Everything you need to know to become a general contractor in your state.
If you’re embarking on a career in construction, one of the first steps you’ll need to take is to obtain a general contractor license. This certification is what authorizes you or your business to oversee, coordinate, and manage construction projects.
However, since licensing regulations vary widely between states, it can be bewildering for those new to the field. Our guide aims to simplify this complex landscape and give you a clear path on how to get a general contractor license, no matter where you are.
Let’s get started!
Tip: If you’re planning to work as a general contractor, we recommend forming an LLC. This is an affordable business structure that protects your personal assets against debt and/or lawsuits.
Northwest Registered Agent ($29 + state fees)
Since regulations differ from state to state, the first step toward becoming a licensed general contractor is to determine whether you’ll need a general contractors license.
To help give you a clearer picture, we’ve compiled a table below that breaks down the general contractor license requirements by state and identifies the relevant state contractors licensing agencies for each.
| State | General Contractor License Required? | Regulatory Body |
| Alabama | Yes | Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors |
| Alaska | Yes | The Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing |
| Arizona | Yes | Arizona Registrar of Contractors |
| Arkansas | Yes | Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board |
| California | Yes | California Contractor State Licensing Board |
| Colorado | No | Specific to each trade |
| Connecticut | No | Specific to each trade |
| Delaware | Register the business instead | Delaware Division of Revenue |
| Florida | Yes | Construction Industry Licensing Board |
| Georgia | Yes | Georgia State Construction Industry Licensing Board |
| Hawaii | Yes | The Professional & Vocational Licensing Division |
| Idaho | No | Specific to each trade |
| Illinois | No | Specific to each trade |
| Indiana | No | Specific to each trade |
| Iowa | Yes | Iowa Division of Labor |
| Kansas | No | Specific to each trade |
| Kentucky | No | Specific to each trade |
| Louisiana | Yes | Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors |
| Maine | No | Specific to each trade |
| Maryland | Yes | Maryland Home Improvement Commission |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Massachusetts Office of Public Safety and Inspections |
| Michigan | Yes | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs |
| Minnesota | Register the business instead | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry |
| Mississippi | Yes | Mississippi State Board of Contractors |
| Missouri | No | Specific to each trade |
| Montana | No | Specific to each trade |
| Nebraska | Register the business instead | Nebraska Department of Labor |
| Nevada | Yes | Nevada State Contractors Board |
| New Hampshire | No | Specific to each trade |
| New Jersey | No | Specific to each trade |
| New Mexico | Yes | New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department |
| New York | No | Specific to each trade |
| North Carolina | Yes | North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors |
| North Dakota | Yes | North Dakota Secretary of State |
| Ohio | No | Specific to each trade |
| Oklahoma | No | Specific to each trade |
| Oregon | Yes | Oregon Construction Contractors Board |
| Pennsylvania | No | Specific to each trade |
| Rhode Island | Register the business instead | Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board |
| South Carolina | Yes | South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board |
| South Dakota | No | Specific to each trade |
| Tennessee | Yes | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors |
| Texas | No | Specific to each trade |
| Utah | Yes | Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing |
| Vermont | No | Specific to each trade |
| Virginia | Yes | Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Board for Contractors |
| Washington | Register the business instead | Washington State Department of Labor and Industries |
| Washington D.C. | Yes | Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection |
| West Virginia | Yes | Division of Labor, Contractor Licensing Board |
| Wisconsin | Yes | State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services |
| Wyoming | No | Specific to each trade |
Even if there’s no requirement for a general contractor license in your state, you will likely still need to obtain another statewide certification specific to the trade you work in. To qualify for any of these licenses, applicants often need to satisfy some experience requirements and pass a mandatory exam.
To give yourself the best chance of success in these exams, be sure to take advantage of quality study materials to ensure you grasp the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to excel.
While each state may have its nuances, there are common steps and fundamental processes that most states follow. Below, we’ve broken down this journey into digestible steps to give you a broad overview of what to expect, regardless of where you’re based. As you delve into the specifics, always remember to consult the relevant regulatory body in your state for more precise details.
Before diving into the basic contractor license application, you must first choose how you want to set up your business. This choice will influence your legal responsibility, tax duties, and overall business operations, which makes it crucial to ensure you properly understand the intricacies of each business entity to select the one that aligns best with your needs.
It’s common for contractors in the US, especially the smaller ones, to opt to set up their business as an LLC. This structure offers them tax versatility, shields them from certain liabilities, and can even boost their reputation among clients.
More than 72% of our readers form their LLC using a professional filing service. Our recommended service provider is:
Northwest Registered Agent ($29 + state fees)
After forming your business, you’ll need to confirm that you meet the minimum basic requirements. While the specifics of these requirements will vary depending on the license you are trying to obtain, you’ll generally need to:
Remember, the requirements mentioned are general; always verify the specific criteria with the regulatory body of the exact license you need in your state.
After confirming that you satisfy the basic requirements for your license, it’s time to start filling out your application and submitting it to the appropriate regulatory body, along with any required fees.
Each state will have its own requirements regarding how to submit your application (i.e., by mail, online, or in person) and when to do it, which can be found on the websites of the statewide agencies in the table above.
In addition to general contractor licenses, which are typically regulated by the state, there are also local and specialist contractor licensing requirements you may need to apply for. As an example, plumbers in Texas are required to get a specific license from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners before they can begin to offer their services.
In some states, you may need to pass a licensing exam after your application has been approved. As many candidates tend to struggle with these exams, we’ve included a few simple pointers below to help you in your preparation:
Interested in getting started? Kickstart the preparation for your contractor licensing exam today with comprehensive study courses and learning materials.
It’s a common requirement in a number of states for contracting businesses to own designated amounts of insurance to ensure both contractors and clients are covered in the event of any accidents or damage. A certificate will need to be provided to the relevant regulatory body as part of the application process to prove your business is sufficiently insured.
In addition to this, many local governments within states impose a surety bond requirement based on the kind of work a contractor will perform. For example, contractors looking to perform demolition work in San Antonio, Texas are required to obtain a $5,000 annual bond.
Note: Even if you’re not mandated to have insurance by law, it’s still highly beneficial to invest in coverage to protect yourself from potential liabilities and unforeseen risks in the construction industry.
You must keep your license valid once you obtain it by renewing it every few years, paying associated renewal fees, and satisfying any requirements for continuing education. It’s essential to keep your licenses renewed, as running a business with an outdated license can result in penalties, legal issues, or even the closure of your operations.
We’ve included some simple tips below to help you navigate the license renewal process:
Applicants are encouraged to gather all necessary details well in advance to help them renew contractor licenses without any hiccups.
You’ll need to check your state and local area’s regulations for specifics since general contractor licensing is handled differently in each jurisdiction. As an example, NYC contractors must submit an application to the Department of Consumer Affairs and often pass an examination. To find out more about what you can do once you have this license, see our What Does a General Contractor Do guide.
The cost of getting a general contractor license will depend on several factors, including your specific profession and location. This is because different states (and municipalities) can impose varying fees. For more information, have a look at our How Much Does a General Contractor Make article.
Whether you’ll need a license in order to work as a general contractor in your area is completely dependent on the city and state you’re based in. For this reason, it’s essential to check with your state licensing board and local licensing authority to ensure compliance. If you’re not sure which category your contracting services fall into, see our Construction Manager vs General Contractor article.
The answer to this question will depend where you’re based. While it’s not common for handymen to require a state-level license for general repairs, many specific cities or counties may require a general building contractor license for tasks beyond minor work. If you’re not sure whether you need this license, we recommend checking out our What is a General Contractor article.
Information on this page was researched and gathered from a multitude of sources and was most recently updated on June 26, 2024
Any Information on this site is not guaranteed or warranted to be correct, accurate, or up to date. StateRequirement and its members and affiliates are not responsible for any losses, monetary or otherwise. StateRequirement is not affiliated with any state, government, or licensing body. For more information, please contact your state's authority on insurance.
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