🏗️ General Contractor License Requirements by State

Compare general contractor license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 39 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level general contractor license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range 8,000–8,000 hours. Exam Application Fees range $100–$100. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$63,450
AKAlaska	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$89,120
AZArizona	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$72,340
ARArkansas	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$58,670
CACalifornia	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$92,450
COColorado	Not Required	—	—	$78,900
CTConnecticut	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$82,340
DEDelaware	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$71,230
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$88,670
FLFlorida	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$67,890
GAGeorgia	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$68,120
HIHawaii	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$85,670
IDIdaho	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$66,340
ILIllinois	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$82,670
INIndiana	Not Required	—	—	$70,120
IAIowa	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$69,450
KSKansas	Not Required	—	—	$67,890
KYKentucky	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$65,670
LALouisiana	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$64,230
MEMaine	Not Required	—	—	$68,900
MDMaryland	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$76,340
MAMassachusetts	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$89,120
MIMichigan	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$73,450
MNMinnesota	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$82,340
MSMississippi	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$56,780
MOMissouri	Not Required	—	—	$72,670
MTMontana	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$68,900
NENebraska	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$66,780
NVNevada	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$76,340
NHNew Hampshire	Not Required	—	—	$72,120
NJNew Jersey	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$84,560
NMNew Mexico	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$64,230
NYNew York	Not Required	—	—	$92,670
NCNorth Carolina	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$66,890
NDNorth Dakota	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$72,340
OHOhio	Not Required	—	—	$71,230
OKOklahoma	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$62,340
OROregon	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$82,120
PAPennsylvania	Not Required	—	—	$74,560
RIRhode Island	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$73,450
SCSouth Carolina	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$63,670
SDSouth Dakota	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$65,120
TNTennessee	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$66,340
TXTexas	Not Required	—	—	$72,890
UTUtah	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$70,120
VTVermont	Not Required	—	—	$68,900
VAVirginia	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$72,340
WAWashington	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$88,670
WVWest Virginia	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$62,340
WIWisconsin	Required	8,000 hrs	$100	$75,670
WYWyoming	Not Required	—	—	$68,900

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Common questions about general contractor licensing

Do all states require a general contractor license?

No — 39 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level general contractor license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a general contractor license?

Application fees across the states range $100–$100. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a general contractor license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range 8,000–8,000 across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.