CONTRACTOR LICENSING GUIDE
What Happens If Your Contractor’s License Gets Revoked?
License revocation is among the most serious professional consequences a contractor can face. Here’s what it means and what comes next.
Revocation vs. Suspension — Important Distinction
A suspension is temporary — your license is inactive for a defined period or until specified conditions are met (insurance reinstated, fine paid, complaint resolved). A revocation is permanent — your license is terminated and removed from active status.
Revocation consequences: You cannot legally contract from the moment of revocation. Any work contracted under the revoked license after that date is unlicensed contracting. Revocation is recorded in the state’s public license lookup database and is permanently visible. It affects your ability to apply for a new license.
Getting licensed again after revocation: Most states require a waiting period before you can re-apply — typically 2–5 years. The board will review the underlying cause of revocation, whether the issue has been remedied, and whether public trust can be restored. Causes involving fraud or financial harm have the longest re-application bars.
Insurance implications: A revocation makes you a high-risk applicant for GL insurance. Carriers may decline coverage, apply significant surcharges, or require a specialty market. This creates a challenging situation where getting re-licensed requires insurance, but insurance is difficult to obtain after revocation.
If you receive notice of potential revocation, consult a construction attorney before the hearing. The difference between suspension and revocation often comes down to the quality of your defense and your ability to demonstrate remediation.
Related Questions
Can I appeal a license revocation?
Yes. Most states have a formal administrative appeal process. You must file within the deadline specified in the revocation notice — typically 20-30 days. Legal representation significantly improves appeal outcomes.
Can I work as an employee of a licensed contractor after my license is revoked?
Generally yes — you can perform construction work as an employee. You cannot be the qualifying agent on any license, and you cannot hold your own license during the revocation period.
How long does revocation stay on my record?
Permanently — revocations are part of the permanent public licensing record. They do not expire or get removed like criminal expungements.
Protect Your License — Keep Insurance Current
Lapsed insurance is one of the most common paths to disciplinary action. We prevent that.