Contractor's License Requirement
| Lien rights will typically be denied for unlicensed contractors. | ||||
| State | Contractor's License Requirement | |||
| Alabama | The state of Alabama requires any general contractor working on a commercial or industrial project costing $50,000 or more to get a license. If you're the general contractor on a residential project that costs $10,000 or more, you need a license. To find out if a commercial general contractor is licensed in Alabama, call (334) 242-2839 or click http://genconbd.alabama.gov/. To find out if an electrical contractor is licensed in Alabama, call (334) 269-9990 or click http://www.aecb.state.al.us/Search.aspx. To find out if an HVAC contractor is licensed in Alabama, call (334) 242-5550. To find out if a plumber or gas fitter is licensed in Alabama, click http://www.pgfb.state.al.us/Inquiry.aspx or call (205) 945-4857. |
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| Alaska | Alaska law requires that contractors be registered with the Department of Community and Economic Development. To find out if a general, mechanical, or specialty contractor has been licensed by the Alaska Division of Occupation Licensing, call (907) 465-2546 or (907) 465-3035. To find out if a plumbing, electrical, asbestos abatement, hazardous paint, explosives, or boiler contractor has been certified by the Alaska Department of Labor/Mechanical Inspection, call (907) 269-4925 or click on http://labor.state.ak.us/lss/mihome.htm. |
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| Arizona | A license is required to bid on any job over $750. To find out who is a licensed contractor in Arizona, call (602) 542 1525 |
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| Arkansas | To bid and work on construction projects in Arkansas that cost $20,000 or more, you must get a contractor's license. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Arkansas, click http://www.state.ar.us/clb/search.html or call (501) 372-4661. To find out if a plumber is licensed in Arkansas, call (501) 661-2642. To find out if an electrician is licensed in Arkansas, call (501) 682-4549 or click https://www.ark.org/labor/electrician/roster_download/index.php. To find out if a boiler installer is licensed in Arkansas, call (501) 682-4514 or click https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/. To find out if an asbestos abatement contractor is licensed and certified in Arkansas, call (501) 682-0719 or click http://www.adeq.state.ar.us/air/asb_lead/license/lic_asb_sql.asp. To find out if an alarm system installation contractor is licensed in Arkansas, call (501) 618-8600. |
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| California | With a few exceptions, all businesses or individuals who work on any building, highway, road, parking facility, railroad, excavation, or other structure in California must be licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) if the total cost of one or more contracts on the project is $500 or more. To find out if a contractor is licensed in California, click https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/onlineservices/CheckLicenseII/ZipCodeSearch.aspx. |
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| Colorado | General construction contractors in Colorado are not licensed by the state. You should check for license requirements at the local level. You will need a license to do electrical or plumbing work in the state, however. To find out if an electrician or plumber is licensed in Colorado, call (303) 894-2300, X100. |
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| Connecticut | Home improvement and new home construction contractors must be certified. Anyone working on major projects must be registered. To find out if someone is registered as a contractor in Connecticut click https://www.elicense.ct.gov/, or call (860) 713-6135 and request an inquiry form. Complete the form and return it to the Department. You will be notified if the individual is registered in Connecticut. |
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| Delaware | Contractors bidding on jobs over $50,000 must apply for a license. If you don't have a Delaware plumber's license, you will need a license to contract for pump installer work. To find out if an asbestos worker is certified in Delaware, call (302) 739-5644. To find out if an electrician, plumber or HVAC contractor is licensed in Delaware, click here. |
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| DC | To find out if a contractor is licensed in DC, click on https://trades.dcopla.com/Public/MemberSearch/BITLicense. | |||
| Florida | You need to be registered or certified to do construction work in Florida. You can get a "registered" contractor's license at the local level, unless a certified license is required by the county you want to perform the work in. Contractors with a "certified" license are allowed to work anywhere in the state. The Construction Lien Law only permits a licensed contractor, subcontractor or sub-subcontractor to lien property. To find out if a certified contractor or electrician is licensed in Florida, click on https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp. |
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| Georgia | Asbestos abatement and the mechanical trade contractors need a license in Georgia. The state has assembled a board and has begun the licensing of general and residential contractors as well. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Georgia, click on https://publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/georgia/licensing/contractor. |
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| Hawaii | Hawaii requires general engineering, general building and specialty contractors to be licensed. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Hawaii, click http://hbe.ehawaii.gov/cogs/search.html or http://www.ehawaii.gov/dcca/pvllist/html// call the Consumer Resource Center at (808) 587-3295. |
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| Idaho | The state of Idaho doesn't license general contractors working on private sector residential or commercial projects. That's done at the local level. However the state does license plumbers, electricians, well drillers, fire protection sprinkler contractors, and public works contractors. On and after January 1, 2006, it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of, or hold himself out as, a contractor within this state without being registered as required in this chapter (IDAHO CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION ACT). Unregistered contractors can not utilize the Idaho Mechanic's Lien provisions. To find out if a well driller is licensed in Idaho, click https://secure.ibol.idaho.gov/eIBOLPublic/LPRBrowser.aspx or call (208) 327-7949. To find out if a fire sprinkler contractor is licensed in Idaho, call (208) 334-4370. To find out if a public works contractor is licensed, click http://dbs.idaho.gov/publicworks/pwc_active_license.htm. |
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| Illinois | Most construction contractors don't need to be licensed in Illinois. Roofing contractors are the exception. To find out if a roofing contractor is licensed, call (217) 785-0800. To verify that a contractor is licensed, click on https://ilesonline.idfpr.illinois.gov/DFPR/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx. |
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| Indiana | Only plumbing contractors need to be licensed in Indiana. Public Works and Department of Transportation work must be done by certified or prequalified contractors. Before beginning work, you should check for license requirements at the local level. To find out if a plumber is licensed in Indiana, call (317) 232-5956. |
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| Iowa | All construction contractors doing business in Iowa must be registered with the state. Plumbers and electricians must be registered with the state but are licensed at the local level. Asbestos workers, contractors and supervisors must obtain licenses for all asbestos projects. To find out if a plumber is licensed in Iowa, click https://www.iowa.gov/business/licenses-and-permits. For a list of licensed asbestos abatement workers, click http://www1.iwd.state.ia.us/LaborServices/LabrAsbs.nsf. |
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| Kansas | With the exception of asbestos abatement and water well drilling, Kansas doesn't license construction contractors at the state level. But you should check for licensing requirements at the local level. | |||
| Kentucky | Plumbing, electrical and HVAC contractors must be licensed in Kentucky. To find out if a plumbing contractor is licensed, call (502) 564-3580. |
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| Louisiana | To do construction work in Louisiana you need to be licensed by the State Licensing Board for Contractors. To find out if a contractor is licensed for either residential or commercial work in Louisiana, call (800) 256-1392. |
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| Maine | General building contractors do not need a license in Maine. You'll need to be licensed to do asbestos abatement work, or electrical or plumbing contracting. To find out if an electrical contractor is licensed, call (207) 624-8610. To find out if a plumbing contractor is licensed, call (207) 624-8627. Office hours are from 7 A.M. to 4 P.M. Monday through Friday. |
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| Maryland | General contractors preforming work in Maryland do not need a license. A license is required on home improvement projects and for HVAC, electrical and plumbing work. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR). | |||
| Massachusetts | Anyone who supervises construction work or demolition (even a crew of one) needs a license. To find out if a home improvement contractor is licensed in Massachusetts, click https://www.mass.gov/how-to/check-a-professional-license. |
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| Michigan | Contractors working on residential or a combination of residential and commercial buildings must be licensed. Electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors also have to be licensed. | |||
| Minnesota | The Minnesota Department of Commerce licenses residential builders and remodelers. Lien will be void:Minnesota Statutes section 326.92, subdivision 2 specifically provides that “An unlicensed contractor who knowingly violates [the licensing requirements] has no right to claim a lien [under the lien laws] and the lien is void.” To find out if a company or individual is licensed in Minnesota, call (651) 296-6319 or (800) 657-3978 or click https://secure.doli.state.mn.us/licensing/licensing.aspx. |
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| Mississippi | A certificate or license is required for all except the smallest construction and remodeling projects. To find out if a contractor is has a certificate or license, call (800) 880-6161. |
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| Missouri | The state of Missouri doesn't license construction contractors. | |||
| Montana | All construction contractors and subcontractors must register with the Department of Labor and Industry if they have employees. Those contractors without employees may register, but are not required to do so. To find out if a contractor is registered in Montana, call (406) 444-7734. For a list of licensed electricians or plumbers, click http://app.mt.gov/lookup/. |
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| Nebraska | All contractors doing business in counties with a population of 100,000 or more need a license to do business. Nonresident contractors doing business in Nebraska must register with the Nebraska Secretary of State and the Nebraska Department of Revenue. Electricians have to be licensed. To find out if an electrician is licensed in Nebraska, call (402) 471-3550. |
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| Nevada | You must be licensed to bid or work on construction jobs in Nevada. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Nevada, go to https://app.nvcontractorsboard.com/Clients/NVSCB/Public/ContractorLicenseSearch/ContractorLicenseSearch.aspx or call 702-486-1100. |
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| New Hampshire | Only certain types of specialty contractors are licensed: asbestos and lead abatement contractors, electrical contractors and plumbing contractors. To find out if an electrician is licensed, call (603) 271-3748. To find out if a plumber is licensed, call (603) 271-3267. |
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| New Jersey | You must register to be in the business of building new homes in New Jersey. You must also warrant each new home you build and provide warranty follow-up services. Registration is required do business as a home repair contractor. Plumbers, electricians and home improvement contractors are licensed in New Jersey. To find out if a new homebuilder contractor is licensed in New Jersey, call 609-984-7910. To find out if a plumber is licensed in New Jersey, call (973) 504-6420. To find out if an electrician is licensed in New Jersey, call (973) 504-6410. For a list of licensed asbestos contractors, call (609) 633-2159. |
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| New Mexico | Construction contractors must be licensed in New Mexico. To find out if a contractor is licensed in New Mexico, go to http://public.psiexams.com/search.jsp or call (505) 827-7030 (Santa Fe), (505) 841-8020 (Albequerque) or (505) 524-6320 (Las Cruces). |
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| New York | Except for asbestos abatement work, all construction work in New York is regulated at the local level. To find out if a contractor is licensed in New York, you will need to contact the licensing board in that contractor's community. |
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| North Carolina | To work as a general contractor on projects costing more than $30,000 in North Carolina, you must get a license from the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Electrical, plumbing, heating and fire sprinkler contractors must be licensed. To find out if a general contractor is licensed, call (919) 571-4183. To find out if a plumbing, heating or fire sprinkler contractor is licensed, go to http://www.nclicensing.org/OnlineReg.htm or call (919) 875-3612. To find out if an electrician is licensed, call (919) 733-9042. |
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| North Dakota | You must have a license in North Dakota to work on any job costing $2,000 or more. People who work with asbestos outside their own homes need to be properly trained and then certified through the North Dakota Department of Health. To find out if a contractor is licensed in North Dakota, click http://www.nd.gov/sos/licensing/search-disclaimer.html or call (701) 328-3665. For a list of licensed asbestos abatement contractors, click https://www.harborcompliance.com/information/north-dakota-construction-license. |
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| Ohio | You must hold a state license do Electrical, HVAC, Refrigeration, Plumbing, or Hydronics work in Ohio. General construction contractors may need to be licensed at the local level. Check with the city or county for licensing information and requirements. | |||
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma doesn't license resident construction contractors, except in the electrical, mechanical and plumbing trades. But there are some special requirements for nonresident contractors. To find out if an electrician, plumber, or mechanical contractor is licensed in Oklahoma, call (405) 271-5217. |
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| Oregon | If you're paid for any construction activity, you need to register with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Oregon, click https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/Pages/index.aspx or call (503) 378-4621. |
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| Pennsylvania | Construction Contractors are not licensed in Pennsylvania. However the Department of Transportation has certain requirements for public works contractors. You will need a certificate or license to perform asbestos abatement work in Pennsylvania. | |||
| Rhode Island | If you build, repair, or remodel one- to four-family dwellings in Rhode Island, you must register with the Contractors' Registration Board. Some specialty trades must be licensed in Rhode Island. To find out if a residential contractor or commercial roofer is licensed by the Rhode Island Contractors' Registration Board call (401) 222-1268. To find out if an electrician, plumber or mechanical contractor is licensed, call (401) 462-8527. To find out if someone is licensed to do asbestos abatement work, call (401) 222-3601. |
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| South Carolina | To do residential building over $200 and commercial building over $5,000 in South Carolina you must be licensed. To find out if a contractor is licensed in South Carolina, and look under "contractors" and "residential home builders". You may also call (803) 896-4696 for residential. To find out if a general or mechanical contractor (commercial) is licensed in South Carolina call (803) 896-4686. To find out if someone is licensed to do asbestos abatement work call (803) 734-4517. |
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| South Dakota | South Dakota certifies or licenses only asbestos abatement, electrical and plumbing contractors. To find out if an electrician is licensed in South Dakota, call (605) 773-3573. To find out if a plumber is licensed in South Dakota, call (605) 773-3429. To find out if someone is licensed to do asbestos abatement work in South Dakota, call (605) 773-3153 or click http://denr.sd.gov/des/wm/asb/asbhomepage.aspx. |
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| Tennessee | You must have a license to do construction work in Tennessee. To find out if a contractor is licensed by the Department of Commerce and Insurance, go to https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors.htmlor call (615) 741-8307. To find out if someone is licensed for installing fire protection sprinkler systems, call (615) 741-1322. |
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| Texas | Only specialty contractors, including HVAC, fire sprinkler systems, plumbing, electricians and well drilling/pump installation specialists, need to be licensed in Texas. Home builders are not licensed, though it is advisable to check with your local municipality or county in areas of the state outside of municipal jurisdiction, for local requirements. To find out if a specialty contractor is licensed for HVAC, well drilling and pumping, or industrialized housing in Texas, call (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202. To find out if a plumber is licensed click or call (512) 458-2145. To find out if a contractor is licensed for fire sprinkler systems call (512) 305-7933. You can search for licensed individuals online at https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/. |
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| Utah | To do construction work in Utah you need a license from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. Electricians and plumbers have to be licensed. To find out if a contractor, electrician or plumber is licensed in Utah, clickhttps://secure.utah.gov/llv/llv . |
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| Vermont | Contractors need to be certified to do asbestos or lead abatement and licensed to do electrical or plumbing work. To find out if an electrician or plumber is licensed in Vermont call (802) 479-7561. |
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| Virginia | Some construction contractors must be licensed in Virginia. Trade licenses are required for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, gas fitting, asbestos abatement and lead abatement work. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Virginia, call (804) 367-8511. To find out if an electrician, plumber, gas pipe fitter, or HVAC specialist is licensed in Virginia, call (804) 367-2945. To find out if someone is licensed to do asbestos abatement work, call (804) 367-8595. |
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| Washington | To do construction work in Washington you must register with the Washington Department of Labor and Industries. Contractors and Subcontractors must be registered in order to have lien rights in Washington. If a supplier sells to an unregistered contractor or subcontractor the supplier also loses its lien rights. To find out if a contractor, electrician, or plumber is registered in Washington, click https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/hiring-a-contractor/verify-contractor-tradesperson-business or call (360) 902-5226. |
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| West Virginia | Construction contractors have to be licensed in West Virginia. To find out if a contractor is licensed in West Virginia, go to https://labor.wv.gov/Licensing/Contractor_License/Pages/contractor-search.aspx or call (304) 558-7890 or (877) 558-5134. To find out if an electrician is licensed in West Virginia, call (304) 558-2191. |
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| Wisconsin | Most residential builders must have a state credential. Electricians, plumbers and some specialty trades must have a state credential. For a complete list of credential categories in Wisconsin, go to http://dsps.wi.gov/Home. To verify that a contractor has their credentials, click on http://dsps.wi.gov/Home. Contractor forms are available online at http://dsps.wi.gov/Home. |
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| Wyoming | All contractors, except electrical, are licensed at the local (city or county) level. However, the state requires everyone doing electrical work in Wyoming to be licensed. To find out if an electrician is licensed in Wyoming, call (307) 777-7288. |
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