Consumer Affairs license lookup

Check a New Jersey contractor license by number against the Consumer Affairs file dated Oct 1, 2026.¹

What should you check before hiring?

What to ask before you hire

Get the license number in writing. The name on the license should match the name on your contract and invoice.
Check the class covers the job. A license for one trade doesn't cover another. New Jersey license classes
Ask for a certificate of insurance sent to you by the insurance agent, not handed over by the contractor. How to read a COI
Ask who will be on site. If a crew works on your property, ask for proof of workers' comp. An exemption means the contractor told the Consumer Affairs it has no employees.
Put it in a written contract: license number, price, start date and payment schedule. Check the license again on the day you sign.

If the license is lapsed

Don't sign or pay a deposit until the Consumer Affairs shows the license active again.
Ask the contractor why. For a bond or insurance lapse, ask for proof that the new bond or policy was filed with the Consumer Affairs, then check again.
If work has started, hold further payments, keep the contract, receipts and photos, and file a complaint with Division of Consumer Affairs.
Check another contractor. New Jersey license lookup

How do you read the result?

The word is the board's status for the license. The square sums up the check against the file.

Active: Nothing on file ends in the next 60 days.
Ending soon: Active, but the license ends within 60 days. The card names which one.
Lapsed: Expired, suspended, revoked or inactive. The card gives the reason the board lists.
Not found: No license with that number in the file.

What does a New Jersey license record show?

The Consumer Affairs file gives the license number, name, city, classification, status and expiry date for each license.¹ It has no bond or liability insurance or workers' comp field, so record pages say "Not in the Consumer Affairs file" there; the board can tell you more. Licenses held by a person show the name, city, classes, status and expiry only.

Which license class covers the job?

A contractor can take work only in the classes on the license. These are the classes New Jersey contractors hold most.

HIC Home Improvement Contractor
EBP Electrical Business Permit
TELECOM-CONT Telecom Contractor
BA-AND-FA-BU BA and FA Business
BURGLAR-ALAR Burglar Alarm Business
LOCKSMITH-BU Locksmith Business
FBL-BUSINESS FBL Business
FIRE-ALARM-B Fire Alarm Business
HEC Home Elevation Contractor
BA-AND-LS-BU BA and LS Business

Sources

Consumer Affairs facility license file (njconsumeraffairs.gov, Oct 1, 2026)
Division of Consumer Affairs (njconsumeraffairs.gov)