Reference • Updated 2026
Contractor License Requirements by State — All 50 States 2026
Contractor licensing requirements vary dramatically by state — from strict statewide licensing (California, Florida, Nevada) to almost entirely local regulation (Texas, Illinois, Ohio). Operating without a required license can result in fines, inability to collect payment for work performed, and personal liability. This table covers 2026 requirements — always verify with the specific licensing board in your state before taking on work.
⚠ Always verify: Requirements change. Some states require separate licenses for different trades (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) even if general contractor licensing is not required. Check with your state board for your specific trade.
| State | License Type | Requirement | Licensing Board |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | General Contractor | State license required for jobs over $10,000 | ASLB ↗ |
| Alaska | General/Specialty Contractor | License required for all construction work | CBPL ↗ |
| Arizona | General/Specialty Contractor | ROC license required for jobs over $1,000 | AZROC ↗ |
| Arkansas | Contractor | License required for jobs over $2,000 | ACLB ↗ |
| California | General/Specialty Contractor | CSLB license required for all jobs over $500 | CSLB ↗ |
| Colorado | Local jurisdiction | Licensing primarily at city/county level | Local ↗ |
| Connecticut | Home Improvement | HIC registration required for home improvement | CTDCP ↗ |
| Delaware | General Contractor | License required for work over $10,000 | DDOBA ↗ |
| Florida | General/Specialty Contractor | State license required — one of strictest in US | DBPR ↗ |
| Georgia | General Contractor | License required for residential over $2,500 | GCOC ↗ |
| Hawaii | General/Specialty Contractor | DCCA license required for all contractors | DCCA ↗ |
| Idaho | Public Works Contractor | PWC license for public work; local for residential | Idaho ↗ |
| Illinois | No state license | Municipal licensing — check your city/county | Local ↗ |
| Indiana | No state license | Municipal licensing — check your city/county | Local ↗ |
| Iowa | No state license | Local licensing varies by municipality | Local ↗ |
| Kansas | No state license | Local licensing — check city/county requirements | Local ↗ |
| Kentucky | General Contractor | License required for projects over $10,000 | KCSL ↗ |
| Louisiana | General Contractor | LSLBC license required for jobs over $50,000 | LSLBC ↗ |
| Maine | Home Construction | HIC registration for residential construction | MEPROFED ↗ |
| Maryland | Home Improvement | MHIC license required for all home improvement | MHIC ↗ |
| Massachusetts | Home Improvement | HIC registration required for all home improvement | OCABR ↗ |
| Michigan | Residential Builder | License required for residential construction | LARA ↗ |
| Minnesota | Residential Contractor | BC/R license required for residential | MNDLI ↗ |
| Mississippi | General Contractor | MSBOC license required for jobs over $50,000 | MSBOC ↗ |
| Missouri | No state license | Local licensing — check city/county requirements | Local ↗ |
| Montana | Public Contractor | License required for public work and some residential | Montana ↗ |
| Nebraska | No state license | Local licensing — Omaha and Lincoln have own requirements | Local ↗ |
| Nevada | General/Specialty Contractor | NSCB license required for jobs over $1,000 | NSCB ↗ |
| New Hampshire | Home Improvement | NHOHIC registration for home improvement | NHOHIC ↗ |
| New Jersey | Home Improvement | HIC registration required — among strictest | NJDCA ↗ |
| New Mexico | General Contractor | CID license required for all construction | CID ↗ |
| New York | Home Improvement | Local licensing — NYC, Westchester, Nassau strict | Local ↗ |
| North Carolina | General Contractor | NCLBGC license for projects over $30,000 | NCLBGC ↗ |
| North Dakota | No state license | Local licensing varies by municipality | Local ↗ |
| Ohio | No state license | Local licensing — check city/county requirements | Local ↗ |
| Oklahoma | General Contractor | OCA license required for jobs over $2,500 | OCA ↗ |
| Oregon | CCB License | CCB license required for all residential/commercial work | CCB ↗ |
| Pennsylvania | Home Improvement | HICPA registration required for home improvement | BPOA ↗ |
| Rhode Island | Contractor Registration | Registration required for all construction work | CRMC ↗ |
| South Carolina | General/Specialty Contractor | LLR license required for work over $5,000 | SCLLR ↗ |
| South Dakota | No state license | Local licensing varies by municipality | Local ↗ |
| Tennessee | General Contractor | License required for jobs over $25,000 | TNCSLB ↗ |
| Texas | No state license | Local licensing — check city/county requirements | Local ↗ |
| Utah | General/Specialty Contractor | DOPL license required for all contractors | DOPL ↗ |
| Vermont | No state license | Local permits required; some trades licensed | Local ↗ |
| Virginia | Class A/B/C Contractor | DPOR license required for all work | DPOR ↗ |
| Washington | General/Specialty Contractor | L&I license required for all contractors | LNI ↗ |
| West Virginia | General Contractor | WVOC license for residential/commercial | WVOC ↗ |
| Wisconsin | Dwelling Contractor | DC license required for new construction | DSPS ↗ |
| Wyoming | No state license | Local licensing — check city/county requirements | Local ↗ |
Green = state license required. Last updated June 2026. Always verify current requirements with your state’s licensing board.
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