Certification is required for certain special trades: asbestos and lead reduction, electrical engineering and sanitation. A license is required for the sanitary installation. All other licenses are issued at the local county level. General contractors don`t need to have a license to work in the state of Maine, but if you`re accepting home renovation or home construction projects worth more than $3,000, you`ll need a written contract. There may be licensing requirements at the city or county level, so be sure to check this out before you start working. One of the most important reasons contractors need to be licensed is security. State regulators want to make sure a contractor knows the right head thicknesses, how to wire a control panel, how to make sure a gas water heater is working properly, and how to deal with many other potentially dangerous situations. Although general contractor licenses allow a company to perform work in most trades, contractors who wish to undertake a project that requires only one trade may need a special contract license for that trade. For example, if a project only requires electrical work, a company with a general contractor`s license may need an electrician`s license before it can begin. New Jersey does not require general contractors to hold licenses, although they must register their businesses with certain state offices. Alaska – Requires licensing, registration, certification for a 16-hour cold climate course and successful completion of the professional exam. Contractors must have overall responsibility and compensation for employees.

All three forms of licensing include: In many cases, workers` compensation is required if you have employees or if you have subcontractors that your state would classify as employees. In some cases, even if you employ independent contractors, you may still need to purchase worker compensation coverage. Many states also require general liability insurance and/or surety to protect both entrepreneurs and consumers. I hope this guide has helped you understand the requirements for general contractors in each state. You can now plan ahead, purchase your license, and work on larger projects. You may face several penalties for unlicensed work in California. The CSLB can impose fines and civil penalties ranging from $200 to $5,000. It`s illegal to contract in California without a license, so you could see a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine for an initial offense. A second offense is a mandatory 90-day stay in jail and a fine of up to 20% of the contract price up to $5,000. A government license is required for asbestos control.

All other licenses are at the local level. Companies must register with the Secretary of State. Contract licenses are a function of the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. The ten-member board of directors regulates licenses, enforces licensing laws, and educates consumers. The Oregon Construction Contractors Board is pretty clear about who needs a license: Anyone working for compensation in a construction activity that includes real estate improvements needs a license. These include carpentry, electrical, plumbing and HVAC contractors, as well as the services of craftsmen and building inspectors. While contractors offer a range of services to the general public under a registered business name, a contractor`s licence alone does not allow a contractor to perform or supervise regulated construction-related commercial work. The contractor must hire a certified supervisor in a proactive, full-time role. You must have legitimate insurance coverage and receive all the necessary trades before starting a job.

Contractors should only use their own personal staff or that of another duly authorized contractor to carry out the project. Each state requires a contractor to register his own name and property, obtain a business license as a general contractor, as well as a business license for additional specialty stores (for example. B, sign or demolition). Colorado – Doesn`t have state license requirements, but cities and counties may have specific local licensing and registration requirements. General contractors do not need to be licensed at the state level, but if the value of your annual home renovation projects exceeds $5,000, you will need to register with the state attorney general`s office. Construction is not the only aspect of running a contracting company. Entrepreneurs must also conduct fair and ethical business, and states must ensure that they do so to protect consumers. What better way to see if a contractor knows the rules than to have them proven in a written exam? Florida – Requires a state license and registration. To do this, you must have 4 years of experience, pass commercial, economic and legal audits, submit annual financial statements and proof of general liability and employee insurance. There are several license classifications, including: The license is not required in Montana, but if you have employees, you must register with the Department of Labor and Industry and provide proof of workers` compensation insurance. The rules of Virginia Mechanics Lien are even stricter.

Contractors must have a license to have mechanic privileges. In addition, the entrepreneurs in the chain must also have licenses. The bidding contractor must also indicate the licence number – plus the date of issue and expiry date – on the lien. According to the Building Division, anyone who performs electrical, HVAC or plumbing work without a permit is subject to civil penalties. .