Contractor License Requirements 2026: Complete US State-by-State + Canada Provincial Guide
Exact contractor licensing requirements for all 50 US states and 10 Canadian provinces in 2026. Direct links to every state board, exam pass scores, experience requirements, bond and insurance minimums, fee schedules, processing times, and reciprocity agreements. Updated quarterly for roofers, HVAC technicians, plumbers, electricians, painters, and general contractors.
This guide is the working reference for every state and province where contractors operate. Contractor licensing is state-level in the US (with city-level overlays in some states) and provincial-level in Canada. There is no national license. If you work across state or provincial lines, you need separate licenses in each jurisdiction.
Twenty-seven US states require a state-level contractor license: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California (CSLB), Connecticut, Florida (DBPR), Georgia (over $2,500), Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada (NSCB), New Mexico, North Carolina (over $30,000), North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia (over $1,000), Washington, and West Virginia.
Twelve states regulate at the county or city level only including Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Eleven states have no general contractor licensing. This guide includes exact requirements for each state and Canadian province: board name, direct application URL, exam pass scores, experience requirements, bond and insurance minimums, fee schedules, processing times, and reciprocity agreements.
Last updated May 2026..