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Contractor License Requirements by State

Of the 50 states and DC, 26 license general contractors at the state level, 9 require a state registration instead, and 14 license only specific trades such as electrical and plumbing. 2 have no state contractor license in any of the five trades on this site.

Alabama: State general contractor licenseAlaska: State contractor registrationArizona: State general contractor licenseColorado: State licenses for trades onlyFlorida: State general contractor licenseGeorgia: State general contractor licenseIndiana: State licenses for trades onlyKansas: No state contractor licenseMaine: State licenses for trades onlyMassachusetts: State contractor registrationMinnesota: State general contractor licenseNew Jersey: State licenses for trades onlyNorth Carolina: State general contractor licenseNorth Dakota: State general contractor licenseOklahoma: State licenses for trades onlyPennsylvania: State contractor registrationSouth Dakota: State licenses for trades onlyTexas: State licenses for trades onlyWyoming: State licenses for trades onlyConnecticut: State contractor registrationMissouri: State licenses for trades onlyWest Virginia: State general contractor licenseIllinois: State licenses for trades onlyNew Mexico: State general contractor licenseArkansas: State general contractor licenseCalifornia: State general contractor licenseDelaware: State contractor registrationDistrict of Columbia: State general contractor licenseHawaii: State general contractor licenseIowa: State contractor registrationKentucky: State licenses for trades onlyMaryland: State general contractor licenseMichigan: State general contractor licenseMississippi: State general contractor licenseMontana: State general contractor licenseNew Hampshire: State licenses for trades onlyNew York: No state contractor licenseOhio: State licenses for trades onlyOregon: State general contractor licenseTennessee: State general contractor licenseUtah: State general contractor licenseVirginia: State general contractor licenseWashington: State general contractor licenseWisconsin: State general contractor licenseNebraska: State contractor registrationSouth Carolina: State general contractor licenseIdaho: State contractor registrationNevada: State general contractor licenseVermont: State licenses for trades onlyLouisiana: State general contractor licenseRhode Island: State contractor registration
No state contractor licenseTrades onlyGC registrationGC license

Which states require a general contractor license?

Threshold and fee for the state-level license each page leads with. "Not confirmed" means the figure isn't verified against the board yet; the board link has the current rule.

StateThresholdFeeBoard
State general contractor license (26)
AlabamaYou need an Alabama general contractor license for any project where labor and materials cost $100,000 or more, and subcontractors on those projects…[genconbd.alabama.gov]A prime contractor application costs $300 and a subcontractor application costs $150.[genconbd.alabama.gov]Licensing Board for General Contractors
ArizonaWork with an aggregate price under $1,000 (labor, materials, all items) on one project is exempt only if casual or minor and not split from or part…[azleg.gov]Two-year license, ROC table: new General Commercial (A, B-1, B-2) $780 total.[roc.az.gov]Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC)
ArkansasA commercial contractor license is required for any job of $50,000 or more in labor and materials, other than a single-family home.[labor.arkansas.gov]The application fee is set by the board and capped at $100 by law.[labor.arkansas.gov]Contractors Licensing Board (Dept of Labor and Licensing)
CaliforniaLicense required if project needs a building permit, uses additional workers, or total of contracts (labor+materials) is $1,000 or more.[cslb.ca.gov]Application $450 (one classification).[cslb.ca.gov]Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
District of ColumbiaNot confirmedA Basic Business License for a general contractor or construction manager costs $49 for 6 months, $99 for 2 years or $198 for 4 years.[dlcp.dc.gov]Dept of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Business Licensing
FloridaWork under $2,500 total (labor, materials and all items) is exempt as casual/minor, unless it is part of a larger job, split to avoid the rule, or…[leg.state.fl.us]Initial application $245 if filed May 1 of an even year through Aug 31 of an odd year, $145 otherwise (CILB 5-A).[www2.myfloridalicense.com]Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR CILB)
GeorgiaResidential contractor license is required when the total value of the work or the compensation exceeds $2,500.[sos.ga.gov]Every application carries a $10 processing fee.[goals.sos.ga.gov]State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (SOS)
HawaiiYou need a Hawaii contractor license for any project over $1,500 in labor and materials, or any job that needs a building permit regardless of price.[capitol.hawaii.gov]The application fee is $50 and is not refundable.[cca.hawaii.gov]Contractors License Board (DCCA PVL)
LouisianaNot confirmedState law caps Louisiana contractor license fees at $50 for an exam, $100 for a license, $100 for renewal, $50 for a delinquent renewal and $50 for…[lslbc.gov]Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC)
MarylandYou need a Home Improvement Commission contractor license any time you act as a contractor on a home improvement in Maryland.[mgaleg.maryland.gov]Original two-year contractor license: $281.25 application fee, a $100 Guaranty Fund assessment and a $22.50 processing fee.[labor.maryland.gov]Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC)
MichiganLicense required for residential building and M&A work for pay.[legislature.mi.gov]Application $195 (builder or M&A license, salesperson or branch office).[michigan.gov]LARA Bureau of Construction Codes - Residential Builders and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors
MinnesotaYou need a state residential license to build or remodel homes for pay if you offer more than one special skill.[revisor.mn.gov]$50 application and exam fee, then a $180 license fee after you pass.[revisor.mn.gov]Dept of Labor and Industry (DLI) - Construction Codes and Licensing
MississippiYou need a Mississippi commercial contractor license to bid on or do commercial work over $50,000.[msboc.us]The commercial application fee is $400 and includes one trade classification.[msboc.us]Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC)
MontanaSince January 1, 2026, anyone in business as a construction contractor needs a Montana contractor license from the Department of Labor and Industry.[mca.legmt.gov]The application fee and the renewal fee are each $70.[boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov]Montana DLI Business Standards - Construction Contractor License
NevadaLicense required before bidding, negotiating or contracting (NRS 624.700).[leg.state.nv.us]License issue or renewal $600 per two-year term.[leg.state.nv.us]Nevada State Contractors Board
New MexicoA license is required to act as a contractor, which covers building, altering, repairing, installing or demolishing almost any structure.[rld.nm.gov]A $30 non-refundable application fee.[srca.nm.gov]NM Regulation and Licensing Dept - Construction Industries Division (CID)
North CarolinaA general contractor license is required when the cost of the undertaking is $40,000 or more (G.S. 87-1).[ncleg.gov]Application fee $75 (Limited), $100 (Intermediate), $125 (Unlimited) under 21 NCAC 12A.0304, plus an exam fee up to $100.[nclbgc.org]NC Licensing Board for General Contractors
North DakotaYou need a North Dakota contractor license for any job where the cost, value or price is over $4,000.[sos.nd.gov]Application fees are $450 for Class A, $300 for Class B, $225 for Class C and $100 for Class D.[sos.nd.gov]ND Secretary of State - Contractor Licensing
OregonCCB license required for anyone paid to do construction work improving real property (roofing, siding, painting, carpentry named).[oregon.gov]CCB initial application $400 (from 7/1/2025.[oregon.gov]Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB)
South CarolinaYou need a South Carolina general or mechanical contractor license for any commercial job where the total cost of construction is more than $10,000.[scstatehouse.gov]Initial license fee is $350 for a general or mechanical contractor license.[llr.sc.gov]SC Contractors' Licensing Board (LLR)
TennesseeLicense required to bid or contract for projects of $25,000 or more as a prime contractor or construction manager.[tn.gov]Initial application $250 (also reinstatement or change of ownership).[tn.gov]TN Board for Licensing Contractors (Commerce & Insurance)
UtahYou need a license for construction work worth $7,000 or more, labor and materials together.[le.utah.gov]$175 application for a primary classification and $128 renewal, plus a $1 e-library surcharge on each, and a $5 Construction Business Registry fee…[commerce.utah.gov]Utah DOPL - Contracting
VirginiaA license is required to contract for any construction, removal, repair or improvement of a building or structure (Va.[law.lis.virginia.gov]Initial license (nonrefundable): Class C $235, Class B $380, Class A $400, plus $25 Recovery Fund assessment (18VAC50-22-100).[law.lis.virginia.gov]VA Board for Contractors (DPOR)
WashingtonAll construction contractors must register with L&I (RCW 18.27.020).[app.leg.wa.gov]Registration application $150.20.[lni.wa.gov]WA L&I - Contractor Registration
West VirginiaYou need a contractor license for any job that costs $5,000 or more for residential work or $25,000 or more for commercial work.[wvclboard.wv.gov]The license fee is $90 a year.[wvclboard.wv.gov]West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board
WisconsinYou need a Dwelling Contractor certification, plus a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier on staff, to get a building permit for work on a one- or…[docs.legis.wisconsin.gov]Dwelling Contractor certification: $15 application fee plus $25 certification fee, and the certification fee is due again each year at renewal.[docs.legis.wisconsin.gov]WI DSPS - Dwelling Contractor
State contractor registration (9)
AlaskaYou must be registered with the state before you bid on or do any work as a contractor.[akleg.gov]Initial registration costs a $100 nonrefundable application fee plus $250 for the first two-year registration period.[akleg.gov]Div. of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing - Construction Contractors
ConnecticutYou must register as a home improvement contractor if the total price of all your home improvement contracts with all customers exceeds $1,000 in…[cga.ct.gov]The application fee is $120, and a contractor also pays $100 a year into the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund with the application or renewal.[cga.ct.gov]Dept of Consumer Protection (DCP) - Home Improvement / Major Contractor registration
DelawareNot confirmedNot confirmedDivision of Revenue - business (contractor) license
IdahoYou must register with the Idaho Contractors Board before taking any construction job over $2,000 in labor and materials, unless you are exempt.[dopl.idaho.gov]Starting July 1, 2026, registration costs $120 for the application or initial registration (individual or business).[dopl.idaho.gov]Idaho DOPL - Contractor Registration
IowaYou must register with the state if you earn $2,000 or more a year from construction work.[dial.iowa.gov]The registration application fee is $50, and the registration renews every year.[dial.iowa.gov]Iowa DIAL - Contractor Registration
MassachusettsYou must register as a Home Improvement Contractor before you bid on or do any residential contracting work on an existing, owner-occupied home with…[mass.gov]HIC registration costs $150 plus a required payment to the Guaranty Fund of $100 (fewer than four employees), $200 (four to ten), $300 (11 to 30) or…[mass.gov]Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation - Home Improvement Contractor
NebraskaAnyone who performs construction work in Nebraska must register before starting.[nebraskalegislature.gov]The registration fee is $40 a year as of August 1, 2026.[dol.nebraska.gov]Nebraska Dept of Labor - Contractor Registration
PennsylvaniaRegister if you perform $5,000 or more of home improvements per year.[attorneygeneral.gov]$100 every two years for new and renewal applications (72 P.S. 1603-U).[attorneygeneral.gov]PA Office of Attorney General - Home Improvement Contractor Registration
Rhode IslandYou must register with the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board before you bid on or do any construction work on a structure, residential…[webserver.rilegislature.gov]The fee is $150 for an original registration and $150 for each renewal.[webserver.rilegislature.gov]RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRB)
State licenses for trades only (14)
Coloradonot confirmedNo dollar threshold.[leg.colorado.gov]Not confirmedDivision of Professions and Occupations - Electrical Board
Illinoisnot confirmedAll planning, installing, altering and repairing of plumbing must be done by licensed plumbers or licensed apprentices under supervision.[ilga.gov]Plumbing contractor registration $150 per year, renewal $150, reinstatement/late fee $100 (IDPH form IL 482-0679).[dph.illinois.gov]Illinois Department of Public Health - Plumbing Program
Indiananot confirmedYou need a plumbing contractor or journeyman license to work as a plumber for hire anywhere in Indiana.[iga.in.gov]Plumbing contractor: $50 application and $100 renewal every two years.[in.gov]Indiana Plumbing Commission (Professional Licensing Agency)
Kentuckynot confirmedThere is no dollar threshold.[apps.legislature.ky.gov]A biennial (two-year) application costs $400 for an electrical contractor, $200 for a master electrician and $100 for an electrician.[apps.legislature.ky.gov]DHBC - Electrical
MaineAn electrical installation may not be made unless it is made by an electrician licensed by the Electricians' Examining Board, except for the…[legislature.maine.gov]Not confirmedElectricians' Examining Board (OPOR)
Missourinot confirmedMissouri has no state-wide requirement for a contractor license.[pr.mo.gov]The application fee is $200 and the renewal fee is $100 every three years.[pr.mo.gov]Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors (Div. of Professional Registration)
New Hampshirenot confirmedNo electrical installation may be made for pay unless it is made by an electrician licensed by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification.[gencourt.state.nh.us]Not confirmedNH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC)
New JerseyAny business that makes or sells home improvements on existing homes (remodeling, painting, repair, additions, garages, driveways, pools, fences,…[njconsumeraffairs.gov]Initial registration is $110.[njconsumeraffairs.gov]NJ Division of Consumer Affairs - Home Improvement Contractor registration
OhioNo dollar threshold.[codes.ohio.gov]Application for exam $25.[codes.ohio.gov]Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB)
OklahomaThere is no dollar threshold.[oklahoma.gov]Contractor: $30 application, $300 initial license and $200 a year to renew ($300 if late).[oklahoma.gov]Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB)
South Dakotanot confirmedSouth Dakota has no state general contractor license, so this is the state-level license for electrical work.[sdlegislature.gov]State law caps the electrical contractor license at $200 every two years and the application fee at $100.[sdlegislature.gov]SD DLR - Electrical Commission
TexasNo dollar threshold.[tdlr.texas.gov]Electrical Contractor application $110 (non-refundable).[tdlr.texas.gov]TDLR - Electricians
Vermontnot confirmedYou need a Vermont license to install, replace or repair electrical installations, with exceptions for utilities, industrial plant staff, an owner's…[legislature.vermont.gov]Three-year license fees, initial and renewal: master $150, journeyman $115, and $115 for each type-S field.[legislature.vermont.gov]Vermont Electricians' Licensing Board (Department of Public Safety)
Wyomingnot confirmedWyoming has no state general contractor license.[wyoleg.gov]State law caps the electrical contractor license at $400 a year, the low voltage and limited contractor licenses at $200, master electrician at…[wyoleg.gov]WY Dept of Fire Prevention & Electrical Safety
No state contractor license (2)
KansasNo state licensen/aKansas Attorney General - Roofing Registration
New YorkNo state licensen/aNYC Dept of Consumer and Worker Protection - Home Improvement Contractor license

Is a contractor registration the same as a license?

A registration usually means filing business details, and often a bond and insurance, with no exam. 9 states use registration for general contractors. Washington also calls its system registration: General contractor $30,000.[app.leg.wa.gov] Exam: None for contractor registration.[lni.wa.gov]

Sources

  1. Alabama: Licensing Board for General Contractors (genconbd.alabama.gov)
  2. Alaska: Div. of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing - Construction Contractors (commerce.alaska.gov)
  3. Arizona: Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) (roc.az.gov)
  4. Arkansas: Contractors Licensing Board (Dept of Labor and Licensing) (labor.arkansas.gov)
  5. California: Contractors State License Board (CSLB) (cslb.ca.gov)
  6. Colorado: Division of Professions and Occupations - Electrical Board (dpo.colorado.gov)
  7. Connecticut: Dept of Consumer Protection (DCP) - Home Improvement / Major Contractor registration (portal.ct.gov)
  8. Delaware: Division of Revenue - business (contractor) license (firststeps.delaware.gov)
  9. District of Columbia: Dept of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Business Licensing (dlcp.dc.gov)
  10. Florida: Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR CILB) (www2.myfloridalicense.com)
  11. Georgia: State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (SOS) (sos.ga.gov)
  12. Hawaii: Contractors License Board (DCCA PVL) (cca.hawaii.gov)
  13. Idaho: Idaho DOPL - Contractor Registration (dopl.idaho.gov)
  14. Illinois: Illinois Department of Public Health - Plumbing Program (dph.illinois.gov)
  15. Indiana: Indiana Plumbing Commission (Professional Licensing Agency) (in.gov)
  16. Iowa: Iowa DIAL - Contractor Registration (dial.iowa.gov)
  17. Kansas: Kansas Attorney General - Roofing Registration (ag.ks.gov)
  18. Kentucky: DHBC - Electrical (apps.legislature.ky.gov)
  19. Louisiana: Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) (lslbc.louisiana.gov)
  20. Maine: Electricians' Examining Board (OPOR) (www1.maine.gov)
  21. Maryland: Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) (labor.maryland.gov)
  22. Massachusetts: Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation - Home Improvement Contractor (mass.gov)
  23. Michigan: LARA Bureau of Construction Codes - Residential Builders and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors (michigan.gov)
  24. Minnesota: Dept of Labor and Industry (DLI) - Construction Codes and Licensing (dli.mn.gov)
  25. Mississippi: Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) (msboc.us)
  26. Missouri: Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors (Div. of Professional Registration) (pr.mo.gov)
  27. Montana: Montana DLI Business Standards - Construction Contractor License (boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov)
  28. Nebraska: Nebraska Dept of Labor - Contractor Registration (dol.nebraska.gov)
  29. Nevada: Nevada State Contractors Board (nvcontractorsboard.com)
  30. New Hampshire: NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) (oplc.nh.gov)
  31. New Jersey: NJ Division of Consumer Affairs - Home Improvement Contractor registration (njconsumeraffairs.gov)
  32. New Mexico: NM Regulation and Licensing Dept - Construction Industries Division (CID) (rld.nm.gov)
  33. New York: NYC Dept of Consumer and Worker Protection - Home Improvement Contractor license (nyc.gov)
  34. North Carolina: NC Licensing Board for General Contractors (nclbgc.org)
  35. North Dakota: ND Secretary of State - Contractor Licensing (sos.nd.gov)
  36. Ohio: Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) (com.ohio.gov)
  37. Oklahoma: Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) (oklahoma.gov)
  38. Oregon: Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) (oregon.gov)
  39. Pennsylvania: PA Office of Attorney General - Home Improvement Contractor Registration (attorneygeneral.gov)
  40. Rhode Island: RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRB) (crb.ri.gov)
  41. South Carolina: SC Contractors' Licensing Board (LLR) (llr.sc.gov)
  42. South Dakota: SD DLR - Electrical Commission (dlr.sd.gov)
  43. Tennessee: TN Board for Licensing Contractors (Commerce & Insurance) (tn.gov)
  44. Texas: TDLR - Electricians (tdlr.texas.gov)
  45. Utah: Utah DOPL - Contracting (commerce.utah.gov)
  46. Vermont: Vermont Electricians' Licensing Board (Department of Public Safety) (legislature.vermont.gov)
  47. Virginia: VA Board for Contractors (DPOR) (dpor.virginia.gov)
  48. Washington: WA L&I - Contractor Registration (lni.wa.gov)
  49. West Virginia: West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (wvclboard.wv.gov)
  50. Wisconsin: WI DSPS - Dwelling Contractor (dsps.wi.gov)
  51. Wyoming: WY Dept of Fire Prevention & Electrical Safety (wyomingdfs.gov)