How to Verify a Contractor's License (State-by-State)
How to Verify a Contractor’s License (State-by-State)
Before you hand a contractor a deposit check, you should verify their license. It takes five minutes and can save you thousands of dollars in potential losses. This guide provides a state-by-state directory of licensing boards, a step-by-step verification process, and additional checks beyond licensing that protect your investment.
Always verify contractor licensing and insurance in your state. Cost estimates are averages and may vary by location.
State-by-State Licensing Board Directory
| State | Licensing Board | License Threshold | License Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | AL Licensing Board for General Contractors | $50,000+ | General, Subcontractor |
| Alaska | AK Dept. of Commerce, Div. of Corporations | $10,000+ | General, Mechanical, Electrical |
| Arizona | AZ Registrar of Contractors | All construction work | General, Specialty (residential & commercial) |
| Arkansas | AR Contractors Licensing Board | $50,000+ | General, Residential |
| California | CA Contractors State License Board (CSLB) | $500+ | General (A/B) + 40+ specialty classes |
| Colorado | Local jurisdictions (no state board) | Varies by city/county | Varies locally |
| Connecticut | CT Dept. of Consumer Protection | All home improvement | Home Improvement, New Home Construction, Electrical, Plumbing |
| Delaware | DE Div. of Revenue | All construction | General, Subcontractor |
| Florida | FL Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation | All construction work | Certified (statewide), Registered (local) |
| Georgia | GA Licensing Board for Residential/General | Residential: all; General: $2,500+ | Residential Basic/General, General Contractor |
| Hawaii | HI Dept. of Commerce, Professional & Vocational Licensing | All construction | General (A/B), Specialty (C) |
| Idaho | ID Div. of Building Safety | Public works only | General (state); local for private |
| Illinois | Local jurisdictions (no state board) | Varies by city/county | Roofing is state-licensed |
| Indiana | Local jurisdictions (no state board) | Varies by city/county | Varies locally |
| Iowa | Local jurisdictions (limited state) | Varies | Electrical and plumbing at state level |
| Kansas | Local jurisdictions (no state board) | Varies by city/county | Varies locally |
| Kentucky | Local jurisdictions (limited state) | Varies | Electrical, HVAC, plumbing at state level |
| Louisiana | LA State Licensing Board for Contractors | $50,000+ | General, Residential, Specialty |
| Maine | Local jurisdictions (limited state) | Varies | Electrical, plumbing at state level |
| Maryland | MD Home Improvement Commission | All home improvement | Home Improvement, General, Subcontractor |
| Massachusetts | MA Div. of Professional Licensure | All construction | Construction Supervisor, Specialty |
| Michigan | MI Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs | All residential | Residential Builder, Maintenance & Alteration |
| Minnesota | MN Dept. of Labor and Industry | All residential | Residential Building Contractor, Remodeler, Specialty |
| Mississippi | MS State Board of Contractors | $50,000+ | General, Residential |
| Missouri | Local jurisdictions (no state board) | Varies by city/county | Varies locally |
| Montana | MT Dept. of Labor and Industry | All construction | General, Specialty |
| Nebraska | Local jurisdictions (limited state) | Varies | Electrical at state level |
| Nevada | NV State Contractors Board | All construction | General (A/B), Subcontractor (C) |
| New Hampshire | Local jurisdictions (limited state) | Varies | Electrical, plumbing at state level |
| New Jersey | NJ Div. of Consumer Affairs | All home improvement | Home Improvement Contractor |
| New Mexico | NM Regulation and Licensing Dept. | All construction | General (GB-2/98), Specialty |
| New York | Local jurisdictions (NYC has licensing) | Varies by locality | General, Home Improvement (NYC) |
| North Carolina | NC Licensing Board for General Contractors | $30,000+ | General, Residential |
| North Dakota | ND Secretary of State | All construction | General, Specialty |
| Ohio | Local jurisdictions (limited state) | Varies | HVAC, electrical, plumbing at state level |
| Oklahoma | Local jurisdictions (limited state) | Varies | Electrical, mechanical, plumbing at state level |
| Oregon | OR Construction Contractors Board | All construction | General, Residential, Specialty |
| Pennsylvania | PA Attorney General (Home Improvement) | All home improvement | Home Improvement Contractor (registration) |
| Rhode Island | RI Contractors Registration Board | All construction | General, Specialty |
| South Carolina | SC Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation | All construction (mechanical, general) | General, Mechanical, Residential |
| South Dakota | Local jurisdictions (limited state) | Varies | Electrical, plumbing at state level |
| Tennessee | TN Board for Licensing Contractors | $25,000+ | General, Limited, Specialty |
| Texas | Local jurisdictions (no state GC board) | Varies by city/county | Electrical, plumbing, HVAC at state level |
| Utah | UT Div. of Occupational and Professional Licensing | All construction | General (B-100), Residential (E-100), Specialty (S) |
| Vermont | Local jurisdictions (limited state) | Varies | Electrical, plumbing at state level |
| Virginia | VA Board for Contractors | $1,000+ | Class A ($120K+), B ($10K-$120K), C ($1K-$10K) |
| Washington | WA Dept. of Labor & Industries | All construction | General, Specialty |
| West Virginia | WV Div. of Labor, Contractor Licensing Board | $2,500+ | General, Specialty |
| Wisconsin | WI Dept. of Safety and Professional Services | All construction (dwelling) | Dwelling Contractor, Qualifier |
| Wyoming | Local jurisdictions (limited state) | Varies | Electrical at state level |
Note: Licensing board websites and thresholds change periodically. Visit your state’s board directly for the most current information.
Step-by-Step Verification Process
-
Ask the contractor for their license number. Any legitimate contractor will provide this willingly. Hesitation or excuses are a red flag.
-
Go to your state licensing board’s website (use the directory above to find it).
-
Search by license number or contractor name. Most boards offer a public lookup tool on their homepage.
-
Confirm the following:
- License status is active (not expired, suspended, or revoked).
- License type matches the work being performed.
- The name on the license matches the person or company you are hiring.
- The license has no pending disciplinary actions.
-
Check the complaint history. Most boards list any formal complaints or disciplinary actions. A single resolved complaint over many years is not necessarily a dealbreaker; a pattern of complaints is.
What to Look for Beyond the License
A license is necessary but not sufficient. Complete your due diligence with these additional checks:
Insurance verification. Ask the contractor for a certificate of insurance (COI) showing general liability coverage (minimum $500,000; $1,000,000 preferred) and workers’ compensation. Call the insurer directly to confirm the policy is active. Licensed vs Unlicensed Contractors: What to Know
Surety bond. In states that require bonding, verify the bond is current. This protects you financially if the contractor abandons the project or violates the contract.
Better Business Bureau (BBB). Check for complaints, resolution history, and overall rating. A BBB rating reflects complaint handling, not necessarily work quality.
Online reviews. Check Google, Yelp, and platform-specific reviews on TaskRabbit vs Thumbtack vs Angi: Platform Comparison. Look for patterns in negative reviews (missed timelines, hidden costs, poor communication).
References. Ask for three recent references for projects similar to yours. Call them. Ask about communication, timeline adherence, cost accuracy, and whether they would hire the contractor again.
What to Do If a Contractor Is Not Licensed
If you discover your contractor is not licensed for the work being performed:
- Do not proceed with the project. Unlicensed work can result in fines, voided insurance, and resale complications.
- If work has already begun, consult with a local attorney about your options and any payments already made.
- Report the contractor to your state licensing board. Operating without a required license is a violation in most states.
- File a complaint with your local consumer protection office if you have suffered financial loss.
For a full discussion of the risks and when unlicensed work is acceptable, see Licensed vs Unlicensed Contractors: What to Know.
Key Takeaways
- Verifying a contractor’s license takes five minutes and should be done before any contract is signed.
- Licensing requirements vary by state — some require licenses for all work; others only above a dollar threshold.
- Check license status, type, name match, and complaint history on the state board’s website.
- Go beyond the license: verify insurance, bond, BBB record, reviews, and references.
- If a contractor cannot or will not provide a license number, do not hire them for licensed work.
Next Steps
- Use the state directory above to verify your contractor’s license today.
- Read Licensed vs Unlicensed Contractors: What to Know to understand when licensing is and is not required.
- Review Handyman vs General Contractor: Which Do You Need? to determine the right professional for your project.
Always verify contractor licensing and insurance in your state. Cost estimates are averages and may vary by location.