Alaska Contractor License Lookup
Alaska requires every contractor to register with the state before bidding or working, with no dollar minimum. Residential builders also need a residential contractor endorsement. Search contractors on the official site of the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Construction Contractors), and see the rules for trades and the job price where each applies. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.
Alaska 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.
Alaska: Remodel, repair or home improvement
Alaska has a state rule for this work with no dollar minimum. Credential: contractor registration.
Anyone who bids on or works as a contractor needs a state contractor registration, whatever the job size. The exemptions are by type of person, such as owners working on their own property. Source: AS 08.18.011(a); AS 08.18.161(9)
Conditions and exceptions for this rule:
- Exempt: a person working on an existing structure on their own property, or on their own existing residence.
Alaska has a state rule for this work with no dollar minimum. Credential: residential contractor endorsement.
A general contractor building a private home of one to four units, or altering one by more than 25 percent of its value, needs a residential contractor endorsement. Source: AS 08.18.025(a)
Conditions and exceptions for this rule:
- For remodels, the endorsement applies when the changes are worth more than 25 percent of the value of the structure.
Look up a contractor on the official site
Search by license number, program, license type, business (DBA) name, owner or entity name, or city.
What to check on the board's record
- The name or business on the record matches the name on your contract or estimate.
- The status is active, not expired, suspended or revoked.
- The license type or class covers your kind of job.
- The license number in the contractor's ads and contract is the same one.
This summarises state rules from official sources. Only the board's own record can confirm one contractor's license. Checked October 25, 2026.
How Alaska licenses contractors
Alaska requires every contractor to register with the state before bidding or working, with no dollar minimum. Residential builders also need a residential contractor endorsement. AS 08.18.011(a)
The state may fine a contractor up to $1,000 for a first violation of the registration or residential endorsement rules and up to $1,500 for later violations. An unregistered contractor also cannot sue to collect payment. AS 08.18.125(a); AS 08.18.151
Rules by type of work
Home improvement and new homes
- contractor registration: Anyone who bids on or works as a contractor needs a state contractor registration, whatever the job size. The exemptions are by type of person, such as owners working on their own property. Issued by Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Construction Contractors). AS 08.18.011(a); AS 08.18.161(9)
- Exempt: a person working on an existing structure on their own property, or on their own existing residence.
- residential contractor endorsement (residential): A general contractor building a private home of one to four units, or altering one by more than 25 percent of its value, needs a residential contractor endorsement. Issued by Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Construction Contractors). AS 08.18.025(a)
- For remodels, the endorsement applies when the changes are worth more than 25 percent of the value of the structure.
Electrical work
- electrical contractor registration with a licensed electrical administrator: An electrical contractor must be registered and hold, or employ someone with, a state electrical administrator license, and may only bid or work on projects covered by that administrator. Issued by Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Construction Contractors). 12 AAC 21.310
Plumbing and HVAC
- mechanical contractor registration with a licensed mechanical administrator: Plumbing, heating, air conditioning and ventilation contractors are mechanical contractors and must be registered and hold, or employ someone with, a state mechanical administrator license. Issued by Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Construction Contractors). 12 AAC 21.600; AS 08.18.171 (mechanical contractor definition)
Roofing
- contractor registration: Anyone who bids on or works as a contractor needs a state contractor registration, whatever the job size. The exemptions are by type of person, such as owners working on their own property. Issued by Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Construction Contractors). AS 08.18.011(a); AS 08.18.161(9)
- Exempt: a person working on an existing structure on their own property, or on their own existing residence.
Where to look up contractors in Alaska
- Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Construction Contractors): official license search. Search by license number, program, license type, business (DBA) name, owner or entity name, or city.
On the record, check that the name matches your contract, the status is active (not expired, suspended or revoked), the license type covers your job, and the license number matches the one the contractor gave you.
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 look up a contractor license in Alaska?
Use the official online license search from the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Construction Contractors). Search by the contractor's name, business name or license number, and check that the status is active and the license type covers your job.
Does Alaska require a contractor license?
Anyone who bids on or works as a contractor needs a state contractor registration, whatever the job size. The exemptions are by type of person, such as owners working on their own property. A general contractor building a private home of one to four units, or altering one by more than 25 percent of its value, needs a residential contractor endorsement.
Which trades need a state license in Alaska?
Electrical: electrical contractor registration with a licensed electrical administrator from the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Construction Contractors). Plumbing: mechanical contractor registration with a licensed mechanical administrator from the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Construction Contractors). HVAC: mechanical contractor registration with a licensed mechanical administrator from the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Construction Contractors).
What happens if an Alaska contractor works without a required license?
The state may fine a contractor up to $1,000 for a first violation of the registration or residential endorsement rules and up to $1,500 for later violations. An unregistered contractor also cannot sue to collect payment.
Sources
- Alaska: AS 08.18.011(a)
- Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (Construction Contractors): license search
- FTC: How to avoid a home improvement scam
Checked against official Alaska sources on October 25, 2026.
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