Georgia Contractor License Lookup

Georgia requires a state residential contractor license for home building and remodeling over $2,500, and a commercial general contractor license for other construction. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work needs a separate trade license. Search contractors on the official site of the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (Secretary of State), and see the rules for trades and the job price where each applies. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

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

Georgia 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.

Georgia: Remodel, repair or home improvement

  • This state rule applies to jobs over $2,500. Credential: residential contractor license.

    Residential construction or remodeling work (one- and two-family homes and townhouses) needs a state residential contractor license when the value of the work or the contractor's pay, whichever is higher, is over $2,500. Source: O.C.G.A. 43-41-2(9), (10); 43-41-17(a), (f), (g), (h)

    Conditions and exceptions for this rule:

    • Repair work that does not affect the structure is exempt if the person tells the owner they are not licensed.
    • Owners building for their own family's use (not for sale or lease) may act as their own contractor.
    • Specialty trades the board recognizes as exempt (the Attorney General names roofers, painters, drywall contractors and repair handymen) do not need this license.

Look up a contractor on the official site

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

The Attorney General's consumer page says to use the Secretary of State Licensee Search and pick Building & Contractors, then Residential and General Contractors.

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 Georgia licenses contractors

Georgia requires a state residential contractor license for home building and remodeling over $2,500, and a commercial general contractor license for other construction. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work needs a separate trade license. O.C.G.A. 43-41-2, 43-41-17

A contract for work that needs a residential or general contractor license, made with an unlicensed contractor, cannot be enforced by that contractor in court, and the contractor gets no lien or bond claim. O.C.G.A. 43-41-17(b)

Rules by type of work

Home improvement and new homes

  • residential contractor license (residential): Residential construction or remodeling work (one- and two-family homes and townhouses) needs a state residential contractor license when the value of the work or the contractor's pay, whichever is higher, is over $2,500. Issued by Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (Secretary of State). O.C.G.A. 43-41-2(9), (10); 43-41-17(a), (f), (g), (h)
    • Repair work that does not affect the structure is exempt if the person tells the owner they are not licensed.
    • Owners building for their own family's use (not for sale or lease) may act as their own contractor.
    • Specialty trades the board recognizes as exempt (the Attorney General names roofers, painters, drywall contractors and repair handymen) do not need this license.
  • commercial general contractor license (commercial): Construction of commercial, institutional, industrial and other buildings for an owner must be done by a licensed commercial general contractor. The law's exemptions are by type of work or person, not a dollar amount. Issued by Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (Secretary of State). In effect since July 1, 2024. O.C.G.A. 43-41-2(3) (as amended by SB 503, eff. 2024-07-01); 43-41-17(a)
    • Larger multifamily and light commercial buildings within the residential-light commercial limits can be built by a residential-light commercial licensee.

Electrical work

  • state electrical contractor license (Chapter 14): Electrical work that falls under Georgia's Chapter 14 trade licensing law must be done by a person licensed for it by the State Board of Electrical Contractors, even when a licensed residential or general contractor runs the job. Issued by Georgia State Board of Electrical Contractors (Secretary of State). O.C.G.A. 43-41-2(9); O.C.G.A. 43-14

Plumbing

  • state plumber license (Chapter 14): Plumbing work that falls under Georgia's Chapter 14 trade licensing law must be done by a person licensed for it by the Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers, even when a licensed residential or general contractor runs the job. Issued by Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers (Secretary of State). O.C.G.A. 43-41-2(9); O.C.G.A. 43-14

Heating and air conditioning (HVAC)

  • state conditioned air contractor license (Chapter 14): Conditioned air (HVAC) work that falls under Georgia's Chapter 14 trade licensing law must be done by a person licensed for it by the State Board of Conditioned Air Contractors, even when a licensed residential or general contractor runs the job. Issued by Georgia State Board of Conditioned Air Contractors (Secretary of State). O.C.G.A. 43-41-2(9); O.C.G.A. 43-14

Roofing

Georgia does not license roofers at the state level. Roofing can still fall under a residential or general contractor license when it is part of a larger construction job. Check with your city or county. Georgia Attorney General Consumer Protection Division; O.C.G.A. 43-41-17(f)

Where to look up contractors in Georgia

  • Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (Secretary of State): official license search. The Attorney General's consumer page says to use the Secretary of State Licensee Search and pick Building & Contractors, then Residential and General Contractors.
  • Georgia State Board of Electrical Contractors (Secretary of State): official license search
  • Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers (Secretary of State): official license search
  • Georgia State Board of Conditioned Air Contractors (Secretary of State): official license search

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 Georgia?

Use the official online license search from the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (Secretary of State). 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. Other state boards on this page: the Georgia State Board of Electrical Contractors (Secretary of State), the Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers (Secretary of State) and the Georgia State Board of Conditioned Air Contractors (Secretary of State).

Do you need a contractor license for a small job in Georgia?

Residential construction or remodeling work (one- and two-family homes and townhouses) needs a state residential contractor license when the value of the work or the contractor's pay, whichever is higher, is over $2,500. For jobs of $2,500 or less, this state rule generally does not apply, but the conditions and exceptions listed on this page can change that, and a city or county can require its own license.

Which trades need a state license in Georgia?

Electrical: state electrical contractor license (Chapter 14) from the Georgia State Board of Electrical Contractors (Secretary of State). Plumbing: state plumber license (Chapter 14) from the Georgia State Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers (Secretary of State). HVAC: state conditioned air contractor license (Chapter 14) from the Georgia State Board of Conditioned Air Contractors (Secretary of State).

What happens if a Georgia contractor works without a required license?

A contract for work that needs a residential or general contractor license, made with an unlicensed contractor, cannot be enforced by that contractor in court, and the contractor gets no lien or bond claim.

Sources

Checked against official Georgia sources on October 25, 2026.

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