NEW MEXICO SWIMMING POOL & SPA LICENSE 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) The New Mexico Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Code (NMPSPHTC) is administered by which
agency?
A) New Mexico Environment Department (NMED)
B) Construction Industries Division (CID) of the Regulation and Licensing Department
C) New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH)
D) State Contractors Board
Correct Answer: B) Construction Industries Division (CID) of the Regulation and Licensing
Department
Rationale: The Construction Industries Division (CID) is the issuing agency for the New Mexico
Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Code, as established under Title 14, Chapter 8, Part 3 of the New
Mexico Administrative Code. CID enforces licensing and construction standards for all pool and spa
contracting work in the state .
2) Under the New Mexico Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Code, which of the following materials
is NOT permitted for fuel gas piping in pool installations?
A) Steel pipe
B) Copper and brass pipe
C) Polyethylene pipe
D) Wrought iron pipe
Correct Answer: B) Copper and brass pipe
Rationale: The NMPSPHTC explicitly prohibits the use of copper and brass pipe for fuel gas piping due
to corrosion concerns from gases. Steel, polyethylene, and wrought iron are permitted when installed
according to code requirements. This prohibition is found in Chapter 8, Section 809.5.2.3 of the code .
3) A contractor's license in New Mexico is subject to automatic cancellation if it ceases to be
qualified by a qualifying party certificate. Work in progress may continue for no more than how
many days after cancellation?
A) 30 days
B) 60 days
C) 90 days
D) 120 days
Correct Answer: D) 120 days
,Rationale: According to NMAC 14.6.3, when a license ceases to be qualified by a qualifying party
certificate, the license is automatically cancelled. Work in progress at the time of cancellation may
continue for up to 120 days, after which permits are cancelled and further work is considered
unlicensed activity .
4) What is the minimum required experience for a qualifying party (QP) under the New Mexico
Construction Industries Licensing Act (CILA)?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Correct Answer: C) 3 years
Rationale: The Construction Industries Licensing Act requires a qualifying party to have at least three
years of verifiable experience in the classified trade. This ensures that license holders possess
adequate practical knowledge to supervise construction work safely and competently .
5) When must a New Mexico contractor submit a license renewal application to avoid suspension?
A) At least 10 days before expiration
B) At least 30 days before expiration
C) At least 60 days before expiration
D) At least 90 days before expiration
Correct Answer: B) At least 30 days before expiration
Rationale: New Mexico regulations require that renewal applications be filed with CID at least 30
days prior to the license expiration date. Failure to timely renew results in suspension. It is the
licensee's sole responsibility to renew regardless of whether CID sends a renewal notice .
6) According to NMAC Title 7, Chapter 18, Part 2, what is the minimum required turnover rate for a
New Mexico public pool?
A) 4 hours
B) 6 hours
C) 8 hours
D) 12 hours
Correct Answer: B) 6 hours
Rationale: New Mexico regulations mandate that the entire volume of water in a public pool must be
circulated at least once every six hours to maintain proper water quality and sanitation. This turnover
rate ensures effective filtration and disinfectant distribution throughout the pool .
7) The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA) requires which device to prevent
suction entrapment in a main drain?
A) Automatic pool cover
, B) Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS)
C) Chemical feeder
D) GFCI outlet
Correct Answer: B) Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS)
Rationale: The VGBA mandates either an SVRS or compliant anti-entrapment drain covers to prevent
suction entrapment hazards. An SVRS detects and releases suction when a blockage is detected,
protecting swimmers from being trapped by drain suction forces .
8) Which organization publishes the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC), a voluntary guideline for
aquatic facilities?
A) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
B) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
C) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
D) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Correct Answer: B) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Rationale: The CDC develops and publishes the Model Aquatic Health Code as a voluntary guidance
document for state and local authorities. The MAHC provides best practices for designing,
constructing, operating, and maintaining public aquatic facilities to reduce the risk of disease and
injury .
9) Total Dynamic Head (TDH) in a pool circulation system is defined as:
A) The height of the water surface above the pump
B) The sum of friction loss, static lift, and discharge pressure
C) The pressure measured at the filter inlet
D) The volume of water pumped per hour
Correct Answer: B) The sum of friction loss, static lift, and discharge pressure
Rationale: TDH represents the total resistance the pump must overcome in the circulation system. It is
calculated by adding static head (vertical lift), friction losses from piping and fittings, and pressure
head required by system components. Proper TDH calculation is essential for correct pump sizing .
10) What does Free Available Chlorine (FAC) measure in pool water chemistry?
A) Combined chlorine (chloramines) only
B) Total chlorine present in the water
C) The portion of chlorine that is active as a disinfectant
D) The amount of cyanuric acid present
Correct Answer: C) The portion of chlorine that is active as a disinfectant
Rationale: Free Available Chlorine represents the chlorine that is still available and active for
disinfection, including hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ion. It does not include combined chlorine
(chloramines) which are already bound to contaminants and have reduced sanitizing effectiveness .
COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
2026–2027 LATEST UPDATE | GUARANTEED PASS | DETAILED
RATIONALES | FULL STUDY GUIDE | EXAM PREP | PRACTICE
TEST | CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
1) The New Mexico Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Code (NMPSPHTC) is administered by which
agency?
A) New Mexico Environment Department (NMED)
B) Construction Industries Division (CID) of the Regulation and Licensing Department
C) New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH)
D) State Contractors Board
Correct Answer: B) Construction Industries Division (CID) of the Regulation and Licensing
Department
Rationale: The Construction Industries Division (CID) is the issuing agency for the New Mexico
Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Code, as established under Title 14, Chapter 8, Part 3 of the New
Mexico Administrative Code. CID enforces licensing and construction standards for all pool and spa
contracting work in the state .
2) Under the New Mexico Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Code, which of the following materials
is NOT permitted for fuel gas piping in pool installations?
A) Steel pipe
B) Copper and brass pipe
C) Polyethylene pipe
D) Wrought iron pipe
Correct Answer: B) Copper and brass pipe
Rationale: The NMPSPHTC explicitly prohibits the use of copper and brass pipe for fuel gas piping due
to corrosion concerns from gases. Steel, polyethylene, and wrought iron are permitted when installed
according to code requirements. This prohibition is found in Chapter 8, Section 809.5.2.3 of the code .
3) A contractor's license in New Mexico is subject to automatic cancellation if it ceases to be
qualified by a qualifying party certificate. Work in progress may continue for no more than how
many days after cancellation?
A) 30 days
B) 60 days
C) 90 days
D) 120 days
Correct Answer: D) 120 days
,Rationale: According to NMAC 14.6.3, when a license ceases to be qualified by a qualifying party
certificate, the license is automatically cancelled. Work in progress at the time of cancellation may
continue for up to 120 days, after which permits are cancelled and further work is considered
unlicensed activity .
4) What is the minimum required experience for a qualifying party (QP) under the New Mexico
Construction Industries Licensing Act (CILA)?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Correct Answer: C) 3 years
Rationale: The Construction Industries Licensing Act requires a qualifying party to have at least three
years of verifiable experience in the classified trade. This ensures that license holders possess
adequate practical knowledge to supervise construction work safely and competently .
5) When must a New Mexico contractor submit a license renewal application to avoid suspension?
A) At least 10 days before expiration
B) At least 30 days before expiration
C) At least 60 days before expiration
D) At least 90 days before expiration
Correct Answer: B) At least 30 days before expiration
Rationale: New Mexico regulations require that renewal applications be filed with CID at least 30
days prior to the license expiration date. Failure to timely renew results in suspension. It is the
licensee's sole responsibility to renew regardless of whether CID sends a renewal notice .
6) According to NMAC Title 7, Chapter 18, Part 2, what is the minimum required turnover rate for a
New Mexico public pool?
A) 4 hours
B) 6 hours
C) 8 hours
D) 12 hours
Correct Answer: B) 6 hours
Rationale: New Mexico regulations mandate that the entire volume of water in a public pool must be
circulated at least once every six hours to maintain proper water quality and sanitation. This turnover
rate ensures effective filtration and disinfectant distribution throughout the pool .
7) The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA) requires which device to prevent
suction entrapment in a main drain?
A) Automatic pool cover
, B) Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS)
C) Chemical feeder
D) GFCI outlet
Correct Answer: B) Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS)
Rationale: The VGBA mandates either an SVRS or compliant anti-entrapment drain covers to prevent
suction entrapment hazards. An SVRS detects and releases suction when a blockage is detected,
protecting swimmers from being trapped by drain suction forces .
8) Which organization publishes the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC), a voluntary guideline for
aquatic facilities?
A) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
B) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
C) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
D) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Correct Answer: B) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Rationale: The CDC develops and publishes the Model Aquatic Health Code as a voluntary guidance
document for state and local authorities. The MAHC provides best practices for designing,
constructing, operating, and maintaining public aquatic facilities to reduce the risk of disease and
injury .
9) Total Dynamic Head (TDH) in a pool circulation system is defined as:
A) The height of the water surface above the pump
B) The sum of friction loss, static lift, and discharge pressure
C) The pressure measured at the filter inlet
D) The volume of water pumped per hour
Correct Answer: B) The sum of friction loss, static lift, and discharge pressure
Rationale: TDH represents the total resistance the pump must overcome in the circulation system. It is
calculated by adding static head (vertical lift), friction losses from piping and fittings, and pressure
head required by system components. Proper TDH calculation is essential for correct pump sizing .
10) What does Free Available Chlorine (FAC) measure in pool water chemistry?
A) Combined chlorine (chloramines) only
B) Total chlorine present in the water
C) The portion of chlorine that is active as a disinfectant
D) The amount of cyanuric acid present
Correct Answer: C) The portion of chlorine that is active as a disinfectant
Rationale: Free Available Chlorine represents the chlorine that is still available and active for
disinfection, including hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ion. It does not include combined chlorine
(chloramines) which are already bound to contaminants and have reduced sanitizing effectiveness .
