When building your own home or remodeling an existing one, it’s vitally important to know that the people working with and for you are as legitimate as they are skilled. Since home construction and renovation are such a significant financial commitment, it’s helpful to know whether your state licenses contractors. Here is a list of each of the states and a brief explanation of their licensing.
Alabama
If you're the general contractor on a residential project that costs $10,000 or more, you must have a license.
Alaska
Alaska law requires that contractors be registered with the Department of Community and Economic Development.
Arizona
Contractors must be licensed to bid on any job over $750 in Arizona.
Arkansas
To bid and work on construction projects in Arkansas that cost $20,000 or more, you must get a contractor's license.
California
With few exceptions, all businesses or individuals who are contracted to work on any building, highway, road, parking facility, railroad, excavation, or other structure in California must be licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) if the total cost of one or more contracts on the project is $500 or more.
Colorado
General construction contractors in Colorado are not licensed by the state. You should check for license requirements at the local level. You will need a license to do electrical or plumbing work in the state, however.
Connecticut
Home improvement and new home construction contractors must be certified. Anyone working on major projects must be registered.
Delaware
To do business in Delaware as a contractor or subcontractor, you must get a license from the Delaware Division of Revenue. If you're a non-resident, you'll also need a surety bond for 6% of any contract work you do totaling $20,000 or more within a calendar year. Before you can bid on a job over $50,000 you must apply for a license.
Florida
You need to be registered or certified to do construction work in Florida. You can get a "registered" contractor's license at the local level, unless the county where the work is to be done requires a certified license. Contractors with a "certified" license are allowed to work anywhere in the state.
Georgia
In July 2005, Georgia began the process of licensing contractors. The particulars of licensing are in the process of being hammered out by the state at the time of this writing.
Hawaii
The state of Hawaii requires general engineering, general building and specialty contractors to be licensed.
Idaho
The state of Idaho doesn't license general contractors working on private sector residential or commercial projects. That's done at the local level. However the state does license plumbers, electricians, well drillers, fire protection sprinkler contractors, and public works contractors.
Illinois
Most construction contractors don't need to be licensed in Illinois. Roofing contractors are the exception.
Indiana
Only plumbing contractors need to be licensed in Indiana. Other types of licensing are governed at the city or county level.
Iowa
All construction contractors doing business in Iowa must be registered with the state. Plumbers and electricians must be registered with the state but are licensed at the local level.
Kansas
With the exception of asbestos abatement and water well drilling, Kansas doesn't license construction contractors at the state level. But licensing requirements at the local level should be investigated for your project.
Kentucky
Plumbing, electrical and HVAC contractors must be licensed in the state of Kentucky.
Louisiana
You need to be licensed by the State Licensing Board for Contractors to do construction work in Louisiana.
Maine
Maine does not require general building contractors to be licensed but anyone wishing to do asbestos abatement work, or electrical or plumbing contracting must be licensed by the state.
Maryland
General construction contractors do not need to be licensed to work in Maryland. However, anyone wishing to do electrical, plumbing or HVAC contracting or work on home improvement projects needs to be licensed.
Massachusetts
Anyone who supervises construction or demolition work , even a crew of one, needs a license in the state of Massachusetts.
Michigan
Any contractors working on residential or a combination of residential and commercial buildings must be licensed. Electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors also have to be licensed in Michigan.
Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Commerce requires residential builders and remodelers to be licensed to work in the state.
Mississippi
A certificate or license is required for all residential and commercial construction and remodeling projects.
Missouri
The state of Missouri doesn't license construction contractors at this time.
Montana
All construction contractors and subcontractors must register with the Department of Labor and Industry if they have employees. Those contractors without employees may register with the state but are not required to do so.
Nebraska
All contractors doing business in counties with a population of 100,000 or more need a license from the state to do business. Electricians have to be licensed to perform any electrical work in Nebraska.
Nevada
The state of Nevada requires you to be licensed to bid or work on construction jobs of any size.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire requires only asbestos and lead abatement contractors, electrical contractors and plumbing contractors to be licensed.
New Jersey
All contractors working on new home construction, home repair, home improvement, electrical, or plumbing projects must be licensed by the state.
New Mexico
Construction contractors must be licensed to work on any projects in New Mexico.
New York
With the exception of contractors for asbestos abatement work, all construction work in New York is regulated at the local level.
North Carolina
To work as a general contractor on projects costing more than $30,000, you must get a license from the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Electrical, plumbing, heating and fire sprinkler contractors must also be licensed by the state.
North Dakota
To work on any job costing $2,000 or more, you must be licensed by the state of North Dakota.
Ohio
To do Electrical, HVAC, Refrigeration, or Plumbing work in Ohio, you must be licensed by the state. General construction contractors may need to be licensed at the local level.
Oklahoma
Only electrical, mechanical and plumbing trades are licensed by the state of Oklahoma.
Oregon
Anyone paid for any construction activity must be registered with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board.
Pennsylvania
Construction Contractors are not licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island
If you build, repair, or remodel one- to four-family dwellings in Rhode Island, you must register with the Contractors' Registration Board.
South Carolina
To do residential building over $200 and commercial building over $5,000 in South Carolina you must be licensed by the state.
South Dakota
South Dakota certifies or licenses only asbestos abatement, electrical and plumbing contractors.
Tennessee
Anyone wishing to do construction work in Tennessee must be licensed by the state.
Texas
Only specialty contractors, including HVAC, fire sprinkler systems, plumbing, electricians and well drilling/pump installation specialists, need to be licensed in Texas.
Utah
To do construction work in Utah you need a license from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. Electricians and plumbers also must be licensed by the state.
Vermont
Only contractors doing asbestos or lead abatement, electrical, or plumbing work need to be licensed by the state.
Virginia
Construction contractors bidding on projects costing $1000 or more must be licensed in Virginia. Trade licenses are also required for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, gas fitting, asbestos abatement and lead abatement work.
Washington
To do construction work in Washington you must register with the Washington Department of Labor and Industries. Electricians and plumbers must also be licensed by the state.
Washington D.C.
Electrical, plumbing, asbestos abatement, home improvement and refrigeration and air conditioning contractors must be licensed to work in the District of Columbia.
West Virginia
All construction contractors have to be licensed in West Virginia.
Wisconsin
A financial responsibility certification is required by the state in order to obtain a building permit for one or two-family dwellings. However, work performed by owners who occupy or will occupy the dwelling are exempt from the certification requirement. Electricians, plumbers and some specialty trades must have credentials issued by the state.
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.
As you can see, licensing requirements for contractors in each state vary significantly. Some states are comprehensive in their governance and others provide little, if any, regulation at all. If you have any questions at all about your project, begin your search by contacting local authorities. They will be able to direct you to the relevant state agencies if necessary.
