New Hampshire Contractor License Lookup

New Hampshire does not require general contractors to hold a state license. Electricians and plumbers are licensed by the state. Check permits and any local rules with your town. See the state rules for trades and where to check a license. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

New Hampshire 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.

New Hampshire: Remodel, repair or home improvement

New Hampshire does not license this work statewide.

New Hampshire does not license general contractors or home improvement contractors at the state level. Check references, insurance and building permits with your town. Source

This summarises state rules from official sources. Only the board's own record can confirm one contractor's license. Checked October 25, 2026.

How New Hampshire licenses contractors

New Hampshire does not require general contractors to hold a state license. Electricians and plumbers are licensed by the state. Check permits and any local rules with your town. NH Insurance Department consumer guidance; RSA 319-C:1; RSA 153:27-36

Rules by type of work

Remodel, repair or home improvement

New Hampshire does not license general contractors or home improvement contractors at the state level. Check references, insurance and building permits with your town. NH Attorney General consumer alert (2022); NH Insurance Department (2026)

Building a new home

New Hampshire has no state license for home builders or general contractors. Your town may require building permits and inspections. NH Insurance Department consumer guidance

Electrical work

  • electrician license: Electrical installations done for pay must be made by an electrician licensed through the state Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. The statute sets no dollar threshold. Issued by NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Electricians' Board. RSA 319-C:1

Plumbing

  • plumber license: Plumbers are licensed by the state Mechanical Licensing Board (master, journeyman and apprentice plumber licenses). The law sets no dollar threshold; its exceptions are by type of person. Issued by NH OPLC, Mechanical Licensing Board (plumbers and fuel gas fitters). RSA 153:29, 153:36
    • A property owner (or the owner's agent) working on the owner's own single-family or townhouse residence is exempt from the plumbing license requirement, but the work must still meet the state plumbing code.
    • Plumbing done as part of installing heating, cooling or water heating systems is exempt from the plumbing license requirement.

Heating and air conditioning (HVAC)

We could not confirm a statewide New Hampshire rule for this work from official sources. Ask the contractor which license covers it, check that license with the agency that issued it, and ask your city or county building department.

Roofing

New Hampshire has no state roofing contractor license. Check with your town about permits. NH Attorney General consumer alert; OPLC board list

Where to look up contractors in New Hampshire

  • NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Electricians' Board: official license search. Select a profession and license type, then search by name or license number.
  • NH OPLC, Mechanical Licensing Board (plumbers and fuel gas fitters): official license search. Select a profession and license type, then search by name or license number.

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 New Hampshire?

New Hampshire has no statewide license search for general contractors. Ask your city or county building department which license the job needs and how to check it. For trade work, the state boards on this page are: NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Electricians' Board and NH OPLC, Mechanical Licensing Board (plumbers and fuel gas fitters).

Does New Hampshire require a general contractor license?

New Hampshire does not license general contractors or home improvement contractors at the state level. Check references, insurance and building permits with your town.

Which trades need a state license in New Hampshire?

Electrical: electrician license from the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Electricians' Board. Plumbing: plumber license from the NH OPLC, Mechanical Licensing Board (plumbers and fuel gas fitters).

Sources

Checked against official New Hampshire sources on October 25, 2026.

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