License Requirements
Contractor licensing in the US and Canada is a patchwork. Some jurisdictions have strict boards. Others leave it to cities. Some require nothing at all.
Regulatory Models Explained
Centralized
One state board licenses all contractors. Clear rules, single database.
Decentralized
Each city sets its own rules. You may need separate licenses per city.
Registration
State registration required for tax/insurance tracking, often without exams.
| Jurisdiction | Regulatory Model | License Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Centralized | Required for projects >$50k (Commercial) or >$10k (Residential) |
| Alaska | Centralized | Required (General Contractor) |
| Arizona | Centralized | Required (ROC License) |
| Arkansas | Centralized | Required for projects >$2,000 |
| California | Centralized | Required for projects >$500 (Class B) |
| Colorado | Decentralized | None (Home Rule). Local licenses only. |
| Connecticut | Registration | Required (Home Improvement Reg) for residential |
| Delaware | Revenue Only | Required (Business License/Tax). No competency exam. |
| Florida | Centralized | Required (Certified General Contractor) |
| Georgia | Centralized | Required for projects >$2,500 |
| Hawaii | Centralized | Required (Contractors License Board) |
| Idaho | Registration | Required (Contractor Registration) >$2,000 |
| Illinois | Decentralized | None (Home Rule). Local licenses only. |
| Indiana | Decentralized | None. Regulated at County/City level. |
| Iowa | Registration | Required (Contractor Registration) if >$2,000/year |
| Kansas | Decentralized | None. County-level licensing. |
| Kentucky | Decentralized | None. Local licenses only (e.g., Louisville). |
| Louisiana | Centralized | Required Commercial >$50k / Res >$75k |
| Maine | Decentralized | None. Contract law governs >$3,000. |
| Maryland | Centralized | Required (MHIC) for Home Improvement |
| Massachusetts | Centralized | Required (CSL + HIC Registration) |
| Michigan | Centralized | Required (Residential Builders / M&A) |
| Minnesota | Hybrid | Required (Residential). Commercial is registration. |
| Mississippi | Centralized | Required Commercial >$50k / Res >$10k |
| Missouri | Decentralized | None. Local licenses only. |
| Montana | Registration | Required (Construction Contractor Reg) |
| Nebraska | Registration | Required (Contractor Registration) |
| Nevada | Centralized | Required (NSCB License) |
| New Hampshire | Decentralized | None. Registration with Sec of State only. |
| New Jersey | Registration | Required (Home Improvement Registration) |
| New Mexico | Centralized | Required (CID License) |
| New York | Decentralized | None (Home Rule). Local (NYC/Nassau) is strict. |
| North Carolina | Centralized | Required >$40k |
| North Dakota | Licensing | Required >$4,000 (Revenue/Class-based) |
| Ohio | Hybrid | State for Trades (Elec/HVAC). Local for GCs. |
| Oklahoma | Hybrid | None for GC (local). State for Trades. |
| Oregon | Centralized | Required (CCB License) |
| Pennsylvania | Registration | Required (HIC Registration) >$5,000 |
| Rhode Island | Registration | Required (CRLB Registration) |
| South Carolina | Centralized | Required >$5,000 |
| South Dakota | Revenue Only | Required (Excise Tax License) |
| Tennessee | Centralized | Required >$25,000 |
| Texas | Decentralized | None. Local licenses only (e.g., Austin/SA). |
| Utah | Centralized | Required (DOPL License) |
| Vermont | Registration | Required (Residential) >$10k |
| Virginia | Centralized | Required (DPOR License) |
| Washington | Registration | Required (L&I Registration) |
| West Virginia | Centralized | Required >$2,500 |
| Wisconsin | Credential | Required (Dwelling Contractor) for permits |
| Wyoming | Decentralized | None. Local licenses only. |
Regulatory Model Definitions
A single state/provincial board issues a competency-based license (Exams + Experience).
No state-level GC license exists; contractors must register with individual cities/counties.
Mandatory state list for tax/insurance tracking, often without a competency exam.
The "license" is purely a tax receipt; no proof of construction skill is required.
One sector (e.g., Residential) is State regulated, while Commercial is Local (or vice versa).
Credential-based licensing required for specific permits.
Revenue or class-based licensing structure.
Two parallel licensing systems exist for different contractor types.
Important Note About Municipal States
In decentralized states like Texas, a contractor licensed in Houston may need separate registration in Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas. There is no reciprocity between cities. Always verify local requirements.
What Verified Node Checks
Regardless of regulatory model, we verify contractor credentials against authoritative sources.
State database validation
We query official boards (CSLB, TDLR, ROC, RBQ) to confirm license status.
Municipal registration tracking
For decentralized states, we track city-level registrations where available.
Monthly re-verification
Licenses expire and get revoked. We check monthly to keep data current.
Disclaimer
This page provides general information only. Licensing requirements change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the appropriate state, provincial, or local authority before starting work.