The State-by-State Guide to Obtaining a Contractors License

With a median salary of approximately $98,000 for residential general contractors and an average of $105,000 across the broader industry, a career as a general contractor remains highly lucrative. However, fulfilling your state's specific licensing requirements is essential to legally access these high-paying projects and officially build your business.

Why You Need a Contractors License

Getting your contractors license allows you to bid for higher-paying projects and projects that require permits. It also builds the trust necessary to succeed on professional networks; once you have your credentials, you can sign up for an Angi Pro account to showcase your license to thousands of potential customers.

• Build room additions 

• Remove load-bearing walls 

• Do high-end kitchen and bathroom remodels

• Oversee new construction projects

Doing this work without a license or a permit means serious repercussions if you get caught, including hefty fines, grounds for non-payment, and even imprisonment.

What You Need to Know Before Completing the State Application

Licensing requirements vary from state to state. And no two are alike. Some licenses and certifications are granted by the state and others are issued by your local government.

No matter who regulates licensing requirements, here’s what the majority of licensing and registration boards require you to do:

• Hold a state license or a certificate

• Register your business with your local or county government

• Pass business, trade, and law exams

• Pass a criminal background check

• Carry liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance

• Submit financial statements or a bond

• Provide evidence of construction-related work experience

Contractor License Requirements by State

Now let’s delve into the requirements for each state.

Alabama

• State license required: Yes

• Registration fee: $300 (Renewed annually)

• Thresholds: Required for residential projects over $10,000, commercial over $50,000, and swimming pools over $5,000.

• Register at: Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (Commercial) or Home Builders Licensure Board (Residential).

• Note: Financial statements must show a minimum net worth (typically $10,000+).

Alaska

• State license required: Yes

• Registration fee: $250

• Testing: Pass the Alaska Craftsman Home Program (ACHP) or equivalent for residential endorsement.

• Register at: Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.

Arizona

• State license required: Yes

• Registration fee: $279 – $580 (Dependent on classification/assessment fees)

• Testing: Pass the Arizona Statues and Rules (ASB) exam and the specific trade exam.

• Register at: Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC).

Arkansas

• State license required: Yes

• Registration fee: $100

• Thresholds: Commercial projects > $50,000; Residential > $2,000.

• Register at: Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board.

California

• State license required: Yes

• Registration fee: $450 (Initial Application); $200 (Initial License Fee) — Fees have increased since 2024.

• Threshold: Projects over $500.

• Register at: Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

• Bond: As of 2026, the contractor bond requirement remains $25,000 (increased from $15,000 in previous years).

Colorado

• State license required: No (Local level only)

• Note: State only licenses Electricians and Plumbers. All general contracting is handled by cities (e.g., Denver, Colorado Springs).

Connecticut

• State license required: Yes (Registration)

• Registration fee: $220 (Home Improvement); $500 (New Home Construction)

• Register at: Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

Delaware

• State license required: Yes

• Registration fee: $75

• Requirement: All contractors must register with the Division of Revenue and provide proof of workers' comp.

Florida

• State license required: Yes

• Registration fee: $209 – $309 (Varies by cycle)

• Register at: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

• Note: Certified licenses allow work statewide; Registered licenses are local only.

Georgia

• State license required: Yes

• Threshold: Residential projects > $2,500.

• Requirement: Proof of net worth ($25k for Residential; $150k for General).

• Register at: Georgia Secretary of State (Professional Licensing Boards).

Hawaii

• State license required: Yes

• Registration fee: $494 – $663

• Requirement: 4 years of supervisory experience in the last 10 years.

• Register at: DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing.

Idaho

• State license required: No (Registration only)

• Registration fee: $50

• Register at: Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses.

Illinois

• State license required: No (Except Plumbing/Roofing)

• Note: General contracting is regulated heavily at the municipal level (e.g., Chicago requires a specific city license).

Indiana

• State license required: No (Except Plumbing)

• Note: Local counties/cities handle licensing. Indianapolis (Marion County) has strict local requirements.

Iowa

• State license required: Yes (Registration)

• Registration fee: $50

• Register at: Iowa Division of Labor.

Kansas

• State license required: No

• Note: Regulated by local jurisdictions (e.g., Johnson County has a robust licensing program).

Kentucky

• State license required: No (Except Specialty)

• Note: Local level regulation for General Contractors.

Louisiana

• State license required: Yes

• Thresholds: Commercial > $50k; Residential > $75k; Home Improvement $7.5k – $75k.

• Register at: Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC).

Maine

• State license required: No

• Note: No state license for GCs, but home improvement contracts over $3,000 must be in writing by law.

Maryland

• State license required: Yes

• Register at: Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC).

• Requirement: 2 years experience and financial solvency.

Massachusetts

• State license required: Yes

• Types: Construction Supervisor License (CSL) and Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration.

• Register at: Office of Public Safety and Inspections.

Michigan

• State license required: Yes

• Threshold: Projects over $600.

• Register at: Michigan LARA (Bureau of Construction Codes).

Minnesota

• State license required: Yes

• Threshold: Gross receipts > $15,000.

• Register at: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

Mississippi

• State license required: Yes

• Threshold: Residential > $50k; Commercial > $50k.

• Register at: Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC).

Missouri

• State license required: No

• Note: Regulation occurs at the city/county level.

Montana

• State license required: Yes (Registration)

• Registration fee: $70

• Register at: Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

Nebraska

• State license required: Yes (Registration)

• Registration fee: $40

• Register at: Nebraska Department of Labor.

Nevada

• State license required: Yes

• Requirement: Financial statement and bond ($1,000 – $500,000) based on monetary limit.

• Register at: Nevada State Contractors Board.

New Hampshire

• State license required: No (Except Specialty)

• Note: Check local city ordinances.

New Jersey

• State license required: Yes (Registration)

• Registration fee: $110

• Register at: NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.

New Mexico

• State license required: Yes

• Requirement: 2–4 years of experience depending on classification.

• Register at: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department.

New York

• State license required: No

• Note: Licensing is strictly local. NYC, Nassau, and Suffolk counties have very rigorous requirements.

North Carolina

• State license required: Yes

• Threshold: Projects over $30,000.

• Register at: NC Licensing Board for General Contractors.

North Dakota

• State license required: Yes

• Threshold: Projects over $4,000.

• Register at: North Dakota Secretary of State.

Ohio

• State license required: No (Except Specialty)

• Note: State licenses HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical only.

Oklahoma

• State license required: No (Except Specialty)

• Note: GCs must register at the local level.

Oregon

• State license required: Yes

• Requirement: 16-hour pre-license training and exam.

• Register at: Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB).

Pennsylvania

• State license required: No (Registration only)

• Register at: PA Office of Attorney General (Home Improvement Contractor registration).

Rhode Island

• State license required: Yes

• Requirement: 5 hours of continuing education for renewals.

• Register at: RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board.

South Carolina

• State license required: Yes

• Note: Separate boards for Residential Builders and Commercial (General) Contractors.

• Register at: SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR).

South Dakota

• State license required: No

• Note: Local municipal requirements apply.

Tennessee

• State license required: Yes

• Threshold: Projects > $25,000.

• Register at: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.

Texas

• State license required: No (Except Specialty)

• Note: Texas does not license General Contractors at the state level. Check local city permits.

Utah

• State license required: Yes

• Requirement: 25-hour pre-licensure course.

• Register at: Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL).

Vermont

• State license required: No

• Note: Local level regulation.

Virginia

• State license required: Yes

• Classes: A (unlimited), B (<$120k/project), C (<$10k/project).

• Register at: Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR).

Washington

• State license required: No (Registration only)

• Registration fee: $118

• Register at: Washington State Dept of Labor & Industries (L&I).

Washington, D.C.

• State license required: Yes

• Registration fee: $600 – $1,200+ (Varies by category)

• Register at: Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). Note: Name updated from DCRA.

West Virginia

• State license required: Yes

• Threshold: Projects over $5,000 (Residential) or $25,000 (Commercial). Thresholds updated for 2026.

• Register at: WV Contractor Licensing Board.

Wisconsin

• State license required: Yes

• Requirement: Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification.

• Register at: Wisconsin Dept of Safety and Professional Services.

Wyoming

• State license required: No

• Note: Handled at the city/county level.

Can I Get a Contractor's License With No Experience?

In 2026, it is increasingly difficult to bypass experience requirements due to stricter consumer protection laws. However:

1. Kansas/Wyoming: Still primarily local, meaning entry is easier if the local municipality has fewer requirements.

2. The RMO/RP Model: In states like California, you can hire a Responsible Managing Officer (RMO) who has the experience to qualify the license for you.

3. Apprenticeships: Many states now allow 2 years of education to count toward 1–2 years of the experience requirement.