Contractor Licensing Requirements in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is unusual: it issues no general contractor license at the state level, and most cities and towns don’t license general contractors either. But specialty trades — electrical, plumbing, gas fitting, and mechanical work — are tightly regulated by the state’s Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC).

New Hampshire’s Contractor Licensing System

There is no statewide or (in most municipalities) local general contractor license in New Hampshire — anyone can legally call themselves a general contractor without a license or registration. However, electricians are licensed by the state Electricians’ Board and plumbers, gas fitters, and mechanical contractors by the Mechanical Safety & Licensing Board, both under the OPLC.

Licensed Trade Classes in New Hampshire

• General contractor — no state or (typically) local license required
• Electrical — apprentice, journeyman, medium voltage, and master electrician licenses
• Plumbing — apprentice, journeyman, and master plumber licenses
• Gas fitting and mechanical systems — licensed separately by the Mechanical Safety & Licensing Board

Exam & Experience Requirements

For electricians, a journeyman license requires four years of supervised field experience plus completion of an approved 600-hour training program (or equivalent) and passing an exam. For plumbers, a journeyman license requires a minimum of 3,000 hours of on-the-job training plus a passing exam, and master plumber status requires at least six additional months as a licensed journeyman. General contractors face none of this since there’s no license to obtain.

NASCLA Reciprocity

New Hampshire is not a NASCLA Accredited Examination participating state — with no general contractor license to begin with, NASCLA reciprocity has nothing to apply to.

Bonding & Insurance Considerations

New Hampshire doesn’t require a surety bond or specific insurance minimum for unlicensed general contracting work, though licensed electrical and plumbing contractors typically carry liability insurance as a practical business necessity and sometimes a board expectation. Most clients and GCs still require proof of general liability and workers’ comp before hiring, license or not.

For exact GL and workers’ comp dollar minimums required to get licensed, see Insurance Minimums to Get Licensed.

Reciprocity with Other States

Since general contracting isn’t licensed in New Hampshire, reciprocity is moot for that category. Licensed trades like electrical and plumbing evaluate out-of-state licenses and experience case-by-case through the relevant board rather than through a blanket reciprocity agreement.

New Hampshire Licensing Fees & Timeline

Penalties for Unlicensed Contracting

Unlicensed electrical work in New Hampshire is a misdemeanor for individuals (a felony for businesses/entities) under RSA 319-C:15, and the OPLC has issued administrative fines as high as $7,500 for unlicensed electrical practice in enforcement actions; unlicensed plumbing and mechanical work carries similar exposure under the Mechanical Safety & Licensing Board’s statutes.

Resources: NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), NH Electricians’ Board — Application, RSA 319-C — Electricians

Frequently Asked Questions

Municipal permit and licensing rules vary; verify current requirements with your local building department and the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification before relying on this information for a business decision.