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 u ... more