CONTRACTOR LICENSING GUIDE
Do I Need a Contractor’s License?
Whether you need a contractor’s license depends on your state, your trade, and the project value. Here’s how to find out.
The Short Answer: It Depends on Your State
There is no federal contractor licensing requirement. Whether you need a license is determined entirely by your state — and sometimes your city or county. The U.S. falls into three general categories: states that require licensing for most contractors, states with limited or registration-only systems, and states with no statewide contractor license at all.
States that require licensing for general contractors (among others): Florida, California, Louisiana, Alabama, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Virginia.
States with no statewide general contractor license: Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Vermont, New Hampshire. In these states, licensing exists at the local (city/county) level only.
Even in states without statewide licensing, your specific trade may require a license. Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors are licensed at the state level in almost every state — even states that don’t license general contractors.
The fastest way to find out: go to your state’s licensing board website and search for your trade. Or call the building department in the city where you plan to work — they’ll tell you what’s required to pull a permit there.
Related Questions
Do I need a license if I’m just doing small jobs?
Project value thresholds matter in some states. Tennessee, for example, requires licensing for projects over $25,000. Below that threshold, no license is required. Check your specific state’s threshold.
Do subcontractors need licenses?
In most licensing states, yes. Subcontractors performing licensed trade work need their own license, not just the GC’s license.
What happens if I work without a required license?
You cannot legally enforce contracts in court, face criminal charges in most states, and your insurance may deny claims from unlicensed work.
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