Contractor license requirements by state

AL

Alabama Contractor License Guide

Alabama contractors should check whether the job is commercial or residential. Commercial general contractors are licensed through the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors, while residential home builders are licensed through the Home Builders Licensure Board.

AK

Alaska Contractor License Guide

Alaska contractors generally need a construction contractor license, bond, insurance, and business registration. Residential contractors performing residential work should check whether the residential contractor endorsement applies.

AZ

Arizona Contractor License Guide

Arizona contractors need the correct ROC license classification before offering or performing regulated work. General contractors commonly review B, B-2, KB, and dual classifications depending on residential and commercial scope.

AR

Arkansas Contractor License Guide

Arkansas contractors should check whether the project is commercial or residential and whether the project value triggers state licensing. The Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board handles commercial and residential contractor licensing.

CA

California Contractor License Guide

California contractors need a CSLB license before performing or offering most construction work valued at $500 or more in labor and materials, with the correct classification for the scope being sold.

CO

Colorado Contractor License Guide

Colorado general contractor licensing is local. Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Boulder, and other jurisdictions can set their own contractor license classes, exams, insurance requirements, and permit rules.

CT

Connecticut Contractor License Guide

Connecticut residential contractors should check Home Improvement Contractor registration for remodeling and New Home Construction Contractor registration for new homes. Trade work such as electrical, plumbing, and HVAC can require separate occupational licenses.

DE

Delaware Contractor License Guide

Delaware contractors generally need a state business license through the Division of Revenue and should check contractor registration, county permit, insurance, and trade licensing requirements before work begins.

FL

Florida Contractor License Guide

Florida contractors are licensed through DBPR and the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Certified contractors can work statewide within their scope, while registered contractors are tied to local jurisdictions.

GA

Georgia Contractor License Guide

Georgia contractors should match their work to the correct board license: Residential Basic, Residential-Light Commercial, General Contractor, or General Contractor Limited Tier, then confirm local permits and inspections.

HI

Hawaii Contractor License Guide

Hawaii contractors generally need a state contractor license for work above the licensing threshold, with General Engineering, General Building, or Specialty classifications and a responsible managing employee when an entity applies.

ID

Idaho Contractor License Guide

Idaho contractors generally register with the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, carry required insurance, and then check city or county permits plus trade licenses before work begins.

IL

Illinois Contractor License Guide

Illinois general contractor licensing is mostly local. Chicago licenses general contractors by class, while other municipalities can require local registration, permits, insurance, and inspections.

IN

Indiana Contractor License Guide

Indiana general contractor requirements are mostly local. Contractors should check the city or county where the job is located, then verify permits and trade licenses before scheduling work.

IA

Iowa Contractor License Guide

Iowa contractors performing construction work generally need contractor registration through Iowa Workforce Development, then should verify workers compensation, unemployment records, local permits, and licensed trade subcontractors.

KS

Kansas Contractor License Guide

Kansas general contractor licensing is mostly local. Johnson County and many cities use local contractor licensing, exams, insurance, and permit rules that contractors must verify before bidding.

KY

Kentucky Contractor License Guide

Kentucky general contractor licensing is mostly local. Louisville and other cities can require contractor licensing or registration, while plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and other trades may require separate credentials.

LA

Louisiana Contractor License Guide

Louisiana contractors should verify LSLBC licensing before bidding commercial or residential work at covered thresholds, then match the license classification and local permit requirements to the job.

ME

Maine Contractor License Guide

Maine general contractors usually do not need one statewide general contractor license, but they should follow home construction contract rules, local building permits, and licensed trade requirements for electrical, plumbing, fuel, and other regulated work.

MD

Maryland Contractor License Guide

Maryland home improvement contractors generally need an MHIC license, new home builders need home builder registration, and contractors should verify local permits plus licensed trade requirements for each job.

MA

Massachusetts Contractor License Guide

Massachusetts contractors commonly need a Construction Supervisor License for code-regulated building work and a Home Improvement Contractor registration for qualifying work on existing one- to four-family owner-occupied homes.

MI

Michigan Contractor License Guide

Michigan contractors doing residential building, repair, alteration, or improvement work above the state threshold should review LARA residential builder or maintenance and alteration licensing before selling the job.

MN

Minnesota Contractor License Guide

Minnesota generally requires a residential building contractor or remodeler license for qualifying residential work at or above the state threshold, while many subcontractors and commercial contractors use DLI contractor registration.

MS

Mississippi Contractor License Guide

Mississippi contractors should review MSBOC rules before commercial or residential construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement work. Larger commercial projects often require a certificate of responsibility, and residential work has its own license path.

MO

Missouri Contractor License Guide

Missouri general contractors usually verify city or county licensing instead of one statewide general contractor license. St. Louis, Kansas City, and other jurisdictions can require registration, local licenses, insurance, bonds, and permits.

MT

Montana Contractor License Guide

Montana construction contractors with employees generally need Construction Contractor Registration tied to workers compensation compliance. Contractors should also watch the state transition to a licensing program and verify local permits before work starts.

NE

Nebraska Contractor License Guide

Nebraska contractors should register with the Department of Labor when required and then verify local licensing, bond, insurance, permit, and inspection rules for the county or city where the work happens.

NV

Nevada Contractor License Guide

Nevada contractors generally need an NSCB license before construction or alteration work. The license classification, qualifying party, bond, financial responsibility, and license limit should match the work being offered.

NH

New Hampshire Contractor License Guide

New Hampshire general contractors usually do not need one statewide general contractor license, but businesses should register properly and verify municipal permits, workers compensation, liability insurance, and specialty trade licenses before work begins.

NJ

New Jersey Contractor License Guide

New Jersey home improvement contractors generally register with the Division of Consumer Affairs. Contractors offering financed home repair contracts may also need a Home Repair Contractor license through DOBI, while commercial work can depend on municipal permits and trade credentials.

NM

New Mexico Contractor License Guide

New Mexico contractors generally need a CID license for covered construction work. Residential contractors often review GB-2 authority, while broader residential and commercial building work commonly points to GB-98.

NY

New York Contractor License Guide

New York does not use one statewide general contractor license for all construction work. Contractors should verify the city or county rules for the job address, especially NYC DOB registration and DCWP home improvement licensing.

NC

North Carolina Contractor License Guide

North Carolina contractors generally need a General Contractor license for construction activity valued at $40,000 or more. The license must match both the classification of work and the project limitation level.

ND

North Dakota Contractor License Guide

North Dakota contractors generally need a contractor license through the Secretary of State for construction work valued over $4,000. The license class should match the size of work being performed.

OH

Ohio Contractor License Guide

Ohio general contractors usually follow local city or county licensing rather than one statewide general contractor credential. HVAC, refrigeration, electrical, plumbing, and hydronics contractors should also review OCILB rules.

OK

Oklahoma Contractor License Guide

Oklahoma general contractors usually verify city or county requirements instead of one statewide general contractor license. Oklahoma City and other municipalities can require registration before permits are pulled.

OR

Oregon Contractor License Guide

Oregon contractors generally need a Construction Contractors Board license before performing paid residential or commercial construction work. The endorsement, bond, and insurance should match the work being offered.

PA

Pennsylvania Contractor License Guide

Pennsylvania general contractors usually follow municipal rules, while many home improvement contractors must register with the Pennsylvania Attorney General. Plumbing, electrical, and other trades are often handled locally.

RI

Rhode Island Contractor License Guide

Rhode Island contractors and subcontractors in residential or commercial construction generally register with the Contractors Registration and Licensing Board, even though the state does not call the broad general contractor credential a license.

SC

South Carolina Contractor License Guide

South Carolina commercial contractors generally need a Contractor Licensing Board license for regulated commercial work above the threshold, while residential-only contractors should review Residential Builders Commission licensing.

SD

South Dakota Contractor License Guide

South Dakota general contractors usually focus on contractor excise tax licensing and local permits rather than one universal statewide general contractor credential. Electrical, plumbing, and other regulated trades should be checked separately.

TN

Tennessee Contractor License Guide

Tennessee contractors generally need a state contractor license for projects of $25,000 or more. The license classification and monetary limit must match the work and contract value.

TX

Texas Contractor License Guide

A Texas general contractor often needs local registration and permits rather than one statewide general contractor license. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, elevator, and other regulated trades can require state or specialty credentials before work starts.

UT

Utah Contractor License Guide

Utah contractors generally need a DOPL contractor license for regulated construction work. B100 general building and R100 residential/small commercial classifications are common starting points for general contractors.

VT

Vermont Contractor License Guide

Vermont residential contractors should review the Residential Contractor Registry before taking covered residential projects. General commercial work may rely more on local permits and specialty trade credentials.

VA

Virginia Contractor License Guide

Virginia contractors need the correct DPOR class and classification for regulated work. Class A, B, and C licenses are tied to contract and annual project value thresholds.

WA

Washington Contractor License Guide

Washington contractors generally register with L&I before advertising or performing construction work. General contractors can perform or subcontract multiple trades, while specialty contractors work within listed specialty scopes.

WV

West Virginia Contractor License Guide

West Virginia contractors generally need a state contractor license for covered construction work. Classification, tax clearance, workers compensation, unemployment status, and local permits should be checked before bidding.

WI

Wisconsin Contractor License Guide

Wisconsin residential construction businesses commonly need Dwelling Contractor Certification, and at least one individual usually needs Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification. Local permits and trade credentials still apply.

WY

Wyoming Contractor License Guide

Wyoming general contractors usually verify city or county requirements instead of one universal statewide license. Casper, Cheyenne, Jackson, Gillette, and other jurisdictions can have different contractor and permit rules.

Does every state have a general contractor license?

No. Some states license general contractors at the state level, while others regulate only certain project types or leave general contractor licensing to local jurisdictions.

Can one contractor license cover every trade?

Usually not. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, and other specialty work may require separate licenses or subcontractors even when a company holds a general contractor license.

What should contractors track after getting licensed?

Track expiration dates, bonds, insurance certificates, qualifier status, permits, inspections, change orders, and customer approvals in one operating system.