NEW MEXICO MM-3 HVAC & REFRIGERATION CONTRACTOR
EXAM COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS | 2026–2027 LATEST UPDATE | GUARANTEED
PASS | DETAILED RATIONALES | FULL STUDY GUIDE | EXAM
PREP | PRACTICE TEST | CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
1. Which state agency oversees HVAC contractor licensing and examination administration in New
Mexico?
A) New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
B) New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID)
C) New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department
D) New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
Correct Answer: B) New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID)
Rationale: The New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), part of the Regulation and
Licensing Department, oversees HVAC contractor licensing, issues licenses, and enforces compliance
with the Construction Industries Licensing Act. CID also contracts with PSI Exams to administer the
trade and business examinations required for licensure .
2. How many questions are on the MM-3 Heat, Vent, and Air Conditioning trade exam?
A) 75 questions
B) 90 questions
C) 100 questions
D) 125 questions
Correct Answer: C) 100 questions
Rationale: The MM-3 trade exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions covering HVAC systems,
refrigeration, controls, ductwork, and mechanical codes. Candidates must answer at least 75
questions correctly to achieve the required 75% passing score .
3. What is the time limit for completing the MM-3 Heat, Vent, and Air Conditioning exam?
A) 130 minutes
B) 180 minutes
C) 245 minutes
D) 300 minutes
Correct Answer: C) 245 minutes
,Rationale: Candidates have 245 minutes (approximately 4 hours) to complete the 100-question MM-3
trade exam. This open-book exam allows sufficient time to reference approved materials, including
the Uniform Mechanical Code and other permitted references .
4. What is the minimum passing score required for the New Mexico MM-3 HVAC contractor trade
exam?
A) 65%
B) 70%
C) 75%
D) 80%
Correct Answer: C) 75%
Rationale: A minimum score of 75% is required to pass the New Mexico HVAC contractor trade exam.
With 100 questions on the exam, this means candidates must correctly answer at least 75 questions.
The same 75% passing threshold applies to the Business and Law exam .
5. How many hours of documented HVAC work experience are required to qualify for the MM-3
contractor license in New Mexico?
A) 4,000 hours (2 years)
B) 6,000 hours (3 years)
C) 8,000 hours (4 years)
D) 10,000 hours (5 years)
Correct Answer: C) 8,000 hours (4 years)
Rationale: New Mexico requires applicants to complete 8,000 hours (approximately four years) of
verifiable, hands-on HVAC work experience under a licensed contractor. This experience must be
documented and verified through employer affidavits, W-2s, or pay stubs .
6. The MM-3 license authorizes contractors to perform which of the following types of work?
A) Only residential heating system installation
B) Only commercial refrigeration system repair
C) Installation, service, repair, and alteration of HVAC and refrigeration systems
D) Electrical wiring and plumbing rough-in only
Correct Answer: C) Installation, service, repair, and alteration of HVAC and refrigeration systems
Rationale: The MM-3 Heat, Vent, and Air Conditioning License permits contractors to install, service,
repair, and alter a range of HVAC and refrigeration systems, including piping, ductwork, fans, coils,
condensing units, and evaporative cooling units. The scope also includes certain HVAC-related
plumbing, electrical, and control tasks .
7. A Manual J residential load calculation is primarily used to determine:
, A) The appropriate refrigerant charge for a system
B) The required duct size for each room
C) The building's heating and cooling loads
D) The system's seasonal energy efficiency ratio
Correct Answer: C) The building's heating and cooling loads
Rationale: Manual J is the industry standard for calculating a building's heating and cooling
requirements based on insulation, orientation, occupancy, windows, infiltration, and climate.
Accurate load calculations prevent oversized or undersized HVAC equipment, improving comfort,
efficiency, and equipment lifespan .
8. Which of the following refrigerants has an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of zero?
A) R-22
B) R-410A
C) R-12
D) R-11
Correct Answer: B) R-410A
Rationale: R-410A contains no chlorine and therefore has zero ozone depletion potential. While it has
a relatively high global warming potential, it does not contribute to ozone layer depletion like HCFCs
such as R-22. R-410A is commonly used in modern residential HVAC systems as a replacement for
ozone-depleting refrigerants .
9. Superheat is defined as:
A) Heat removed from liquid refrigerant
B) Heat added to refrigerant vapor above its saturation temperature
C) Latent heat absorbed during boiling
D) Heat removed during condensation
Correct Answer: B) Heat added to refrigerant vapor above its saturation temperature
Rationale: Superheat measures the temperature increase of refrigerant vapor above its saturation
temperature. Proper superheat ensures that only vapor reaches the compressor, preventing liquid
slugging that could cause compressor damage. Superheat is measured at the evaporator outlet .
10. Which component primarily prevents liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor?
A) Accumulator
B) Receiver
C) Filter-drier
D) Expansion valve
Correct Answer: A) Accumulator
EXAM COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS | 2026–2027 LATEST UPDATE | GUARANTEED
PASS | DETAILED RATIONALES | FULL STUDY GUIDE | EXAM
PREP | PRACTICE TEST | CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
1. Which state agency oversees HVAC contractor licensing and examination administration in New
Mexico?
A) New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
B) New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID)
C) New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department
D) New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
Correct Answer: B) New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID)
Rationale: The New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID), part of the Regulation and
Licensing Department, oversees HVAC contractor licensing, issues licenses, and enforces compliance
with the Construction Industries Licensing Act. CID also contracts with PSI Exams to administer the
trade and business examinations required for licensure .
2. How many questions are on the MM-3 Heat, Vent, and Air Conditioning trade exam?
A) 75 questions
B) 90 questions
C) 100 questions
D) 125 questions
Correct Answer: C) 100 questions
Rationale: The MM-3 trade exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions covering HVAC systems,
refrigeration, controls, ductwork, and mechanical codes. Candidates must answer at least 75
questions correctly to achieve the required 75% passing score .
3. What is the time limit for completing the MM-3 Heat, Vent, and Air Conditioning exam?
A) 130 minutes
B) 180 minutes
C) 245 minutes
D) 300 minutes
Correct Answer: C) 245 minutes
,Rationale: Candidates have 245 minutes (approximately 4 hours) to complete the 100-question MM-3
trade exam. This open-book exam allows sufficient time to reference approved materials, including
the Uniform Mechanical Code and other permitted references .
4. What is the minimum passing score required for the New Mexico MM-3 HVAC contractor trade
exam?
A) 65%
B) 70%
C) 75%
D) 80%
Correct Answer: C) 75%
Rationale: A minimum score of 75% is required to pass the New Mexico HVAC contractor trade exam.
With 100 questions on the exam, this means candidates must correctly answer at least 75 questions.
The same 75% passing threshold applies to the Business and Law exam .
5. How many hours of documented HVAC work experience are required to qualify for the MM-3
contractor license in New Mexico?
A) 4,000 hours (2 years)
B) 6,000 hours (3 years)
C) 8,000 hours (4 years)
D) 10,000 hours (5 years)
Correct Answer: C) 8,000 hours (4 years)
Rationale: New Mexico requires applicants to complete 8,000 hours (approximately four years) of
verifiable, hands-on HVAC work experience under a licensed contractor. This experience must be
documented and verified through employer affidavits, W-2s, or pay stubs .
6. The MM-3 license authorizes contractors to perform which of the following types of work?
A) Only residential heating system installation
B) Only commercial refrigeration system repair
C) Installation, service, repair, and alteration of HVAC and refrigeration systems
D) Electrical wiring and plumbing rough-in only
Correct Answer: C) Installation, service, repair, and alteration of HVAC and refrigeration systems
Rationale: The MM-3 Heat, Vent, and Air Conditioning License permits contractors to install, service,
repair, and alter a range of HVAC and refrigeration systems, including piping, ductwork, fans, coils,
condensing units, and evaporative cooling units. The scope also includes certain HVAC-related
plumbing, electrical, and control tasks .
7. A Manual J residential load calculation is primarily used to determine:
, A) The appropriate refrigerant charge for a system
B) The required duct size for each room
C) The building's heating and cooling loads
D) The system's seasonal energy efficiency ratio
Correct Answer: C) The building's heating and cooling loads
Rationale: Manual J is the industry standard for calculating a building's heating and cooling
requirements based on insulation, orientation, occupancy, windows, infiltration, and climate.
Accurate load calculations prevent oversized or undersized HVAC equipment, improving comfort,
efficiency, and equipment lifespan .
8. Which of the following refrigerants has an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of zero?
A) R-22
B) R-410A
C) R-12
D) R-11
Correct Answer: B) R-410A
Rationale: R-410A contains no chlorine and therefore has zero ozone depletion potential. While it has
a relatively high global warming potential, it does not contribute to ozone layer depletion like HCFCs
such as R-22. R-410A is commonly used in modern residential HVAC systems as a replacement for
ozone-depleting refrigerants .
9. Superheat is defined as:
A) Heat removed from liquid refrigerant
B) Heat added to refrigerant vapor above its saturation temperature
C) Latent heat absorbed during boiling
D) Heat removed during condensation
Correct Answer: B) Heat added to refrigerant vapor above its saturation temperature
Rationale: Superheat measures the temperature increase of refrigerant vapor above its saturation
temperature. Proper superheat ensures that only vapor reaches the compressor, preventing liquid
slugging that could cause compressor damage. Superheat is measured at the evaporator outlet .
10. Which component primarily prevents liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor?
A) Accumulator
B) Receiver
C) Filter-drier
D) Expansion valve
Correct Answer: A) Accumulator
