ContractorLicensing Guide

License requirements directory

Contractor license requirements by state and trade

Find the license path for your trade, your state, and the work you want to perform: HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and general contracting.

Common searches this directory is built to answer:

How to get an HVAC license in Florida

Electrician license requirements in Washington

How to become a plumber in Oregon

General contractor license requirements in California

Start by trade

What type of license do you need?

HVAC contractors

50 states

Air-conditioning, mechanical, heating, refrigeration, and ventilation licensing.

Browse HVAC contractors

Electricians

50 states

Journeyman, master, contractor, trainee, and exam requirements by state.

Browse Electricians

Plumbers

50 states

Apprentice, journeyman, master, plumbing contractor, and specialty paths.

Browse Plumbers

General contractors

50 states

Residential, commercial, specialty, exam, bond, and insurance requirements.

Browse General contractors

Start by state

Available state guides

Pick your state, then choose the trade guide you need. Each card only lists published, source-reviewed guides.

Official sources

We cite state boards, statutes, applications, exam vendors, and agency guidance.

Practical sequence

Guides explain what to do first, what documents to gather, and where contractors get stuck.

Trade-specific language

The goal is to answer real searches from working contractors, not publish generic state summaries.