Contractor License Lookup
Pick a state and the kind of work to see whether the state licenses it, the job price where its rule starts, and a direct link to the board's official license search. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.
State rules checked against official sources on October 25, 2026.
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Labor and materials together, in dollars. Leave it blank to see the state's dollar limits.
Choose a state to see its rules and its official license search.
How contractor licensing works in the United States
Each state decides whether contractors need a state license, and the rules differ a lot. Some states require a license for most construction work above a set job price. Some only register contractors, which is a record of the business rather than a test of skill. Some license only residential or home-improvement work, and 14 leave general contractors to cities and counties.
In our data, 19 jurisdictions have a statewide contractor license, 10 use a state registration, 5 cover only residential or home-improvement work, 1 licenses only commercial trade contractors, 3 mix these, and 13 have no statewide contractor license at all.
Trades are often licensed separately. A state with no general contractor license can still license electricians, plumbers or HVAC contractors statewide, often through a different board.
Contractor license rules and official searches by state
The table shows how each state treats general contractors, the job price at which its general rule applies, and the board whose search you can use. Each state links to its own page with the trade rules, conditions and sources.
Northeast
| State | General contractors | Job price that needs it | Official search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Residential or home-improvement only | more than $200 (residential), conditions apply | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (home improvement and new home construction registration; trade licenses) |
| Maine | No statewide license (local) | No state rule | No statewide general board (trade boards on the state page) |
| Massachusetts | Mixed (see state page) | any job price (residential), conditions apply; any job price, conditions apply | Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, Home Improvement Contractor Program |
| New Hampshire | No statewide license (local) | No state rule | No statewide general board (trade boards on the state page) |
| New Jersey | State registration | any job price (residential), conditions apply | NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, Regulated Business Section (Home Improvement Contractor Business registration) |
| New York | No statewide license (local) | No state rule | No statewide general board (trade boards on the state page) |
| Pennsylvania | State registration | depends on a year of work ($5,000, see rule) (residential), conditions apply | Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection (Home Improvement Contractor Registration) (no online search found) |
| Rhode Island | State registration | $500 or more, conditions apply | Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB) |
| Vermont | State registration | more than $10,000 (residential), conditions apply | Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation (residential contractors) |
Midwest
| State | General contractors | Job price that needs it | Official search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | No statewide license (local) | No state rule | No statewide general board (trade boards on the state page) |
| Indiana | No statewide license (local) | No state rule | No statewide general board (trade boards on the state page) |
| Iowa | State registration | depends on a year of work ($2,000, see rule), conditions apply | Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL), Contractor Registration |
| Kansas | No statewide license (local) | No state rule | No statewide general board (trade boards on the state page) |
| Michigan | Residential or home-improvement only | $600 or more (residential), conditions apply | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (residential builders, M&A contractors, electrical, plumbing, mechanical) |
| Minnesota | Residential or home-improvement only | depends on a year of work ($15,000, see rule) (residential), conditions apply | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), Construction Codes and Licensing Division |
| Missouri | No statewide license (local) | No state rule | No statewide general board (trade boards on the state page) |
| Nebraska | State registration | depends on a year of work ($5,000, see rule), conditions apply | Nebraska Department of Labor, Contractor Registration |
| North Dakota | State license | more than $4,000, conditions apply | North Dakota Secretary of State, Contractor Licensing |
| Ohio | None (commercial trades only) | No state rule | No statewide general board (trade boards on the state page) |
| South Dakota | No statewide license (local) | No state rule | No statewide general board (trade boards on the state page) |
| Wisconsin | Residential or home-improvement only | any job price (residential), conditions apply | Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) |
South
| State | General contractors | Job price that needs it | Official search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Mixed (see state page) | $100,000 or more (commercial), conditions apply; more than $10,000 (residential), conditions apply | Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board |
| Arkansas | Mixed (see state page) | $50,000 or more (commercial), conditions apply; more than $2,000 (residential), conditions apply | Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board and Residential Contractors Committee (Department of Labor and Licensing) (no online search found) |
| Delaware | State registration | any job price, conditions apply | Delaware Department of Labor, Office of Contractor Registration |
| District of Columbia | State license | $300 or more (residential), conditions apply; any job price, conditions apply | DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Business Licensing |
| Florida | State license | $2,500 or more, conditions apply | Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board |
| Georgia | State license | more than $2,500 (residential), conditions apply; any job price (commercial), conditions apply | Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (Secretary of State) |
| Kentucky | No statewide license (local) | No state rule | No statewide general board (trade boards on the state page) |
| Louisiana | State license | $50,000 or more (commercial), conditions apply; $7,500 or more (residential), conditions apply | Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) |
| Maryland | Residential or home-improvement only | any job price (residential), conditions apply | Maryland Home Improvement Commission (Maryland Department of Labor) |
| Mississippi | State license | $50,000 or more (commercial), conditions apply; more than $10,000 (residential) | Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) |
| North Carolina | State license | $40,000 or more, conditions apply | North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors |
| Oklahoma | No statewide license (local) | No state rule | No statewide general board (trade boards on the state page) |
| South Carolina | State license | more than $5,000 (residential), conditions apply; more than $10,000 (commercial) | SC Residential Builders Commission (SC LLR) |
| Tennessee | State license | $25,000 or more, conditions apply; more than $3,000 (residential), conditions apply | Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept. of Commerce & Insurance) |
| Texas | No statewide license (local) | No state rule | No statewide general board (trade boards on the state page) |
| Virginia | State license | more than $1,000, conditions apply | Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, DPOR) |
| West Virginia | State license | $5,000 or more (residential), conditions apply; $25,000 or more (commercial) | West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board |
West
| State | General contractors | Job price that needs it | Official search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | State registration | any job price, conditions apply; any job price (residential), conditions apply | Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Construction Contractors) |
| Arizona | State license | $1,000 or more, conditions apply | Arizona Registrar of Contractors |
| California | State license | $1,000 or more, conditions apply | Contractors State License Board (CSLB) |
| Colorado | No statewide license (local) | No state rule | No statewide general board (trade boards on the state page) |
| Hawaii | State license | more than $1,500, conditions apply | Hawaii Contractors License Board (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing) |
| Idaho | State registration | $2,000 or more, conditions apply | Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Contractors Board; Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Boards) |
| Montana | State license | $2,500 or more, conditions apply | Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Construction Contractor License (CCL) Program |
| Nevada | State license | any job price, conditions apply; $1,000 or more, conditions apply | Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) |
| New Mexico | State license | depends on a year of work ($7,200, see rule), conditions apply | New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID) |
| Oregon | State license | $1,000 or more, conditions apply | Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) |
| Utah | State license | $7,000 or more, conditions apply | Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Construction Trades |
| Washington | State registration | $500 or more, conditions apply | Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) |
| Wyoming | No statewide license (local) | No state rule | No statewide general board (trade boards on the state page) |
How to check a contractor's license
Ask for the license number before you sign, then look it up yourself on the board's site rather than trusting a photo of a card. Search by name or number, and compare what the record shows with what is on your estimate.
- The name or business on the record matches your contract.
- The status is active, not expired, suspended or revoked.
- The license type or class covers the kind of work you are hiring for.
- The license number in the ads and on the contract is the same.
The FTC also suggests asking the contractor for proof of insurance and getting multiple estimates; see our guide to home repair and contractor scams for the warning signs.
What this tool does not do
- It does not check any one contractor. Only the board's own record shows whether a license is active and what it covers.
- It covers state rules. Cities and counties can add their own licenses and permits, and the tool cannot list every local rule.
- It does not decide whether a contractor broke the law or what you can recover. For a dispute, contact the board or a lawyer.
- It does not cover every specialty trade a state licenses (for example pest control, elevators or well drilling).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a contractor is licensed?
Use the licensing board's own online search for the state where the job is. Pick the state above to get the board and its official search link. Search by the contractor's name, business name or license number, then check that the status is active, the license type covers your job, and the name and number match your contract.
Does every state license general contractors?
No. In Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming, there is no statewide general contractor license; some cities and counties license contractors, and many do not. Other states license or register contractors statewide, some only for residential or home-improvement work.
Do electricians and plumbers need a state license?
In our data, 42 of 51 jurisdictions have a statewide license for electrical work on homes and 40 for plumbing, usually from a different board than the one for general contractors. In some other states the general contractor license or registration also covers trade work, or trades are licensed only locally. Pick the state and the kind of work to see which board.
Do small jobs need a state contractor license?
It depends on the state. Many states set a job price below which their state license or registration generally does not apply, often called a handyman or minor-work exemption, and most attach conditions, such as no building permit or no employees. The amounts vary: the lowest in our data is Connecticut's rule, which applies at more than $200. Some states have no dollar minimum, and a city license or a permit can still apply to a small job. Pick the state to see its rule.
Sources
- FTC: How to avoid a home improvement scam
- Alabama: Ala. Code 34-8-1; 34-8-7(a)(2); Ala. Code 34-14A-2(16)
- Alaska: AS 08.18.011(a)
- Arizona: A.R.S. 32-1151
- Arkansas: A.C.A. 17-25-101; 17-25-505; 17-25-513(3); 17-25-603
- California: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 7028, 7048
- Colorado: DORA consumer guidance
- Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. 20-420(a); 20-417b(a)
- Delaware: 19 Del. C. 3604
- District of Columbia: 16 DCMR 800, 899; D.C. Code 47-2853.02(a); DC Attorney General consumer guidance
- Florida: Fla. Stat. 489.127(1)(f); 489.103(9)
- Georgia: O.C.G.A. 43-41-2, 43-41-17
- Hawaii: HRS 444-9; 444-2(4)
- Idaho: Idaho Code 54-5204(1)
- Illinois: Illinois Attorney General consumer alert (2024)
- Indiana: IN.gov Indiana Business Guide (Contractor Services)
- Iowa: Iowa Code 91C.1, 91C.2
- Kansas: Kansas Business Starter Kit (Construction); K.S.A. 12-1557
- Kentucky: Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (agency description)
- Louisiana: La. R.S. 37:2150.1(4)(a); 37:2163(A)(1)
- Maine: Maine Attorney General, Home Construction Contracts; Maine Consumer Law Guide ch. 17 (rev. April 2026)
- Maryland: Md. Code, Bus. Reg. 8-301(a); 4.5-301(a)
- Massachusetts: M.G.L. c.142A, s.9; 780 CMR (construction supervisor)
- Michigan: MCL 339.601(1); 339.2401; 339.2403(f)
- Minnesota: Minn. Stat. 326B.805, subd. 1
- Mississippi: Miss. Code 31-3-1, 31-3-21; 73-59-1; MSBOC FAQ
- Missouri: RSMo 287.061; Missouri Division of Professional Registration professions list (checked 2026-10-25)
- Montana: MCA 37-45-201 (Ch. 644, L. 2025, HB 239)
- Nebraska: Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-2104
- Nevada: NRS 624.700, 624.031
- New Hampshire: NH Insurance Department consumer guidance; RSA 319-C:1; RSA 153:27-36
- New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 56:8-136 et seq.; N.J.S.A. 46:3B-1 et seq.
- New Mexico: NMSA 1978 60-13-12(A)
- New York: NY Attorney General consumer guidance
- North Carolina: N.C. Gen. Stat. 87-1 (as amended by S.L. 2023-108, eff. 2023-10-01)
- North Dakota: N.D.C.C. 43-07-02
- Ohio: R.C. 4740.01, 4740.13
- Oklahoma: Oklahoma Construction Industries Board FAQ
- Oregon: ORS 701.021(1)
- Pennsylvania: Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Act 132 of 2008), 73 P.S. 517.1 et seq.
- Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws 5-65-3(a)
- South Carolina: S.C. Code 40-11-30; 40-59-20(6), (7)
- South Dakota: SD DLR boards and commissions list (no contractor board); City of Sioux Falls Residential Building Contractors
- Tennessee: T.C.A. 62-6-102, 62-6-103; 62-6-501 et seq. (as summarized by the Board for Licensing Contractors)
- Texas: Office of the Governor small business webinar (TDLR speaker); TDLR regulated industries list
- Utah: Utah Code 58-55-301(1)(a); 58-55-305(1)(h)
- Vermont: 26 V.S.A. 5501(a)
- Virginia: Va. Code 54.1-1103(A); 54.1-1100
- Washington: RCW 18.27.020(1)
- West Virginia: W. Va. Code 30-42-3(d); 30-42-6(a)
- Wisconsin: Wis. Stat. 101.654(1)(a); Wis. Admin. Code SPS 305.31(1)
- Wyoming: Wyoming Business Council, Startup Resources; Wyoming Secretary of State business FAQ
State rules last checked against official sources on October 25, 2026.
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