Credentials · License family
General Contractor License
The state licence to sell and take responsibility for construction work. Every state assembles it differently from the same four parts: competence (exams), documented experience, financial responsibility (bond and insurance), and a named qualifying individual the licence binds to. Scope, thresholds and enforcement vary widely, and a few states barely license general contractors at all.
Read the full guide: How Contractor Licensing Actually Works →
Verified requirements
| Where | Expires | Renewal | Continuing education |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Yes | 2 years (CSLB: 'Active licenses expire every two years.' Inactive licences expire every four years.) | Confirm with issuer |
| Florida | Confirm with issuer | Confirm with issuer | Confirm with issuer |
| Arizona | Confirm with issuer | Confirm with issuer | Confirm with issuer |
Information comes from issuing-authority sources. Confirm current rules, fees and eligibility before acting.
Lessons that prepare you
- Contractor License Requirements by State
- The NASCLA Exam: One Test, Many States
- The Business and Law Exam
- Qualifying Parties and Qualifiers
- License Classifications and Monetary Limits
- Mechanics Liens
- Lien Deadlines and Preliminary Notices
- Prompt Payment Laws
- Unlicensed Work: Penalties and Enforcement
- OSHA Duties as an Employer
- Permits and Inspections
- From Carpenter to General Contractor
- Where to Take the Contractor Exams
- Do Carpenters Need a License
- OSHA Recordkeeping and Severe Injury Reporting
- Do You Even Need a License for This Job