How to check a contractor license, state by state
You check a contractor license with the state board that issues it, and each state that licenses contractors runs its own lookup. Some states license general contractors, some only register them, and some license only trades such as electricians and plumbers. Pick your state below to see who issues the license, where the lookup is, and what it shows.
- Alabama: the Home Builders Licensure Board licenses residential work, and the Licensing Board for General Contractors covers larger projects.
- Alaska: contractors register with the state's professional licensing division, and home builders also need a residential endorsement.
- Arizona: the Registrar of Contractors licenses contractors for residential and commercial work.
- Arkansas: the Contractors Licensing Board handles both residential and commercial contractors.
- California: the Contractors State License Board licenses contractors, and the state certifies electricians separately.
- Colorado: cities and counties license general contractors, while the state licenses electricians and plumbers.
- Connecticut: the Department of Consumer Protection registers home improvement contractors and licenses the trades.
- Delaware: contractors hold a business license from the Division of Revenue, and trade boards license electricians and plumbers.
- District of Columbia: DLCP licenses home improvement contractors in the District.
- Florida: the Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses construction and electrical contractors.
- Georgia: the Secretary of State's licensing boards cover residential and general contractors and the trades.
- Hawaii: the Contractors License Board licenses contractors, and a separate board licenses electricians and plumbers.
- Idaho: contractors register with the Idaho Contractors Board, and the trades hold their own state licenses.
- Illinois: the state licenses roofers and plumbers, and cities and counties handle general contractors.
- Indiana: the state licenses plumbers, and cities and counties license general contractors and other trades.
- Iowa: contractors register with the state, which also licenses electricians, plumbers and mechanical trades.
- Kansas: the Attorney General registers roofers, and counties and cities license other contractors.
- Kentucky: the state licenses electrical, HVAC and plumbing work, and local governments handle general contractors.
- Louisiana: the State Licensing Board for Contractors licenses contractors, including home improvement work.
- Maine: there is no state license for home contractors, but electricians and plumbers are licensed.
- Maryland: the Maryland Home Improvement Commission licenses home improvement contractors, and separate boards license the trades.
- Massachusetts: home improvement contractors register with the state, and construction supervisors hold their own license.
- Michigan: LARA licenses residential builders and maintenance and alteration contractors.
- Minnesota: the Department of Labor and Industry licenses residential contractors and the trades.
- Mississippi: the State Board of Contractors licenses commercial and residential contractors.
- Missouri: cities and counties license general contractors, and the state handles some electrical contractors.
- Montana: the Department of Labor and Industry licenses construction contractors, and its licensing boards cover electricians and plumbers.
- Nebraska: contractors register with the Department of Labor, and electricians are licensed by the state.
- Nevada: the Nevada State Contractors Board licenses contractors for most construction work.
- New Hampshire: there is no state license for general contractors, but electricians and plumbers are licensed.
- New Jersey: home improvement contractors register with the Division of Consumer Affairs, and the trades are licensed.
- New Mexico: the Construction Industries Division licenses general and trade contractors.
- New York: there is no statewide license, so New York City and several counties license contractors locally.
- North Carolina: the Licensing Board for General Contractors and two trade boards each run a lookup.
- North Dakota: the Secretary of State licenses contractors, and state boards license electricians and plumbers.
- Ohio: the state licenses commercial trade contractors, and local building departments handle residential contractors.
- Oklahoma: the Construction Industries Board licenses the trades and registers roofers.
- Oregon: the Construction Contractors Board licenses contractors, and the Oregon and Washington guide walks through its lookup.
- Pennsylvania: home improvement contractors register with the Attorney General, and trade licenses are local.
- Rhode Island: the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board registers contractors, and the trades are licensed separately.
- South Carolina: the Residential Builders Commission and the Contractor's Licensing Board split the work by type.
- South Dakota: contractors hold a tax license, and state commissions license electricians and plumbers.
- Tennessee: the Board for Licensing Contractors licenses contractors and home improvement contractors.
- Texas: there is no state license for general contractors, but electricians, HVAC contractors and plumbers are licensed.
- Utah: the Division of Professional Licensing licenses contractors.
- Vermont: residential contractors register with the Office of Professional Regulation, and the state licenses electricians and plumbers.
- Virginia: the Board for Contractors licenses contractors by class.
- Washington: L&I registers contractors, and the same guide covers its Verify tool.
- West Virginia: the Contractor Licensing Board licenses contractors, and other state offices license the trades.
- Wisconsin: the Department of Safety and Professional Services issues the Dwelling Contractor certification.
- Wyoming: cities and counties license general contractors, and the state licenses electricians.
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