General Contractor License Requirements by State (2026)

27 states require a state-level general contractor license.23 states rely on local or no licensing. Select your state for detailed requirements.

State License Required (27 states)

No State License (23 states)

States Requiring a General Contractor License

AlabamaState license required for projects over $50,000 AlaskaState license required ArizonaROC license required for all contractors ArkansasState license for projects over $50,000 CaliforniaCSLB license required for projects over $500 ConnecticutState registration required FloridaState or county license required HawaiiState license required LouisianaState license required for projects over $50,000 MarylandMHIC license required MassachusettsState registration and license required MichiganState license required for residential builders MinnesotaState license required MississippiState license for projects over $50,000 NevadaState license required New JerseyState registration required (NJDCA)New MexicoState license required North CarolinaState license for projects over $30,000 North DakotaState license required OregonCCB license required Rhode IslandState registration required South CarolinaState license for projects over $5,000 TennesseeState license for projects over $25,000 UtahState license required VirginiaState license for projects over $1,000 WashingtonState registration required West VirginiaState license required

States Without a State-Level General Contractor License

These states don't require a state-level license, but many cities and counties within them do. Always check local requirements.

ColoradoNo state license — local registration varies by city DelawareNo state license — local licenses required in some jurisdictions GeorgiaNo state license for GCs — local licenses required IdahoRegistration with Idaho Bureau required IllinoisNo state GC license — local licenses required in Chicago and other cities IndianaNo state GC license — local licenses vary IowaNo state license — registration required KansasNo state license — local licenses required in some cities KentuckyNo state GC license — local licenses vary by county MaineNo state license — voluntary certification available MissouriNo state license — local licenses required in major cities MontanaNo state license — registration required NebraskaNo state license — local licenses vary New HampshireNo state GC license New YorkNo state license — NYC and other cities require local licenses OhioNo state GC license — local licenses required in major cities OklahomaNo state GC license — local licenses vary PennsylvaniaNo state license — local licenses required in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh South DakotaNo state license — local licenses vary TexasNo state GC license — local registration required in most cities VermontNo state license — registration with AG required WisconsinDwelling Contractor Certification required WyomingNo state license — local licenses vary

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