License types

License classifications change as boards add or consolidate categories. Always confirm current classifications with the issuing board.

How states organize contractor licensing

Every state takes its own approach to structuring construction licenses. Some issue a single general contractor license through one board. Others split regulation across multiple agencies — one for general contractors, another for electrical, another for plumbing, and so on. Understanding a state’s regulatory model tells you how many agencies you need to contact, how many applications to file, and how many exams to pass. The table below groups all 53 jurisdictions by regulatory model and shows the approximate number of distinct license categories available in each.

States with no state-level general contractor license

These jurisdictions regulate only specific trades at the state level. General contracting is handled locally or not regulated at all.

Jurisdiction	Regulatory model	What the state licenses	Boards / agencies
Colorado	Trade-only	Electrical, plumbing	2 (Electrical Board, Plumbing Board)
Connecticut	Trade-only	Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, elevator, fire sprinkler, swimming pool	1 (Dept. of Consumer Protection with multiple occupational boards)
Illinois	Minimal	Roofing certification; highway prequalification	2 (IDFPR, IDOT/CDB)
Indiana	Trade-only	Plumbing	1 (Plumbing Commission)
Kansas	None	Highway prequalification only	1 (KDOT)
Kentucky	Trade-only	Plumbing, HVAC, electrical, elevator, boiler, fire sprinkler, LP gas, manufactured housing	1 (Dept. of Housing, Buildings and Construction with multiple divisions)
Missouri	Trade-only	Electrical (statewide since 2019)	1 (Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors)
New York	Trade-only	Asbestos, elevator	2 (Dept. of Labor, Dept. of State)
Ohio	Trade-only	Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, refrigeration, asbestos	Multiple divisions
Oklahoma	Trade-only	Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing	Multiple boards
Texas	Trade-only	HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire sprinkler, elevator	Multiple agencies (TDLR administers most)
Wisconsin	Trade-only	Electrical, plumbing, HVAC; financial certification for 1-2 family dwelling contractors	Multiple boards
Wyoming	Trade-only	Electrical only	1 (Electrical Board)

Single-board and unified states

These states run most or all contractor licensing through a single board or a unified licensing body.

Jurisdiction	Regulatory model	# of license categories	Board / agency	License families
Alaska	Single board	19+	Dept. of Commerce, CBPL	General, General Residential, Mechanical, Electrical Admin, 30+ specialties
Arizona	Single board	8	Registrar of Contractors	General Commercial, Specialty Commercial, General Residential, Specialty Residential, Dual licenses
Delaware	Revenue license + trade boards	4	Division of Revenue + Electrical Board	General, Subcontractor, Electrical (Master, Limited, Journeyman), Asbestos
Georgia	Multi-board	12+	Construction Industry Licensing Board + Residential/General Board	Electrical, Conditioned Air, Plumbing, Low Voltage, Utility, Residential, General
Guam	Single board	44+	Contractor License Board	General Engineering, General Building, 40+ specialties
Idaho	Multi-board	50+	DOPL (multiple divisions)	General Registration (40+ sub-categories), Public Works (8 classes + 100+ specialties), Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC
Iowa	Unified dept.	13+	DIAL (multiple boards)	Contractor Registration, Electrical (10 types), Plumbing/Mechanical (6 disciplines), Alarm, Fire Protection, Explosives
Maine	Multi-board	15+	OPOR + DEP	Plumbing (4 levels), Electrical (8 types), Asbestos, Lead, UST
Montana	Registration + trade boards	3+	Contractor Registration, Electrical Board, Plumbing Board	Registration (all contractors), Electrical, Plumbing
Nebraska	Registration + electrical board	5+	Dept. of Labor + Electrical Board	Contractor Registration, Electrical (Master, Journeyman, Apprentice, Contractor)
Nevada	Single board	3 families	State Contractors Board	General Engineering, General Building, Specialty
New Hampshire	Trade-specific	4+	Electricians Board + other boards	Electrical, Plumbing, Asbestos, Lead
New Jersey	Multi-agency	9+	Multiple agencies	Residential Registration, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC
Rhode Island	Single board	1+	Contractor Registration Board	Registration
Tennessee	Single board	3+	Board for Licensing Contractors	Contractor (various monetary limits), Home Improvement
Utah	Single board	3+	DOPL	General, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, specialty
Vermont	Registration	1	Dept. of Public Safety	Residential Contractor Registration
Virginia	Single board	3 classes	Board for Contractors	Class A (over $120,000), Class B ($10,000– $120,000), Class C (under \$ 10,000)
Washington	Registration	2	Dept. of Labor & Industries	General Contractor, Specialty Contractor
West Virginia	Single board	2+	Division of Labor, Contractor Licensing Board	Residential, Commercial

States with the most license categories

These states maintain granular classification systems with dozens of named specialties.

Jurisdiction	# of license categories	Board / agency	License families
Hawaii	71+	DCCA, PVL Division	General Engineering (A), General Building (B), 65+ C-specialties, Electricians (7 types), Plumbers (2 types)
New Mexico	60+	Construction Industries Division	GA (Asphalt/Highway), GB (General Building), GF (Fixed Works), GS (General Specialties), Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, LP Gas
Michigan	55+	Bureau of Construction Codes	Boiler, Electrical (5 types), Fire Alarm, Sign, Elevator, Mechanical (10+ types), Plumbing (4 types), Residential Builder, Manufactured Housing
Mississippi	53+	State Board of Contractors	6 major classifications + 50+ specialties across building, electrical, highway, heavy, mechanical, municipal
Louisiana	41+	State Licensing Board for Contractors	Building Construction, Highway, Heavy, Municipal, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Hazmat, Specialties, Residential
California	36+	Contractors State License Board	A (General Engineering), B (General Building), B-2 (Residential Remodeling), 30+ C-specialties, Certifications
North Carolina	19+	Multiple boards	5 GC classifications (Building, Highway, Public Utilities, Specialty, Residential), Electrical, Plumbing/Heating/Fire Sprinkler, Refrigeration, Alarm, Landscape
Florida	16+	CILB + Electrical Board	Division I (Building, Residential, Specialty, Structure), Division II (11 mechanical/specialty types), Electrical (12 types)
Oregon	14+	Construction Contractors Board + BCD + DEQ	4 commercial endorsements, 4 residential endorsements, Developer, Electrical, Plumbing, Lead, Asbestos, Drug Lab
Oklahoma	15+	Multiple boards	Electrical (Contractor, Journeyman), Plumbing, Mechanical, Roofing
Maryland	9+	Multiple boards	Home Improvement, Plumbing (7 types), Electrical (7 types), HVACR (7+ types)
Alabama	10+	8 separate boards	General Contractors (10 classifications), Home Builders, Electrical, Plumbing/Gas, HVAC, Refrigeration, Fire Marshal, Manufactured Housing

Summary by regulatory model

Regulatory model	Count	Jurisdictions
No state GC license (trade-only or local)	13	CO, CT, IL, IN, KS, KY, MO, NY, OH, OK, TX, WI, WY
All construction regulated (no dollar threshold)	11	AK, DE, GU, HI, MT, NV, NM, OR, RI, VI, WA
Dollar-threshold GC licensing	29	AL, AR, AZ, CA, DC, FL, GA, IA, ID, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, PA, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WV

When entering a new state, start by identifying its regulatory model. Single-board states mean one application. Multi-board states may require separate applications, exams, and fees for each trade lane you intend to work in.

Compare

Workflows

How states organize contractor licensing

States with no state-level general contractor license

Single-board and unified states

States with the most license categories

Summary by regulatory model

​How states organize contractor licensing

​States with no state-level general contractor license

​Single-board and unified states

​States with the most license categories

​Summary by regulatory model

How states organize contractor licensing

States with no state-level general contractor license

Single-board and unified states

States with the most license categories

Summary by regulatory model