The 1 Package: All-Inclusive New Mexico Residential Building Contractor Part 1 (GB-2) Exam, Licensing & Business Setup Solution

The 1 Package for the New Mexico Residential Building Contractor Part 1 (GB-2) exam is an all-inclusive exam preparation, licensing support, and business setup solution for contractors who want a complete path toward getting prepared, organized, and ready to operate. This package is designed for candidates pursuing the New Mexico GB-2 Residential Building Contractor classification and includes the books, business and trade course access, application service, business formation support, EIN filing, contractor compliance guidance, and a credit toward the required New Mexico contractor bond.

The New Mexico GB-2 classification is for residential building contractors working within the residential construction scope allowed by the state. Candidates preparing for this classification should be ready to study residential building code, administrative code, construction methods, concrete, roofing, carpentry, masonry, excavation, OSHA safety, energy code, truss bracing, and contractor business and law topics. Because the exam is reference-based, preparation is not just about knowing construction. It is also about knowing how to use the books efficiently.

This package includes a business and trade course, 1 year of course access, Application Service, business setup services, and the listed books needed for preparation. The package price is $3,085 plus a $650 deposit, for a total of $3,735. This package also includes a credit toward the required $10,000 New Mexico contractor bond, with 1 Exam Prep covering the cost of the first year’s bond.

For candidates who want more than a basic study product, The 1 Package provides a stronger start. It brings together exam preparation and business launch support in one organized solution, helping students move from studying to licensing paperwork and business setup without having to manage every step separately.

Exam Details

The New Mexico Residential Building Contractor Part 1 (GB-2) exam is designed for candidates preparing for residential building contractor work in New Mexico. The exam preparation process includes construction code knowledge, trade knowledge, safety awareness, business and law preparation, and strong reference navigation skills. Candidates should be ready to work with residential building code materials, New Mexico administrative rules, construction standards, OSHA safety information, and contractor business references.

The GB-2 residential building classification is connected to residential construction work. This includes construction, alteration, repair, and related residential building activity within the limits of the New Mexico residential building contractor classification. Candidates should understand that GB-2 is not an unlimited general building classification. It is focused on residential building work, so knowing the correct license scope is important before applying, studying, advertising, bidding, or performing work.

Part 1 preparation covers a wide range of building trade topics. Candidates may need to understand residential code organization, foundations, framing, roofing, masonry, concrete, carpentry, excavation, safety, energy requirements, truss bracing, and construction methods. Because the book list is broad, students should not rely only on field experience. The exam is built around the ability to locate and apply information from approved references.

Residential building exams often test practical construction knowledge in a code-based format. A candidate may understand how work is done in the field but still need practice locating the correct rule, table, definition, detail, standard, or safety requirement in the books. This is especially important when working with multiple references. The included business and trade course helps organize study time and gives candidates a structured way to approach the materials.

The business and law side of contractor preparation should also be taken seriously. A licensed contractor must understand contracts, project management, estimating, insurance, bonding, safety responsibilities, employee responsibilities, tax organization, and licensing compliance. This package includes business and law preparation through the NASCLA Contractors Guide and New Mexico licensing references, along with Application Service and business setup support.

Open Book Test

The New Mexico Residential Building Contractor Part 1 (GB-2) exam is an open book, reference-based exam using approved materials. Open book testing allows candidates to use approved books during the exam, but it still requires careful preparation. The books are extensive, and candidates must know how to move through them quickly and accurately.

An open book exam is not the same as an easy exam. Questions may require the candidate to locate a specific code section, apply a construction table, identify a safety standard, understand a definition, recognize a code exception, or use a trade reference to solve a practical problem. Without practice, candidates may spend too much time searching and may miss details that affect the correct answer.

For the GB-2 Part 1 exam, students should become familiar with each book’s table of contents, index, chapter layout, definitions, illustrations, and commonly tested areas. Residential building code, energy code, safety standards, concrete, roofing, trusses, carpentry, masonry, excavation, business law, and New Mexico licensing rules all require different lookup habits. A strong study plan includes timed practice, repeated book navigation, review of missed questions, and careful attention to how the references are organized.

Licensing Steps

New Mexico contractor licensing requires candidates to follow the state process for the classification they are pursuing. For the Residential Building Contractor GB-2 classification, candidates should prepare for the required exam process, gather the proper documentation, complete the application steps, maintain required bonding, and operate under the correct license scope.

The 1 Package includes Application Service to help customers organize the licensing paperwork. Contractor licensing applications can involve classification selection, qualifying party information, entity information, forms, supporting documentation, bond requirements, and compliance-related details. Application Service helps reduce confusion by supporting the paperwork side of the licensing process.

Business formation is also included. Customers may choose LLC or Corporation setup support as part of this package. A formal business entity helps the contractor create a professional structure, open business accounts, enter contracts, organize records, and separate business operations from personal activity.

EIN filing with the IRS is included with the package. An Employer Identification Number helps a contractor open business bank accounts, manage taxes properly, hire employees, and operate the contracting business professionally. This is an important step for contractors preparing to run a legitimate business operation.

Contractor compliance guidance is included to help customers understand important responsibilities tied to operating as a licensed contractor in New Mexico. Contractors must stay within their classification, maintain required bonding, follow applicable building and safety rules, and operate in a professional manner. This package is designed to support both exam readiness and business readiness.

State Requirements

The New Mexico GB-2 classification is a residential building contractor classification. It is intended for residential building work within the state-defined scope. Candidates should understand the classification limits before taking on projects or representing their services to the public. Staying within the proper classification is a key part of contractor compliance.

New Mexico contractor applicants are also connected to bond requirements. This package includes a credit toward the required $10,000 New Mexico contractor bond, with 1 Exam Prep covering the cost of the first year’s bond. Maintaining the required bond is part of being properly positioned for contractor licensing and continued compliance.

Residential building contractors should also understand that state requirements involve more than passing an exam. Contractors must follow applicable codes, use the correct license classification, maintain required business and licensing documents, and perform work in accordance with state and local requirements. The included New Mexico administrative and licensing references help candidates become familiar with the rules that support contractor responsibility.

The GB-2 exam preparation path should be approached as both a trade exam and a contractor readiness process. Construction knowledge is important, but the ability to read and apply codes, safety standards, administrative rules, and business law references is equally important. This package gives candidates a structured way to prepare for that broader responsibility.

Reference Books

• Included Book: New Mexico Administrative Code Title 14, 2015
  A New Mexico administrative code reference used to understand state rules connected to construction, licensing, and regulatory requirements.
• Included Book: New Mexico Residential Building Code (NMAC 14.7.3), 2021
  A state residential building code reference used for New Mexico residential building requirements and code application.
• Included Book: International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2021
  A residential building code reference covering construction requirements for one-family and two-family dwellings, including building planning, foundations, framing, roofing, safety, and residential code provisions.
• Included Book: International Energy Conservation Code, 2021
  An energy code reference covering residential energy efficiency requirements, building envelope provisions, insulation, air sealing, mechanical system considerations, and energy-related construction standards.
• Included Book: The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction - 4th Edition
  A concrete construction reference covering quality practices, concrete materials, placement, finishing, curing, formwork, reinforcement, and jobsite concrete procedures.
• Included Book: Roofing Construction and Estimating
  A roofing reference covering roofing materials, installation methods, estimating principles, roof components, and practical roofing construction topics.
• Included Book: BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  A truss handling and bracing reference covering safe handling, installation, restraint, and bracing practices for metal plate connected wood trusses.
• Included Book: Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  A building construction reference covering carpentry fundamentals, framing, building methods, tools, materials, layout, and residential construction practices.
• Included Book: Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter 10th Edition
  A masonry reference covering brick, block, stone, materials, masonry techniques, construction details, and masonry installation practices.
• Included Book: Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  A construction reference covering excavation practices, pipe installation, trenching concepts, site work, and related contracting methods.
• Included Book: Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  A construction safety reference covering OSHA standards for construction work, including jobsite safety, fall protection, excavation safety, scaffolding, hazard communication, and worker protection requirements.
• Included Book: NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 14th Edition
  A contractor business and law reference covering project management, contracts, estimating, financial management, safety, insurance, employment responsibilities, and general construction business operations.
• Included Book: New Mexico Construction Industries Licensing Act (NMSA Chapter 60, Article 13), 2006
  A New Mexico licensing law reference covering statutory rules related to construction industries licensing and contractor responsibilities.
• Included Book: New Mexico Contractor's License Requirement (NMAC Title 14, Chapter 6, Part 3), 2006
  A New Mexico administrative rule reference focused on contractor licensing requirements, application-related rules, and regulatory responsibilities.

Exam Room Approved Books

The GB-2 Part 1 exam is open book and uses approved references. Candidates should prepare with the books listed for the exam and become familiar with each reference before testing. This package includes the following preparation references:

• New Mexico Administrative Code Title 14, 2015
  Used for New Mexico construction and administrative rule preparation.
• New Mexico Residential Building Code (NMAC 14.7.3), 2021
  Used for New Mexico residential building code requirements.
• International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2021
  Used for residential building code navigation and construction requirements.
• International Energy Conservation Code, 2021
  Used for energy conservation and efficiency requirements.
• The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction - 4th Edition
  Used for concrete construction practices and quality standards.
• Roofing Construction and Estimating
  Used for roofing construction and estimating topics.
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  Used for truss handling, installation, restraint, and bracing practices.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  Used for carpentry, framing, and building construction topics.
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter 10th Edition
  Used for masonry materials and construction methods.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  Used for excavation, pipe, trenching, and site work preparation.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Used for construction safety standards and OSHA requirements.
• NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 14th Edition
  Used for contractor business, law, and project management preparation.
• New Mexico Construction Industries Licensing Act (NMSA Chapter 60, Article 13), 2006
  Used for New Mexico construction licensing law.
• New Mexico Contractor's License Requirement (NMAC Title 14, Chapter 6, Part 3), 2006
  Used for New Mexico contractor licensing requirements and administrative rules.

Test Information and Study Materials

Preparation for the New Mexico Residential Building Contractor Part 1 (GB-2) exam should be organized around code familiarity, trade knowledge, safety, and business law. Candidates should study the residential building code, New Mexico code materials, energy code, concrete, roofing, trusses, carpentry, masonry, excavation, OSHA safety, and contractor business references.

Because the exam is open book, students should practice locating answers under timed conditions. It is important to know which book is likely to contain the answer, where to look first, and how to use the index and chapter organization efficiently. Studying the books without practicing lookup skills can leave candidates unprepared for the pace of the exam.

The included business and trade course helps students study with structure. The course supports exam-focused review, reference navigation, and practice-oriented preparation. Students can build stronger habits by reviewing important sections, answering practice questions, correcting missed answers, and learning how different references are used.

Trade preparation should include residential code layout, foundations, framing, concrete, roofing systems, masonry, truss handling, excavation, construction safety, and energy code requirements. Business preparation should include project management, licensing rules, contracts, bonding, insurance, estimating, employee responsibilities, tax organization, and contractor compliance.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps students prepare for the New Mexico Residential Building Contractor Part 1 (GB-2) exam by combining books, course access, licensing application support, business formation, EIN filing, compliance guidance, and bond credit in one all-inclusive package. This gives candidates a more organized path from exam preparation to business setup.

The trade preparation helps students focus on residential building topics such as code navigation, framing, concrete, roofing, masonry, excavation, energy conservation, truss bracing, and OSHA safety. The course structure supports practice-oriented preparation and helps students become more comfortable using the books during an open book exam.

The business preparation helps candidates understand the responsibilities that come with licensed contracting. A contractor must manage projects, follow licensing rules, understand contracts, maintain records, handle bonding and insurance responsibilities, and operate professionally. The included business and law preparation supports that broader contractor foundation.

The Application Service helps students organize licensing paperwork. Business formation support helps establish the company as an LLC or Corporation. EIN filing supports banking, tax organization, hiring, and professional operations. Contractor compliance guidance helps customers better understand the responsibilities tied to licensed work in New Mexico.

The included bond credit adds another practical benefit. With 1 Exam Prep covering the cost of the first year’s required $10,000 New Mexico contractor bond, this package supports both the exam preparation side and the business setup side of the licensing process. 1 Exam Prep does not guarantee passing, licensing approval, or business results, but it provides structured support for candidates who want to prepare seriously and move forward with confidence.

FAQ Section

What is included in The 1 Package for the New Mexico GB-2 Part 1 exam?

This package includes the listed reference books, business and trade course access, 1 year of course access, Application Service, business formation support, EIN filing with the IRS, contractor compliance guidance, and a credit toward the required $10,000 New Mexico contractor bond.

How much does this New Mexico GB-2 Part 1 package cost?

The package price is $3,085 plus a $650 deposit, for a total of $3,735. The package also includes a credit toward the required New Mexico contractor bond, with 1 Exam Prep covering the cost of the first year’s bond.

Is the New Mexico GB-2 Part 1 exam open book?

Yes. The New Mexico Residential Building Contractor Part 1 (GB-2) exam is an open book, reference-based exam using approved materials. Candidates should study with the books in advance so they can locate information quickly during the exam.

What type of work does the New Mexico GB-2 classification cover?

The GB-2 classification is a residential building contractor classification. It is intended for residential building work within the state-defined scope and is not an unlimited general building classification.

Does this package include business setup?

Yes. This package includes LLC or Corporation business formation support, EIN filing with the IRS, Application Service, and contractor compliance guidance to help customers prepare for professional contractor operations.

Does this package include help with the New Mexico contractor bond?

Yes. This package includes a credit toward the required $10,000 New Mexico contractor bond, and 1 Exam Prep covers the cost of the first year’s bond.

Does 1 Exam Prep guarantee that I will pass the GB-2 exam?

No. 1 Exam Prep provides books, course access, study structure, application support, and business setup guidance, but exam results depend on the candidate’s preparation, experience, study habits, and performance on exam day.

Why choose The 1 Package instead of only buying the books?

The 1 Package includes more than books. It combines course access, trade and business preparation, application support, business formation, EIN filing, compliance guidance, and bond credit. This makes it a strong option for candidates who want help preparing for the exam and setting up the business side of contracting.