All 50 states plus DC
Contractor license requirements by state
What every state actually requires: the licensing regime, the agency, license classes, the exam vendor, qualifying experience, the fees, the bond or financial-responsibility mechanism, and NASCLA reciprocity, each figure checked against that state's own board or exam vendor and dated. California remains the deepest page, with full coverage of the CSLB exams plus a free practice test. See the 50-state comparison for the side-by-side view.
AL
Verified
Alabama
Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (commercial); Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (residential) exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- Application $57; Examination $111; License $163
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Register the license classification with the Licensing Board for General Contractors (commercial) or the Home Builders Licensure Board (residential)
- Document 4 years of construction management experience within the last 7 years
- Pass the Alabama Business and Law exam; pass a trade exam or submit a NASCLA Accredited Examination score for most classifications
- Provide proof of general liability and workers' compensation insurance
- Post the required surety bond and submit financial statements
AK
Verified
Alaska
Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- Registration and related fees about $350 total
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Register the business entity with the Alaska Division of Corporations before applying
- Choose a contractor type: general, residential, specialty, mechanical, electrical, or handyman
- Post the bond matching that type ($25,000 general, $20,000 residential, $10,000 specialty)
- Carry general liability insurance meeting the state minimums
- Carry workers' compensation insurance if the business has employees
AZ
Verified
Arizona
Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) exam (PSI (trade exam); GMetrix (Statutes and Rules Exam))
- Fixed state fees
- ROC application and license fees (by classification) $720 to $1,050; SRE fee about $61; Trade exam fee (PSI) about $66
- Exam vendor
- PSI (trade exam); GMetrix (Statutes and Rules Exam)
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Choose a commercial or residential classification and identify the qualifying party
- Pass the online Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE) through GMetrix, never waived
- Pass the PSI trade exam for the classification (or hold an accepted NASCLA score)
- Post the License Bond, which scales from $1,000 to $100,000 by classification and work volume
- Pay the ROC application and license fees for the classification, $720 to $1,050
AR
Verified
Arkansas
Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (ACLB) exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- Filing fee, commercial and residential building $100; Filing fee, residential remodeler and home improvement $50; Exam fee $80
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm your project meets the licensing threshold: $50,000+ commercial or $2,000+ residential
- Choose Commercial, Residential Builder, Residential Remodeler, or Home Improvement Specialty
- Get ACLB pre-approval, then pass the Arkansas Business and Law exam at 70% (waived only for Home Improvement Specialty)
- Post the $10,000 bond if applying for the Commercial Contractors License
- Show a positive net worth documented by a licensed CPA and carry workers' compensation if you have employees
CA
Verified
California
CSLB Law and Business exam plus a trade exam
- Fixed state fees
- $450 application + $200 license (sole owner)
- Exam vendor
- PSI (for CSLB)
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-19
- At least four years of journey-level or higher experience in the classification, gained within the last ten years
- Experience certified by an employer, licensed contractor, supervisor, or fellow journeyman
- Pass the Law and Business exam plus your trade exam (both in person at a PSI center)
- Live Scan fingerprint background check (California DOJ and FBI)
- File a $25,000 contractor bond (SB 607, effective January 1, 2023, reported)
- Pay the $450 application fee and the $200 (sole owner) or $350 (non-sole owner) license fee
CO
Verified
Colorado
Municipal and county building departments (DORA licenses only electricians and plumbers statewide) requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- See fee structure below
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm Colorado issues no statewide general contractor license: licensing is entirely local
- Register and license separately in each city or county where you intend to work, since most jurisdictions do not accept another jurisdiction's license (Denver explicitly does not reciprocate)
- If you do electrical or plumbing work, apply for the separate state license through DORA's State Electrical Board or State Plumbing Board
- Check each local jurisdiction's own bond, insurance, and experience requirements before applying
CT
Verified
Connecticut
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (Home Improvement Contractor registration) requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- Application fee $120; Home Improvement Guaranty Fund fee (annual) $100
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Register as a Home Improvement Contractor with the Department of Consumer Protection before contracting on any job over $200 or accumulating over $1,000 in work in 12 months
- Pay the $120 application fee plus the $100 annual Home Improvement Guaranty Fund fee
- Carry at least $20,000 in general liability insurance
- Use a written contract meeting the Home Improvement Act's required terms for every job over $200
DE
Verified
Delaware
Delaware Division of Revenue (business license only); Office of Contractor Registration, Delaware Department of Labor requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- Division of Revenue business license (annual) $75
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Obtain the Delaware Division of Revenue business license, $75 annually
- Register with the Office of Contractor Registration at the Delaware Department of Labor before beginning work
- Pay Delaware's gross receipts tax on construction receipts (0.6537 percent, with the first $100,000 monthly exempt)
- If you are a non-resident contractor, file a surety bond equal to 6 percent of the contract price on jobs of $20,000 or more
- If you work in electrical, plumbing, or HVACR, apply for the separate statewide trade license through the Division of Professional Regulation
DC
Verified
District of Columbia
DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Home Improvement Contractor and General Contractor endorsements requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- Two-year license $288.20; Four-year license $471.90
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Apply for the Basic Business License with the Home Improvement Contractor endorsement through DLCP
- Be at least 18 with a valid Social Security Number or ITIN
- Post a $25,000 surety bond
- Carry liability insurance ($50,000 to $100,000) and property damage coverage ($10,000 to $25,000)
- Obtain a Clean Hands certificate and designate at least one Home Improvement Salesperson
FL
Verified
Florida
Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), Department of Business and Professional Regulation exam (Pearson VUE)
- Fixed state fees
- State exam fees $236; DBPR application fee $149 to $305 (dropping toward $205 after August 31, 2026)
- Exam vendor
- Pearson VUE
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Choose Certified (statewide) or Registered (local jurisdiction only) licensure
- Document 4 years of qualifying experience (48 months, including 12 months as foreman in new vertical construction for Certified General)
- Pass the required trade exam plus the Business and Finance exam through Pearson VUE, $236 in state exam fees
- Meet financial responsibility: a personal credit score of 660 or higher, or complete a 14-hour CILB-approved course
- Carry at least $300,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage insurance, naming CILB as certificate holder
GA
Verified
Georgia
Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (SLBRGC) exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- Examination fee, per part $110
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm the project meets the $2,500 combined labor-and-materials threshold
- Choose Residential-Basic, Residential-Light Commercial, or General Contractor classification
- Pass the Business and Law exam (70%) and the Trade exam or NASCLA Commercial General Building exam (70%), $110 per part
- Carry general liability insurance matching your class ($300,000 to $500,000)
- Provide a CPA-prepared financial statement showing net worth of $150,000 or more for a full General Contractor license
HI
Verified
Hawaii
Hawaii DCCA Contractors License Board exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- Application fee $50; License fee $494 to $633; Exam fee (2 parts) $150
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Document 4 years of verified supervisory experience in the A, B, or C classification applied for
- Register with PSI within 6 months of Board approval and pass both exam parts (Business and Law, then the trade section), $150 total
- Pay the $50 application fee and the $494 to $633 license fee
- Post a $5,000 bond
- Provide proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance if you have employees
ID
Verified
Idaho
Idaho Division of Building Safety (DBS) requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- Application $50; Renewal (now biennial) $50
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Register as a Registered Entity (RCE) with the Idaho Division of Building Safety for private residential and commercial work
- Carry $300,000 general liability insurance in lieu of a bond
- Carry workers' compensation insurance if you have employees
- Renew registration biennially (Idaho moved RCE renewals to a 2-year cycle effective October 14, 2025)
- For government-funded projects of $100,000 or more, apply separately for the Public Works Contractor License, which does require an exam and financial qualification
IL
Verified
Illinois
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR): roofing and plumbing statewide; all other trades are local requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- See fee structure below
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm Illinois issues no statewide general contractor license: only roofing and plumbing are licensed at the state level
- If you do roofing work, obtain the IDFPR statewide Limited or Unlimited Roofing License, which requires an exam, insurance, and a bond
- If you do plumbing work, obtain the separate statewide plumbing license
- For general contracting and every other trade, register and license separately in each city or county where you work
IN
Verified
Indiana
Municipal and county building departments (the state licenses only plumbers) requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- See fee structure below
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm Indiana issues no statewide general contractor license: only plumbers are licensed at the state level
- Register your business entity through INBiz (LLCs, corporations, LLPs) or your County Recorder (sole proprietors, general partnerships)
- License or register separately in each city or county where you intend to work, since there is no statewide reciprocity
- Check the specific local requirements: Indianapolis, for example, requires a $247 license fee, a $10,000 bond, and $500,000 general liability insurance, with no exam
IA
Verified
Iowa
Iowa Division of Labor (contractor registration) requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- Annual registration fee $50
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Register with the Iowa Division of Labor if you earn $2,000 or more a year from construction work in the state
- Pay the $50 annual registration fee and renew every year
- If your principal place of business is outside Iowa, file a $25,000 bond on the Division of Labor's bond form with an Iowa-licensed surety
- If you are an out-of-state contractor, also register with the Iowa Department of Revenue
KS
Verified
Kansas
Municipal and county building departments (the Attorney General licenses roofing contractors statewide) requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- See fee structure below
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm Kansas issues no statewide general contractor license: only roofing has a statewide credential
- If you perform roofing work anywhere in Kansas, obtain the Roofing Contractor Registration Certificate from the Kansas Attorney General
- For general contracting, register separately in each city or county with its own program (Wichita, Kansas City KS, and Topeka among them)
- Register your business with the Kansas Secretary of State and carry workers' compensation insurance if payroll exceeds $20,000 annually
KY
Verified
Kentucky
Municipal and county building departments (Housing, Buildings and Construction licenses electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other specialty trades statewide) requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- Louisville Type A local license (example) $125; Lexington local registration (example) $40 to $200 initial
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm Kentucky issues no statewide general contractor license: general contracting is licensed locally
- Register or license separately in each city or county where you work, since requirements vary widely (Louisville's Type A license costs $125; Lexington's registration runs $40 to $200 initial plus $30 to $75 annual)
- If you do electrical, plumbing, HVAC, boiler and pressure vessel, or fire sprinkler work, apply for the separate statewide license through the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC)
LA
Verified
Louisiana
Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- License fee $100; Examination fee (per classification) $50; Home improvement fee $50; Renewal fee $100
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm your commercial project reaches the $50,000 licensing threshold
- Choose the Building Construction, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, or Specialty classification
- Pass the trade exam (NASCLA accepted) and the Louisiana Business and Law exam through PSI
- Post a $10,000 surety bond and submit a notarized financial statement showing at least $10,000 net worth
- Carry insurance if applying for a Residential, Home Improvement, or Mold Remediation credential
ME
Verified
Maine
No state licensing board; contractors register their business with the Secretary of State and follow the Home Construction Contracts Act requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- See fee structure below
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Register your business with the Maine Secretary of State
- Obtain any required local business license or permit from the municipality where you work
- Follow the Home Construction Contracts Act for any job over $3,000: a signed written contract limiting the down payment to no more than one-third of the total price
- Pull building permits as required by local code enforcement
- Watch for LD 1226, the Home Contractor Licensing Act, which takes effect January 1, 2027 and will require a state license for residential jobs over $15,000
MD
Verified
Maryland
Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- Application fee $281.25; PSI exam fee $63; Guaranty Fund assessment, new applicants $100; Guaranty Fund assessment, renewal (biennial) $175
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Document 2 years of verifiable residential home improvement experience within the past 5 years
- Pass the PSI written exam at 70%, $63 exam fee
- Pay the $281.25 application fee and the $100 new-applicant Guaranty Fund assessment ($175 at each biennial renewal)
- Meet MHIC's financial solvency review, or post a $30,000 bond (with financial statements) or $100,000 bond (without) if you cannot
- Carry at least $500,000 general liability insurance
MA
Verified
Massachusetts
Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI), Construction Supervisor License; Home Improvement Contractor registration requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- CSL exam fee $100; HIC registration, initial $150; HIC renewal (biennial) $100
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Document 3 years (5,500 hours) of hands-on residential construction experience using the OPSI Experience Affidavit
- Pass the proctored Massachusetts State Building Code exam, $100 fee, to obtain the Construction Supervisor License
- Separately register as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) if performing home improvement work, $150 initial fee
- Contribute to the Home Improvement Contractor Arbitration and Guaranty Fund
- Renew both the CSL and HIC every 2 years
MI
Verified
Michigan
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- License application fee $195; PSI exam fee set by PSI, not independently verified
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Complete 60 hours of LARA-approved prelicensure education
- Pass the closed-book PSI Residential Builder exam (no reference materials allowed)
- Pay the $195 license application fee
- Carry at least $100,000 per-occurrence general liability insurance
- Renew through LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes on its published cycle
MN
Verified
Minnesota
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- PSI exam fee $85; Initial license fee (tiered by gross annual receipts) $500 to $700; Renewal fee $505 to $705
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Document 2 years of verifiable residential construction experience within the past 10 years
- Pass the Minnesota-specific, open-book PSI exam (110 questions, 4 hours, 70% passing), $85 fee
- Pay the initial license fee, tiered $500 to $700 by gross annual receipts
- Contribute $25 a year to the Contractor Recovery Fund through the license fee, in place of a bond
- Carry at least $100,000/$300,000 general liability insurance
MS
Verified
Mississippi
Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- Commercial application fee $400; Exam fee, per portion $120
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm the commercial project reaches $50,000 or more, triggering the Certificate of Responsibility requirement
- Pass the Business and Law Management exam and a trade-specific exam through PSI (NASCLA scores accepted for the trade portion), $120 per portion
- Pay the $400 commercial application fee
- Provide a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement showing net worth of $50,000 (major) or $20,000 (specialty)
- Carry at least $300,000/$600,000 general liability insurance
MO
Verified
Missouri
Municipal and county building departments (the Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors licenses electricians) requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- See fee structure below
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm Missouri issues no statewide general contractor license: local licenses do not transfer between jurisdictions
- Identify every city or county where you plan to pull permits, since Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Columbia, St. Charles County, and Jefferson City each run separate licensing programs
- If you do electrical work, apply for the statewide electrical contractor license through the Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors, usable anywhere in Missouri
- Carry workers' compensation coverage or a signed exemption affidavit as required by state law in every jurisdiction
MT
Verified
Montana
Montana Department of Labor and Industry (contractor registration) requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- General contractor registration $70; Independent contractor registration $125; Renewal (2-year cycle) $75
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Register with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry as a general contractor ($70) or independent contractor ($125)
- Renew registration every 2 years, $75 renewal fee
- Provide proof of Montana workers' compensation coverage if you have employees
- Check for any additional bond required by the specific county or city, or by a public works contract
NE
Verified
Nebraska
Nebraska Department of Labor (contractor registration) requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- Annual registration fee (through July 2026) $25; Annual registration fee (from August 1, 2026) $40
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Register with the Nebraska Department of Labor under the Contractor Registration Act before doing construction work on property other than your own
- Pay the annual fee: $25 through July 2026, rising to $40 on August 1, 2026
- Provide a $25,000 surety bond at registration if you are an out-of-state contractor
- Provide a current Workers' Compensation Certificate of Insurance (ACORD 25) naming the Department of Labor as certificate holder if you have employees
NV
Verified
Nevada
Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- Application fee $300; Biennial license fee $600
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Document at least 4 years of trade experience in the classification
- Pass the Construction Management Survey (business and law) and the trade exam for your classification, 70% passing score
- Pay the $300 application fee
- Wait for the Board's approval letter setting your bond amount ($1,000 to $500,000) before submitting a bond
- Pay the $600 biennial license fee plus any Residential Recovery Fund assessment
NH
Verified
New Hampshire
No state general contractor license; the Secretary of State handles business registration and specific trades are licensed separately requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- See fee structure below
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Register your business with the New Hampshire Secretary of State's office
- Check with the local building department; some jurisdictions, including Manchester and Nashua, require contractor registration
- Use a written contract for any home improvement project over $500, per the New Hampshire Home Improvement Contracts statute
- Carry workers' compensation insurance if you have employees
- If you work in plumbing, electrical, asbestos, or lead abatement, apply for the separate statewide license required for that trade
NJ
Verified
New Jersey
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA), Home Improvement Contractor registration requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- Application fee $110; Renewal fee $90
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Register as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) with the Division of Consumer Affairs
- Pay the $110 application fee, renewing at $90 through the MyLicense portal
- Carry at least $500,000 general liability insurance
- Post the compliance surety bond, $10,000 to $50,000, required since April 2025
- Watch for a future licensing exam once the new State Board of Home Improvement and Home Elevation Contractors is fully appointed
NM
Verified
New Mexico
New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID) exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- GB-98 renewal (every 3 years) $360
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Submit a Classification Determination Request to PSI with a detailed work description
- Designate a Qualifying Party with 2 to 4 years of verified experience in the classification
- Pass the PSI trade exam and the PSI New Mexico Business and Law exam
- Post a $10,000 license bond (or equivalent cash deposit) per classification
- File a current financial statement with CID
NY
Verified
New York
Municipal and county licensing authorities (New York State Department of Labor runs a separate public-works contractor registration) requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- See fee structure below
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm New York issues no statewide general contractor license: the state licenses 35 occupations, and general contracting is not among them
- Identify the specific county or city where you plan to work, since New York City, Buffalo, Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, Putnam County, and Rockland County each run their own licensing program
- Register with the New York State Department of Labor if working on public work or certain private projects, a statewide registration in effect since December 30, 2024
- Check that county or city's building department or consumer protection agency for the specific license, exam, insurance, and bond requirements
NC
Verified
North Carolina
North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- Application fee, Limited $75; Application fee, Intermediate $100; Application fee, Unlimited $125; PSI exam fee up to $100
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Choose Limited (up to $750,000 per project), Intermediate (up to $1,500,000), or Unlimited (no cap)
- Pass the PSI computer-based exam: Business and Law plus a classification-specific section, fee capped at $100
- Pay the application fee for your tier: $75 Limited, $100 Intermediate, $125 Unlimited
- Show the required working capital or net worth ($17,000 to $150,000), or post the matching bond ($175,000 to $1,000,000)
ND
Verified
North Dakota
North Dakota Secretary of State (general contractor licensing) requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- Estimated initial cost (application, exam, license) about $450
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm the project exceeds North Dakota's $4,000 licensing threshold
- Register your business with the Secretary of State and choose the class matching your project size: A (over $500,000), B (up to $500,000), C (up to $300,000), or D (up to $100,000)
- Submit the Contractor License Application through the FirstStop Portal with a Certificate of Liability Insurance
- Provide verification from Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) if you have employees
- No bond or exam is required at the state level
OH
Verified
Ohio
Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB): electrical, HVAC, hydronics, plumbing, refrigeration statewide; general contracting is local exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- OCILB application fee $25; Electrical contractor example (application + exam) $190 + $150
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm your trade: OCILB licenses electrical, HVAC, hydronics, plumbing, and refrigeration commercially, statewide
- Document 5 years as a journeyman (or 3 years as an Ohio-registered engineer in a related field)
- Pass the PSI Business and Law exam plus the trade exam, both at 70%
- Carry $500,000 contractor liability insurance with OCILB as certificate holder
- If performing residential remodeling on 1 to 3 family dwellings, register under the new Home Improvement Contractor Registration (effective January 1, 2026), which adds a $25,000 bond, $500,000 GL insurance, and a criminal background check
OK
Verified
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB): electrical, plumbing, and mechanical statewide; general contracting is local exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- Contractor License application fee $330; Exam fee $92
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm your trade: CIB licenses electrical, plumbing, and mechanical contractors statewide; general contracting is licensed locally
- Document the qualifying experience for the trade (for example, 4 years and 8,000 hours for a Journeyman Plumber)
- Pass the PSI trade exam, generally 75% passing
- Pay the $330 Contractor License application fee and $92 exam fee
- Post the $5,000 CIB contractor license bond
OR
Verified
Oregon
Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- 16-hour training course $20 to $500; Test fee, per attempt $60; CCB license fee (2-year license) up to $400
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Complete the CCB-approved 16-hour pre-license training course
- Pass the written test through a CCB-approved provider, $60 per attempt
- Post the surety bond matching your license tier ($15,000 to $80,000)
- Carry general liability insurance
- Pay the CCB license fee, up to $400 for a 2-year license
PA
Verified
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Home Improvement Contractor registration (HICPA) requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- Registration fee (every 2 years) $100
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Register under HICPA with the Office of Attorney General if you earn $5,000 or more a year from residential home improvement work
- Pay the $100 registration fee, renewing every 2 years
- Carry $50,000 personal injury and $50,000 property damage liability insurance
- Carry workers' compensation insurance for any employees
- Disclose any prior fraud, bankruptcy, or civil judgment on the registration
RI
Verified
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB) exam (PSI (Underground Utility only))
- Fixed state fees
- Application fee $200
- Exam vendor
- PSI (Underground Utility only)
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Complete the CRLB-approved 5-hour pre-registration course covering Rhode Island contractor law and business practices
- Submit the registration application with the $200 fee
- Provide government-issued photo identification (required since July 1, 2025)
- If registering as an underground utility contractor, pass the PSI written exam and post the $20,000 bond
SC
Verified
South Carolina
South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board (CLB), under LLR exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- License fee $350; Exam fee, per PSI part $110
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm the commercial project exceeds $10,000, triggering CLB regulation
- Document 2 years of experience in the past 5 for the primary qualifying party
- Pass the SC Business Management and Law exam and the PSI SC Trade exam, both at 70%, $110 per part
- Pay the $350 license fee
- File a financial statement or surety bond to set your license group (1 through 5)
SD
Verified
South Dakota
Municipal building departments (the state licenses only electricians and plumbers) requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- See fee structure below
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm South Dakota issues no statewide general contractor license: only electricians and plumbers are licensed at the state level
- Register for a South Dakota Contractor's Tax License with the Department of Revenue
- License or register locally in each city where you work: Sioux Falls, Brookings, and Watertown are among the cities that require it, while neighboring towns may not
- Check Sioux Falls's Residential Building Contractor License requirement specifically if working on 1- or 2-family dwellings and townhomes there
TN
Verified
Tennessee
Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (BLC) exam (PSI (Business and Law); Prov (trade exam, from July 1, 2026))
- Fixed state fees
- License fee $250; Business and Law exam fee $57
- Exam vendor
- PSI (Business and Law); Prov (trade exam, from July 1, 2026)
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Pass the Tennessee Business and Law exam ($57 fee) and any required trade exam
- Pay the $250 license fee
- Meet the Board's financial qualification: a CPA-reviewed or audited statement, or (from July 1, 2026) the new Contractors' Surety Bond option
- Post the general contractor bond matching your monetary limit: $500,000 (limit of $1.5 million or less) or $1,000,000 (limit over $1.5 million)
- Note that Prov becomes the Board's trade exam provider for exams scheduled on or after July 1, 2026, replacing PSI
TX
Verified
Texas
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR): electrical and HVAC/ACR statewide; Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE): plumbing statewide requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- See fee structure below
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm Texas issues no statewide general contractor license, exam, or bond
- If you do electrical or HVAC/AC and refrigeration work, apply for the applicable TDLR license
- If you do plumbing work, apply for the separate license through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)
- For general contracting and every other trade, register with the specific city where you intend to work, since Texas cities have filled the gap with their own local registration programs
UT
Verified
Utah
Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- DOPL application fee $226; Exam fee $75 to $130
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm the project meets Utah's $7,000 combined labor-and-materials threshold
- Complete 4 years of supervisory experience or the 25-hour DOPL pre-license course for the qualifying individual
- Pass the PSI exam covering Utah Business and Law and Trade Knowledge, 70% passing
- Pay the $226 DOPL application fee
- Post the bond matching your classification: $50,000 (B100/E100), $25,000 (R100), or $15,000 (Specialty)
VT
Verified
Vermont
Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), residential contractor registration requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- Application fee, individuals $75; Application fee, businesses $250
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Register with the Office of Professional Regulation for residential contracting work of $10,000 or more
- Pay the application fee: $75 for individuals, $250 for businesses
- Carry at least $1,000,000 per-occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate general liability insurance
- Attest to using Vermont's required residential contract agreement terms
VA
Verified
Virginia
Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), Board for Contractors exam (PSI)
- Fixed state fees
- Class A application fee $400; Class B application fee $380; Class C application fee $235; Recovery Fund fee $25
- Exam vendor
- PSI
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Choose Class A ($150,000+ projects, 5 years experience), Class B ($30,000 to $149,999, 3 years), or Class C ($1,000 to $29,999, 1 year)
- Pass the PSI exam(s) for the classification, $85 per part
- Complete the 8-hour pre-license education course for the designated employee
- Pay the class-specific application fee ($235 to $400) plus the $25 Recovery Fund fee
- Meet the financial requirement: net worth ($15,000 Class B, $45,000 Class A) or the equivalent $50,000 bond
WA
Verified
Washington
Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), contractor registration requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- L&I registration fee $141.10
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Register with L&I and obtain a UBI number from the Department of Revenue
- Post the surety bond matching your registration type: $30,000 general, $15,000 specialty
- Carry $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage insurance, or a $250,000 combined single limit policy
- Pay the $141.10 L&I registration fee
- Open a workers' compensation account with L&I
WV
Verified
West Virginia
West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (WVCLB), Division of Labor exam (Prov (provexam.com))
- Fixed state fees
- Application fee $90
- Exam vendor
- Prov (provexam.com)
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Choose your classification: General Building, Highway, Residential, Specialty, or R&R (limited to $40,000 projects)
- Pass the Business and Law exam plus the trade exam for your classification, both through Prov (provexam.com)
- Pay the $90 application fee
- Post the $5,000 wage bond if you employ workers in West Virginia and have fewer than 5 consecutive years in the state
- Carry workers' compensation and unemployment insurance
WI
Verified
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), Dwelling Contractor certification requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- Initial fee (application + credential) $45; Renewal (every 2 years) $45
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Designate a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier (DCQ) who completes the 12-hour DSPS-approved qualifying course
- Apply for the Dwelling Contractor (DC) or Dwelling Contractor Restricted credential
- Pay the $45 initial fee ($20 application plus $25 credential)
- Renew both the DC and DCQ credentials every 2 years for $45
WY
Verified
Wyoming
Municipal licensing boards (the state licenses only electrical contractors) requirements (no state exam)
- Fixed state fees
- See fee structure below
- Exam vendor
- No state exam vendor
- Last reviewed
- 2026-07-28
- Confirm Wyoming issues no statewide general contractor license: only electrical contractors are licensed at the state level
- Obtain a Wyoming business license from the Attorney General's Office
- License with the specific municipality where you work: Cheyenne and Casper each run a Contractor Licensing Board with their own classifications and experience requirements
- If your local license was obtained after passing an ICC exam, note that Senate File 114 (2024) now requires other Wyoming cities and towns to recognize it