Contractor Licensing Requirements By State
Whether you’re a contractor or a homeowner hiring a local contractor, you should know the licensing requirements for your state.
Get Started On A ProjectFind 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
- WI
- WY
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Arizona
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
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Arkansas
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.
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California
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.
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Colorado
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.
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Connecticut
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.
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Delaware
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 general contractor licensing requirement guide.
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Florida
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.
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Georgia
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.
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Hawaii
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 the Hawaii general contractor licensing requirement guide.
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Idaho
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
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Illinois
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.
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Indiana
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.
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Iowa
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
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Kansas
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.
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Kentucky
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.
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Louisiana
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
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Maine
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.
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Maryland
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
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Massachusetts
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
Licensing agency phone: 617-727-3200
Find out more with the Massachusetts general contractor licensing requirement guide.
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Michigan
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.
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Minnesota
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.
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Mississippi
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.
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Missouri
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.
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Montana
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.
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Nebraska
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.
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Nevada
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.
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New Hampshire
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.
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New Jersey
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.
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New Mexico
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.
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New York
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.
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North Carolina
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.
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North Dakota
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.
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Ohio
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.
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Oklahoma
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.
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Oregon
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.
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Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Agency that oversees contractor licenses: Office of the Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Protection
Site to verify your pro’s license: PennsylvaniaHome Improvement Consumer Information Contractor Search
Licensing agency phone: 717-722-2425
Find out more with the Pennsylvania general contractor licensing requirement guide
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Rhode Island
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 the Rhode Island general contractor licensing requirement guide.
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South Carolina
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.
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South Dakota
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.
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Tennessee
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.
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Texas
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.
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Utah
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.
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Vermont
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.
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Virginia
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.
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Washington
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.
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Wisconsin
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.
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Wyoming
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.
