CONTRACTOR LICENSING GUIDE
Do I Need a Separate License for Each Trade?
If you do multiple types of work, you may need multiple licenses. Here’s how trade-specific licensing works.
Specialty Trades Are Separately Licensed in Most States
The answer is often yes — especially for the four major regulated trades: electrical, plumbing, mechanical (HVAC), and roofing. These trades are licensed separately in almost every state that has contractor licensing at all, because they carry distinct safety risks that regulators treat independently.
A general contractor license does not automatically authorize you to perform electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work. Even in states with broad GC licenses, specialty trades require their own license. A GC who employs licensed electricians can have electrical work done on their projects — but the GC themselves cannot perform the electrical work under their GC license.
What’s typically covered by a GC license without additional licenses: framing, concrete, drywall, insulation, exterior finish, roofing (in states where roofing is not separately licensed), landscaping, and general construction management.
What requires a separate license in most states: electrical work, plumbing, HVAC/mechanical, gas line work, fire suppression systems, elevator installation, asbestos/lead abatement.
Related Questions
Can a GC hire licensed subs and still pull all the permits?
It depends on the state. In most states, specialty trade permits must be pulled by a licensed contractor for that specific trade, not just by the GC.
What if I do small amounts of electrical or plumbing work on my GC projects?
Minor incidental work that doesn’t require a permit may be covered in some states. But anything requiring a permit generally requires a licensed specialty contractor.
Is roofing a separate license?
In some states (Florida, Oregon, Louisiana) yes — roofing is separately licensed. In others, it falls under the GC license. Check your state.
Need Insurance for Multiple License Classifications?
We write GL policies covering multiple trade classifications under one policy where possible.