General Contractor License Application Guide - Alliance for Contractors
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General Contractor License Application Guide

Complete State-Specific Requirements & Fee Schedules for All 50 States

Executive Summary

This comprehensive guide provides Alliance for Contractors members with complete, state-specific general contractor licensing requirements across all 50 states. Our intelligent system streamlines the complex licensing process by delivering precise requirements based on your business location and operational scope.

Alliance Intelligence Integration: This guide integrates seamlessly with our iCOS™ (Intelligent Contractor Operating System) to provide personalized licensing pathways, automated application tracking, and multi-state reciprocity analysis tailored to your specific business objectives.

Intelligent State Selection System

iCOS™ Powered State Analysis

Our proprietary system analyzes your business profile to recommend optimal licensing strategies:

  • Primary State Identification: Based on business registration and primary operations
  • Expansion Opportunity Analysis: Identifies states with favorable reciprocity agreements
  • Cost-Benefit Optimization: Compares licensing costs against market opportunities
  • Timeline Management: Coordinates multiple state applications for efficient processing

Complete State-by-State Requirements

The following comprehensive breakdown covers all licensing requirements for each state. Requirements are updated quarterly through our Alliance Intelligence Network.

State License Type Application Fee Experience Required Insurance Minimum Bond Requirement Exam Required
Alabama General Contractor $185 4 years $300K General Liability $15K Business & Law
Alaska General Contractor $200 5 years or degree + 2 years $250K General Liability Varies by contract value Business & Law + Trade
Arizona General Contractor (B-1) $330 4 years within 10 years $750K General Liability $7K-$75K based on classification Business & Law + Trade
Arkansas General Contractor $160 4 years $100K General Liability $15K Business & Law
California General Building (B) $450 4 years within 10 years No state requirement $25K Law & Business + Trade
Colorado No State License N/A Local requirements vary Local requirements vary Local requirements vary None
Connecticut Home Improvement Contractor $300 2 years $300K General Liability $25K Business & Law
Delaware General Contractor $155 3 years $300K General Liability $10K Business & Law
Florida General Contractor $364 4 years $300K General Liability $12.5K Business & Finance + Trade
Georgia General Contractor $270 2 years + degree or 4 years $300K General Liability $25K Business & Law + Trade
Hawaii General Contractor (C-5) $250 4 years $200K General Liability $20K Business & Law + Trade
Idaho Public Works Contractor $100 Public works only $500K General Liability $50K None
Illinois No State License N/A Local requirements vary Local requirements vary Local requirements vary None
Indiana No State License N/A Local requirements vary Local requirements vary Local requirements vary None
Iowa General Contractor $185 2 years $200K General Liability $25K Business & Law
Kansas No State License N/A Local requirements vary Local requirements vary Local requirements vary None
Kentucky No State License N/A Local requirements vary Local requirements vary Local requirements vary None
Louisiana General Contractor $185 4 years $500K General Liability $15K Business & Law + Trade
Maine General Contractor $160 3 years $300K General Liability $20K Business & Law
Maryland Home Improvement Contractor $250 2 years $300K General Liability $15K Business & Law
Massachusetts Construction Supervisor $600 3 years + degree or 5 years $1M General Liability None Building Code + Trade
Michigan Residential Builder $240 3 years or 60 hours education $500K General Liability $25K Trade Knowledge
Minnesota General Contractor $120 2 years $300K General Liability $15K Business & Construction
Mississippi General Contractor $220 4 years $300K General Liability $10K Business & Law + Trade
Missouri No State License N/A Local requirements vary Local requirements vary Local requirements vary None
Montana General Contractor $160 4 years $100K General Liability $10K Business & Construction
Nebraska General Contractor $75 2 years $100K General Liability $15K None
Nevada General Building (B-2) $300 4 years within 10 years $300K General Liability $10K-$100K based on limit Business & Law + Trade
New Hampshire No State License N/A Local requirements vary Local requirements vary Local requirements vary None
New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor $175 5 years or education $500K General Liability $20K Business Competence
New Mexico General Contractor (GB-98) $165 4 years $200K General Liability $15K Business & Law + Trade
New York No State License N/A Local requirements vary Local requirements vary Local requirements vary None
North Carolina General Contractor $110 8 years or 4 years + degree $500K General Liability None Business & Law + Trade
North Dakota General Contractor $60 4 years $250K General Liability $75K Business & Construction
Ohio No State License N/A Local requirements vary Local requirements vary Local requirements vary None
Oklahoma General Contractor $140 2 years $100K General Liability $15K Business & Construction
Oregon General Contractor $400 4 years within 10 years $500K General Liability $20K Business & Law + Trade
Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor $50 None specified $50K General Liability None None
Rhode Island General Contractor $230 4 years $300K General Liability $40K Business & Law + Trade
South Carolina General Contractor $290 4 years $600K General Liability $10K Business & Law + Trade
South Dakota General Contractor $100 4 years $100K General Liability $10K Business & Construction
Tennessee General Contractor $300 4 years $300K General Liability $10K Business & Law + Trade
Texas No State License N/A Local requirements vary Local requirements vary Local requirements vary None
Utah General Contractor $185 4 years within 10 years $300K General Liability $75K Business & Law + Trade
Vermont No State License N/A Local requirements vary Local requirements vary Local requirements vary None
Virginia General Contractor (Class A) $390 3 years or degree + 1 year $300K General Liability $50K Business & Law + Trade
Washington General Contractor $126 4 years within 10 years $200K General Liability $12K Business & Law + Trade
West Virginia General Contractor $330 5 years $100K General Liability $10K Business & Law + Trade
Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor $75 4 years $250K General Liability $25K None
Wyoming No State License N/A Local requirements vary Local requirements vary Local requirements vary None

Multi-State Reciprocity Guidance

Alliance for Contractors provides strategic reciprocity analysis to maximize your licensing efficiency across multiple states. Our iCOS™ system identifies optimal licensing sequences based on reciprocal agreements.

Major Reciprocity Networks

Primary State Reciprocal States Requirements Alliance Advantage
Arizona Nevada (limited), California (limited) Active license + additional exam Pre-qualification assessment
California Arizona (limited), Nevada (limited) Active license + experience verification Expedited application processing
Florida Alabama (limited) Active license + additional requirements Compliance monitoring
Louisiana Mississippi (limited), Alabama (limited) Active license + trade exam Regional expansion planning
Virginia West Virginia (limited), Maryland (limited) Active license + financial verification Mid-Atlantic coordination

Alliance iCOS™ Reciprocity Intelligence

Our system provides:

  • Optimal Sequencing: Determines the most efficient order for multi-state licensing
  • Cost Analysis: Compares total costs across different reciprocity pathways
  • Timeline Coordination: Synchronizes applications to minimize business disruption
  • Compliance Monitoring: Tracks renewal requirements across all licensed states
  • Market Intelligence: Provides construction market analysis for expansion decisions

Alliance Integration Features

Intelligent Application Management

Alliance members benefit from comprehensive application support through our integrated platform:

Document Automation

Automated completion of standard application forms with your business profile data.

Deadline Tracking

Proactive notifications for application deadlines, renewal dates, and compliance requirements.

Fee Management

Centralized fee tracking and payment processing across all states.

Status Monitoring

Real-time application status updates from state licensing boards.

Exam Preparation Support

Alliance provides comprehensive exam preparation resources:

  • State-Specific Study Materials: Customized study guides for each state's requirements
  • Practice Examinations: Full-length practice tests with detailed explanations
  • Expert Tutoring: Access to licensed professionals for one-on-one guidance
  • Success Tracking: Performance analytics to identify knowledge gaps

Ongoing Compliance Management

Maintain your licenses with Alliance's comprehensive compliance support:

  • Continuing Education Tracking: Automated CE requirement monitoring and scheduling
  • Renewal Management: Proactive renewal processing with deadline alerts
  • Regulatory Updates: Real-time notifications of licensing law changes
  • Insurance Coordination: Integration with insurance providers for requirement compliance
Accelerate Your Licensing Success with Alliance for Contractors

Join thousands of contractors who have streamlined their licensing process through Alliance's intelligent platform. Our comprehensive support system transforms complex licensing requirements into manageable, strategic business advantages.

Alliance Membership Benefits Include:

  • iCOS™ Intelligent Licensing Management
  • Multi-State Reciprocity Analysis
  • Automated Application Processing
  • Expert Exam Preparation Resources
  • Ongoing Compliance Support
  • Priority Access to Industry Intelligence
  • Dedicated Licensing Specialists

Ready to transform your licensing strategy? Contact Alliance for Contractors today to discover how our intelligent platform can accelerate your business growth while ensuring complete regulatory compliance.

Alliance for Contractors - Where Strategic Partnership Meets Operational Excellence

Important Notice: Licensing requirements and fees are subject to change. This guide is updated quarterly. Alliance members receive real-time updates through the iCOS™ platform. For the most current information, consult your Alliance licensing specialist or the respective state licensing board.

Document Version: 2024.Q1 | Last Updated: March 2024 | Next Review: June 2024