How to Check a Contractor's License in Every US State

Residential home building and remodeling needs a state Home Builders Licensure Board license when the job costs more than $10,000 (residential roofing: more than $2,500). Other (commercial/public) general contracting needs a General Contractors Board license at $100,000 or more (swimming pools: $5,000 or more).

General & home improvement:

Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (residential); Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (commercial/other, $100,000+)

Electrical:

Alabama Electrical Contractors Board

Plumbing:

Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board

HVAC / mechanical:

Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors

Tip: For home building or remodeling jobs over $10,000 (roofing over $2,500), the contractor needs a state Home Builders Licensure Board license, so look it up before you sign.

All construction contractors (general, specialty, mechanical, electrical) must register with the state, with a bond and insurance. A 'handyman' general contractor registration is limited to jobs of $10,000 or less. A residential endorsement is also required to build, or alter 25% or more of the value of, a privately owned 1–4 unit home.

General & home improvement:

Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (DCBPL), Construction Contractors program

Electrical:

DCBPL (electrical contractor registration + electrical administrator license); individual electricians hold Certificates of Fitness from the Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection section

Plumbing:

DCBPL (mechanical contractor registration + mechanical administrator license); individual plumbers hold Certificates of Fitness from the Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development, Mechanical Inspection section

HVAC / mechanical:

DCBPL (mechanical contractor registration + mechanical administrator license)

Tip: For a new home or a major remodel of a 1–4 unit home, the contractor needs a residential endorsement, and 'handyman' registrations only cover jobs up to $10,000.

A Registrar of Contractors license is required for work of $1,000 or more (labor + materials), or for any job that needs a local building permit, whatever the cost. Unlicensed handymen may only do small jobs that are casual or minor and need no permit.

General & home improvement:

Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC)

Electrical:

Arizona Registrar of Contractors (electrical contractor classifications; no state journeyman license)

Plumbing:

Arizona Registrar of Contractors (plumbing contractor classifications)

HVAC / mechanical:

Arizona Registrar of Contractors (air conditioning/mechanical contractor classifications)

Tip: Anyone doing a job that costs $1,000 or more, or that needs a building permit, must hold an ROC license, and unlicensed workers must state 'not a licensed contractor' in their ads.

Residential building, remodeling and home improvement contractors need a state license (Residential Contractors Committee) when a single-family residential job is more than $2,000. Commercial work (anything that is not a single-family home) needs a Contractors Licensing Board license at $50,000 or more.

General & home improvement:

Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board (commercial) and its Residential Contractors Committee (residential builders, remodelers, home improvement), Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing

Electrical:

Arkansas State Board of Electrical Examiners (Department of Labor and Licensing)

Plumbing:

Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section

HVAC / mechanical:

Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board (Department of Labor and Licensing)

Tip: Residential builders, remodelers and home improvement contractors need a state license for jobs over $2,000, so ask for the license number. If the board's online search is unavailable, contact the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board directly to confirm a license.

A CSLB license is required for any job of $1,000 or more in labor and materials, and at any price if the work needs a permit or the worker hires helpers.

General & home improvement:

Contractors State License Board (CSLB)

Electrical:

CSLB (C-10 electrical contractor license); individual electricians working for C-10 contractors must be certified by the Dept. of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement

Plumbing:

CSLB (C-36 plumbing contractor license)

HVAC / mechanical:

CSLB (C-20 warm-air heating, ventilating and air-conditioning contractor license)

Tip: On a home improvement job, the down payment cannot be more than $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less.

Colorado has no state license for general contractors or roofers. Cities and counties license or register contractors, and the rules vary by locality.

General & home improvement:

Local city/county building departments (no state license)

Electrical:

Colorado State Electrical Board (DORA, Division of Professions and Occupations)

Plumbing:

Colorado State Plumbing Board (DORA, Division of Professions and Occupations)

HVAC / mechanical:

Local (no state HVAC license)

Tip: Colorado does not license general contractors or roofers, so check your city or county for a local contractor license and use DORA's lookup for electricians and plumbers.

All home improvement contractors, new home construction contractors and home improvement salespeople must register with the Department of Consumer Protection. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work needs a separate occupational license.

General & home improvement:

Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), home improvement and new home construction contractor registration

Electrical:

DCP, Electrical Work Examining Board

Plumbing:

DCP, Plumbing and Piping Work Examining Board

HVAC / mechanical:

DCP, Heating, Piping, Cooling and Sheet Metal Work Examining Board

Tip: Hire a registered home improvement contractor: if a registered contractor can't pay a court judgment for poor work, the state's Home Improvement Guaranty Fund may help.

Delaware has no state general contractor license. Every contractor must hold a Division of Revenue business license, and anyone providing construction services must register with the Department of Labor's Office of Contractor Registration before work begins.

General & home improvement:

Delaware Division of Revenue (business license) and Department of Labor, Office of Contractor Registration

Electrical:

Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners (Division of Professional Regulation)

Plumbing:

Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners (Division of Professional Regulation)

HVAC / mechanical:

Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners (Division of Professional Regulation)

Tip: Check the Department of Labor's contractor registry, because Delaware construction contractors must register there before starting work.

Home improvement contractors need a DLCP Basic Business License with the Home Improvement Contractor endorsement, which requires a $25,000 bond and insurance. General contractors need a General Contractor business license. Electricians, plumbers/gasfitters and refrigeration/AC mechanics need trade licenses.

General & home improvement:

DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Business Licensing Division

Electrical:

DC Board of Industrial Trades (DLCP Occupational and Professional Licensing)

Plumbing:

DC Board of Industrial Trades (plumbing/gasfitting)

HVAC / mechanical:

DC Board of Industrial Trades (refrigeration and air conditioning)

Tip: Only licensed home improvement contractors may take payment before the job is finished, and only after both of you sign a written contract. DC's license searches may ask you to sign in with a free Access DC account.

Contractors need a DBPR license for jobs of $2,500 or more (labor + materials) that are not casual or minor. Permit work is generally not exempt. 'Certified' contractors may work statewide; 'registered' contractors may work only in the local jurisdictions where they met competency requirements.

General & home improvement:

Florida Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)

Electrical:

DBPR, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (ECLB)

Plumbing:

DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board

HVAC / mechanical:

DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board (air conditioning and mechanical contractors)

Tip: A 'certified' contractor can work anywhere in Florida, but a 'registered' contractor can only work in the local areas where they're registered, so check which one your contractor holds.

Residential (residential-basic or residential-light commercial) and general contractors need a state license when the job or the contractor's pay is more than $2,500.

General & home improvement:

Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (Secretary of State)

Electrical:

Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Electrical Contractors (Secretary of State)

Plumbing:

Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers (Secretary of State)

HVAC / mechanical:

Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors (Secretary of State)

Tip: Residential contractors need a state license for any job over $2,500, so ask for the license number and check it with the Secretary of State.

A contractor's license is required for any project over $1,500 in labor and materials, or any project that needs a building, electrical or plumbing permit, whatever the cost.

General & home improvement:

Hawaii Contractors License Board (DCCA, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division)

Electrical:

Board of Electricians and Plumbers (DCCA PVL) for individual electricians; electrical contractors licensed by the Contractors License Board

Plumbing:

Board of Electricians and Plumbers (DCCA PVL) for individual plumbers; plumbing contractors licensed by the Contractors License Board

HVAC / mechanical:

Contractors License Board (specialty contractor classification)

Tip: A license is required for jobs over $1,500 or any job needing a permit, and you can also check a contractor's complaint history in the state's RICO complaints search.

Contractors must register (not license) with the state for any construction job over $2,000 (materials + labor), unless exempt. State-licensed electrical contractors, plumbers and HVAC installers are exempt from registration.

General & home improvement:

Idaho Contractors Board (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, DOPL)

Electrical:

Idaho Electrical Board (DOPL)

Plumbing:

Idaho Plumbing Board (DOPL)

HVAC / mechanical:

Idaho HVAC Board (DOPL)

Tip: Contractors on jobs over $2,000 must be registered with DOPL, while electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors hold DOPL trade licenses instead, so search for the license that fits the job.

Illinois does not license general contractors (local permits or registration may apply). Roofers must hold a state license, and plumbers must be state-licensed, with plumbing contractors also registered with the state.

General & home improvement:

Local municipalities (no state license); roofing contractors licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)

Electrical:

Local municipalities (no state electrician license)

Plumbing:

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Plumbing Program

HVAC / mechanical:

Local municipalities (no state HVAC license)

Tip: Illinois doesn't license general contractors, but roofers must hold a state IDFPR license and show the license number on their bids, contracts and vehicles.

Indiana licenses only plumbers among construction contractors. General contractors, electricians and HVAC contractors are licensed or registered by cities and counties, and requirements vary.

General & home improvement:

Local city/county (no state license)

Electrical:

Local city/county (no state license)

Plumbing:

Indiana Plumbing Commission (Indiana Professional Licensing Agency)

HVAC / mechanical:

Local city/county (no state license)

Tip: Indiana licenses only plumbers statewide, so for any other trade check with your city or county building department.

Anyone earning at least $2,000 a year from construction work must register with the state. This is a registration, not a competency license. Electricians and plumbing/mechanical (HVAC) contractors also need state trade licenses.

General & home improvement:

Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), contractor registration

Electrical:

Iowa Electrical Examining Board (DIAL)

Plumbing:

Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (DIAL)

HVAC / mechanical:

Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (DIAL; mechanical/HVAC licenses)

Tip: Anyone who earns at least $2,000 a year doing construction must be registered with the state, so ask for the contractor's Iowa registration number.

Kansas has no state license for general contractors or trades. Cities and counties set contractor licensing, including for electrical, plumbing and HVAC. Roofing contractors are the exception: they must register with the Kansas Attorney General.

General & home improvement:

Local city/county; roofing contractors register with the Kansas Attorney General (Roofing Contractor Registration Act)

Electrical:

Local city/county (no state license)

Plumbing:

Local city/county (no state license)

HVAC / mechanical:

Local city/county (no state license)

Tip: Roofers must register with the Kansas Attorney General, so ask for the registration number and confirm it shows 'In Good Standing' in the AG's roofing directory.

Kentucky has no state license for general contractors or home builders. A few communities run Attorney General contractor registration programs, mostly after disasters. Electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors are state-licensed.

General & home improvement:

None statewide (local requirements; some communities use the Attorney General's contractor registration program)

Electrical:

Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (HBC), electrical licensing

Plumbing:

Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Plumbing

HVAC / mechanical:

Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, HVAC licensing

Tip: Kentucky doesn't license general contractors, but electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors need state licenses you can check on the HBC licensee search.

State licensing by dollar threshold: home improvement registration for work on existing homes of $7,500 or more; residential license for residential construction or home improvement over $50,000; commercial license for commercial projects of $50,000 or more.

General & home improvement:

Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC)

Electrical:

LSLBC electrical contractor license (commercial electrical work over $10,000); other electrical licensing can be local

Plumbing:

State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (plumbing licensing moves to LSLBC under Act 908 of 2026, fully effective Jan 1, 2027)

HVAC / mechanical:

LSLBC mechanical contractor license (commercial mechanical work over $10,000)

Tip: Home improvement jobs of $7,500 or more need an LSLBC registration, and jobs over $50,000 need a residential license. Look up either one in the LSLBC contractor search.

No state license for general or home-improvement contractors. The state licenses the trades (electricians, plumbers, oil/solid-fuel and propane/natural-gas technicians).

General & home improvement:

None at the state level (towns handle permits)

Electrical:

Electricians' Examining Board, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR)

Plumbing:

Plumbers' Examining Board (OPOR)

HVAC / mechanical:

Oil and Solid Fuel Board; Propane and Natural Gas Board (OPOR)

Tip: Maine requires any home construction contract over $3,000 to be in writing and signed by both you and the contractor.

Home improvement contractors, subcontractors and salespeople must be licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC).

General & home improvement:

Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), Maryland Department of Labor

Electrical:

Maryland State Board of Electricians

Plumbing:

Maryland Board of Plumbing

HVAC / mechanical:

Maryland Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors (HVACR)

Tip: Ask to see the contractor's MHIC license and check that it's current. MHIC also advises paying no more than one-third of the price as a deposit.

Two separate credentials: a Construction Supervisor License (CSL) for anyone supervising structural building work, and a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration for contractors working on existing homes. They are not interchangeable.

General & home improvement:

Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI) for the Construction Supervisor License; Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) for HIC registration

Electrical:

Board of State Examiners of Electricians (Division of Occupational Licensure)

Plumbing:

Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (Division of Occupational Licensure)

HVAC / mechanical:

No single HVAC license: sheet metal workers are licensed by the Division of Occupational Licensure, and refrigeration technicians by OPSI

Tip: If your contractor isn't a registered Home Improvement Contractor, you aren't protected by the state's Home Improvement Contractor Law. Check the HIC number on the MA Contractor Hub.

Residential builders and maintenance & alteration contractors (residential work) must be licensed by LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes.

General & home improvement:

Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes: residential builder / maintenance & alteration contractor

Electrical:

LARA Bureau of Construction Codes

Plumbing:

LARA Bureau of Construction Codes

HVAC / mechanical:

LARA Bureau of Construction Codes (mechanical contractor license)

Tip: LARA calls it a red flag if a contractor can't give you a license number or a copy of the license, and it advises against paying for the whole job in advance.

A residential building contractor or remodeler license is required for anyone contracting directly with owners of 1–4 unit homes for work in more than one special skill. Single-skill specialty contractors are exempt (except roofers), as are contractors with under $15,000 a year in residential receipts who hold a Certificate of Exemption.

General & home improvement:

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI)

Electrical:

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI)

Plumbing:

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI)

HVAC / mechanical:

No state HVAC license. Mechanical contractors file a $25,000 bond with DLI, and cities may require their own license.

Tip: Hiring a DLI-licensed residential contractor (license numbers start with BC or CR) gives you access to the state Contractor Recovery Fund. Registered-only contractors (IR numbers) don't pay into it.

State license by threshold: new residential construction over $50,000, residential remodeling/additions or roofing over $10,000, and commercial jobs over $50,000. Residential electrical, mechanical, HVAC and plumbing subcontractors on these projects must also be MSBOC-licensed.

General & home improvement:

Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC)

Electrical:

MSBOC (Residential Electrical; commercial Electrical Work classification); local licensing may also apply

Plumbing:

MSBOC (Residential Plumbing classification); local licensing may also apply

HVAC / mechanical:

MSBOC (Residential HVAC / Residential Mechanical; commercial Mechanical Work classification)

Tip: Remodeling or roofing jobs over $10,000 and new homes over $50,000 require an MSBOC license, so check the board's search before you sign.

No state license for general or home-improvement contractors; cities and counties set their own rules. The only state contractor license is an optional statewide electrical contractor license.

General & home improvement:

None at the state level (local city/county)

Electrical:

Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors, Division of Professional Registration (optional statewide license; local licenses also valid)

Plumbing:

Local (city/county)

HVAC / mechanical:

Local (city/county)

Tip: Missouri doesn't license general contractors, so ask your city or county building department what license your contractor needs there.

Since January 1, 2026 (HB 239), construction contractors need a Montana Construction Contractor License, which replaced the old registration.

General & home improvement:

Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Construction Contractor License program

Electrical:

Montana State Electrical Board (Dept. of Labor & Industry)

Plumbing:

Montana Board of Plumbers (Dept. of Labor & Industry)

HVAC / mechanical:

No state HVAC license board found; check local requirements

Tip: Since January 1, 2026, Montana requires construction contractors to be licensed with the Department of Labor & Industry. Look the contractor up in the state license search.

All contractors and subcontractors working on others' property must register with the Nebraska Department of Labor. It's a registration, not a competency license, and local licenses and permits still apply.

General & home improvement:

Nebraska Department of Labor (Contractor Registration)

Electrical:

Nebraska State Electrical Division / State Electrical Board

Plumbing:

Local (city/village plumbing boards, e.g. Omaha, Lincoln)

HVAC / mechanical:

Local

Tip: Nebraska's Attorney General advises checking that your contractor is registered with the Department of Labor. You can search registrations online or call (402) 471-2239.

A Nevada State Contractors Board license is required for construction work, including trades. The narrow handyman exemption covers repairs under $1,000 (labor and materials) that need no permit.

General & home improvement:

Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB)

Electrical:

NSCB (electrical contractor classification)

Plumbing:

NSCB (plumbing/heating contractor classification)

HVAC / mechanical:

NSCB (refrigeration & air-conditioning contractor classification)

Tip: Only homeowners who hired a licensed contractor can claim from the NSCB Residential Recovery Fund (up to $40,000), so check the license before you sign.

No state license for general or home-improvement contractors. The state licenses electricians, plumbers and fuel-gas fitters.

General & home improvement:

None at the state level (local building departments)

Electrical:

Electricians' Board, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC)

Plumbing:

Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board (OPLC)

HVAC / mechanical:

Fuel-gas fitters: Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board (OPLC); no general HVAC license

Home improvement contractors must register with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. Builders of new homes register separately with the Department of Community Affairs.

General & home improvement:

NJ Division of Consumer Affairs (Home Improvement Contractor registration)

Electrical:

NJ Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors

Plumbing:

NJ State Board of Master Plumbers

HVAC / mechanical:

NJ State Board of Examiners of Master HVACR Contractors

Tip: New Jersey home improvement registration numbers begin with "13VH" and must appear on the contractor's contracts and ads. Look the number up before you hire.

Contractors, including general building, electrical and mechanical (plumbing/HVAC), must be licensed by the Construction Industries Division. Unlicensed contracting can be charged as a crime.

General & home improvement:

Construction Industries Division (CID), NM Regulation and Licensing Department

Electrical:

Construction Industries Division (Electrical Bureau)

Plumbing:

Construction Industries Division (Mechanical Bureau)

HVAC / mechanical:

Construction Industries Division (Mechanical Bureau)

Tip: New Mexico's RLD lists a missing CID license number on ads, vehicles, business cards or websites as a warning sign of an unlicensed contractor.

New York State doesn't license home improvement contractors. Licenses are required in New York City, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties and the City of Buffalo.

General & home improvement:

Local only: NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) and county consumer-affairs offices

Electrical:

Local (e.g. NYC Department of Buildings licenses master electricians)

Plumbing:

Local (e.g. NYC Department of Buildings licenses master plumbers)

HVAC / mechanical:

Local

Tip: New York law requires a written contract for any home improvement job over $500.

A state general contractor license is required for projects costing $40,000 or more. Electrical, plumbing and heating contractors have their own state boards.

General & home improvement:

North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC)

Electrical:

North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors

Plumbing:

North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors

HVAC / mechanical:

North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors

Tip: Any job costing $40,000 or more needs an NCLBGC general contractor license. Electricians and plumbing/HVAC contractors are checked with their own state boards.

A state contractor license from the Secretary of State is required when a job's cost exceeds $4,000. This covers general, sub, public and nonresident contractors.

General & home improvement:

North Dakota Secretary of State (contractor licensing, NDCC ch. 43-07)

Electrical:

North Dakota State Electrical Board

Plumbing:

North Dakota State Plumbing Board

HVAC / mechanical:

No state HVAC license (the Plumbing Board's licenses are plumbing, sewer & water, and water conditioning); check local requirements

Tip: Any job over $4,000 requires a North Dakota contractor license from the Secretary of State. Check it in the FirstStop contractor search.

No state license for general or residential contractors; local building and health departments regulate them. The state licenses commercial electrical, HVAC, plumbing, hydronics and refrigeration contractors, and localities may require that license for residential work too.

General & home improvement:

Local building departments

Electrical:

Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB), commercial license; local for residential

Plumbing:

OCILB (commercial); local building/health departments for residential

HVAC / mechanical:

OCILB (commercial HVAC/refrigeration/hydronics); local for residential

Tip: Ohio doesn't license residential contractors statewide, so ask your local building department whether your contractor is licensed or registered to work there.

No state license for general contractors. Roofing contractors must register with the Construction Industries Board (CIB), and electricians, plumbers and HVAC (mechanical) contractors are licensed by the CIB. Cities may license builders locally.

General & home improvement:

None at state level (Construction Industries Board registers roofing contractors only)

Electrical:

Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB)

Plumbing:

Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB)

HVAC / mechanical:

Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB), mechanical licenses

Tip: Oklahoma has no state general contractor license, so check the electrician, plumber or HVAC (mechanical) contractor in the CIB search, and check roofers in the CIB roofing registry.

Generally anyone paid to do construction work on real property needs a Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license, residential and/or commercial endorsement; no dollar threshold. Covers roofing, electrical, plumbing and handyman work.

General & home improvement:

Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB)

Electrical:

Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) electrical licenses, plus a CCB license

Plumbing:

Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) plumbing licenses, plus a CCB license

HVAC / mechanical:

CCB license for the business; electrical parts of HVAC work fall under BCD electrical licensing

Tip: For electrical or plumbing work, Oregon requires both a CCB license and the matching BCD electrical or plumbing contractor license, so check both searches.

Home improvement contractors must register with the Attorney General under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA). Exempt: contractors doing less than $5,000 of home improvement work per calendar year, and large retailers. New-home construction and commercial work are not covered.

General & home improvement:

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (Home Improvement Contractor registration)

Electrical:

Local only (no statewide electrician license; e.g., Philadelphia, Pittsburgh license locally)

Plumbing:

Local only (no statewide plumber license)

HVAC / mechanical:

Local only (no statewide HVAC license)

Tip: Registered home improvement contractors must show their registration number (PA followed by digits) on contracts, estimates and ads; look it up in the Attorney General's search or call 1-888-520-6680.

All residential and commercial contractors and subcontractors (including remodeling and repairs) must register with the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB); unregistered contractors cannot work or pull permits. Written contract required for work over $1,000.

General & home improvement:

Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB), RI Department of Business Regulation

Electrical:

RI Department of Labor and Training (DLT), Professional Regulation (electricians)

Plumbing:

RI Department of Labor and Training (DLT), Professional Regulation (plumbers)

HVAC / mechanical:

RI Department of Labor and Training (DLT), Mechanical Board (pipefitting, refrigeration/AC, sheet metal)

Tip: Rhode Island law makes it the homeowner's responsibility to check a contractor's CRLB registration before hiring, and contractors must give you their registration number.

Residential: Residential Builders Commission license for residential builders when the job exceeds $5,000; residential specialty contractors must register when the job exceeds $500. Commercial: Contractor's Licensing Board license for general and mechanical contractors when total cost exceeds $10,000 (raised from $5,000 in 2023).

General & home improvement:

SC LLR Residential Builders Commission (residential); SC LLR Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial)

Electrical:

Residential Builders Commission (residential electricians); Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial electrical contractors)

Plumbing:

Residential Builders Commission (residential plumbers); Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial plumbing contractors)

HVAC / mechanical:

Residential Builders Commission (HVAC installer/repairer licenses); Contractor's Licensing Board (commercial air conditioning, heating, refrigeration)

Tip: For home projects, use the Residential Builders Commission lookup: builders need a license for jobs over $5,000, and specialty contractors must be registered for jobs over $500.

No state license for general or residential contractors. Contractors need a contractor's excise tax license from the SD Department of Revenue, which is a tax license, not a competency license. Cities may license builders locally.

General & home improvement:

None at state level (Department of Revenue issues contractor's excise tax licenses only)

Electrical:

South Dakota Electrical Commission (Dept. of Labor & Regulation)

Plumbing:

South Dakota Plumbing Commission (Dept. of Labor & Regulation)

HVAC / mechanical:

Not licensed by the state (local)

Tip: South Dakota has no online electrician lookup; to check an electrician, contact the Electrical Commission (605-773-3573, electrical@state.sd.us), and check plumbers against the Plumbing Commission's published lists.

State contractor's license (Board for Licensing Contractors) required to bid or contract for projects of $25,000 or more, in all counties. Home Improvement license required for residential remodeling of $3,000 to under $25,000 only in Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford and Shelby counties.

General & home improvement:

Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance)

Electrical:

Board for Licensing Contractors: contractor license with electrical classification ($25,000+); Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE) under $25,000 where the state does inspections; local licensing elsewhere

Plumbing:

Board for Licensing Contractors: contractor license with plumbing classification ($25,000+); Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) under $25,000 where the state does inspections; local licensing elsewhere

HVAC / mechanical:

Board for Licensing Contractors: contractor license with mechanical/HVAC classification ($25,000+); smaller jobs licensed locally

Tip: Any project of $25,000 or more needs a state contractor's license, and in nine counties (including Davidson, Knox, Hamilton and Shelby) remodeling jobs from $3,000 to under $25,000 need a state home improvement license.

No state license for general or residential contractors. The Texas Residential Construction Commission was abolished in 2009. Some cities require contractor registration.

General & home improvement:

None at state level

Electrical:

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)

Plumbing:

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)

HVAC / mechanical:

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors

Tip: For plumbing, check the company's Responsible Master Plumber in the TSBPE search; Master Plumber license numbers start with 'M'.

State contractor license from DOPL for construction work. Handyman exemption: alteration, repair or remodeling jobs under $7,000 (labor and materials). Above $3,000 the handyman must file an insurance affirmation with DOPL. The exemption never covers electrical, plumbing or HVAC work, which must be done by licensed contractors.

General & home improvement:

Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL)

Electrical:

Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL)

Plumbing:

Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL)

HVAC / mechanical:

Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), HVAC contractor classification

Tip: A handyman may do jobs under $7,000 without a contractor license, but any electrical, plumbing or HVAC work must be done by a DOPL-licensed contractor.

Residential contractors must register with the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) for residential construction estimated at $10,000 or more (labor and materials). Registration requires insurance and a written-contract attestation, not a competency exam. Subcontractors hired by another contractor are exempt.

General & home improvement:

Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), Secretary of State

Electrical:

Vermont Division of Fire Safety (Dept. of Public Safety)

Plumbing:

Vermont Division of Fire Safety (Dept. of Public Safety)

HVAC / mechanical:

Vermont Division of Fire Safety: refrigeration/AC electrical specialist licenses, gas certifications, oil burner installers (no single HVAC license)

Tip: Contractors on home jobs of $10,000 or more must be registered with OPR. Registration shows they carry insurance, not that OPR has inspected their work quality.

Contractor license from the Board for Contractors (DPOR) required for jobs over $1,000. The license class caps job size: Class C covers single jobs over $1,000 and under $30,000 (and under $250,000 a year); Class B and Class A allow larger jobs.

General & home improvement:

Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR)

Electrical:

Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR), Tradesman program

Plumbing:

Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR), Tradesman program

HVAC / mechanical:

Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR), Tradesman program

Tip: Check the contractor's license class in DPOR's lookup: a Class C contractor can't take a single job of $30,000 or more.

All construction contractors (general and specialty) must register with Labor & Industries (L&I) and carry a bond and liability insurance. No dollar threshold and no competency exam for general/specialty registration.

General & home improvement:

Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)

Electrical:

Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)

Plumbing:

Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)

HVAC / mechanical:

Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I): HVAC is a contractor registration specialty

Tip: L&I's Verify tool shows a contractor's registration, bond lawsuits and safety citations, and whether the electrician or plumber doing the work is certified.

A West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board license is required when the job costs $5,000 or more for residential work or $25,000 or more for commercial work.

General & home improvement:

West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board

Electrical:

WV State Fire Marshal (individual electricians); Contractor Licensing Board (electrical contracting businesses)

Plumbing:

WV Division of Labor (plumber certification); Contractor Licensing Board (plumbing contracting businesses)

HVAC / mechanical:

WV Division of Labor (HVAC technician certification); Contractor Licensing Board (HVAC contracting businesses)

Tip: Contractors need a West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board license for home jobs of $5,000 or more; check it in the board's contractor search.

No general contractor license, but anyone pulling a building permit for a one- or two-family dwelling must hold a DSPS Dwelling Contractor (or Restricted) certification and employ a certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier. Owner-occupants working on their own home are exempt.

General & home improvement:

Wisconsin Dept. of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), Dwelling Contractor certification

Electrical:

Wisconsin DSPS (electrical contractor, master/journeyman electrician)

Plumbing:

Wisconsin DSPS (master/journeyman plumber)

HVAC / mechanical:

Wisconsin DSPS (registered HVAC contractor, HVAC qualifier)

Tip: Whoever pulls the building permit for work on your one- or two-family home must hold a DSPS Dwelling Contractor certification, so look it up before signing.

No state license for general or residential contractors; cities and counties set any contractor licensing. Electrical is the only construction trade licensed statewide.

General & home improvement:

None at state level (local)

Electrical:

Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention & Electrical Safety (State Fire Marshal)

Plumbing:

Local only (cities/counties)

HVAC / mechanical:

Local only (cities/counties)

Tip: Wyoming licenses only electricians and electrical contractors statewide (through the State Fire Marshal); for builders, plumbers and HVAC contractors, ask your city or county building department.