New Mexico ES-3 Low Voltage Contractor EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR – JUST RELEASED
New Mexico ES-3 Low Voltage Contractor Exam – 250 MCQ Questions with Answers and
Rationales
Exam Coverage Overview (10 Key Areas)
1. Exam Structure & Licensing Requirements – 50 questions, 75% passing score, 145
minutes, open-book; 2 years experience required; administered by PSI; 2020 NEC edition
adopted .
2. Scope of Work (NMAC Title 14) – ES-3 covers low-voltage special systems under 50
volts: telecommunications, fire alarm, CATV, audio/visual, security, access control,
temperature control, and door/gate circuits .
3. NEC & NFPA Standards – Article 725 (Class 1/2/3 circuits), Article 760 (fire alarms),
Article 800 (communications), Article 810 (antennas), Article 830 (network-powered
broadband), NFPA 72 .
4. Grounding & Bonding – NEC Article 250 requirements, grounding electrode conductor
sizing, equipment grounding, separation from lightning protection .
5. Cable & Raceway Installation – Plenum-rated cables (CMP, FPLP), cable support
methods, conduit fill (40% for 3+ conductors), clearance requirements .
6. Fire Alarm Systems (NFPA 72) – Power sources, standby battery capacity, initiating
device circuits, notification appliance circuits, detector spacing .
7. Communications & Data Cabling – TIA/EIA standards, Category cable ratings, fiber
optics, maximum channel length, attenuation, certification testing .
8. Security & Access Control – Intrusion detection, CCTV, access control systems, surge
protection, cabling requirements .
9. Safety (OSHA, NFPA 70E, LOTO) – Lockout/tagout procedures, arc flash PPE, confined
space safety, proper lifting techniques .
10. Business & Law – Contractor licensing rules, qualifying party requirements, bond
($10,000), experience documentation, subcontracting rules, contract requirements .
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1. Which state agency regulates low-voltage contractor licensing in New Mexico?
A) New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
B) New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID)
C) New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
D) New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) under the Regulation and
Licensing Department regulates contractor licensing, including ES-3 low-voltage specialty
classifications .
2. What is the ES-3 license classification in New Mexico?
A) General Electrical Contractor
B) Low Voltage Special Systems Contractor
C) Telephone Systems Contractor
D) Plumbing Contractor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ES-3 classification covers Low Voltage Special Systems (under 50 volts), including
sound and alarm systems. ES-7 specifically covers Telephone Systems .
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3. What is the maximum nominal voltage for circuits an ES-3 contractor is permitted to install?
A) 24 V
B) 30 V
C) 50 V
D) 120 V
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NMAC Title 14 defines ES-3 scope as low-voltage special systems operating at 50
volts or less. Circuits above 50 volts require EE-98 or ER-1 classification .
4. What is the experience requirement to qualify for an ES-3 license?
A) 1 year of experience
B) 2 years of experience
C) 4 years of experience
D) No experience required
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: New Mexico CID requires applicants to demonstrate at least 2 years of foreman-level
practical or related trade experience for the ES-3 license .
5. How many questions are on the ES-3 Low Voltage exam?
A) 30 questions
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B) 40 questions
C) 50 questions
D) 100 questions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The ES-3 Low Voltage exam consists of 50 questions. The Business and Law exam is a
separate requirement for all New Mexico contractors .
6. What is the passing score for the New Mexico ES-3 exam?
A) 65%
B) 70%
C) 75%
D) 80%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A score of 75% is required to pass the ES-3 Low Voltage exam. This is the standard
passing threshold for New Mexico contractor trade exams .
7. What is the time limit for completing the ES-3 Low Voltage exam?
A) 90 minutes
B) 120 minutes