Researched States Growing · Independent Reference Guide
Contractor License Requirements by State
Some states require a single statewide general contractor license. Some license only above a dollar threshold, or only certain trades. Some use registration instead of an exam. A few have no statewide requirement at all. This guide tells you which is true where you operate — with real sources, not guesses.
Why This Is Complicated
Why Contractor Licensing Varies So Much by State
Construction licensing was left to the states in the original federal framework, and it stayed there — there's no national contractor's license anyone can apply for. Fifty separate legislatures set their own thresholds, exams, and bonding rules, and a change in one state (a new law, a raised threshold) has zero effect on any other.
Some States Require a Statewide License
States like California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, Virginia, Nevada, and Michigan require a statewide contractor license, each with its own classifications, exam, and bonding rules.
Others License by Threshold or Trade Only
Tennessee triggers licensure at a $25,000 project threshold. Colorado and Illinois license specific trades statewide (electrical, plumbing, roofing) but leave general contracting to cities and counties.
Some Have No Statewide GC License
States including Texas, Ohio, and New York have no statewide general contractor license at all — regulation, if any, happens entirely at the city or county level.
National Snapshot
How Our Researched States Break Down
8
Require a Statewide License
5
No Statewide GC License
3
Registration-Only or Threshold-Based
Based on 16 states we've researched in depth so far, spanning every region of the country. We're adding more states over time — see the full directory for what's covered today.
Start Here
Look Up Any Researched State
Every researched state has its own page with the license model, the licensing board to contact, exam details, bonding facts, and continuing-education requirements.
California
CAOne of the most structured systems in the country — 40+ specialty classifications under a single statewide board.
Statewide License RequiredTexas
TXNo statewide general contractor license, exam, or bond — but specialty trades and many cities have their own rules.
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 RequiredNew York
NYNo statewide general contractor license — licensing is handled entirely at the city and county level.
No Statewide GC LicensePennsylvania
PANo competency-based license or exam — home improvement contractors register under a consumer-protection law instead.
Registration, Not LicensureOhio
OHNo statewide general contractor license — the state licenses only 5 commercial specialty trades, everything else is local.
No Statewide GC LicenseGeorgia
GAA tiered statewide system with specific, confirmed insurance minimums and a documented reciprocity program.
Statewide License RequiredNorth Carolina
NCA statewide license required above $40,000 in project value, with a distinctive bond-as-alternative-to-net-worth system.
Statewide License RequiredArizona
AZA statewide dual-license system (Commercial vs. Residential) — several specific figures need direct confirmation.
Statewide License Required
Working the Directory
What to Pull From Your State's Page
- 1
Which classification covers your work
General building, a specific specialty class, or nothing licensed at the state level — this determines whether you need to keep reading.
- 2
The exam vendor and format
PSI runs most states' exams, but not all — and the split between a trade exam and a business/law exam differs by state.
- 3
Bond and insurance minimums as separate line items
A bond and a liability policy are two different requirements that get conflated constantly — we list them separately per state where the figures were confirmable.
- 4
Whether your state runs on a renewal or a one-time credential
CE hours, renewal cycles, and expiration rules vary independently of whether the state licenses at all — check this even in states with no upfront exam.
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.
Common Questions
Quick Answers
Is there one national contractor license?
No. There is no federal or nationwide general contractor license. Licensing is entirely state-by-state (and sometimes city or county-by-county) — some states require a statewide license above a dollar threshold, some license only specific trades, some use registration instead of a competency exam, and some have no statewide requirement at all.
Does passing the NASCLA exam make me licensed everywhere?
No. The NASCLA Accredited exam is a trade-exam substitute accepted by a specific, documented list of states — passing it isn't a license by itself, and you still have to apply separately to each state's board. See our licensing exam page for the current participating list.
How do I know which category my state falls into?
Use the states directory to look up your specific state. Each researched state page identifies whether it has a statewide license, what exam and bond it requires, and what continuing education looks like — along with the licensing board to contact for current details.
Don't Guess on a Threshold Number
Send us your trade, your state, and roughly what the job is worth — we'll tell you whether you're actually required to hold a license before you bid it.