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Do I need a licensed pro?

Pick your state, the type of work and the job budget. See the license rule that applies, the board that issues it, and how to check a contractor before you sign.

By the LocalServiceHQ editorial team
Updated Oct 28, 2026
Formulas listed below

Check your state

Pick your state, the work and the job budget. You get the licence threshold, the board that issues it and a link to verify a contractor.

Type of work
Try a quick example
Your answer
State summary

—

Choose a state to see the rule.

Licence threshold—
Licensing board—
Verify a contractor—
Permits and citiesPermits are set by city and county. A licence does not replace a permit, and a permit does not prove a licence.

General information, not legal advice. Confirm with the official board before you sign a contract. Thresholds count labour and materials together unless the state says otherwise.

Look the number upCheck the license on the state board site yourself. It takes two minutes.
Photo by Michael Bader on Unsplash

What decides whether you need a license

Your stateEach state sets its own license rules. Some have none for general contractors; others license by job size.
Texas
Type of workElectrical, plumbing and HVAC are licensed as trades in most states, even when general remodeling is not.
General / remodel
Job sizeSeveral states only require a license above a dollar threshold, counting labor and materials together.
$8,000
PermitsA job that needs a permit can trigger a license requirement at any amount, as in Arizona.
City rules
AnswerThe rule that applies to your job, and the board where you can check a license.
No state license

How to use the license check

1
Pick your state
All 50 states and DC are covered. Six have a fully checked threshold module (TX, OK, AZ, FL, NC, TN); the rest show the board, the statewide rule and a link to verify.
2
Choose the work
General and remodel work is treated differently from electrical, plumbing and HVAC trades.
3
Enter the budget
Use the full job price, labor and materials together, from the quote.
4
Check the license
Use the board named in the answer to confirm the contractor's license is active.

Contractor license rules by state

The thresholds this tool uses, from the LocalServiceHQ 50-state reference. Every line was checked against the official source on Oct 28, 2026.

State
License threshold
Where to verify
Texas
No statewide general contractor license. Electrical and HVAC licensed by TDLR, plumbing by TSBPE.
TDLR; TSBPE
Oklahoma
Roofers must register with the CIB before work, with $500,000 general liability for residential jobs.
Construction Industries Board
Arizona
License needed at $1,000+ (labor + materials), or at any amount if a permit is required.
Registrar of Contractors
Florida
Minor jobs under $2,500 are exempt, except electrical and alarm work.
DBPR, CILB
North Carolina
General contractor license for jobs of $40,000 or more since Oct 1, 2023.
NC Licensing Board for General Contractors
Tennessee
Contractor license at $25,000+. Nine counties also require a Home Improvement license for $3,000–$25,000.
Board for Licensing Contractors

General information, not legal advice. Cities and counties can add registration and permit rules.

Licensing red flags

!
Taking "licensed" on trustLook the number up yourself on the state board site. Expired and borrowed numbers are common.
!
License for the wrong tradeA general contractor license does not cover electrical or plumbing work in most states.
!
Splitting a job to dodge a thresholdBreaking a job into small invoices to stay under a license limit is a red flag.
!
You pull the permitWhen the homeowner pulls the permit, the homeowner carries the responsibility. Ask why the contractor won't.
!
No insurance certificateA license is not insurance. Ask for a current liability certificate.
!
Cash only, no contractLicensed contractors give a written contract with scope, price and schedule.

Contractor license FAQ

Do I need a licensed contractor for a small job?

It depends on the state. Arizona requires a license at $1,000 or more, Florida exempts most jobs under $2,500, and Texas has no state license for general work at all.

In many states a handyman can do small jobs without a license, but electrical, plumbing and HVAC work usually needs a licensed trade contractor.

Search the license number on your state licensing board website. Check the name, status and expiry date.

No. Some cities, like Austin, register contractors without a state license. Registration shows the business is on file, not that it passed an exam.

Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee. More states are added after every rule is checked.

No. It is general information. Confirm with the licensing board before you sign a contract.

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