Contractor Licensing Requirements – State by State

Before you hire a contractor, you should know the licensing requirements for your state.

Otherwise, you could face fines, discontinuation of your project or potentially dangerous work that doesn’t meet codes. These consequences are usually more expensive than the cost of a permit, which qualified pros will typically take care of for you. Without a permit where required, contractors can face jail time, and unlicensed pros may not have any legal recourse if their client refuses to pay.

In general, it’s common for states to require licenses for:

• Commercial contractors

• Residential contractors

• Water and Gas Plumbers

• Electricians

• HVAC technicians

• Mold, Asbestos, hazardous waste remediation services

• Department of Transportation (road work)

Licensed vs. Registered vs. Certified

Some states require contractor licensing while others require registration or certification. The exact definitions of each typically vary by state but often include the following:

• Licensing involves passing exams and meeting specific criteria to prove reasonable competency in a trade.

• Registration is a written record of who is performing the work. It doesn’t guarantee expertise or competency.

• Certification is usually voluntary, but some states may require it for specific jobs or practices. Pros may obtain it in place of or in addition to a license in some states.

Find Your State Requirements:

• AL

• AK

• AZ

• AR

• CA

• CO

• CT

• DE

• FL

• GA

• HI

• ID

• IL

• IN

• IA

• KS

• KY

• LA

• ME

• MD

• MA

• MI

• MN

• MS

• MO

• MT

• NE

• NV

• NH

• NJ

• NM

• NY

• NC

• ND

• OH

• OK

• OR

• PA

• RI

• SC

• SD

• TN

• TX

• UT

• VT

• VA

• WA

• WashDC

• WV

• WI

• WY

Alabama

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors

Site to verify your pro’s license: Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors License Roster Search

Licensing agency phone: 334-272-5030

Find out more with the Alabama general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Alaska

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development

Site to verify your pro’s license: Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Professional License Search

Licensing agency phone: 907-465-2550

Find out more with the Alaska general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Arizona

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Arizona Registrar of Contractors

Site to verify your pro’s license:Arizona Registrar of Contractors’ Contractor Search Tool

Licensing agency phone: 602-542-1525

Find out more with the Arizona general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Arkansas

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board

Site to verify your pro’s license: Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board Contractor Search tool

Licensing agency phone: 501-372-4661

Find out more with the Arkansas general contractor licensing requirement guide.

California

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: California Contractors State License Board

Site to verify your pro’s license: California Department of Consumer Affairs Contractor License Check

Licensing agency phone: 800-321-2752

Find out more with the California general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Colorado

At the time of this posting, plumbers and electricians require licensing at the state level from the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations, but general contractors do not. However, your town or county could have separate licensure guidelines, so check before hiring.

Connecticut

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection

Site to verify your pro’s license: Connecticut License Lookup

Licensing agency phone: 860-713-6000

Find out more with the Connecticut general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Delaware

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Delaware Division of Revenue

Site to verify your pro’s license:Delaware Business Licenses Search

Licensing agency phone: 800-292-7826

Find out more with the Delaware contractors registration guide.

Florida

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

Site to verify your pro’s license: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Licensee Search

Licensing agency phone: 850-487-1395

Find out more with the Florida general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Georgia

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors

Site to verify your pro’s license: Georgia Professional Licensing Web Lookup

Licensing agency phone: 478-207-2440

Find out more with the Georgia general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Hawaii

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Site to verify your pro’s license: Hawaii DCCA Professional Vocational Licensing Public License Search

Licensing agency phone: 808-586-3000

Find out more with theHawaii general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Idaho

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses Contractors Board

Site to verify your pro’s license: Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses Online Information

Licensing agency phone: 208-334-3233

Find out more with the Idaho general contractor licensing requirement guide

Illinois

At the time of this posting, plumbers and roofers require licensing at the state level from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, but general contractors do not. However, your town or county could have separate licensure guidelines, so check before hiring.

Indiana

At the time of this posting, plumbers require licensing at the state level from the Indiana Plumbing Commission, but general contractors do not. However, your town or county could have separate licensure guidelines, so check before hiring.

Iowa

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Iowa Registrar of Contractors

Site to verify your pro’s license: Iowa IWD Registered Contractor Public Search

Licensing agency phone: 515-242-5871

Find out more with the Iowa general contractor licensing requirement guide

Kansas

At the time of this posting, well drillers and asbestos abatement contractors require licensing at the state level from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, but general contractors do not. However, your town or county could have separate licensure guidelines, so check before hiring.

Kentucky

At the time of this posting, HVAC and electrical require licensing at the state level from the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, but general contractors do not. However, your town or county could have separate licensure guidelines, so check before hiring.

Louisiana

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors

Site to verify your pro’s license: Louisiana State Licensing Board Online Contractor Search

Licensing agency phone: 225-765-2301

Find out more with the Louisiana general contractor licensing requirement guide

Maine

At the time of this posting, plumbing and electrical pros require licensing at the state level from the Maine Regulatory Licensing & Permitting office, but general contractors do not. However, your town or county could have separate licensure guidelines, so check before hiring.

Maryland

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Maryland Department of Labor Home Improvement Commission

Site to verify your pro’s license: Maryland Department of Labor Home Improvement Public Query

Licensing agency phone: 410-230-6176

Find out more with the Maryland general contractor licensing requirement guide

Massachusetts

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations

Site to verify your pro’s license: Massachusetts Office of Public Safety and Inspections

License Verification Site

Licensing agency phone: 617-727-3200

Find out more with the Massachusetts general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Michigan

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Site to verify your pro’s license: Michigan Citizen Access Verify a License Tool

Licensing agency phone: 517-241-9316

Find out more with the Michigan general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Minnesota

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Minnesota Construction Codes and Licensing Division

Site to verify your pro’s license: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry License and Registration Lookup

Licensing agency phone: 651-284-5034

Find out more with the Minnesota general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Mississippi

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Mississippi State Board of Contractors

Site to verify your pro’s license:Mississippi Contractor License Search

Licensing agency phone: 601-354-6161

Find out more with the Mississippi general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Missouri

At the time of this posting, electrical pros can apply for licensing at the state level from the Missouri Division of Professional Registration, but general contractors do not. However, your town or county could have separate licensure guidelines, so check before hiring.

Montana

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Montana Department Labor and Industry

Site to verify your pro’s license: Montana Contractor Lookup

Licensing agency phone: 406-444-7734

Find out more with the Montana general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Nebraska

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Nebraska Department of Labor

Site to verify your pro’s license: NE Department of Labor Contractor Search

Licensing agency phone: 402-471-2239

Find out more with the Nebraska general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Nevada

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Nevada Registrar of Contractors

Site to verify your pro’s license: Nevada State Contractors Board Contractor License Search

Licensing agency phone: 702-486-1100

Find out more with the Nevada general contractor licensing requirement guide.

New Hampshire

At the time of this posting, plumbing, electrical, asbestos abatement and lead abatement pros require licensing at the state level from the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, but general contractors do not. However, your town or county could have separate licensure guidelines, so check before hiring.

New Jersey

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs

Site to verify your pro’s license: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs License Verification

Licensing agency phone: 973-424-8150

Find out more with the New Jersey general contractor licensing requirement guide.

New Mexico

At the time of this posting, only contractors earning over $7,200 per year require licensing at the state level from the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department. However, your town or county could have separate licensure guidelines, so check before hiring.

New York

At the time of this posting, asbestos abatement and crane-operating pros require licensing at the state level from the New York State Department of Safety and Health, but general contractors do not. However, your town or county could have separate licensure guidelines, so check before hiring.

North Carolina

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors

Site to verify your pro’s license: North CarolinaLicensing Board for General Contractors License Search

Licensing agency phone: 919-571-4183

Find out more with the North Carolina general contractor licensing requirement guide.

North Dakota

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: North Dakota Secretary of State Licensing Unit

Site to verify your pro’s license: North Dakota Secretary of State Contractor Search

Licensing agency phone: 701-328-3665

Find out more with the North Dakota general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Ohio

At the time of this posting, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, and HVAC pros require licensing at the state level from the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board, but general contractors do not. However, your town or county could have separate licensure guidelines, so check before hiring.

Oklahoma

At the time of this posting, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical pros require licensing at the state level from the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board, but general contractors do not. However, your town or county could have separate licensure guidelines, so check before hiring.

Oregon

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Oregon Construction Contractors Board

Site to verify your pro’s license:Oregon CCB Contractor License Search

Licensing agency phone: 503-378-4621

Find out more with the Oregon general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Pennsylvania

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Office of the Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Protection

Site to verify your pro’s license: Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Information Contractor Search

Licensing agency phone: 717-722-2425

Find out more with the Pennsylvania general contractor licensing requirement guide

Rhode Island

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: The Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board

Site to verify your pro’s license: Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board License Status Lookup

Licensing agency phone: 401-889-5535

Find out more with theRhode Island general contractor licensing requirement guide.

South Carolina

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Residential Builders Commission

Site to verify your pro’s license: South Carolina Labor Licensing Regulation License Lookup

Licensing agency phone: 803-896-4696

Find out more with the South Carolina general contractor licensing requirement guide.

South Dakota

At the time of this posting, electrical, plumbing and asbestos abatement pros require licensing at the state level from the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, but general contractors do not. However, your town or county could have separate licensure guidelines, so check before hiring.

Tennessee

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: State of Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Board for Licensing Contractors

Site to verify your pro’s license: TN Department of Commerce & Insurance License Search

Licensing agency phone: 800-544-7693

Find out more with the Tennessee general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Texas

At the time of this posting, HVAC, plumbing, well-drilling, and fire sprinkler system pros require licensing at the state level from the Texas Business Licenses & Permits Guild, but general contractors do not. However, your town or county could have separate licensure guidelines, so check before hiring.

Utah

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: State of Utah Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing

Site to verify your pro’s license: Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing

Licensing agency phone: 801-530-6628

Find out more with the Utah general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Vermont

At the time of this posting, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical pros require licensing at the state level from the Vermont Division of Fire Safety, but general contractors do not. However, your town or county could have separate licensure guidelines, so check before hiring.

Virginia

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation

Site to verify your pro’s license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup

Licensing agency phone: (804) 367-8511

Find out more with the Virginia general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Washington

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries

Site to verify your pro’s license: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Verify a Contractor Tool.

Licensing agency phone: 602-542-1525

Find out more with the Washington general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Washington DC

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.

Site to verify your pro’s license: D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Occupational and Professional License Search

Licensing agency phone: 202-442-4400

Find out more with the DC general contractor licensing requirement guide.

West Virginia

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board

Site to verify your pro’s license: West Virginia Division of Labor Contractor Search.

Licensing agency phone: 304-558-7890

Find out more with the West Virginia general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Wisconsin

Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services

Site to verify your pro’s license:Wisconsin eSLA Public Look-Up

Licensing agency phone: 608-267-0592

Find out more with the Wisconsin general contractor licensing requirement guide.

Wyoming

At the time of this posting, electricians and water well pros require licensing at the state level from the Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention & Electrical Safety and the Wyoming Water Well Contractors Licensing Board, respectively, but general contractors do not. However, your town or county could have separate licensure guidelines, so check before hiring.