What is a Contractor's License?

A Contractor's license gives a building contractor the ability to state that they are licensed. In many states, licensing requirements are similar, but state building laws vary. If one is already licensed in a single state, in order to claim licensing in another state, usually a person must undergo the same examinations and testing to receive a contractor's license.

The Contractor’s license may be for general construction, or may be obtained for specialized fields, such as plumbing, painting or knowledge of heating and cooling systems like HVAC. Hiring a licensed Contractor tends to assure that one is getting someone with knowledge of state laws regarding building, and has a greater degree of experience.

Additionally, people cannot usually obtain a Contractor's license unless they are also incorporated as a business. This protects both the contractor and would-be employers. If a worker with a contractor’s license performs shoddy work, or builds any type of building that does not come up to code, he or she can lose his or her license, as well as being sued by employers.

Posted in: Contractor