Contractor licensing thresholds, regulator routing, requirements, reciprocity, and license types for Guam’s single-board construction regulation model.
Guam uses a single-board model where all construction work is regulated through the Contractors License Board. There is no dollar threshold — any person who undertakes construction, alteration, repair, demolition, or improvement for a fee must hold a license.
Always verify statutes, fees, and application details with the live regulator before making bidding, licensing, or legal decisions.
Pick the tab that matches your situation. Each FAQ gives a direct answer and points you to the full detail below.
Contractors
Regulators
Is there a minimum contract value that triggers a contractor license in Guam?
No. Guam has no dollar threshold. Any person who undertakes to construct, alter, repair, demolish, or improve any structure for another person for a fee must hold a license. Subcontractors and specialty contractors are included. See Construction work regulated.
Do I need a separate license for electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work?
Not in the multi-board sense. Guam uses a single board (the Contractors License Board) for all classifications. However, each trade has its own specialty C-code classification. Electrical is C-13, plumbing is C-37, and HVAC is C-51. You need a license in the specific classification for your trade. See Types of licenses.
Where do I go to get licensed in Guam?
All contractor licensing in Guam goes through one board: the Contractors License Board at 542 North Marine Corps Drive, Tamuning, Guam 96913. There is no separate board for any trade. See Who regulates construction.
How much does it cost to get licensed?
The application fee is $50, each exam part costs $50, and the license fee is $400 regardless of classification. The Part I study guide costs $75. Adding an additional classification costs another $50 application fee. See Requirements for the full fee table.
What are the experience requirements for a contractor license in Guam?
You need 4 years of experience as a foreman, supervising employee, or contractor within the past 10 years in the classification you are applying for. Companies must qualify through a Responsible Management Employee (RME) who meets the same requirements. See Requirements.
Can I use my out-of-state license in Guam?
No. Guam does not maintain reciprocity agreements with any U.S. state or territory. All applicants must meet Guam’s experience and exam requirements regardless of credentials held elsewhere. See Reciprocal agreements.
What does the Guam contractor exam cover, and what is the passing score?
The exam has two parts: Part I covers law and Part II covers trade-specific subject matter. You must score a minimum of 75% on each part. A study guide for Part I is available for $75. See Requirements.
How does a company qualify for a contractor license in Guam?
Corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and joint ventures must qualify through a Responsible Management Employee (RME). The RME must meet the same 4-year experience and exam requirements as an individual applicant. The RME license fee is $400, the same as all other classifications. See Requirements.
When do Guam contractor licenses expire, and what happens if I miss the deadline?
All licenses expire June 30 annually. Failure to renew by June 30 voids the license, and you must submit a new original application to be relicensed. There is no grace period. See Requirements.
Does Guam require a license for roofing work?
Yes. Roofing is classified as specialty contractor C-42. Like all classifications in Guam, it requires the same 4-year experience requirement, two-part exam with a 75% minimum score, $50 application fee, and $400 license fee. See Types of licenses.
Does Guam require a license for residential construction work?
Yes. Guam regulates all construction work with no dollar minimum and no exemption for residential projects. General Building covers residential and commercial building construction. The C-30 classification covers Limited Home Improvement and Renovation. See Construction work regulated and Types of licenses.
How does Guam's licensing model compare to multi-board states?
Guam is one of the simplest licensing environments in the U.S. A single board (the Contractors License Board) handles all contractor classifications with uniform requirements. This contrasts with states like Alabama (8 boards) or even DC (2 departments plus a sub-board). See Who regulates construction.
How does Guam's no-threshold approach compare to other jurisdictions?
Guam has no dollar threshold at all — any construction work for a fee requires a license. This is broader than most U.S. states, many of which exempt work below a certain contract value (e.g., Alabama at $100,000 commercial, California at $500). For cross-jurisdiction comparison, see Licensing thresholds.
What types of construction work does Guam regulate?
Guam regulates all construction, alteration, repair, demolition, and improvement work performed for a fee. This covers General Engineering (roads, utilities, infrastructure), General Building (commercial and residential), and over 70 specialty contractor C-code classifications. Subcontractors are included. See Construction work regulated.
How does the Contractors License Board handle corporations and joint ventures?
Corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and joint ventures must qualify through a Responsible Management Employee (RME) who meets the same 4-year experience and exam requirements as individual applicants. The RME license fee is $400. See Requirements.
What are the fees across classifications in Guam?
Guam uses uniform fees across all classifications: $50 application fee, $50 per exam part, $400 license fee, $400 RME license fee, $20 for re-issuance, $20 for inactive license, and $50 for a letter of good standing. There is no variation by trade. See Requirements.
What license classifications does Guam use?
Guam has two general classifications (General Engineering and General Building) plus over 70 specialty contractor C-codes covering trades from acoustical tile (C-1) through mold remediation (C-69) and classified specialist (C-70). Business types include sole proprietor, corporation, partnership, LLC, and joint venture. See Types of licenses.
How does reciprocity work in Guam?
It does not. Guam has no reciprocal agreements with any U.S. state or territory. All applicants must meet Guam’s own experience and exam requirements regardless of credentials held elsewhere. See Reciprocal agreements.
What exam requirements does Guam set?
All classifications share the same exam structure: a two-part exam (Part I: Law, Part II: Subject Matter) with a minimum score of 75% on each part. Part I study guides are available for $75. There is no exam waiver or alternative pathway. See Requirements.
What is the renewal cycle in Guam?
All licenses expire June 30 annually. Failure to renew by June 30 voids the license and requires a new original application. There is no late renewal option or grace period. This is a strict annual cycle. See Requirements.
How does Guam compare to other Pacific territories and island jurisdictions?
Guam’s single-board, uniform-fee, no-threshold model is among the simplest in the U.S. The absence of reciprocity makes it a standalone jurisdiction. The extensive C-code specialty list (70+ classifications) is comparable to California’s specialty contractor system. See the Territories and DC region guide.
Different roles need different things from a Guam page. Use the tab that matches your situation to see what matters most before you read the full detail below.
Contractors
Regulators
Guam licenses every contractor classification through one board at one fee. Focus on classification and qualifying through the experience and exam gates.
All construction work requires a license — there is no dollar minimum or exemption by trade.
You need 4 years of supervisory experience within the past 10 years in the classification you are applying for.
The two-part exam (law + trade) requires a minimum score of 75% on each part.
Companies must qualify through a Responsible Management Employee (RME) who meets the same experience and exam requirements.
All licenses expire June 30 annually. Failure to renew on time voids the license and requires a new original application.
License fee is $400 regardless of classification.
The specialty contractor list (C-codes) is extensive — over 70 classifications — categorize by trade family when planning.
Guam is a single-board territory — the Contractors License Board handles all contractor classifications with uniform requirements.
One regulatory body covers general engineering, general building, and all specialty classifications.
No reciprocity exists with any U.S. state or territory.
The uniform fee and experience structure makes Guam straightforward to compare against other single-board jurisdictions.
All contractor classifications share the same experience, exam, and fee structure.
Four things you need to confirm before you can treat Guam as “ready” for a bid or an application. If any of these are unclear, you are not ready yet.
Confirm the work is construction
Guam regulates all construction, alteration, repair, demolition, or improvement work performed for a fee. Subcontractors and specialty contractors are included.
Determine your classification
Choose General Engineering, General Building, or the specific Specialty Contractor C-code that matches your trade.
Verify experience and exam eligibility
Confirm you have 4 years of supervisory experience within the past 10 years. Budget $50 per exam part plus $75 for the study guide.
Prepare application and fees
Application fee is $50, license fee is $400. Companies must designate an RME who meets the experience and exam requirements.
If you can confirm classification, experience, exam eligibility, and business structure, you have the minimum package needed for a Guam readiness check.
Guam casts the widest possible net: any person who undertakes to construct, alter, repair, add to, subtract from, improve, move, wreck, or demolish any building, highway, road, railroad, excavation, or other structure for another person for a fee must hold a license. Subcontractors and specialty contractors are included in the definition.
Work lane
What triggers regulation
General engineering (roads, utilities, infrastructure)
All work regulated — no dollar minimum
General building (commercial and residential)
All work regulated — no dollar minimum
Specialty trades (70+ C-code classifications)
All work regulated — no dollar minimum
Subcontractor work
All work regulated — no dollar minimum
There is no small-project exemption. If the work meets the statutory definition of construction and is performed for a fee, a license is required.
If you are trying to figure out where to start, expand the scenario that is closest to your situation.
General building project
Apply to the Contractors License Board for a General Building classification. You or your RME must have 4 years of building construction experience within the past 10 years and pass the two-part exam.
Infrastructure or engineering project
Apply for a General Engineering classification. The same experience and exam requirements apply. General Engineering covers roads, utilities, pipelines, and similar infrastructure work.
Specialty trade work
Identify the correct C-code from the specialty list. The license fee, experience, and exam requirements are the same as general classifications, but the exam subject matter is specific to the trade.
Company entering Guam for the first time
Corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and joint ventures must qualify through a Responsible Management Employee (RME). The RME must meet the same 4-year experience and exam requirements as an individual applicant.
Guam has a single regulatory body for all contractor licensing. Every classification, from general engineering to specialty trades, is handled by the same board.
All contractor classifications — Contractors License Board
542 North Marine Corps Drive, Tamuning, Guam 96913Phone: (671) 649-9676 / (671) 649-2211 | Fax: (671) 649-2210Website:clb.guam.gov
Guam applies uniform requirements across all contractor classifications. The experience, exam, and fee structure is the same whether you are applying as a general contractor or a specialty contractor.
All Contractor Classifications
Requirement
Detail
Experience
4 years as foreman, supervising employee, or contractor within the past 10 years in the classification sought
Qualifying party
Corporations, partnerships, and joint ventures must qualify through a Responsible Management Employee (RME)
Exam
Two-part exam: Part I (Law) and Part II (Subject Matter)
Minimum exam score
75% on each part
Study guide
Available for Part I at a cost of $75
Renewal cycle
All licenses expire June 30 annually
Late renewal
Failure to renew by June 30 voids the license — a new original application is required
Guam does not maintain reciprocity agreements with any U.S. state or territory. All applicants must meet Guam’s experience and exam requirements regardless of credentials held elsewhere.
There are no reciprocal agreements. Out-of-territory credentials do not transfer — you must apply as a new applicant.
This section lists the credential categories Guam offers. Use it when you need to confirm the exact license classification for an application or comparison.