental Book: Highlighted and tabbed. This business reference supports study of contractor business practices, project management, financial responsibilities, contracts, and related business-law subjects.
• New Mexico Construction Industries Licensing Act (NMSA Chapter 60, Article 13), 2006
  Included Rental Book: Highlighted and tabbed. This reference addresses statutory requirements governing construction contracting and contractor licensing in New Mexico.
• New Mexico Contractor's License Requirement (NMAC Title 14, Chapter 6, Part 3), 2006
  Included Rental Book: Highlighted and tabbed. This reference supports preparation involving New Mexico contractor licensing requirements and administrative responsibilities.

Test Information and Study Materials

EL-1 preparation should reflect the specialized nature of electrical distribution and transmission work. This exam extends beyond ordinary premises wiring and requires familiarity with power-distribution infrastructure, high-voltage equipment, supporting structures, grounding, substations, and safety.

Study transformers thoroughly. Transformers account for 12 examination questions. Review transformer installation, ratings, grounding, protection, clearances, and their role within distribution systems.

Review conductors. Conductors also account for 12 questions. Study conductor characteristics, installation conditions, support, clearances, protection, and requirements affecting overhead and underground distribution circuits.

Focus on equipment and safety. Equipment and Safety accounts for 12 questions. High-voltage distribution systems require careful attention to safe clearances, guarding, grounding, equipment arrangement, and access.

Strengthen grounding knowledge. Grounding Methods accounts for 10 questions. Review system grounding, equipment grounding, bonding, grounding electrodes, and grounding concepts used in distribution systems.

Study poles and structures. This category accounts for 10 questions. Review poles, towers, foundations, supporting structures, clearances, and the requirements affecting electrical supply structures.

Prepare for overhead and underground systems. Each category accounts for eight questions. Review the different requirements involving conductor support, protection, clearances, trenching, ductwork, and system arrangement.

Review substations. Study electrical supply equipment, substations, transformer installations, grounding, equipment clearances, and associated terminal facilities.

Practice equipment-over-600-volts questions. This category accounts for 10 questions and reinforces the higher-voltage nature of the EL-1 classification.

Use all highlighted and tabbed references during study. Learn what each tab represents and practice moving directly to relevant material. Familiarity with the physical layout of the books can support more efficient open-book navigation.

Include Business and Law preparation. Review contractor responsibilities, licensing requirements, business organization, contracts, financial management, project management, and New Mexico-specific licensing laws using the included business references.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports New Mexico EL-1 candidates through organized study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, highlighted and tabbed reference navigation, and a structured course format.

The included rental books provide the technical and business references needed to organize preparation around both the EL-1 trade examination and New Mexico's contractor licensing process. Highlighting emphasizes important material, while tabs make major subjects easier to find during repeated study sessions.

The course provides 6 months of course access, allowing candidates to work through preparation around job schedules and other responsibilities. A longer study window can also provide time to revisit complex subjects such as transformers, grounding, substations, overhead systems, underground systems, and equipment above 600 volts.

Trade-focused review helps candidates connect technical code requirements with the actual EL-1 scope, while business-law preparation supports understanding of the contractor responsibilities that accompany New Mexico licensing.

1 Exam Prep's goal is to help candidates strengthen electrical distribution and transmission knowledge, improve reference navigation, organize Business and Law preparation, and approach the licensing process with a practical study structure.

Package Price: $1,010 plus a refundable deposit of $450, for a total of $1,460.

Please allow up to 15 business days for book & course rental package orders.

What is included in the New Mexico EL-1 Books & Course Rental package?

The package includes six highlighted and tabbed rental books covering the EL-1 trade exam, New Mexico electrical requirements, Business and Law, and contractor licensing, plus 6 months of course access.

How much does the EL-1 Books & Course Rental package cost?

The package price is $1,010 plus a refundable deposit of $450, for a total of $1,460.

Are the rental books highlighted and tabbed?

Yes. All books are highlighted and tabbed to support organized study and reference navigation.

How long is the course access period?

The package includes 6 months of course access.

How long does the book and course rental package take to process?

Please allow up to 15 business days for book & course rental package orders.

How many questions are on the New Mexico EL-1 exam?

The EL-1 trade examination contains 100 questions.

How much time is allowed for the EL-1 examination?

Candidates are allowed 265 minutes to complete the examination.

What is the passing score for the EL-1 exam?

The required passing score is 75%.

Is the New Mexico EL-1 examination open book?

Yes. The EL-1 examination is an open-book test under PSI examination rules.

How much experience is required for the EL-1 classification?

The New Mexico EL-1 contractor classification requires four years of applicable experience.

Does this package include Business and Law study books?

Yes. The rental package includes the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, the New Mexico Construction Industries Licensing Act, and the New Mexico Contractor's License Requirement reference.

What type of work does the EL-1 classification cover?

The EL-1 classification covers qualifying electrical distribution and transmission systems operating over 5,000 volts nominal, including overhead and underground systems, associated equipment and structures, ductwork, substations, and terminal facilities.