At a glance
The fastest way to orient yourself in Delaware is to know that most contractor licensing is revenue-only — the real compliance gates are trade-specific.| Signal | Value |
|---|---|
| General contractor license model | Revenue-based business registration (not competency) |
| Competitive bid filing threshold | Contracts exceeding $50,000 |
| Non-resident contractor bond | 6% of contracts exceeding $20,000 |
| Electrical exam passing score | 75% |
| Electrical liability insurance (Master) | $300,000 |
| UST certification exam score | 80% |
| Reciprocity model | Asbestos only (EPA Region III states) |
Frequently asked questions
Pick the tab that matches your situation. Each FAQ gives a direct answer and points you to the full detail below.- Contractors
- Regulators
What type of contractor license does Delaware require?
What type of contractor license does Delaware require?
Delaware’s general contractor license is a revenue-based business registration through the Division of Revenue, not a competency credential. The annual fee is $75. There is no exam, experience, or qualification test for the general license. Competency-based licensing only applies to electrical work and asbestos abatement. See Construction work regulated.
Do I need a separate license for electrical work?
Do I need a separate license for electrical work?
Yes. Any electrical contractor must employ or be a licensed master electrician through the State Board of Electrical Examiners. This is a competency-based license requiring a 75% exam score, 3 to 6 years of experience, and $300,000 liability insurance for master/master special. See Electricians.
Where do I go to get licensed in Delaware?
Where do I go to get licensed in Delaware?
Delaware has 6 separate agencies. General contractor licenses go through the Division of Revenue. Electrical licensing goes to the Board of Electrical Examiners. Asbestos to the Division of Facilities Management. UST work to DNREC Tanks. Waste transport to DNREC Waste Division. Highway work to DelDOT. See Who regulates construction.
How much does it cost to get licensed?
How much does it cost to get licensed?
The general contractor license is $75 per year. Electrical licensing fees range from $59 (apprentice) to $157 (master) plus exam fees set by the testing provider. Asbestos training runs $325 to $695 with $20 to $100 application fees. UST certification is $250 for companies and $100 for supervisors. See Requirements.
What are the bonding and insurance requirements?
What are the bonding and insurance requirements?
Non-resident contractors must post a surety or cash bond equal to 6% of contracts exceeding $20,000. Master electricians need $300,000 liability insurance. UST contractors need $1,000,000 general liability plus $250,000 pollution liability. Solid waste transporters need proof of liability insurance. See Requirements.
Can I use my out-of-state license in Delaware?
Can I use my out-of-state license in Delaware?
Reciprocity is very limited. Only asbestos credentials from EPA Region III states (Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC) qualify, and only for Class A supervisors and workers — not contractors. No other trades have any reciprocity path. See Reciprocal agreements.
Do I need my license before bidding on a contract?
Do I need my license before bidding on a contract?
Yes, for competitively bid contracts exceeding $50,000, your general contractor license must be on file before you submit the bid. See General Contractors.
What are the requirements for non-resident contractors?
What are the requirements for non-resident contractors?
Non-resident contractors must file a surety or cash bond with the Division of Revenue equal to 6% of total contracts exceeding $20,000. Bank letters of credit are accepted. You must report contracts with non-resident subcontractors within 10 days — failure carries a $10,000 civil penalty per occurrence. See Construction work regulated.
Does Delaware require licensing for roofing or residential work?
Does Delaware require licensing for roofing or residential work?
General roofing and residential work only require the $75 revenue-based business registration — no competency credential is needed unless the work involves electrical or asbestos abatement. The revenue license applies to any construction, alteration, or repair of a structure. See Construction work regulated.
What are the continuing education requirements?
What are the continuing education requirements?
Only electricians have CE requirements: 10 hours per two-year renewal cycle (5 must be code-related). If licensed 1 to 2 years, only 5 hours are required. If licensed less than 1 year, none. General contractors and other trades have no CE requirement. See Electricians.
What about underground storage tank work?
What about underground storage tank work?
UST installations, retrofits, removals, and closure-in-place require certification from DNREC. Companies and supervisors must pass an exam with a score of 80%. The certification fee is $250 for companies and $100 for supervisors, with $1,000,000 general liability and $250,000 pollution liability insurance required. See Underground Storage Tank Contractors.
Start with your goal
Pick the card that matches what you need right now. Each one links to the relevant section on this page.Is licensure triggered?
Start with threshold and work-lane rules, then confirm which agency owns the lane.
Find the right regulator
Use the regulator directory to route your question to the correct Delaware agency.
Application and renewal details
Exams, fees, bonds, continuing education, and renewal cycles for each trade.
Reciprocity direction
Find out which agencies recognize out-of-state credentials.
Special considerations
Different roles need different things from a Delaware page. Use the tab that matches your situation to see what matters most before you read the full detail below.- Contractors
- Regulators
- General contractor licensing is a business registration through the Division of Revenue, not a competency test. The annual fee is $75.
- You must have your license on file before submitting a competitive bid on contracts exceeding $50,000.
- Non-resident contractors must post a surety or cash bond equal to 6% of contracts exceeding $20,000.
- Electrical work requires a separate competency license from the Board of Electrical Examiners (exam, experience, insurance).
- Asbestos abatement requires certification from the Division of Facilities Management (training, exam, medical clearance).
- UST work requires separate certification with an 80% exam score.
Readiness checklist
Four things you need to confirm before you can treat Delaware as “ready” for a bid or an application. If any of these are unclear, you are not ready yet.Classify the project lane
Identify whether the work is general construction, electrical, asbestos, environmental, or highway-related.
Apply the right threshold test
Check
$50,000 (competitive bid filing) and $20,000 (non-resident bond trigger) against your project scope.Route to the correct agency
Use the regulator directory below. Delaware has 6 separate agencies — do not assume a single contractor board.
If you can identify lane, threshold, agency, and requirement set, you have the minimum package needed for a Delaware readiness check.
Navigation
Use these links to jump to related cross-state comparisons and workflows.- New state evaluation if you are screening Delaware for the first time.
- Multi-state bid readiness if you need to compare Delaware with nearby jurisdictions.
- Licensing thresholds or prequalification patterns for cross-state context.
Construction work regulated
Any construction, alteration, or repair of a structure in Delaware requires a state contractor license. However, for most trades the license is revenue-only — it does not test competency. Electrical and asbestos abatement are the exceptions.| Work lane | What triggers regulation |
|---|---|
| General construction | Any construction, alteration, or repair (revenue license required) |
| Competitive bid contracts | License must be filed before bidding on contracts exceeding $50,000 |
| Electrical work | Must employ or be a licensed master electrician (competency exam required) |
| Asbestos abatement | Certification required from Division of Facilities Management (training + exam) |
| Solid and hazardous waste transport | Permit required from DNREC |
| Underground storage tank work | Company and supervisor certification required (exam score of 80%) |
| Highway and DOT contracts | Registration with DelDOT required to bid |
Non-resident contractors must file a surety or cash bond with the Division of Revenue equal to 6% of all contracts exceeding $20,000. Failure to report a contract with a non-resident contractor within 10 days may trigger a $10,000 civil penalty per occurrence.
Common determination scenarios
If you are trying to figure out where to start, expand the scenario that is closest to your situation.General construction work
General construction work
Register with the Division of Revenue for a $75 annual business license. This is a revenue license, not a competency credential. If you are bidding on competitively bid contracts exceeding $50,000, your license must be on file before you submit the bid.
Non-resident contractor entering Delaware
Non-resident contractor entering Delaware
Post a surety or cash bond with the Division of Revenue equal to 6% of total contracts exceeding $20,000. Bank letters of credit are accepted. You must also report contracts with non-resident subcontractors within 10 days.
Electrical work
Electrical work
Route to the State Board of Electrical Examiners. Any electrical contractor must employ or be a licensed master electrician. Exams are given six times per year with a 75% passing score. Experience requirements range from 3 to 6 years depending on license class.
Asbestos abatement
Asbestos abatement
Route to the Division of Facilities Management Asbestos Office. Certification requires training (14–40 hours depending on class), a medical exam (Class A), and a written exam with a 70% passing score. Remediation notifications must go to the county air quality office.
Reciprocity request
Reciprocity request
Delaware reciprocity applies only to asbestos — and only for Class A supervisors and workers, not contractors. You must have EPA-approved training from a Region III state to qualify.
Who regulates construction
Delaware splits construction regulation across 6 separate agencies. Use this directory to find the agency that owns the lane you need. Each entry includes address, phone, and website.Highway registration — Department of Transportation
Highway registration — Department of Transportation
Post Office Box 778, Dover, DE 19903Phone: (302) 760-2031 | Fax: (302) 622-4183Email: dot-ask@delaware.govWebsite: deldot.gov
General contractor business licenses — Division of Revenue
General contractor business licenses — Division of Revenue
Carvel State Office Building, 820 North French Street, 8th Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801Phone: (302) 577-8200 | Fax: (302) 577-8202Website: revenue.delaware.gov
Electrical licensing — State Board of Electrical Examiners
Electrical licensing — State Board of Electrical Examiners
Cannon Building, Suite 203, 861 Silver Lake Boulevard, Dover, DE 19904Phone: (302) 744-4500 | Fax: (302) 739-2711Website: dpr.delaware.gov/boards/electrician
Solid and hazardous waste transport — DNREC Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances
Solid and hazardous waste transport — DNREC Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances
Compliance and Permitting Section, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901Phone: (302) 739-9403Website: dnrec.delaware.gov/waste-hazardousPermit application: dnrec.delaware.gov/waste-hazardous/management/solid/transporter
Underground storage tank contractors — DNREC Tanks Compliance Branch
Underground storage tank contractors — DNREC Tanks Compliance Branch
391 Lukens Drive, New Castle, DE 19720Phone: (302) 395-2500Website: dnrec.delaware.gov/waste-hazardous/tanks/underground/contractors
Asbestos certification — Division of Facilities Management
Asbestos certification — Division of Facilities Management
540 South DuPont Highway, Suite #1, Dover, DE 19901Phone: (302) 739-5644 | Fax: (302) 739-3037Website: dfm.delaware.gov/envsrv/asbestosRemediation or renovation notifications must be sent to the county air quality office: New Castle County Air Quality Management Section at (302) 323-4542, or DNREC Kent and Sussex County at (302) 739-4791.
Requirements
Each Delaware agency has its own inputs, exams, fees, and renewal cycles. Expand the trade that applies to your situation. Fee tables are included in each section.General Contractors
General Contractors
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| License type | Revenue-based business registration (no exam or competency test) |
| License fee | $75 per year |
| Renewal cycle | Annual, expires December 31 |
| Competitive bid filing | License must be on file before bidding on contracts exceeding $50,000 |
| Gross receipts tax | 0.499% of taxable construction gross receipts; first $80,000 per month ($240,000 quarterly) is exempt |
| Non-resident bond | 6% surety or cash bond on total contracts exceeding $20,000 |
| Non-resident reporting | Must report contracts with non-resident contractors within 10 days; $10,000 civil penalty per occurrence for failure |
Electricians
Electricians
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam | Six times per year; minimum passing score of 75% |
| Experience | 3 to 6 years depending on license class |
| Insurance | $300,000 liability (Master/Master Special) |
| Renewal cycle | Biennial, expires June 30 of even-numbered years |
| Continuing education | 10 hours per two-year cycle (5 must be code-related); 5 hours if licensed 1–2 years; none if licensed less than 1 year |
| License Type | Processing Fee | Exam Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Master / Master Special | $157 | Set by testing provider |
| Limited / Limited Special | $84 | Set by testing provider |
| Journeyperson | $74 | Set by testing provider |
| Apprentice | $59 | Set by testing provider |
Asbestos Workers and Supervisors
Asbestos Workers and Supervisors
| Requirement | Class A Supervisor | Class A Worker | Class B Supervisor/Worker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical exam | Yes | Yes | No |
| Pulmonary function report | Yes | Yes | No |
| Chest X-ray | Yes | Yes | No |
| CPR card | Yes | No | No |
| Required training course | 40 hours | 32 hours | 14 hours |
| Exam questions | 100 | 50 | 35 |
| Passing score | 70% | 70% | 70% |
| License Type | Training Fee | Recertification Fee | Application Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supervisor Class A | $595 | $150 | $50 | $50 |
| Worker Class A | $495 | $150 | $25 | $25 |
| Supervisor/Worker Class B | $325 | $195 | $20 | $20 |
| Class A Contractor | N/A | N/A | $100 | $100 |
| Class B Contractor | N/A | N/A | $100 | $100 |
| Project Monitor Type | Training Fee | Recertification Fee | Application Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Day | $195 | $195 | $50 | $50 |
| 2-Day | $395 | N/A | $50 | $50 |
| 5-Day | $695 | N/A | $50 | $50 |
| Professional Service Firm | N/A | N/A | $100 | $100 |
Solid Waste Transport
Solid Waste Transport
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Permit scope | Transport of all solid waste, infectious waste, or asbestos in or through Delaware |
| Permit fee | $350 per year ($300 permit + $50 public notice fee) |
| Insurance | Proof of liability insurance required |
| Driver training | Submission of driver training and spill control plans required |
| Reporting | Annual reporting requirement with all renewals |
Underground Storage Tank Contractors
Underground Storage Tank Contractors
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scope | UST installations, retrofits, removals, or closure-in-place |
| Exam | Must pass exam with score of 80% (companies and supervisors) |
| Certification fee | $250 for companies; $100 for supervisors |
| Renewal cycle | Biennial |
| Insurance | $1,000,000 general liability + $250,000 pollution liability |
| Business license | Current Delaware business license required |
Reciprocal agreements
Delaware’s reciprocity is narrow: it applies only to asbestos, and only for Class A supervisors and workers — not contractors. The arrangement covers EPA Region III states.If you hold an asbestos credential from a Region III state, you may request certification by reciprocity. All other trades have no reciprocity path.
| Board | Reciprocal jurisdictions | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos (Class A supervisors and workers only) | Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC | 5 jurisdictions |
Asbestos reciprocity details
Asbestos reciprocity details
- Reciprocity applies only to Class A supervisors and workers, not to contractors.
- Applicants must have EPA-approved training from a course taught within a Region III state’s boundaries.
- Region III states: Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington DC (includes City of Philadelphia and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania).
- No other Delaware trade or license category has reciprocity with any state.
Types of licenses
This section lists the credential categories Delaware offers across its major agencies. Use it when you need to confirm the exact license name for an application or comparison.General Contractors
General Contractors
- General Contractor
- Subcontractor
Electricians
Electricians
- Master
- Master Special
- Limited
- Limited Special
- Journeyperson
- Apprentice
Asbestos
Asbestos
Class A:
- Contractor
- Supervisor
- Worker
- Contractor
- Supervisor/Worker
- Professional Service Firm
- Project Monitor
See also
South region guide
Browse all South jurisdictions for comparison.
Contractors guide
Cross-state guidance for contractors evaluating new jurisdictions.
Regulators guide
Cross-state guidance for comparing regulatory models and agency structures.
Maryland
Asbestos reciprocity with Delaware through EPA Region III.
Pennsylvania
Asbestos reciprocity with Delaware through EPA Region III.
Virginia
Asbestos reciprocity with Delaware through EPA Region III.