Contractor License Requirements by State
General Contractor Licensing in All 50 States
We've done deep, sourced research on 16 states so far, spanning every region of the country. Click any state below for its license model, licensing board, exam, bonding, and continuing-education facts.
Licensing requirements change and vary by locality within a state. Always verify current requirements with your state's contractor licensing board before applying. This page is an independent informational reference — it is not legal advice, and ContractorLicense.org is not a government agency and is not affiliated with any state licensing board.
Researched States (16)
Arizona
AZA statewide dual-license system (Commercial vs. Residential) — several specific figures need direct confirmation.
Statewide License RequiredCalifornia
CAOne of the most structured systems in the country — 40+ specialty classifications under a single statewide board.
Statewide License RequiredColorado
COGeneral and residential building contracting is licensed locally, not statewide — but electrical and plumbing ARE licensed statewide.
No Statewide GC LicenseFlorida
FLA two-tier system: a statewide "Certified" license or a locally-limited "Registered" license, with credit-score-linked financial rules.
Statewide License RequiredGeorgia
GAA tiered statewide system with specific, confirmed insurance minimums and a documented reciprocity program.
Statewide License RequiredIllinois
ILNo statewide general contractor license — the only statewide construction trade license is for roofing contractors.
No Statewide GC LicenseMichigan
MIA statewide Residential Builder license with a required 60-hour prelicensure course — several figures still need direct confirmation.
Statewide License RequiredNevada
NVA single statewide license (no local GC licensing layer), with bonding set case-by-case rather than a flat figure.
Statewide License RequiredNew York
NYNo statewide general contractor license — licensing is handled entirely at the city and county level.
No Statewide GC LicenseNorth Carolina
NCA statewide license required above $40,000 in project value, with a distinctive bond-as-alternative-to-net-worth system.
Statewide License RequiredOhio
OHNo statewide general contractor license — the state licenses only 5 commercial specialty trades, everything else is local.
No Statewide GC LicensePennsylvania
PANo competency-based license or exam — home improvement contractors register under a consumer-protection law instead.
Registration, Not LicensureTennessee
TNA statewide license triggered by a $25,000 project threshold, with a separate lower-tier license for smaller residential remodeling in specific counties.
Varies by Project ValueTexas
TXNo statewide general contractor license, exam, or bond — but specialty trades and many cities have their own rules.
No Statewide GC LicenseVirginia
VAA statewide license tiered by dollar volume (Class A/B/C), with a bond-or-net-worth alternative and confirmed reciprocity with two states.
Statewide License RequiredWashington
WAA statewide requirement, but structured as contractor registration — no competency exam, current bond and insurance figures confirmed by statute.
Registration, Not LicensureMore States — Coming Soon
We haven't completed deep, sourced research for these states yet. Rather than guess at specific bond amounts or exam names we can't verify, we're listing them plainly: contractor licensing requirements vary significantly by state, so confirm current rules directly with your state's contractor licensing board, or check whether the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) lists your state's board.