New Jersey Contractor License Lookup

New Jersey requires home improvement contractors to register with the Division of Consumer Affairs and new home builders to register with the Department of Community Affairs. Electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors need state licenses. Search contractors on the official site of the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, Regulated Business Section (Home Improvement Contractor Business registration), and see the rules for trades and the job price where each applies. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Search NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, Regulated Business Section (Home Improvement Contractor Business registration)

New Jersey 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 Jersey: Remodel, repair or home improvement

  • New Jersey has a state rule for this work with no dollar minimum. Credential: home improvement contractor registration.

    Businesses that repair, remodel, renovate or build additions on homes, including roofing and siding, must register with the Division of Consumer Affairs. The law sets no dollar threshold; its exemptions are by type of person. Registration is not a competency license. Source: N.J.S.A. 56:8-138 (Contractors' Registration Act)

    Conditions and exceptions for this rule:

    • People working on a home they or a family member own are exempt.
    • Unregistered home improvement contractors will not be issued municipal construction permits.
    • Home improvement contracts costing more than $500 must be in writing.
    • Registration with the State is not an endorsement or approval of the contractor.

Look up a contractor on the official site

Search NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, Regulated Business Section (Home Improvement Contractor Business registration)

The verification system says to choose Business Search for home improvement contractors and electrical contractor businesses.

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 New Jersey licenses contractors

New Jersey requires home improvement contractors to register with the Division of Consumer Affairs and new home builders to register with the Department of Community Affairs. Electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors need state licenses. N.J.S.A. 56:8-136 et seq.; N.J.S.A. 46:3B-1 et seq.

Rules by type of work

Home improvement and roofing

  • home improvement contractor registration (residential): Businesses that repair, remodel, renovate or build additions on homes, including roofing and siding, must register with the Division of Consumer Affairs. The law sets no dollar threshold; its exemptions are by type of person. Registration is not a competency license. Issued by NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, Regulated Business Section (Home Improvement Contractor Business registration). N.J.S.A. 56:8-138 (Contractors' Registration Act)
    • People working on a home they or a family member own are exempt.
    • Unregistered home improvement contractors will not be issued municipal construction permits.
    • Home improvement contracts costing more than $500 must be in writing.
    • Registration with the State is not an endorsement or approval of the contractor.

Building a new home

  • new home builder registration (residential): All builders of new homes, including single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums and modular homes, must register with the Department of Community Affairs New Home Warranty Program before starting construction. Issued by NJ Department of Community Affairs, New Home Warranty Program (builder registration). N.J.S.A. 46:3B-1 et seq.; N.J.A.C. 5:25
    • A person building a new home for their own personal use is exempt.
    • A builder cannot get a construction permit for a new home without a current registration.
    • Builders who fail to register face fines of up to $2,000, and each home sold while unregistered is a separate offense.

Electrical work

  • electrical contractor license: Electrical contractors must hold a state license and a business permit from the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. No dollar threshold is stated. Issued by NJ State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. Electrical Contractors Licensing Act of 1962 (N.J.S.A. 45:5A)

Plumbing

  • master plumber license: Master plumbers must be licensed by the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers. No dollar threshold is stated. Issued by NJ State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers. N.J.S.A. 45:14C

Heating and air conditioning (HVAC)

  • HVACR contractor license: Heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration contractors are licensed by the state HVACR Board. No dollar threshold is stated. Issued by NJ State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Contractors. N.J.S.A. 45:16A

Where to look up contractors in New Jersey

  • NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, Regulated Business Section (Home Improvement Contractor Business registration): official license search. The verification system says to choose Business Search for home improvement contractors and electrical contractor businesses.
  • NJ Department of Community Affairs, New Home Warranty Program (builder registration): official website
  • NJ State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors: official license search
  • NJ State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers: official license search
  • NJ State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Contractors: 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 New Jersey?

Use the official online license search from the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, Regulated Business Section (Home Improvement Contractor Business registration). 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 NJ Department of Community Affairs, New Home Warranty Program (builder registration), the NJ State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, the NJ State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers and the NJ State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Contractors.

Does New Jersey require a contractor license?

Businesses that repair, remodel, renovate or build additions on homes, including roofing and siding, must register with the Division of Consumer Affairs. The law sets no dollar threshold; its exemptions are by type of person. Registration is not a competency license.

Which trades need a state license in New Jersey?

Electrical: electrical contractor license from the NJ State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. Plumbing: master plumber license from the NJ State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers. HVAC: HVACR contractor license from the NJ State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Contractors.

Sources

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

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