General Contractor license requirements by state
Whether you need a general contractor license depends on where the job is. Here is every state and DC, read from each state's own licensing board.
18States with a state license
19Partly, or registration only
11Leave it to cities and counties
General Contractor licensing in all 50 states and DC
"Partly" means the state covers only part of the trade, such as jobs over a dollar amount or only residential work, or asks for a registration instead of a tested license. "Local only" means no state license, but your city or county may still require one. Pick a state for its full guide.
| State | State license | License to get |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Partly | Prime contractor license (commercial) or Residential Home Builder license (residential) |
| Alaska | Yes | General contractor registration, with Residential Contractor Endorsement for home work |
| Arizona | Yes | B General Residential, B-1 General Commercial, B-2 General Small Commercial, or KB-1 / KB-2 Dual |
| Arkansas | Yes | Commercial license or Residential Builders license |
| California | Yes | B General Building Contractor |
| Colorado | No, local only | None at state level |
| Connecticut | Partly | Home Improvement Contractor registration, New Home Construction Contractor registration, or Major Contractor registration |
| Delaware | Partly | Contractor Registration Certificate (Department of Labor) plus a Division of Revenue contractor business license |
| District of Columbia | Yes | General Contractor/Construction Manager basic business license |
| Florida | Yes | Certified General Contractor (CG), Building Contractor (CB) or Residential Contractor (CR) |
| Georgia | Yes | Residential-Basic, Residential-Light Commercial, or General Contractor (Limited Tier or Unlimited) |
| Hawaii | Yes | "B" General Building Contractor |
| Idaho | Partly | Idaho Contractor Registration |
| Illinois | No, local only | None at state level |
| Indiana | No, local only | None at state level |
| Iowa | Partly | Iowa Contractor Registration |
| Kansas | No, local only | None at state level |
| Kentucky | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Louisiana | Yes | Residential Building Contractor license or Commercial license (Building Construction) |
| Maine | No, local only | None at state level |
| Maryland | Partly | MHIC Home Improvement Contractor license |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Construction Supervisor License (CSL) and Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration |
| Michigan | Partly | Residential Builder license |
| Minnesota | Partly | Residential Building Contractor license |
| Mississippi | Partly | Residential Builder, Residential Remodeler, or Commercial Building Construction |
| Missouri | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Montana | Partly | Construction Contractor License |
| Nebraska | Partly | Contractor Registration |
| Nevada | Yes | B-2 Residential and Small Commercial |
| New Hampshire | No, local only | None at state level |
| New Jersey | Partly | Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration |
| New Mexico | Yes | GB-98 General Building (or GB-2 Residential) |
| New York | No, local only | None at state level |
| North Carolina | Partly | General Contractor license (Building or Residential classification, with a limited, intermediate or unlimited limitation) |
| North Dakota | Yes | North Dakota Contractor License (Class A to D) |
| Ohio | No, local only | None at state level |
| Oklahoma | No, local only | None at state level |
| Oregon | Yes | CCB Residential General Contractor (or Commercial General Contractor) endorsement |
| Pennsylvania | Partly | Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration |
| Rhode Island | Partly | CRLB contractor registration |
| South Carolina | Yes | Residential Builder license (or General Contractor license for commercial work) |
| South Dakota | No, local only | None at state level |
| Tennessee | Partly | Contractor license, BC-A (residential) or BC-B (commercial) |
| Texas | No, local only | None at state level |
| Utah | Yes | Contractor license, B100 General Building or R100 Residential and Small Commercial |
| Vermont | Partly | Residential Contractor registration |
| Virginia | Yes | Contractor license, Class A, B or C, with RBC (residential) or CBC (commercial) classification |
| Washington | Partly | General contractor registration (L&I) |
| West Virginia | Yes | Contractor license, General Building or Residential classification |
| Wisconsin | Partly | Dwelling Contractor certification plus Dwelling Contractor Qualifier |
| Wyoming | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
Each state page lists the official pages it was built from and the date they were checked. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
Other trades
LicensingHVAC license by stateHeating, cooling and refrigeration work. Some states license it through a mechanical board, some leave it to cities.LicensingPlumbing license by stateWater, drain and gas piping. Many states license plumbers through a state board, often in apprentice, journeyman and master steps.LicensingElectrical license by stateWiring, panels and service work. Many states license electricians at the state level, often with journeyman and master levels.LicensingRoofing license by stateRoof replacement and repair. Some states have a roofing license of their own, others fold it into the contractor license or leave it to cities.LicensingHandyman license by stateSmall repairs and odd jobs. Most states draw a dollar line, and above it you need a contractor license.