Contractor license requirements in every state
General contractors are licensed by each state, not nationally, so the training hours, exam, fees and renewal rules depend on where you work. This page compares every state we cover, using each board's own published rules.
On this page
What the state rules have in common, and where they differ
- We cover general contractors in 34 states. 21 of them issue a state license; for 5 (Iowa, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington) the only statewide credential we show is a registration, not a license; 8 issue neither a state license nor a state registration (Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas), and the page for each explains the city and county rules instead. These counts come from the state pages: a state license means at least one statewide credential that is not a registration; registration only means every statewide credential on the page is a registration; neither means the page shows no statewide credential.
- 8 states set the experience for the main license in years: from 2 in Maryland to 5 in Virginia.
- The application or initial license fee the boards list for the main license ranges from $30 (Wisconsin) to $500 (Delaware). That is one fee line, not the full cost: exam, fingerprint and license fees are often charged separately, and each state page lists them all.
- Renewal: 15 states renew every 2 years, 9 states renew every year and 1 state renews every 3 years.
- 6 boards publish a reciprocity route for the main license, and 2 apply a universal license recognition law to it. Compare transfer routes state by state.
Each state names its credentials differently, and many issue several levels (residential, commercial, specialty). The table compares the license each state page leads with; the state page covers every level.
General contractor license requirements by state
| State | Main license | Training or experience | Exam | Application fee | Renewal | From another state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Prime Contractor (General Contractor license) +3 more | – | Yes1 | $3002 | Every year3 | Reciprocity agreements and military service members and spouses45 |
| Alaska | General Contractor (without Residential Endorsement) +5 more | – | No6 | $1007 | Every 2 years8 | Military service members and spouses9 |
| Arizona | B General Residential Contractor +11 more | Experience 4 years10 | Yes11 | $18012 | Every 2 years12 | Exam waiver, universal license recognition and military service members and spouses131415 |
| Arkansas | Residential Builders +11 more | Experience 4 years16 | Yes16 | $10017 | Every year16 | Reciprocity agreements and temporary license or permit1816 |
| California | B - General Building Contractor +2 more | Experience 4 years19 | Yes20 | $45021 | Every 2 years22 | Reciprocity agreements and exam waiver2324 |
| Colorado | No state license25 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Connecticut | Home Improvement Contractor +4 more | – | – | $22026 | Every year27 | – |
| Delaware | Contractor Registration Certificate +1 more | – | – | $50028 | Every year29 | – |
| District of Columbia | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
| Florida | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
| Georgia | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
| Hawaii | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
| Idaho | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
| Illinois | No state license30 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Indiana | No state license31 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Iowa | Contractor Registration Registration only (not a license) | – | No32 | – | Every year33 | – |
| Kansas | No state license34 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Kentucky | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
| Louisiana | Commercial license +4 more | Training 1 clock hour35 | Yes36 | – | Every year37 | Exam waiver and military service members and spouses3839 |
| Maine | No state license40 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Maryland | Contractor (Maryland Home Improvement Commission license) +4 more | Experience 2 years41 | Yes42 | $281.2543 | Every 2 years41 | No reciprocity route44 |
| Massachusetts | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
| Michigan | Individual Residential Builder +3 more | Training 60 clock hours45 | Yes45 | $19546 | Every 3 years45 | Military service members and spouses47 |
| Minnesota | Residential building contractor +3 more Construction contractor registration (not a license)48 | – | Yes49 | $18050 | Every 2 years51 | No reciprocity route52 |
| Mississippi | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
| Missouri | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
| Montana | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
| Nebraska | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
| Nevada | Classification B: General Building +13 more | Experience 4 years53 | Yes53 | $30053 | Every 2 years54 | License by endorsement, exam waiver and military service members and spouses555356 |
| New Hampshire | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
| New Jersey | Home Improvement Contractor registration (NJHIC#) +5 more | – | – | $11057 | Every year58 | No reciprocity route58 |
| New Mexico | GB-98 General building +7 more | Experience 4 years59 | Yes60 | $3661 | Every 2 years60 | Reciprocity agreements, exam waiver and military service members and spouses6062 |
| New York | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
| North Carolina | Unlimited License +2 more | – | Yes63 | $12564 | Expires every January 1; invalid 60 days later if not renewed63 | Reciprocity agreements, military service members and spouses and temporary license or permit64 |
| North Dakota | Contractor License, Class A +3 more | – | No65 | $45065 | Every year65 | No reciprocity route66 |
| Ohio | No state license67 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Oklahoma | No state license68 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Oregon | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
| Pennsylvania | Home Improvement Contractor Registration Registration only (not a license) No state license for general contractors69 | – | – | $10070 | Every 2 years71 | No reciprocity route71 |
| Rhode Island | Contractors' Registration Registration only (not a license) | Training 5 credit hours72 | No73 | $15074 | Every 2 years74 | No reciprocity route73 |
| South Carolina | General Contractor (license issued to an entity by the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board, in license groups 1-5 and classifications such as General Contractors-Building) +2 more | Experience 2 years75 | Yes75 | $35076 | Every 2 years75 | Exam waiver and military service members and spouses7577 |
| South Dakota | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
| Tennessee | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
| Texas | No state license78 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Utah | B100 General Building Contractor +3 more | Training 25 classroom hours79 Experience 4,000 hours79 | Yes80 | – | Every 2 years81 | Universal license recognition82 |
| Vermont | Residential Contractor - Business Registration +1 more Registration only (not a license) No state license for general contractors83 | – | No83 | $25083 | Every 2 years84 | – |
| Virginia | Class A Contractor License +2 more | Experience 5 years85 | Yes86 | $40086 | Every 2 years86 | Exam waiver, temporary license or permit and military service members and spouses8786 |
| Washington | General Contractor (Construction Contractor Registration) +1 more Registration only (not a license) | – | No88 | $150.2088 | Every 2 years89 | No reciprocity route89 |
| West Virginia | General Building +4 more | – | Yes90 | $9091 | Every year92 | Reciprocity agreements, exam waiver, temporary license or permit and license by endorsement93909194 |
| Wisconsin | Dwelling Contractor Qualifier +2 more | Training 12 clock hours95 | No96 | $3097 | Every 2 years97 | – |
| Wyoming | Not covered yet | – | – | – | – | – |
Training and experience are shown in the unit each state uses (clock hours, hours of on-the-job training, years); they are not converted. "Application fee" is the single application or initial license fee line, not a total.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Ala. Admin. Code r. 230-X-1-.34Alabama Legislative Services AgencyDated March 12, 2018Checked November 5, 2026
- 2022-Prime-App-InstructionsAlabama Licensing Board for General ContractorsDated February 1, 2022Checked November 5, 2026
- Code of Alabama 34-8-2Alabama LegislatureChecked November 5, 2026
- Alabama LBGC reciprocityAlabama Licensing Board for General ContractorsChecked November 5, 2026
- Ala. Admin. Code r. 230-X-1-.45Alabama Legislative Services AgencyDated July 12, 2021Checked November 5, 2026
- ContractorStatutesAlaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional LicensingDated September 21, 2023Checked November 5, 2026
- Centralized Licensing RegsAlaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional LicensingDated November 1, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
- con4134Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional LicensingDated October 1, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
- Centralized Licensing StatsAlaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional LicensingChecked November 5, 2026
- A.R.S. 32-1122Arizona State LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
- Sole Prop License Application Forms RC-L-200AArizona Registrar of ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- Licensing FeesArizona Registrar of ContractorsDated July 1, 2014Checked November 7, 2026
- Out-of-State Waiver Request Form RC-L-200GArizona Registrar of ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- A.R.S. 32-4302Arizona State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- Service Members and VeteransArizona Registrar of ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- Arkansas Residential Contractors Licensing Law, Statutes and Rules (revised 04.2026)Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and LicensingChecked November 6, 2026
- Residential Builder application (02/24)Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and LicensingChecked November 6, 2026
- Reciprocal form (revised 3/2025)Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, Arkansas Department of Labor and LicensingChecked November 6, 2026
- Qualifying Experience for the ExaminationContractors State License BoardChecked November 5, 2026
- Studying for the ExaminationContractors State License BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Apply for a Sole Owner licenseContractors State License BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- CaliforniaContractors State License BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- General Information on ReciprocityContractors State License BoardChecked November 5, 2026
- Reciprocity RequirementsContractors State License BoardChecked November 5, 2026
- Home & Repair | Department of Regulatory AgenciesColorado Department of Regulatory AgenciesChecked November 5, 2026
- Chapter 400 - Home Improvement ContractorsConnecticut General AssemblyDated January 1, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
- Home Improvement RenewalConnecticut Department of Consumer ProtectionChecked November 5, 2026
- What are the registration fees and renewal options?Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Industrial AffairsChecked November 5, 2026
- Delaware Code OnlineDelaware General AssemblyChecked November 5, 2026
- illinoisattorneygeneral.govIllinois Attorney GeneralChecked November 5, 2026
- IN.gov | Business Owner's GuideState of Indiana (IN.gov)Checked November 5, 2026
- 481 IAC Chapter 465 Construction Contractor RegistrationIowa Legislature (Iowa Administrative Code)Dated November 26, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
- Contractor RegistrationIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and LicensingChecked November 5, 2026
- Construction and Contracting Starter KitKansas Business Center (Kansas.gov)Checked November 5, 2026
- lslbc.govLouisiana State Licensing Board for ContractorsDated January 30, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- lslbc.govLouisiana State Licensing Board for ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- lslbc.govLouisiana State Licensing Board for ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- lslbc.govLouisiana State Licensing Board for ContractorsDated October 23, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- lslbc.govLouisiana State Licensing Board for ContractorsDated August 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- maine.govMaine Office of the Attorney GeneralChecked November 5, 2026
- License Categories and RequirementsMaryland Department of LaborChecked November 5, 2026
- Md. Code, Business Regulation § 8-302Maryland General AssemblyChecked November 5, 2026
- COMAR 09.08.07.02 Schedule of FeesMaryland Division of State DocumentsChecked November 5, 2026
- Licensing FAQs for ApplicantsMaryland Department of LaborChecked November 5, 2026
- Occupational Code Article 24 PDFMichigan LegislatureDated February 11, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
- Residential Builder and M&A Contractor application BCC-2000Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction CodesChecked November 6, 2026
- Active Duty Military Personnel, Veterans and Military Spouse InformationMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction CodesChecked November 6, 2026
- Construction contractor registration FAQMinnesota Department of Labor and IndustryChecked November 6, 2026
- Minn. Stat. ch. 326B (full)Office of the Revisor of Statutes, Minnesota LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
- Residential contractor licensingMinnesota Department of Labor and IndustryChecked November 6, 2026
- Contractor, remodeler license renewalsMinnesota Department of Labor and IndustryChecked November 6, 2026
- Exam guideMinnesota Department of Labor and IndustryChecked November 6, 2026
- New License ApplicationNevada State Contractors BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- FAQ for General RequirementsNevada State Contractors BoardDated September 14, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Licensure by EndorsementNevada State Contractors BoardDated February 11, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Veterans Assistance ProgramNevada State Contractors BoardDated July 9, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Home Improvement Contractor Quick Start GuideNew Jersey Business Action Center, Department of StateChecked November 5, 2026
- L2023c237 legislative history: Home Improvement and Home Elevation Contractor Licensing Act, P.L.2023,…New Jersey State Library (State Law Library legislative history: P.L.2023, c.237 final text)Dated January 8, 2024Checked November 5, 2026
- 14.6.6 NMAC Classification and ScopesNew Mexico State Records Center and ArchivesDated March 10, 2022Checked November 5, 2026
- NMSA 1978 Chapter 60 Business Licenses (unannotated), includes Article 13 Construction Industries…New Mexico Compilation Commission (NMOneSource.com), linked from NMRLD CID Laws and RulesChecked November 5, 2026
- Apply for a Construction Industries LicenseNew Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries DivisionChecked November 5, 2026
- 14.6.3 NMAC Contractor License RequirementsNew Mexico State Records Center and ArchivesDated January 13, 2023Checked November 5, 2026
- 4 2023 laws and regs (purchasing laws and regulations summary)North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (2023 booklet "Laws and Regulations Applicable to General Contracting in the State of North Carolina", hosted on the City of Hendersonville website)Checked November 6, 2026
- 21 NCAC 12 Licensing Board for General Contractors - chapter rulesNorth Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings (North Carolina Administrative Code)Checked November 6, 2026
- N.D.C.C. chapter 43-07 ContractorsNorth Dakota Legislative BranchChecked November 6, 2026
- ContractorsNorth Dakota Office of the Secretary of StateChecked November 6, 2026
- Ohio Construction Industry Licensing BoardOhio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial ComplianceChecked November 7, 2026
- Construction Industries Board home (Oklahoma General Contractors Statement)Oklahoma Construction Industries BoardChecked November 6, 2026
- Contractor LicensingPennsylvania Department of Labor & IndustryChecked November 6, 2026
- The Fiscal Code, Act of Apr. 9, 1929, P.L. 343, No. 176 (72 P.S.) incl. Section 1603-UPennsylvania General AssemblyDated November 12, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
- Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, Act of Oct. 17, 2008, P.L. 1645, No. 132 (73 P.S. 517.1 et seq.)Pennsylvania General AssemblyChecked November 6, 2026
- 440-RICR-10-00-2 Contractors and SubcontractorsRhode Island Department of State (Contractors' Registration & Licensing Board rules)Dated January 4, 2022Checked November 6, 2026
- Contractor Registration - ApplyRhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing BoardDated December 20, 2024Checked November 6, 2026
- 440-RICR-10-00-1 General Administrative ProvisionsRhode Island Department of State (Contractors' Registration & Licensing Board rules)Dated January 4, 2022Checked November 6, 2026
- S.C. Code Title 40 Chapter 11 - ContractorsSouth Carolina LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- S.C. Code of Regulations Chapter 10 - LLR fee schedulesSouth Carolina LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- S.C. Code Title 40 Chapter 1 - Professions and Occupations general provisionsSouth Carolina LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- New Business Guide (Houston Business Solutions Center)City of Houston Office of Business OpportunityChecked November 6, 2026
- Rule R156-55a: Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act RuleUtah Office of Administrative Rules (rule issued by Department of Commerce, Division of Professional Licensing)Dated August 7, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Utah Code 58-55-302 Qualifications for licensure (current version)Utah State LegislatureDated May 7, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Utah Code 58-55-303 Term of license (current version)Utah State LegislatureDated May 3, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
- Utah Code 58-1-302 License by endorsement (current version)Utah State LegislatureDated July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Residential Contractor FAQsVermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional RegulationChecked November 6, 2026
- OPR Online Services General FAQsVermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional RegulationChecked November 6, 2026
- Contractor License Instructions & Application (A501-27LIC)Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational RegulationDated August 1, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
- 18VAC50-22 Board for Contractors Regulations (full chapter)Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Virginia Administrative Code)Checked November 6, 2026
- Board for ContractorsVirginia Department of Professional and Occupational RegulationChecked November 6, 2026
- WAC 296-200A Contractor certificate of registration renewals—Security—Insurance (full chapter)Washington State Legislature (Washington Administrative Code)Checked November 6, 2026
- RCW 18.27 Registration of contractors (full chapter)Washington State Legislature (Revised Code of Washington)Checked November 6, 2026
- Frequently Asked QuestionsWV Contractor Licensing BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Title 28 Legislative Rule Series 2 - WV Contractor Licensing ActWV Contractor Licensing BoardDated May 1, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- W. Va. Code §30-42-8WV Legislature - West Virginia CodeChecked November 7, 2026
- Reciprocity Application TennesseeWV Contractor Licensing BoardDated December 1, 2024Checked November 6, 2026
- W. Va. Code §30-42-18WV Legislature - West Virginia CodeChecked November 6, 2026
- Dwelling Contractor Qualifier - New LicensureWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 6, 2026
- Trades Exam Information and Fee ScheduleWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 6, 2026
- Credential Fees and Renewal DatesWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional ServicesChecked November 6, 2026