How to get a Home Improvement Contractor license in Connecticut

Connecticut general contractor licenses

Connecticut issues 5 general contractor credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Connecticut general contractor licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 5)

Renewal

How often

Every year^3110119

2. Every license level except DAS Construction Contractor Prequalification

How to apply

Apply online

elicense.ct.gov^1213119

3. Every license level except DAS Construction Contractor Prequalification and Major Contractor

Renewal

When it expires

Expires every March 31.³¹³⁹

4. Every license level except Home Improvement Salesperson and DAS Construction Contractor Prequalification

Requirements

Business requirements

Legal entities, in-state and out-of-state, must register with the Connecticut Secretary of the State before applying.¹²¹¹⁹

5. Home Improvement Contractor and Home Improvement Salesperson

How to apply

1. Apply online through DCP eLicense and pay the fee.¹²¹³ elicense.ct.gov¹²¹³

6. Home Improvement Salesperson and New Home Construction Contractor

Renewal

If it expires

Reinstatement is possible up to three years after expiry.¹⁴¹⁵

Who needs a Home Improvement Contractor license

Exemptions and dollar thresholds:

• A person whose home improvement contracts total no more than $1,000 in any 12 consecutive months is not a "contractor" under the statute.²
• Commercial work is outside the definition, though residential rental property is inside it.²
• DCP says subcontracted work does not need this registration.¹⁶
• Work counts as home improvement only if the total price exceeds $200, so a job priced at $200 or less is outside the definition.²

Other rules on who may do this work:

• New home construction is outside the home improvement definition.²

Requirements for a Home Improvement Contractor license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

Background check

Applicants disclose felony findings or convictions. DCP asks for a Criminal Conviction Application Worksheet if applicable.¹²

Social Security number

An individual applicant gives a date of birth and Social Security number.¹⁷

Surety bond

$15,000² (Only when the commissioner requires it as a condition of issue, renewal or reinstatement)

Insurance

General liability insurance of at least $20,000, with insurer name and policy number given in the application.¹²

Business requirements

A sole-proprietor registration does not cover an LLC that contracts with consumers.¹²

Business requirements

A business entity must name the individuals who direct or supervise home improvements.²

Also required

Radon, underground oil tank, swimming pool and mold work carry added requirements.²

Also required

Registration number must appear in advertising.¹

How much a Home Improvement Contractor license costs

Fee waivers and reductions:

• The application fee is waived for a contractor acting solely as contractor of record for a business entity.²

How to apply

1. Decide whether to register as an individual or a legal entity. Entities register with the Secretary of the State first.¹²
2. Get general liability insurance of at least $20,000 and have the insurer name and policy number ready.¹²

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal fee

$220³ (Home improvement contractor)

If it expires

Reinstatement is possible up to three years after expiry; DCP does not state the amount of reinstatement fees on this page.¹⁵

Renew online

elicense.ct.gov³

Home Improvement Salesperson

Negotiating or soliciting home improvement contracts for a registered contractor.²

Requirements

Background check

DCP asks for a Criminal Conviction Application Worksheet if applicable.¹³

Social Security number

An applicant gives a date of birth and Social Security number.¹⁷

Fees

Renewal

Renewal fee

$160¹ (Home improvement salesperson)

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 5 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.

DAS Construction Contractor Prequalification

Bidding on or working under a public building or public works contract over $1,000,000 funded at least in part by the state, in designated classifications.⁴

Requirements

Background check

DAS must deny or revoke for false statements, withheld information, or construction procurement crimes or fraud within the past five years.¹⁰

Also required

Letter from a bonding company rated at least A- by A.M. Best, stating aggregate work capacity and single limit.¹⁸

Also required

Company financial statement for the latest fiscal year, prepared by a licensed CPA.¹⁸

Also required

Connecticut Department of Revenue Services status letter, valid for 30 days.¹⁸

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Check that your classifications require prequalification and gather the bonding letter, CPA financial statement and DRS letter.¹⁸
2. Apply through CT Gateway and pay by card.⁴

Processing time

DAS must send a preliminary determination within 60 days of a completed application.¹⁰

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.

Major Contractor

Construction, structural repair or alteration, or demolition of a structure above the threshold limits, and subcontract work affecting structural integrity such as roofing, masonry and structural frame.⁶

Requirements

Experience

The application lists construction projects completed in the past five years, and categories of work done with own forces.⁷

Background check

DCP may deny, suspend or revoke for a felony after weighing its nature, rehabilitation and time elapsed.⁶
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply⁶

Insurance

General liability insurance must be kept during the registration period; no amount is set in the regulation.⁷

Business requirements

Corporations file a certificate of good standing less than 30 days old.⁷

Business requirements

A certified trade name certificate from the town of the main business location.⁷

Also required

Two credit references: one from the trade and one from a financial institution.¹¹

Also required

Three current references on general contracting or major subcontracting.⁷

Fees

Fee waivers and reductions:

• A person prequalified by DAS gets the certificate with no fee and no further proof.⁶

How to apply

1. Register any legal entity with the Secretary of the State and gather references, insurance evidence and the good standing and trade name certificates.¹¹
2. Apply online. DAS-prequalified contractors show their prequalification instead of paying.¹¹ elicense.ct.gov¹¹

Renewal

When it expires

Expires every June 30.¹¹

Renewal fee

$500¹¹ (Major contractor)

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $500⁷ (each lapsed period plus the current year; lapsed if not renewed within 30 days of expiry)

If it expires

After three years expired, a new application is required.¹¹

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

New Home Construction Contractor

Contracting with a consumer to build or sell a new single-family dwelling, two-unit dwelling, or condominium or common interest unit before occupancy.⁸

Requirements

Insurance

General liability insurance of at least $20,000, with insurer name and policy number; workers' compensation insurer where required by law.⁹

Business requirements

A sole-proprietor registration does not cover an LLC.⁹

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Decide whether to register as an individual or legal entity. Entities register with the Secretary of the State first.⁹
2. Apply online with insurer details and the fee. Choose the home improvement designation here if you will also do that work.⁹ elicense.ct.gov⁹

Renewal

Renewal fee

$360¹⁹ (New home construction contractor; $100 more with home improvement designation)

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2, group 3, group 4 and group 6 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Home Improvement ContractorWork still needs any building or construction permit required by state law or local ordinance.¹

New Home Construction ContractorWork needs any building or construction permit required by state law or local ordinance.¹⁹

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a general contractor in Connecticut, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Connecticut is on the Connecticut license lookup page.

Look up a license

portal.ct.gov²⁰

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Conn. Gen. Stat. ch. 400 (§§ 20-418 to 20-433)
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-427 (2026 Supplement)
• Regs. Conn. State Agencies §§ 20-430-1 to 20-430-3
• Conn. Public Act 26-100, ss. 34-36 (effective October 1, 2026)
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 4a-100
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-341gg (2026 Supplement)
• Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-276b
• Regs. Conn. State Agencies §§ 20-341gg-1 to 20-341gg-8
• Conn. Gen. Stat. ch. 399a (§§ 20-417a to 20-417j)
• Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 20-417a, 20-417i (2026 Supplement)

Rule changes since January 2024

• July 1, 2025: P.A. 25-111 removed the registration application for DAS-prequalified contractors; they show prequalification instead.⁶
• June 24, 2025: Restitution orders against a proprietor can now support a guaranty fund claim.⁸

Common questions

General contractor licenses in other states

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