Checking a license number is a very important vetting tool for most home improvement projects but it isn’t necessary in all states. A lot of good quality handyman opt not to become licensed because it limits what work they can take on. Read more about The Benefits of Hiring a Licensed Contractor.
Remember:
- If a contracting license is not required by the state, this does not mean that it is not required in your city.
- This article is based on general contracting licenses only. More specialty licenses (such as plumbing and electrical), may have different laws. Here’s some useful information on What a General Contractor Can and Can’t Do.
- Just because a professional is licensed, it does not necessarily mean that they do quality work. Always ask for references as well as license information. Read more tips for How To Hire The Best Contractor.
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Alabama
General contractors working on projects that exceed $10,000 require a Home-Builders license in Alabama.
To become licensed they must:
- Have experience and provide references
- Pass an exam
Check a license number HERE!
Alaska
General contractors must have Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing in Alaska.
To become licensed they must:
- Be bonded
- Have liability and compensation insurance
Check a license number HERE.
Arizona
General contractors must be licensed to complete projects costing more than $1,000 in Arizona.
To become licensed they must:
- Pass an exam
- Be bonded
- Have business and compensation insurance
Check a license number HERE.
Arkansas
All contractors must be licensed by the Residential Contractors Committee to complete projects costing more than $2,000 in Arkansas.
To become licensed they must:
- Pass an exam
- Have workers compensation insurance
Check a license number HERE.
California
All contractors must be licensed to complete any work exceeding $500 in California.
To become licensed they must:
- Prove that they are skilled
- Pass an exam
- Be bonded
- Have workers compensation and liability insurance
Check a license number HERE.
Colorado
General contractors are not required to be licensed at the state level in Colorado. Your local area may have different requirements.
Connecticut
All home improvement professionals will have to be licensed in Connecticut.
To become licensed they must:
- Pass an exam
- Have insurance
- Provide references
Check a license number HERE.
Delaware
All contractors must have a business license in Delaware.
To become licensed they must:
- Have liability and workers comp insurance
- Be bonded
Check a license number HERE.
Florida
In order to work throughout the entire state of Florida, a general contractor must have a “registered” contracting license.
To become licensed they must:
- Pass an exam
- Have liability and workers compensation insurance
- Have experience or a qualification in the field
Check a license number HERE.
Georgia
General contractors will require a license if the project costs more than $2,500 in Georgia.
To become licensed they must:
- Have workers compensation insurance
- Pass an exam
Check a license number HERE.
Hawaii
General contractors in Hawaii require a license.
To become licensed they must:
- Have liability (property and bodily injury) insurance
- Have workers compensation insurance
- Pass an exam
Check a license number HERE.
Idaho
General contractors must register their business with the state of Idaho but do not require a contracting license. This may differ locally.
To obtain a business license they must:
- Have liability and workers compensation insurance
Check a license number HERE.
Illinois
Roofers must be licensed statewide throughout Illinois. However, general contractors must be licensed locally so the requirements may differ.
In Aurora, to obtain a license they must:
- Have liability and workers compensation insurance
- Be bonded
- Have a registered business name
Check a license number HERE.
Indiana
General contractors do not need to be licensed by the state in Indiana. This may vary on a local level.
Iowa
General contractors must be registered if they earn more than $2,000 per year from home improvement projects in Iowa.
To become registered, they must:
- Have workers compensation insurance
- Be bonded (if the business is registered out of state)
Check if a contractor is registered HERE.
Kansas
General contractors do not need to be licensed by the state of Kansas. This may vary on a local level.
In Johnson County, a licensed contractor must:
- Have liability and workers comp insurance
Kentucky
General contractors do not need to be licensed by the state of Kentucky. This may vary on a local level.
In Louisville, a licensed contractor must:
- Have liability and workers comp insurance
- Be bonded
Louisiana
General contractors require a license in Louisiana if the work will cost more than $7,500 and less than $75,000. If the project costs exceeds $75,000 a building license is required.
To become licensed, they must:
- Have workers compensation insurance
- Pass an exam
Check a license number HERE.
Maine
General contractors are not required to be licensed in Maine.
Maryland
All home improvement contractors will require a license in Maryland.
To become licensed, they must:
- Be financially stable or hold a $20,000 bond
- Pass an exam
Check a license number HERE.
Massachusetts
At least one professional on a project will need a supervisor’s license in Massachusetts.
To become licensed, they must:
- Have 3 years of experience in the field or pass an exam
Check a license number HERE.
Michigan
All contractors are required to hold a residential builders license in Michigan.
To become licensed, they must:
- Complete a 60 hour educational course
Check a license number HERE.
Minnesota
All contractors that receive more than $15,000 a year in payment from home improvement projects must have a residential building license.
To become licensed, they must:
- Complete a 60 hour educational course
- Have liability and workers comp insurance
- Pass a background check
Check a license number HERE.
Mississippi
All contractors will need to be certified in Mississippi. If a contractor is completing a remodel projected to cost more than $10,000, they will need a Residential Remodeling license.
To become licensed they must:
- Have general liability insurance
- Pass an exam
Check a license number HERE.
Missouri
General contractors do not need to be licensed by the state of Missouri. This may vary on a local level.
Montana
All general contractors must be registered with the state of Montana.
In order to be registered, they must:
- Have liability insurance
Check if a contractor is registered HERE.
Nebraska
All contractors must register with the Department of Labor in Nebraska, unless they earn less than $5,000 annually.
To become registered, they must:
- Have workers compensation insurance (if they have employees)
Check if they’re registered HERE.
Nevada
All contractors must be licensed for projects projected to cost more than $1,000 in Nevada.
To become registered, they must:
- Have workers compensation insurance
- Hold a license bond
Check if they’re registered HERE.
New Hampshire
General contractors do not require a license in New Hampshire.
New Jersey
Any home repair professional must have a license in New Jersey, unless they deal strictly with cash or credit card payments.
To become licensed, they must:
- Have workers compensation and liability insurance
Check a license number HERE.
New Mexico
All contractors require a license in New Mexico.
To become licensed, they must:
- Pass an exam
- Have experience in the field
Check a license number HERE.
New York
General contractors do not need to be licensed by the state of New York. This may vary on a local level.
In New York City, to become licensed they must:
- Pass a background check
- Have liability and workers compensation insurance
- Prove that the company is financially stable
North Carolina
General contractors must be licensed with the state of North Carolina if the project is projected to cost more than $30,000.
To become licensed, they must:
- Pass an exam
Check a license number HERE.
North Dakota
General contractors in North Dakota must be licensed if the price of the project exceeds $4,000.
To become licensed, they must:
- Have a registered business
- Have workers compensation and liability insurance
Check a license number HERE.
Ohio
General contractors do not need to be licensed by the state in Ohio. This may vary on a local level.
In Columbus, to become licensed they must:
- Have 3 years experience in the field (1 year for Limited Contractors)
- Be bonded
Oklahoma
General contractors do not need to be licensed by the state in Oklahoma. This may vary on a local level.
Oregon
All contractors require a license in Oregon, unless the total cost of the project is less than $1,000.
To become licensed, they must:
- Be bonded
- Have workers compensation and liability insurance
- Have a registered business
- Pass an exam
Check a license number HERE.
Pennsylvania
All contractors must be registered for projects projected to cost more than $500 in Pennsylvania.
To become registered, they must:
- Have liability insurance
Check if a pro is registered HERE.
Rhode Island
Contractors must be licensed if the cost of the project exceeds $500 in Rhode Island.
To become licensed, they must:
- Have workers compensation and liability insurance
Check a license number HERE.
South Carolina
All contractors will require a license in South Carolina.
To become licensed, they must:
- Have 2 years experience
- Be bonded
Check a license number HERE.
South Dakota
General contractors do not need to be licensed by the state in South Dakota. This may vary on a local level.
In Sioux Falls, to become licensed they must:
- Pass an exam
- Be bonded
- Have general liability insurance
Tennessee
General contractors are required to be licensed if the project is projected to cost more than $25,000 in Tennessee.
To become licensed they must:
- Pass an exam
- Prove that they’re financially stable
- Have liability and workers compensation insurance
Check a license number HERE.
Texas
General contractors do not need to be licensed at a state level in Texas.
Utah
All contractors must be licensed with the state of Utah.
To become licensed they must:
- Pass an exam
Check a license number HERE.
Vermont
General contractors do not need to be licensed by the state in Vermont. This may vary on a local level.
Virginia
General contractors must be licensed to complete any project costing more than $1,000 in Virginia. For work projected to cost less than $10,000, a class C license is required. Whereas, a project costing between $10,000 and $120,000, will require a class B license.
To become licensed they must:
- Have a registered business name
Check a license number HERE.
Washington
All general contractors must be licensed with the state in Washington.
To become licensed, they must:
- Have a registered business
- Be bonded
- Have liability and workers compensation insurance
Check license number HERE.
West Virginia
General contractors must be licensed in West Virginia if the work is projected to cost more than $2,500.
To become licensed they must:
- Pass an exam
- Have workers compensation insurance
Check a license number HERE.
Wisconsin
General contractors require a Dwelling Contractor certification to pull permits but not necessarily to complete construction work in Wisconsin.
To obtain a Dwelling Contractor certification they must:
- Be bonded
- Have workers compensation and liability insurance
Check a license or certification HERE.
Wyoming
General contractors do not need to be licensed by the state in Wyoming. This may vary on a local level.
In Cheyenne, to become licensed they must:
- Have references
- Have liability and workers comp insurance
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