Vermont Contractor License Lookup

Vermont requires residential contractors to register with the Office of Professional Regulation before contracting with a homeowner for more than $10,000. Electricians and plumbers are licensed by the Department of Public Safety. Search contractors on the official site of the Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation (residential contractors), and see the rules for trades and the job price where each applies. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Search Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation (residential contractors)

Vermont 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.

Vermont: Remodel, repair or home improvement

  • This state rule applies to jobs over $10,000. Credential: residential contractor registration.

    Building, altering, renovating, repairing or roofing a home (up to four units) for a homeowner needs a state residential contractor registration when the job is more than $10,000, including labor and materials. Source: 26 V.S.A. 5501(a), (b); 5502 (2021, No. 182 (Adj. Sess.))

    In effect since July 1, 2022.

    Conditions and exceptions for this rule:

    • Tradespeople licensed by the Department of Public Safety (such as electricians and plumbers) working within their license, and employees of a registered business, are exempt.
    • Landscaping and work on structures not attached to the home are exempt.

Look up a contractor on the official site

Search Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation (residential 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 Vermont licenses contractors

Vermont requires residential contractors to register with the Office of Professional Regulation before contracting with a homeowner for more than $10,000. Electricians and plumbers are licensed by the Department of Public Safety. 26 V.S.A. 5501(a)

A contractor who does not register as required can face an injunction, a civil penalty, or both. 26 V.S.A. 5510(a)

Rules by type of work

Home improvement, new homes, HVAC and roofing

  • residential contractor registration (residential): Building, altering, renovating, repairing or roofing a home (up to four units) for a homeowner needs a state residential contractor registration when the job is more than $10,000, including labor and materials. Issued by Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation (residential contractors). In effect since July 1, 2022. 26 V.S.A. 5501(a), (b); 5502 (2021, No. 182 (Adj. Sess.))
    • Tradespeople licensed by the Department of Public Safety (such as electricians and plumbers) working within their license, and employees of a registered business, are exempt.
    • Landscaping and work on structures not attached to the home are exempt.

Electrical work

  • state electrician license: Installing, replacing or repairing electrical installations requires an appropriate license from the Electricians' Licensing Board. The statute sets no dollar minimum; doing the work without a license carries a fine of up to $500 per offense. Issued by Vermont Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety (Electricians' Licensing Board, Plumber's Examining Board). 26 V.S.A. 911
    • Limited exceptions in 26 V.S.A. 882 and 910 (for example, some owner-occupied farm work) apply.

Plumbing

  • state plumber license: All plumbing and specialty work in Vermont must be done by a plumber licensed by the Plumber's Examining Board. The statute sets no dollar minimum. Issued by Vermont Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety (Electricians' Licensing Board, Plumber's Examining Board). 26 V.S.A. 2198(a)
    • The statute lists exceptions, starting with work an owner or the owner's regular employees do (26 V.S.A. 2198(a)).

Where to look up contractors in Vermont

  • Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation (residential contractors): official license search
  • Vermont Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety (Electricians' Licensing Board, Plumber's Examining Board): official license search. Open the Division of Fire Safety master list of license and certification holders and filter by name.

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 Vermont?

Use the official online license search from the Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation (residential 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. Other state boards on this page: the Vermont Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety (Electricians' Licensing Board, Plumber's Examining Board).

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

Building, altering, renovating, repairing or roofing a home (up to four units) for a homeowner needs a state residential contractor registration when the job is more than $10,000, including labor and materials. For jobs of $10,000 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 Vermont?

Electrical: state electrician license from the Vermont Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety (Electricians' Licensing Board, Plumber's Examining Board). Plumbing: state plumber license from the Vermont Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety (Electricians' Licensing Board, Plumber's Examining Board). HVAC: covered by the residential contractor registration from the Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation (residential contractors) (residential work, more than $10,000).

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

A contractor who does not register as required can face an injunction, a civil penalty, or both.

Sources

Checked against official Vermont sources on October 25, 2026.

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