Field guide · 43 states
General Contractor licensing, state by state
Verified: 43 pages, between 2026-06-19 and 2026-10-01
There is no national general contractor license. 43 states, 43 rulebooks — experience, exams, fees and the surety bond, compared side by side.
General building contractor licensing is where states differ the most. Some license at the state level with experience and exam requirements, while others — such as Texas — have no statewide license and leave it to individual cities. Where a license exists, a surety bond and insurance are usually required. Pick a state below to see exactly what applies.
Most searched: North Carolina · Michigan · Tennessee · Utah
Moving states? General Contractor license reciprocity, all 50 states →
New to the trade? How to Get a General Contractor License, step by step →
Bond type: Fixed set amount · Tiered scales by volume · Credit-based financial responsibility in lieu of a bond · Conditional only if the board requires one · None no bond required
| ALAlabama | 3 yr | $96 | $300 | — Credit-based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AKAlaska | Varies | — | $100 | $25,000 Fixed |
| AZArizona | 4 yr | $61 | $180 | Varies Tiered |
| ARArkansas | 5 yr | Varies | Varies | $10,000 Fixed |
| CACalifornia | 4 yr | Incl. | $450 | $25,000 Fixed |
| CTConnecticut | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| FLFlorida | 4 yr | $135 | $149 | — Credit-based |
| GAGeorgia | 2 yr | Incl. | $200 | — Credit-based |
| HIHawaii | 4 yr | $75 | $50 | Varies Conditional |
| IDIdaho | Varies | — | $120 | Varies |
| ILIllinois | Varies | — | Varies | Varies |
| INIndiana | Varies | — | Varies | $10,000 Tiered |
| IAIowa | Varies | — | $50 | $25,000 Fixed |
| LALouisiana | Varies | $50 | Varies | — Credit-based |
| MDMaryland | 2 yr | $63 | Varies | Varies |
| MAMassachusetts | 3 yr | Varies | Varies | Varies Tiered |
| MIMichigan | Varies | $117 | $195 | None |
| MNMinnesota | Varies | $50 | $180 | Varies |
| MSMississippi | Varies | $120 | $400 | Varies |
| MOMissouri | Varies | $115 | Varies | Varies |
| MTMontana | Varies | — | $70 | Varies |
| NENebraska | Varies | — | $40 | Varies |
| NVNevada | 15 yr | Varies | $300 | — Credit-based |
| NJNew Jersey | 2 yr | Varies | $110 | $10,000 Fixed |
| NMNew Mexico | 4 yr | $269.06 | $36 | $10,000 Fixed |
| NYNew York | Varies | — | $300 | Varies |
| NCNorth Carolina | Varies | $79 | $75 | — Credit-based |
| NDNorth Dakota | Varies | — | Varies | Varies |
| OHOhio | Varies | — | Varies | $25,000 Fixed |
| OROregon | 8 yr | $60 | Varies | Varies |
| PAPennsylvania | Varies | — | $100 | Varies |
| RIRhode Island | Varies | — | $150 | Varies |
| SCSouth Carolina | 2 yr | Varies | $350 | Varies |
| SDSouth Dakota | Varies | $75 | Varies | $20,000 Fixed |
| TNTennessee | Varies | $53 | $250 | Varies |
| TXTexas | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| UTUtah | 2 yr | $85 | $175 | — Credit-based |
| VTVermont | Varies | — | $75 | Varies |
| VAVirginia | 1 yr | Varies | Varies | — Credit-based |
| WAWashington | Varies | Varies | $150.20 | $30,000 Fixed |
| WVWest Virginia | Varies | $59.95 | $90 | Varies |
| WIWisconsin | 1 yr | Varies | $15 | Varies |
| WYWyoming | 7 yr | Varies | $50 | Varies |