> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cslid.nascla.memorang.app/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# New state evaluation
> A repeatable seven-step workflow for evaluating a jurisdiction you have never worked in before.
Seven questions separate you from a defensible go/no-go decision on a new jurisdiction. This workflow walks through them in order so you do not miss a gate that blocks your bid, your application, or your compliance program.
This workflow is a research guide, not legal advice. Always verify thresholds, board rules, and reciprocity terms on the regulator's current website before acting.
## Evaluation flowchart
Each decision node narrows the jurisdiction to a concrete set of facts. Start at the top and follow the branches until you reach a terminal action.
```mermaid theme={null}
%%{init: {'flowchart': {'defaultRenderer': 'elk'}}}%%
flowchart TD
A[Pick the jurisdiction] --> B{Does it regulate construction?}
B -->|No or exempt| C[Document the exemption — stop here]
B -->|Yes| D[Identify dollar thresholds and work-lane triggers]
D --> E{Single board or multi-board model?}
E -->|Single board| F[Route all questions to that board]
E -->|Multi-board| G[Map each work lane to its owning board]
F --> H{Does reciprocity exist for your home state?}
G --> H
H -->|Yes| I[Confirm board-level terms and pathway]
H -->|No| J[Plan for full application]
I --> K[Gather requirements: exams, fees, bonds, insurance, CE]
J --> K
K --> L{Public-works or DOT prequalification required?}
L -->|Yes| M[Add prequalification gate to checklist]
L -->|No| N[Finalize readiness assessment]
M --> N
```
## Step-by-step process
Open the [jurisdictions index](/docs/jurisdictions/index) or a region page such as the [Northeast](/docs/jurisdictions/regions/northeast) and navigate to the state or territory you need to evaluate. Read the **At a glance** table first — it gives you the core thresholds and regulatory model in seconds. If the jurisdiction sits in a region you already operate in, start from the region landing page to see neighbor-state context.
Go to the **Construction work regulated** section on the jurisdiction page. Compare your contract value to the dollar thresholds for each work lane. Check for trade-specific carve-outs — some states require a license for electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work regardless of contract value. If no threshold is triggered and no carve-out applies, document the exemption and stop.
Determine whether the jurisdiction uses a single statewide contractor board, a multi-board model, or local-first regulation. The **Who regulates construction** section lists every relevant agency. Multi-board states (Alabama has 8 agencies, for example) require you to map each work lane to a separate board. Single-board states let you direct all questions to one agency.
Use the routing diagram on the jurisdiction page — the "How \[State] routes a project" Mermaid chart — to confirm which board or agency owns the license for your scope of work. A general contractor board rarely covers trade-specific work like electrical, plumbing, or HVAC. If your project spans multiple lanes, you may need credentials from more than one board.
Open the **Reciprocal agreements** section. Determine whether the jurisdiction offers reciprocity for your board and your home state. Note the model: statewide reciprocity, board-specific, endorsement-based, or exam-waiver only. If reciprocity applies, confirm the specific terms and any additional local requirements before assuming you can skip the full application.
Cross-reference with the [reciprocity rankings](/docs/compare/reciprocity-rankings) comparison page for broader context. Use the [reciprocity check workflow](/docs/workflows/reciprocity-check) for detailed decision logic.
Expand the relevant trade accordion in the **Requirements** section. Record the application fee, exam requirements, experience minimums, bond and insurance amounts, continuing education rules, and renewal cycle. Use the [fees and costs](/docs/compare/fees-and-costs) comparison page to benchmark against neighboring states.
Some jurisdictions require a separate DOT prequalification, audited financial statement, or performance bond for public-works projects. Check the jurisdiction page and the [prequalification patterns](/docs/compare/prequalification) comparison page. These gates operate independently from the licensing process — having a license does not mean you are prequalified, and vice versa.
## Role-specific guidance
Start with two facts: contract value and work lane. Those determine which board you need and whether you clear the threshold.
* Compare your planned contract value against every threshold on the jurisdiction page before deciding whether to pursue licensure.
* If the jurisdiction is multi-board, confirm that your general contractor license does not leave trade-specific gaps. Subcontracting electrical or HVAC work to a licensed sub does not always remove your own licensing obligation.
* Check whether the jurisdiction requires a bond or insurance amount that exceeds your current coverage. Securing a new bond or increasing coverage takes time — start early.
* If you plan to bid on public work, confirm DOT prequalification separately. It often has its own financial-statement and experience requirements that differ from the licensing board's.
Focus on regulatory model and reciprocity structure when comparing a new jurisdiction to your own.
* Identify whether the jurisdiction is single-board, multi-board, or local-first. This determines how many agencies share oversight and how applicants experience the process.
* Review the reciprocity table for alignment with your state's agreements. Board-specific reciprocity is the most common model and the easiest to misread as statewide.
* Note unusual threshold structures — tiered thresholds, trade-specific carve-outs, project-type exemptions — that differ from your home state. These differences drive the most frequent applicant questions.
* Use the comparison pages ([licensing thresholds](/docs/compare/licensing-thresholds), [prequalification](/docs/compare/prequalification), [reciprocity rankings](/docs/compare/reciprocity-rankings)) to contextualize a single jurisdiction against the national landscape.
* Flag jurisdictions where local regulation adds a layer on top of state requirements. These are the hardest to compare accurately and the most common source of errors in cross-state analysis.
You have completed a new-state evaluation when you can answer five questions: (1) Is licensure triggered? (2) Which board owns the lane? (3) Does reciprocity apply? (4) What are the application requirements? (5) Are there public-works gates? If any answer is unclear, go back to the step that covers it.