How to get a Contractor Registration Certificate in Delaware
Delaware licenses general contractors statewide through the Delaware Department of Labor, Office of Contractor Registration.1 The board lists $200 for the registration (One year, private work)1, $300 for the registration (One year, public work)1 and $500 for the application (New Application/ 1-year Renewal)2, each a separate charge. You renew every year1.
Who issues it
Delaware Department of Labor, Office of Contractor Registration
Fees the board lists
Registration fee (One year, private work): $2001
Registration fee (One year, public work): $3001
Application fee (New Application/ 1-year Renewal): $5002
Renewal
Every year1
On this page
- Delaware general contractor licenses
- Applies to every license level
- Who needs a Contractor Registration Certificate
- Requirements for a Contractor Registration Certificate
- How much a Contractor Registration Certificate costs
- How to apply
- Renewal and continuing education
- Contractor business license
- City and county rules
- Check a license or report a problem
- Laws and rules
- Common questions
- General contractor licenses in other states
Delaware general contractor licenses
Delaware issues 2 general contractor credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.
| License | What it covers | Application or license fee |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor business license | Labor, or labor and materials, for building, altering, repairing or demolishing buildings, roads and other improvements, whether general contractor or subcontractor, resident or not.3 | $754 |
| Contractor Registration Certificate | Any business doing construction services or maintenance for another for profit in Delaware, including subcontractors.1 | $5002 |
Applies to every license level
These rules are the same for every Delaware general contractor license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.
Requirements
- Also required
- Delaware Division of Revenue says its contractor license is not a regulatory license and does not attest to qualifications. Trades such as plumbing, HVACR and electrical are licensed separately.3
How to apply
- Apply online
- onestop.delaware.gov53
Renewal
Who needs a Contractor Registration Certificate
Any business doing construction services or maintenance for another for profit in Delaware, including subcontractors.1
Requirements for a Contractor Registration Certificate
The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.
- Background check
- The application asks about home improvement fraud or new home construction fraud convictions and related violations, for the contractor and anyone with a financial interest.1
- Surety bond
- up to $10,0001 (Only contractors with violations or certain pending labor law matters; up to $10,000 per worker)
- Insurance
- Proof of Delaware workers' compensation insurance, or proof that the contractor is not required to carry it.1
- Business requirements
- Proof of a state business license.1
- Business requirements
- An OSHA-compliant safety plan, or satisfactory proof that none is required.1
- Business requirements
- Delaware unemployment insurance SUI number.6
- Business requirements
- An out-of-state business names a Delaware custodian of records and agent for service.1
- Also required
- Using an unregistered subcontractor is a ground for denial, suspension or revocation.1
- Also required
- Knowing violations carry a civil penalty of $5,000 to $85,000 per violation; other violations up to $1,000.1
How much a Contractor Registration Certificate costs
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | $2001 | Delaware Department of Labor, Office of Contractor Registration | One year, private work (no state contract). Not refundable |
| Registration fee | $3001 | Delaware Department of Labor, Office of Contractor Registration | One year, public work (state contract). Not refundable |
| Application fee (New Application/ 1-year Renewal) | $5002 | Delaware Department of Labor, Office of Contractor Registration | One year, both public and private work. Not refundable |
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
- Get your Delaware business license, workers' compensation policy, unemployment number and OSHA-compliant safety plan.5
- Create an account and apply on Delaware One Stop, or mail the paper form with a check or money order.6 Form (PDF, laborfiles.delaware.gov)7
- Register before any work begins.1
- Application form
- Form (PDF, laborfiles.delaware.gov)7
Renewal and continuing education
- When it expires
- One year, or two years after two consecutive clean years.1
- Renewal fee
- $2001 (Private work, annual. Public $300, both $500. Two-year: private $300, public $500, both $800.)
- If it expires
- Statute says renew at least 30 days before expiry. One Stop opens renewal only within 90 days of expiry. An expired certificate means a new application.1
- Renew online
- onestop.delaware.gov6
Renewal planner
Enter the expiration date printed on your Delaware Contractor Registration Certificate. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.
Contractor business license
Labor, or labor and materials, for building, altering, repairing or demolishing buildings, roads and other improvements, whether general contractor or subcontractor, resident or not.3
Requirements
- Insurance
- Workers' compensation certificate of insurance, or self-insurer certificate, must be filed before the license issues.4
- Business requirements
- A Department of Labor certificate of notice must be filed before the license issues.4
- Also required
- Contractors hiring a non-resident contractor must report the contract value to the Department of Finance within 10 days.4
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $754 | Delaware Division of Revenue | Resident and non-resident contractors |
How to apply
- Get workers' compensation evidence and the Department of Labor notice ready.8
- Complete the Resident or Non-Resident Contractors Package, or file online through One Stop, and pay the fee. Non-residents also post the bond.8 revenue.delaware.gov8
Renewal
- When it expires
- Renew on or before December 31 each year.3
- Renewal fee
- $754 (Annual; gross receipts fee is separate)
The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.
City and county rules
Contractor business licenseLocal licenses apply on top of the state license. Dover, Newark and Middletown are confirmed.3
| City or county | What it requires | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Dover | City business license for work inside city limits, running August 1 to July 31. Contractors pay $0.00046 of aggregate gross receipts with a $128.00 minimum. Contractors from outside Kent County may take an annual or per-job license.9 | Official page9 |
| Newark | Contractor's license for anyone doing construction, renovation or repair work for pay, including handymen.10 | Official page10 |
| Middletown | Business license for all contractors working within town limits. The town says fees vary; no amount was confirmed.11 | Official page11 |
Check a license or report a problem
Before you hire a general contractor in Delaware, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Delaware is on the Delaware license lookup page.
- Look up a license
- contractorregistry.delaware.gov6
- Look up a license
- revenue.delaware.gov8
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
Common questions
General contractor licenses in other states
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Delaware Code OnlineDelaware General AssemblyChecked November 5, 2026
- What are the registration fees and renewal options?Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Industrial AffairsChecked November 5, 2026
- TAX TIPS FORDelaware Division of RevenueChecked November 5, 2026
- Delaware Code OnlineDelaware General AssemblyChecked November 5, 2026
- Delaware Department of Labor, Office of Contractor Registration Information Fact SheetDelaware Department of Labor, Division of Industrial AffairsChecked November 5, 2026
- Delaware One Stop: Construction ContractorsDelaware One StopChecked November 5, 2026
- STATE OF DELAWAREDelaware Department of Labor, Division of Industrial AffairsChecked November 5, 2026
- Contractors - Division of Revenue - State of DelawareDelaware Division of RevenueChecked November 5, 2026
- Everyone with a license is toCity of DoverDated October 21, 2025Checked November 5, 2026
- Building Permits | Newark, DE - Official WebsiteCity of NewarkChecked November 5, 2026
- Skip to main contentTown of MiddletownChecked November 5, 2026