Contractor License Requirements by State: Your 50-State Guide to Licensing & Certification
Navigating contractor licensing requirements can be a complex challenge, with regulations varying drastically from state to state.
Alabama
- Alabama Department of Revenue List of Occupations Requiring Permits/Licenses
- Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors
- Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board
- Alabama Public Services Commission: Motor Carrier Services Section
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
- Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies
- Colorado Public Utilities Commission Transportation Permit Search
Connecticut
- Search for License, Permit, Certification, or Registration
- Connecticut Department of Public Transportation, Bureau of Public Transportation
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- Florida Department of Health
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Georgia
- Georgia Secretary of State: Professional License Verification Portal
- Georgia Department of Public Safety
Hawaii
- Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs
- Hawaii Public Utilities Commission Active Motor Carriers Report
Idaho
Illinois
- Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Illinois Commerce Commission Household Goods Mover Search
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
- Kansas Contractor Licensing Directory
- Kansas State Board of Technical Professions: License Search
- Kansas Corporation Commission
Kentucky
- Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction
- Kentucky Department of Professional Licensing
- Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Motor Carriers Page
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts eLicensing and ePermitting Portal
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
- Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
- Missouri Division of Professional Licensing
- Missouri Department of Transportation Motor Carrier Services
Montana
- Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Business Standards Division
- Montana Public Service Commission Intrastate Motor Carrier Authority List
Nebraska
- Nebraska Department of Labor
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services License Information System Search
- Nebraska Public Service Commission Transportation Department
Nevada
- Nevada State Contractors Board License Search
- Nevada State Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Residential Design Registrant Directory
- Nevada Transportation Authority Active Certificates List
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Verify Licensee Search
- Oklahoma Department of Commerce Business Licensing
- Oklahoma Corporation Commission
Oregon
- Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services
- Oregon Construction Contractors Board
- Oregon Department of Transportation
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Professional Regulation Unit
- Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board
- Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission Motor Carriers Page
South Carolina
- South Carolina Division of Professional and Occupational Licensing
- South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
- Texas Online Licensing System
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Utah
Vermont
- Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation
- Vermont Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety
Virginia
- Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
- Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Common Questions About Contractor Licensing
Navigating the world of contractor licenses can bring up many questions. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about obtaining and maintaining your contractor’s license in the United States.
What is a general contractor license?
A general contractor license typically allows an individual or company to oversee and manage various aspects of a construction project that involves multiple trades. This usually includes residential and/or commercial building projects. General contractors are responsible for managing subcontractors (like plumbers, electricians, roofers), ensuring the project stays on schedule and budget, and adhering to building codes and safety regulations. The scope and exact definition of a general contractor license can vary significantly by state.
Do I need a license for handyman work?
Whether you need a license for handyman work depends heavily on your state and often on the monetary value and scope of the work you perform. Many states have a “minor work exemption” or “handyman exemption,” allowing unlicensed individuals to perform small jobs below a certain dollar threshold (e.g., $500, $2,500, or more). However, if your work involves structural changes, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems, or exceeds the specified monetary limit, you will likely need a specific contractor’s license for that trade or a general contractor’s license. Always check your state’s regulations, as well as any local city or county requirements.
What's the difference between licensed, bonded, and insured?
These terms are often used together, but they refer to distinct aspects of a contractor’s legitimacy and protection:
- Licensed: Means the contractor has met the specific educational, experience, and/or examination requirements set by a state or local licensing board to legally perform construction work. This signifies they have demonstrated a baseline level of competence and adhere to industry standards.
- Bonded: A contractor is “bonded” when they have obtained a surety bond. This is a three-party agreement between the contractor (principal), the client (obligee), and a surety company (guarantor). The bond provides financial protection to the client if the contractor fails to complete the work as agreed, abandons the project, or doesn’t pay subcontractors or suppliers. If a claim is made against the bond, the surety company pays, but the contractor is then obligated to repay the surety. It’s essentially a line of credit or guarantee.
- Insured: Means the contractor carries various types of insurance policies to protect against financial losses. Common types include:
- General Liability Insurance: Protects against claims of bodily injury or property damage caused by the contractor’s work.
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance: (If they have employees) Covers medical expenses and lost wages for workers injured on the job.
- Builder’s Risk Insurance: (For larger projects) Protects the project itself during construction. Unlike a bond, insurance pays out and the contractor generally doesn’t have to pay the insurance company back for a covered claim.
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Hiring a contractor who is licensed, bonded, and insured offers the most comprehensive protection for consumers.
How long does it take to get a contractor license?
The time it takes to get a contractor license varies significantly by state and the type of license you’re seeking. Factors influencing the timeline include:
- Experience Requirements: Accumulating the necessary years of documented experience can be the longest part.
- Exam Scheduling & Preparation: Waiting for exam dates and adequately studying for trade and business/law exams.
- Application Processing Times: State licensing boards can have backlogs.
- Background Checks: These can add several weeks.
- Gathering Documentation: Collecting proof of insurance, bonds, financial statements, and references.
Generally, the process can range from a few weeks to several months, or even longer in states with extensive requirements. It’s advisable to start the process well in advance of when you plan to begin work.
Can I use my license from one state in another (reciprocity)?
Reciprocity agreements between states allow a contractor licensed in one state to obtain a license in another without having to fulfill all original licensing requirements, particularly the trade exam. However, it’s a common misconception that you can simply “transfer” your license. Even with reciprocity:
- You will still need to apply for a new license in the reciprocating state.
- You will almost always need to pass a Business & Law exam for the new state.
- You must meet all other state-specific requirements, such as financial stability, insurance, bonds, and background checks.
- Reciprocity agreements are often specific to certain license classifications (e.g., General Building) and may not apply to all specialty licenses.
- Some states require you to have held your original license for a certain number of years before you qualify for reciprocity.
Always check the specific reciprocity agreements for the states you are interested in.
What happens if I work without a license?
Working as a contractor without the proper license can lead to serious legal and financial consequences, including:
- Fines and Penalties: Significant monetary penalties that can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per violation or per day worked.
- Criminal Charges: In some states, working without a license can be a misdemeanor or even a felony charge, potentially leading to jail time.
- Inability to Collect Payment: Many states prohibit unlicensed contractors from placing mechanic’s liens or suing clients for payment, meaning you may not be able to legally collect what you’re owed for work performed.
- Personal Liability: Without a corporate structure or license, you may be personally liable for any damages or injuries that occur on the job.
- Reputational Damage: Getting caught can severely damage your professional reputation and make it difficult to obtain a license in the future.
- Difficulty Getting Insurance/Bonds: Operating illegally makes it nearly impossible to secure the necessary insurance and bonding that protect your business and clients.
It is always advisable to operate legally and obtain the required licenses before performing contracting work.
How often do I need to renew my contractor license?
The frequency of contractor license renewal varies by state. Most states require renewal every one to two years, though some may be every three or four years. Many states also require continuing education (CE) hours to be completed as part of the renewal process, especially for specialty trades to ensure contractors stay updated on codes and best practices. It’s crucial to know your specific state’s renewal cycle and requirements to avoid lapse penalties or needing to reapply from scratch.
Are there federal contractor licenses?
Generally, no, there are no broad “federal contractor licenses” for construction work in the same way states issue licenses for general or specialty contractors. Contractor licensing in the United States is primarily regulated at the state and sometimes local (county or city) levels.
However, if you plan to do business directly with the U.S. federal government (e.g., bidding on federal construction projects), your business will need to:
- Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
- Register in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).
- Meet specific small business certifications (if applicable, e.g., SBA programs for disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned businesses).
- Comply with federal acquisition regulations and possibly specific project requirements (e.g., security clearances, specialized certifications for certain types of federal work).
These are registrations and certifications to enable federal contracting, not a “license to build” in the traditional sense, which remains a state jurisdiction.