{
  "name": "General contractor license requirements and dollar thresholds by US state",
  "description": "Do I need a contractor license for this project in my state, and what does it take to get one? Every US state handles general contractor licensing differently: some require a state license for any construction work, others only above a dollar threshold ($1,000 in Arizona, $10,000 residential in Alabama, $100,000 commercial in Alabama), and some have no state-level license at all (municipal only). One record per license type per state, sourced from the state's licensing board. Answers 'do I need a contractor license in Florida', 'what is the minimum project size for a contractor license in Alabama', 'general contractor license requirements by state', and 'how much is a contractor license bond'. New Jersey added a formal licensing system effective February 2026; Montana transitioned from registration to licensing in 2026. The assembled versions on page one are all from insurance lead-gen sites (nextinsurance.com, insureon.com) selling general liability to contractors. Extends the electrician-licence-progression-by-state pattern to general contractors.",
  "url": "https://referencesource.org/general-contractor-license-thresholds-by-state/",
  "licence": "Facts extracted from state licensing board websites, with attributed quote and link back. Licensing requirements are public regulatory facts. No source carries a restrictive notice.",
  "last_verified": "2026-08-17",
  "stale_after": "2027-08-17",
  "sources": [
    "https://genconbd.alabama.gov/about/law/",
    "https://lslbc.gov/types-of-licenses/",
    "https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/Pages/CCB%20License.aspx",
    "https://llr.sc.gov/clb/faq.aspx",
    "https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors/license/get/contractor.html",
    "https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors/license/get/home-improvement.html",
    "https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/register-as-a-contractor/"
  ],
  "records": [
    {
      "license_type": "General Contractor",
      "state": "Alabama",
      "licensing_authority": "Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors",
      "dollar_threshold": "$100,000 or more. Swimming Pool construction of $5,000 or more",
      "id": "alabama-general-contractor",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/general-contractor-license-thresholds-by-state/alabama-general-contractor/",
      "source": "https://genconbd.alabama.gov/about/law/",
      "source_quote": "General Contractor - one who undertakes to construct or superintend the construction, alteration, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, remediation, reclamation, or demolition of any building, highway, sewer, structure, site work, grading, paving or project or any improvement in the State of Alabama where the cost of the undertaking including labor and materials is $100,000 or more. Swimming Pool construction of $5,000 or more.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "dollar_threshold",
        "license_type",
        "licensing_authority"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "state"
      ]
    },
    {
      "license_type": "Commercial",
      "state": "Louisiana",
      "licensing_authority": "Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC)",
      "dollar_threshold": "$50,000 or more (including labor and materials)",
      "id": "louisiana-commercial",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/general-contractor-license-thresholds-by-state/louisiana-commercial/",
      "source": "https://lslbc.gov/types-of-licenses/",
      "source_quote": "Commercial projects with a value of $50,000 or more (including labor and materials) when the property is to be used for commercial purposes. Commercial purpose is any construction project except residential structures with no more than two incorporated or attached dwelling units.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "dollar_threshold",
        "license_type",
        "licensing_authority"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "state"
      ]
    },
    {
      "license_type": "Home Improvement",
      "state": "Louisiana",
      "licensing_authority": "Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC)",
      "dollar_threshold": "seven thousand five hundred dollars or more",
      "id": "louisiana-home-improvement",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/general-contractor-license-thresholds-by-state/louisiana-home-improvement/",
      "source": "https://lslbc.gov/types-of-licenses/",
      "source_quote": "means the reconstruction, alteration, renovation, repair, modernization, conversion, improvement, removal, or demolition, or the construction of an addition to any preexisting residential structure which building is used or designed to be used as a residence or dwelling unit, or to structures which are adjacent to such residence or building for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "dollar_threshold",
        "license_type",
        "licensing_authority"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "state"
      ]
    },
    {
      "license_type": "Mold Remediation",
      "state": "Louisiana",
      "licensing_authority": "Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC)",
      "dollar_threshold": "$7,500 or more",
      "id": "louisiana-mold-remediation",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/general-contractor-license-thresholds-by-state/louisiana-mold-remediation/",
      "source": "https://lslbc.gov/types-of-licenses/",
      "source_quote": "A Mold Remediation license is required for remediation projects with a value of $7,500 or more. To obtain a mold license, the qualifying party must have twenty-four hours of training in mold remediation and basic mold assessment.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "dollar_threshold",
        "license_type",
        "licensing_authority"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "state"
      ]
    },
    {
      "license_type": "Residential",
      "state": "Louisiana",
      "licensing_authority": "Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC)",
      "dollar_threshold": "exceeding $50,000 (including labor and materials)",
      "id": "louisiana-residential",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/general-contractor-license-thresholds-by-state/louisiana-residential/",
      "source": "https://lslbc.gov/types-of-licenses/",
      "source_quote": "Residential Construction exceeding $50,000 (including labor and materials) of any residential structure. Residential structure is defined as a building or structure that is used primarily for occupancy by a person as a residence.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "dollar_threshold",
        "license_type",
        "licensing_authority"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "state"
      ]
    },
    {
      "license_type": "Construction Contractor",
      "state": "Oregon",
      "licensing_authority": "Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB)",
      "exam_required": "There are 80 multiple choice questions; a passing score is 70 percent (56 correct answers)",
      "application_fee": "$400 fee for a two-year license",
      "id": "oregon-construction-contractor",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/general-contractor-license-thresholds-by-state/oregon-construction-contractor/",
      "source": "https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/Pages/CCB%20License.aspx",
      "source_quote": "Generally, Oregon law requires anyone who works for compensation in any construction activity involving improvements to real property to be licensed.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "application_fee",
        "exam_required",
        "license_type",
        "licensing_authority"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "state"
      ]
    },
    {
      "license_type": "General Contractor",
      "state": "South Carolina",
      "licensing_authority": "South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (SC LLR)",
      "dollar_threshold": "greater than $10,000",
      "id": "south-carolina-general-contractor",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/general-contractor-license-thresholds-by-state/south-carolina-general-contractor/",
      "source": "https://llr.sc.gov/clb/faq.aspx",
      "source_quote": "licensure from $5,000 to greater than $10,000 for both general and mechanical contracting.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "dollar_threshold",
        "license_type",
        "licensing_authority"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "state"
      ]
    },
    {
      "license_type": "Contractor",
      "state": "Tennessee",
      "licensing_authority": "Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors",
      "dollar_threshold": "$25,000 or more",
      "exam_required": "Tennessee \u201cBusiness and Law\u201d exam, and a trade exam is required for certain license classifications",
      "id": "tennessee-contractor",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/general-contractor-license-thresholds-by-state/tennessee-contractor/",
      "source": "https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors/license/get/contractor.html",
      "source_quote": "A contractor\u2019s license is required before contracting, including bidding, offering to engage, or negotiating a price, for projects of $25,000 or more when acting as a prime contractor, certain subcontractor, or construction manager/consultant.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "dollar_threshold",
        "exam_required",
        "license_type",
        "licensing_authority"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "state"
      ]
    },
    {
      "license_type": "Home Improvement Contractor",
      "state": "Tennessee",
      "licensing_authority": "Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors",
      "dollar_threshold": "from $3,000 to $24,999",
      "bond_amount": "$10,000",
      "insurance_required": "General Liability and Worker\u2019s Compensation required",
      "application_fee": "$250",
      "id": "tennessee-home-improvement-contractor",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/general-contractor-license-thresholds-by-state/tennessee-home-improvement-contractor/",
      "source": "https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors/license/get/home-improvement.html",
      "source_quote": "A Home Improvement license is required for residential remodeling projects from $3,000 to $24,999; however, this only applies to the counties adopting the law. Currently, this applies to the following counties: Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford, and Shelby.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "application_fee",
        "bond_amount",
        "dollar_threshold",
        "insurance_required",
        "license_type",
        "licensing_authority"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "state"
      ]
    },
    {
      "license_type": "General Contractor (registration)",
      "state": "Washington",
      "licensing_authority": "Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)",
      "bond_amount": "$30,000 for general contractors",
      "insurance_required": "$200,000 in public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit",
      "application_fee": "$150.20",
      "id": "washington-general-contractor-registration",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/general-contractor-license-thresholds-by-state/washington-general-contractor-registration/",
      "source": "https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/register-as-a-contractor/",
      "source_quote": "Washington State requires all construction contractors to register with L&I. State law also requires construction contractors to be bonded and insured to protect the public.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "application_fee",
        "bond_amount",
        "insurance_required",
        "license_type",
        "licensing_authority"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "state"
      ]
    },
    {
      "license_type": "Specialty Contractor (registration)",
      "state": "Washington",
      "licensing_authority": "Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)",
      "bond_amount": "$15,000 for specialty contractors",
      "application_fee": "$150.20",
      "id": "washington-specialty-contractor-registration",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/general-contractor-license-thresholds-by-state/washington-specialty-contractor-registration/",
      "source": "https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/register-as-a-contractor/",
      "source_quote": "Specialty contractors can only perform work in the specialty they are registered in. They cannot hire subcontractors.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "application_fee",
        "bond_amount",
        "license_type",
        "licensing_authority"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "state"
      ]
    }
  ]
}