Beginning the process of building or remodeling your own home, or hiring a contractor to do so, can be a daunting paper chase. You want to be sure that the construction contractors that you hire are licensed professionals that will perform the work with precision and care. Listed below are the authorities that oversee the licensing of contractors in each state but remember that the requirements can vary greatly. A little investigation on your part is an easy way to ensure that your project is a success.
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Alaska
Department of Community & Economic Development
Division of Occupational Licensing
333 Willoughby Avenue, 9th Floor
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99801-0800
Tel: (907) 465-2546
http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/ |
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Arizona
Arizona Registrar of Contractors
800 West Washington
6th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2940
Tel: (602) 542-1525
http://www.rc.state.az.us/ |
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Arkansas
Contractors Licensing Board
4100 Richards Road
N. Little Rock, AR 72117
Tel: (501) 372-4661
http://www.state.ar.us/clb/ |
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California
Contractors State License Board
9821 Business Park Drive
Sacramento, CA 95826
Tel: (916) 255-3900/ (916) 366-9130
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/ |
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Colorado
Colorado State Electrical Board
1580 Logan Street, Suite 550
Denver, CO 80203-1941
Tel: (303) 894-2300
Fax: (303) 894-2310
http://www.dora.state.co.us/Electrical/ |
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Examining Board of Plumbers
1580 Logan Street, Suite 550
Denver, CO 80203-1941
Tel: (303) 894-2319
Fax: (303) 894-2310
http://www.dora.state.co.us/Plumbing/ |
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Connecticut
State of Connecticut
Department of Consumer Protection
165 Capitol Avenue, Room 110
Hartford, CT 06106
Tel: (860) 713-6000
Fax: (860) 713-7239
http://www.state.ct.us/dcp |
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Delaware
Division of Revenue
Carvel State Building
820 North French Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Tel: (302) 577-5800
Toll-Free: (800) 202-7826 (Delaware only)
http://www.state.de.us/revenue/ |
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Florida
Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Construction Industry Licensing Board
Attention: Examination
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1039
Tel: (850) 487-1395
Fax: (850) 921-4216
http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/ |
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Georgia
In July of 2005, Georgia will create a statewide licensing board for residential and general contractors.
State Construction Industry Licensing Board
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217-3858
Tel: (478) 207-1416
Fax: (478) 207-1425
http://www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/ |
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Hawaii
Contractors License Board
Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs
Professional & Vocational Licensing
335 Merchant Street
P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96813
Tel: (808) 586-3000
http://www.state.hi.us/dcca |
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Idaho
Division of Building Safety
Electrical Bureau, Licensing Section
1090 E. Watertower St.
Meridian, ID 83642
Tel: (208) 334-2183
Fax: (208) 855-2165
http://www2.state.id.us/dbs/electrical/index.html |
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Plumbing Bureau
Division of Building Safety
1090 E. Watertower Street
Meridian, ID 83642
Tel: (208) 334-3442
Fax: (208) 855-9339
http://www2.state.id.us/dbs/plumbing/index.html |
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Illinois
Illinois Department of Professional Regulation
320 West Washington Street, 3rd floor
Springfield, IL 62786
Tel: (217) 782-8556
http://www.dpr.state.il.us |
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Indiana
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
302 West Washington Street, Room E034
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2700
Tel: (317) 232-2980
Fax: (317) 233-5559
http://www.in.gov/pla/bandc/plumbing/ |
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Iowa
Iowa Division of Labor
1000 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319-0209
Tel: (515) 242-5871
Fax: (515) 281-7995
http://www.state.ia.us/iwd/labor/index.html |
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Kansas
Department of Revenue
State of Kansas
Docking State Office Building
915 SW Harrison St., 3rd Floor
Topeka, KS 66625-0001
Tel: (913) 296-0222
Fax: (913) 291-3614
http://www.ink.org/public/kdor/ |
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Kentucky
Department of Housing, Buildings, & Construction
Division of Fire Protection
Electrical Licensing
101 Sea Hero Drive, Ste 100
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
Tel: (502) 573-0364
http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/cppr/dhbc/ |
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Department of Housing, Buildings, & Construction
Division of Plumbing
1047 US Highway 127 S, Suite 1
Frankfort, KY 40601-4337
Tel: (502) 564-3580
Fax: (502) 564-0690
http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/cppr/dhbc/ |
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Department of Housing, Buildings, & Construction
Division of HVAC
101 Sea Hero Road, #100
Frankfort, KY 40601
Tel: (502) 573-0395
Fax: (502) 573-1401
http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/cppr/dhbc/ |
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Louisiana
State of Louisiana
State Licensing Board for Contractors
P.O. Box 14419
Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4419
Tel: (225) 765-2301
Toll-Free: (800) 256-1392
http://www.lslbc.state.la.us/ |
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Maine
Electricians' Examining Board
35 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0035
Tel: (207) 624-8610
Fax: (207) 624-8637
http://www.state.me.us/pfr/olr |
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Plumbers' Examining Board
35 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0035
Tel: (207) 624-8603
Fax: (207) 624-8637
http://www.state.me.us/pfr/olr |
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Maryland
State of Maryland
Board of Master Electricians
500 North Calvert Street Rm. 302
Baltimore, MD 21202
Tel: (410) 230-6270
http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/master_elec/ |
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Maryland State Board of Plumbing
500 North Calvert Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Tel: (410) 230-6270
http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/plumb/plumbintro.html |
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State Board of HVACR Contractors
500 North Calvert Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Tel: (410) 230-6270
http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/hvacr/hvacrintro.html |
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Massachusetts
State Board of Building Regulations & Standards
McCormack State Office Building
One Ashburton Place, Room 1301
Boston, MA 02108
Tel: (617) 727-3200
Fax: (617) 227-1754
http://www.state.ma.us/bbrs/hic.htm |
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Michigan
Builder's Unit
Bureau of Commercial Services
Department of Consumer & Industry Services
P.O. Box 30245
Lansing, MI 48909
Tel: (517) 241-9254
http://www.michigan.gov/cis/ |
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Minnesota
Department of Labor & Industry
Tel: (651) 284-5065
Fax: (651) 284-5746
E-mail: DLI.Contractor@state.mn.us
http://www.doli.state.mn.us/contractor.html |
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Mississippi
Mississippi Contractor Licensing Board
215 Woodline Drive, Suite B
Jackson, MS 39208
Tel: (601) 354-6161
http://www.msboc.state.ms.us |
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Missouri
The state of Missouri doesn't license construction contractors. |
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Montana
Contractors Registration Unit
Employment Relations Division
Department of Labor and Industry
P.O. Box 8011
Helena, MT 59604-8011
Tel: (406) 444-9586
Fax: (406) 444-3465
http://erd.dli.state.mt.us/wcregs/mtcontractor.asp |
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Nebraska
Nebraska Department of Revenue
301 Centennial Mall South
P.O. Box 94818
Lincoln, NE 68509-4818
Tel: (402) 471-2971
Fax: (402) 471-5608
http://www.revenue.state.ne.us/index.html |
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State of Nebraska
State Electrical Division
800 South 13th Street, Suite 109
P.O. Box 95066
Lincoln, NE 68509-5066
Tel: (402) 471-3550
Fax: (402) 471-4297
http://www.electrical.state.ne.us |
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Nevada
State Contractors Board
2310 Corporate Circle, Suite 200
Henderson, NV 89074
Tel: (702) 486-1100
Fax: (702) 486-1190
http://www.nscb.state.nv.us |
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New Hampshire
Office of the State Fire Marshal
Electrician's Licensing Board
78 Regional Drive, Bldg. 1
P.O. Box 646
Concord, NH 03302-0646
Tel: (603) 271-3748
http://www.state.nh.us/electrician/ |
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State Board for Licensing & Regulating Plumbers
2 Industrial Park Drive
P.O. Box 1386
Concord, NH 03302-1386
Tel: (603) 271-3267
http://www.state.nh.us/plumbing/ |
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New Jersey
New Home Builders
Department of Community Affairs
Division of Codes & Standards
Bureau of Homeowner Protection
New Home Warranty Program
PO Box 805
Trenton, NJ 08625-0805
Tel: (609) 530-8800
http://www.nj.gov/dca/ |
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Home Repair Contractor
Department of Banking & Insurance
Division of Banking
Office of Consumer Finance
P.O. Box 040
Trenton, NJ 08625
Tel: (609) 292-5340
http://www.state.nj.us/dobi/index.html |
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Home Improvement Contractor
Office of the Attorney General
Division of Consumer Affairs
Office of Consumer Protection
Regulated Business Section
124 Halsey Street, 7th Floor
P.O. Box 46016
Newark, NJ 07101
Tel: (888) 656-6225
http://www.njconsumeraffairs.com/contractor.htm |
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Electrical Contractors
Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors
124 Halsey St., 6th Floor
P.O. Box 45006
Newark, NJ 07101
Tel: (973) 504-6410
http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/nonmedical/electrical.htm |
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Plumbing Contractor
Department of Law & Public Safety
Division of Consumer Affairs
Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers
124 Halsey St., 6th Floor
P.O. Box 45008
Newark, NJ 07101
Tel: (973) 504-6420
http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/nonmedical/plumbers.htm |
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New Mexico
Construction Industries Division
State of New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department
725 St. Michael's Drive
P.O. Box 25101
Santa Fe, NM 87504
Tel: (505) 827-7030
Fax: (505) 827-7045
http://www.rld.state.nm.us |
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New York
All construction work in New York is regulated at the local level. Only asbestos abatement work is licensed by the state. |
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North Carolina
North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors
P. O. Box 17187
Raleigh, NC 27619
Tel: (919) 571-4183
Fax: (919) 571-4703
http://www.nclbgc.net |
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State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, & Fire Sprinkler Contractors
1109 Dresser Court
Raleigh, NC 27609
Tel: (919) 875-3612
Fax: (919) 875-3616
http://www.nclicensing.org |
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State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors
1200 Front St., Suite 105
P. O. Box 18727
Raleigh, NC 27619
Tel: (919) 733-9042
Exam application voicemail: 800-392-6102
Fax: (919) 733-6105
http://www.ncbeec.org |
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North Dakota
Contractor’s License
Secretary of State
State of North Dakota
600 East Boulevard Avenue Dept. 108
Bismarck, ND 58505-0500
Tel: (701) 328-3665
Fax: (701) 328-1690
http://www.nd.gov/sos/ |
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Electrician’s License
North Dakota State Electrical Board
P.O. Box 857
Bismarck, ND 58502
Tel: (701) 328-9522
Fax: (701) 328-9524
http://www.state.nd.us/electric/ |
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Plumber’s License
North Dakota State Plumbing Board
204 West Thayer Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58501
Tel: (701) 328-9979
Fax: (701) 328-9979
http://www.governor.state.nd.us/ |
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Ohio
Ohio Department of Commerce
Ohio Construction Industry Examining Board
6606 Tussing Road
P.O. Box 4009
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-9009
Tel: (614) 644-3493
Fax: (614) 728-1200
http://www.com.state.oh.us/dic/dicocilb.htm |
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Oklahoma
Electricians
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Occupational Licensing Service
Electrical Division
1000 N. E. 10th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299
Tel: (405) 271-5217
http://www.health.state.ok.us/cib/index.html |
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Mechanical Contractors
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Occupational Licensing Service
Mechanical Division
1000 N. E. 10th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299
Tel: (405) 271-5217
http://www.health.state.ok.us/cib/index.html |
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Plumbing Contractors
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Occupational Licensing Department-0509
P.O. Box 268817
Oklahoma City, OK 73126-8817
Tel: (405) 271-5217
http://www.health.state.ok.us/cib/index.html |
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Oregon
Construction Contractors Board
700 Summer Street NE, Suite 300
P.O. Box 14140
Salem, OR 97309-5052
Tel: (503) 378-4621 ext. 4900
Fax: (503) 373-2007
http://www.oregon.gov/CCB/index.shtml |
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Pennsylvania
Construction Contractors are not licensed in Pennsylvania. |
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Rhode Island
If you build, repair, or remodel one- to four-family dwellings in Rhode Island, you must register with the
Contractors' Registration Board. |
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Residential Contractors
Department of Administration
Contractors' Registration Board
One Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908-5859
Tel: (401)222-1270
Fax: (401) 222-2599
http://www.crb.state.ri.us |
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Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical
Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training
Division of Professional Regulation
Building 70
1511 Pontiac Ave.
P.O. Box 20247
Cranston, RI 02920-0943
Tel: (401) 462-8580
Fax: (401) 462-8528
http://www.dlt.state.ri.us/profregs/ |
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South Carolina
To do residential building over $200 and commercial building over $5,000 in South Carolina you must be licensed. |
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Residential Builder
South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation
Residential Builders Commission
Synergy Business Park, Kingtree Building
110 Centerview Dr., Suite 102
Columbia, SC 29210
Tel: (803) 896-4696
Fax: 803-896-4404
http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/ResidentialBuilders/ |
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HVAC Contractor
South Carolina Residential Builders Commission
Residential Heating & Air Conditioning License
South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing
PO Box 11329
Columbia, S.C. 29211
Tel: (803) 896-4696
http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/ResidentialBuilders/ |
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General or Mechanical Contractor
South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board
PO Box 11329
Columbia, S.C. 29211
Tel: (803) 896-4686
http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Contractors/ |
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South Dakota
South Dakota certifies or licenses only asbestos abatement, electrical and plumbing contractors. |
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Electrical
South Dakota Electrical Commission
308 South Pierre Street
% 1320 E. Souix
Pierre, SD 57501
Tel: (605) 773-3573
Toll-Free: (800) 233-7765
Fax: (605) 773-6213
http://www.state.sd.us/dcr/electrical/ELEC_HOM.htm |
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Plumbing
South Dakota State Plumbing Commission
308 South Pierre Street
%1320 E. Sioux Ave.,
Pierre, SD 57501
Tel: (605) 773-3429
Fax: (605) 773-5405
http://www.state.sd.us/dcr/plumbing/Plum-H.htm |
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Tennessee
Board for Licensing Contractors
500 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 110
Nashville, TN 37243
Tel: (615) 741-8307
Fax: (615) 532-2868
http://www.state.tn.us/commerce/boards/contractors/index.html |
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Texas
Only specialty contractors, including HVAC, fire sprinkler systems, plumbing, electricians and well drilling/pump installation specialists, need to be licensed in Texas. |
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HVAC Contractors
Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation
E. O. Thompson State Office Building
P. O. Box 12157
Austin, TX 78711
Tel: (512) 463-6599
Toll-Free: (800) 803-9202 (in Texas only)
Fax: (512) 475-2871
http://www.license.state.tx.us/acr/acr.htm |
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Plumbing Contractor
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
929 East 41st Street
P. O. Box 4200
Austin, TX 78765-4200
Tel: (512) 458-2145
Toll-Free: (800) 845-6584 (in Texas only)
Fax: (512) 450-0637
http://www.tsbpe.state.tx.us/ |
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Electrical Contractors
Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation
P.O. Box 13489
Austin, TX 78711
Toll-Free: (800) 803-9202
Fax: (512) 475-2871
Email: electricians@license.state.tx.us
http://www.license.state.tx.us/electricians/elec.htm
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Utah
Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing
160 East 300 South, 4th floor
P. O. Box 146741
Salt Lake City, UT 84145-6741
Tel: (801) 530-6628
Fax: (801) 530-6511
http://www.commerce.state.ut.us |
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Vermont
Contractors need to be certified to do asbestos or lead abatement and licensed to do electrical or plumbing work. |
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Electrical Contractors
State Electricians Licensing Board
Department of Labor & Industry
National Life Bldg., Drawer 20
Montpelier, VT 05620-3401
Tel: (802) 828-2107
http://www.state.vt.us/labind/Fire/Electrical.htm |
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Plumbing Contractors
State Plumbers Licensing Board
Department of Labor & Industry
National Life Bldg., Drawer 20
Montpelier, VT 05620-3401
Tel: (802) 828-2107
http://www.state.vt.us/labind/Fire/Plumbing.htm |
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Virginia
Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation
Board for Contractors
3600 West Broad Street
P. O. Box 11066
Richmond, VA 23230-1066
Tel: (804) 367-8511
Fax: (804) 367-2474
http://www.state.va.us/dpor/ |
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Washington
Construction
Department of Labor & Industries
Contractor's Registration Section
P. O. Box 44450
Olympia, WA 98504-4450
Tel: (360) 902-5226
https://wws2.wa.gov/lni/bbip/contractor.asp |
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Electricians
Department of Labor & Industries
Electrical Section
P. O. Box 44460
Olympia, WA 98504-4460
Tel: (360) 902-5269
http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Electrical/default.asp |
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Plumbers
Department of Labor & Industries
Plumber Certification Section
P. O. Box 44470
Olympia, WA 98504-4470
Tel: (360) 902-5207
http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Plumbing/default.asp |
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Washington D.C.
Electricians
Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs
Occupational & Professional Licensing
941 North Capitol Street, NE 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Tel: (202) 442-4320
http://dcra.dc.gov/dcra/site/default.asp |
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Plumbers
Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs
Occupational & Professional Licensing
Tel: (202) 442-4320
http://dcra.dc.gov/dcra/site/default.asp |
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Home Improvement
Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs
Business & Professional Licensing Administration
941 North Capitol Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Tel: (202) 442-4311
http://dcra.dc.gov/dcra/site/default.asp |
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HVAC
Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs
Business & Professional Licensing Administration
941 North Capitol Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Tel: (202) 442-4311
http://dcra.dc.gov/dcra/site/default.asp |
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West Virginia
Construction contractors have to be licensed in West Virginia. |
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Construction Contractor
West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board
Building 6, Room B-749
State Capitol Complex
Charleston, WV 25305
Tel: (304) 558-7890
http://www.labor.state.wv.us |
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Electrical
State Fire Marshal
Electrician's License Section
1207 Quarrier Street, 2nd Floor
Charleston, WV 25301
Tel: (304) 558-2191
Fax: (304) 558-2537
http://www.wvfiremarshal.org |
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Wisconsin
Department of Commerce, Safety & Buildings Division
201 W. Washington Avenue
P. O. Box 7082
Madison, WI 53707-7082
Tel: (608) 261-8500
http://commerce.wi.gov/ |
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Wyoming
All contractors, except electrical, are licensed at the local (city or county) level. However, the state requires everyone doing electrical work in Wyoming to be licensed.
Electrical
State of Wyoming
Department of Fire Prevention & Electrical Safety
Herschledr Bldg. 1-West
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Tel: (307) 777-7119
Fax (307) 777-7119
http://wyofire.state.wy.us/ |
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As you can see, some states regulate little to none of the homebuilding industry while others delegate this responsibility to several different agencies. But a bit of investigation on your part with your state’s monitoring authorities is an easy way to help ensure that the contractors you’re considering will be thorough and professional.
