How to verify a contractor's license

Before you hire anyone, verify their license. It takes five minutes and can save you thousands.

An unlicensed contractor has no accountability. If something goes wrong, you have no recourse through your state’s contractor licensing board. Your homeowner’s insurance may not cover damage from unlicensed work. And in many states, hiring an unlicensed contractor for work above a certain dollar threshold is illegal.

How to check a contractor’s license

Every state has a licensing board or regulatory agency that maintains a public database of licensed contractors. Here is the general process:

1. Ask for the license number. A legitimate contractor will provide this without hesitation. If they dodge the question, that is a red flag.
2. Visit your state’s licensing board website. Search by the contractor’s name or license number.
3. Verify the license is active. An expired or suspended license is not valid. Check the expiration date.
4. Check for complaints. Many state boards list complaints, disciplinary actions, and violations on the contractor’s record.
5. Confirm the license type matches the work. A general contractor license may not cover specialty trades like insulation or electrical work. Make sure the license category matches what you need done.

State-by-state licensing guide

Here are detailed licensing requirements and lookup instructions for every state we serve.

Utah

Licensing agency: Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL)

Requirements: Utah requires contractor licensing for most construction work. Insulation contractors need an S350 specialty license or must work under a B100 General Building license. Concrete and fencing contractors typically operate under a general contractor or appropriate specialty classification.

How to look up a contractor:

1. Go to the DOPL license verification website
2. Search by name, license number, or business name
3. Verify the license status shows “Active” and the expiration date is current
4. Check the license classification to make sure it covers the type of work you need

What to check: Utah’s DOPL database shows license status, expiration date, disciplinary actions, and the specific classification of work the contractor is authorized to perform. Contractors must also carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation.

Dollar threshold: Contractors performing work valued over $3,000 must be licensed.

Idaho

Licensing agency: Idaho Division of Building Safety (DBS)

Requirements: Idaho requires contractor registration for projects over $2,000. This is a registration system, not a full licensing exam. Contractors must register with the state and carry insurance.

How to look up a contractor:

1. Visit the Idaho DBS contractor registry website
2. Search by contractor name, business name, or registration number
3. Verify the registration is current and active
4. Check the category of work covered

What to check: Idaho’s registry shows registration status, insurance verification, and any complaints filed. Because Idaho uses a registration system rather than a licensing exam, verifying insurance is especially important here. Ask for proof of general liability and workers’ comp separately.

Dollar threshold: Registration required for projects over $2,000.

Colorado

Licensing agency: Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)

Requirements: Colorado does not have a statewide general contractor license requirement. However, many municipalities (Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Boulder) require local contractor licenses. Specialty trades like electrical and plumbing do require state licenses.

How to look up a contractor:

1. For state-level specialty licenses, search the DORA license verification website
2. For local contractor licenses, check with your city or county building department
3. Denver, for example, maintains its own contractor licensing database

What to check: Since Colorado relies heavily on local licensing, you may need to check both state and municipal databases. Regardless of licensing, always verify insurance independently. Ask the contractor which municipality they are licensed in and confirm it covers your location.

Important note: The lack of a statewide requirement makes it even more important to verify insurance and references. A contractor can legally operate in some Colorado municipalities without a license, which means your other verification steps matter more here.

Oregon

Licensing agency: Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB)

Requirements: All contractors in Oregon must be licensed with the CCB. This is one of the strictest licensing states. Contractors must pass an exam, carry a surety bond, and maintain insurance.

How to look up a contractor:

1. Go to the Oregon CCB online search
2. Search by contractor name, business name, or CCB number
3. Review the license details, including category, status, and bond information
4. Check the complaint history section

What to check: Oregon’s CCB database is one of the most comprehensive. It shows license status, bond amount, insurance verification, complaint history, and any disciplinary actions. If a contractor has multiple complaints, the CCB will show the outcome of each one.

Dollar threshold: All contractors performing work for compensation must be CCB-licensed, regardless of project size.

Homeowner tip: Oregon’s CCB also offers a dispute resolution process if problems arise with a licensed contractor. Hiring a CCB-licensed contractor gives you access to this resource.

North Carolina

Licensing agency: North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors

Requirements: General contractor licensing is required for projects over $30,000. Specialty licenses are managed by separate boards depending on the trade (plumbing, electrical, etc.). For projects under $30,000, contractors are not required to hold a state license, but may need local permits.

How to look up a contractor:

1. Visit the NC Licensing Board’s online license verification
2. Search by contractor name, license number, or business name
3. Verify the license is current and in good standing
4. Check for any disciplinary history

What to check: The NC board’s database shows license status, classification, and disciplinary records. For projects under the $30,000 threshold, the state does not require a license, so insurance verification becomes critical. Always confirm liability insurance and workers’ comp independently.

Dollar threshold: $30,000 for general contractor license requirement.

Tennessee

Licensing agency: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors

Requirements: Contractor licensing is required for projects over $25,000. The state issues different license classifications based on project value limits (residential, small commercial, large commercial). Contractors must pass an exam and demonstrate financial responsibility.

How to look up a contractor:

1. Go to the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors verification system
2. Search by contractor name, license number, or company name
3. Verify the license classification covers your project’s value
4. Check for complaints and disciplinary actions

What to check: Tennessee’s system shows license status, monetary limit, classification, and complaint history. Pay attention to the monetary limit on the license. A contractor licensed for projects up to $50,000 cannot legally take on a $75,000 job.

Dollar threshold: $25,000 for state licensing requirement.

Florida

Licensing agency: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)

Requirements: Florida requires state licensing for most contractor categories, including general contractors, building contractors, and roofing contractors. Florida has two license types: state certified (valid statewide) and registered (valid only in the county that issued it). Both are searchable.

How to look up a contractor:

1. Visit the DBPR online license verification
2. Search by name, license number, or business name
3. Verify the license is current and the correct type for your project
4. Review complaint history and any enforcement actions

What to check: Florida’s DBPR database is detailed. It shows license type (certified vs registered), status, insurance, and a complete history of complaints and enforcement actions. Florida also requires contractors to carry insurance and a surety bond. Verify all three: license, insurance, and bond.

Important note: Florida has some of the most active enforcement in the country. The DBPR actively investigates and prosecutes unlicensed contracting. If someone is doing work without a license in Florida, you can report them.

Arizona

Licensing agency: Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC)

Requirements: All contractors in Arizona must be licensed with the ROC. Arizona separates licenses into residential and commercial categories, each with specialty classifications. Contractors must pass a trade exam and a business management exam.

How to look up a contractor:

1. Go to the Arizona ROC website
2. Search by license number, business name, or contractor name
3. Verify the license is active and the classification matches your project
4. Check the complaint history and bond information

What to check: Arizona’s ROC database shows license status, classification, bond amount, insurance status, and a detailed complaint history. Arizona also maintains a residential contractors’ recovery fund, which can reimburse homeowners who suffer financial loss due to a licensed contractor’s work. Hiring a licensed contractor protects your access to this fund.

Homeowner tip: The ROC complaint process is well-established. If you have an issue with a licensed contractor, the ROC can investigate and mediate.

Ohio

Licensing agency: Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB)

Requirements: Ohio requires licensing for specialty trades including electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and hydronics. General contracting does not require a state license in Ohio, but many municipalities (Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati) require local contractor registration.

How to look up a contractor:

1. For specialty trades, search the OCILB license verification system
2. For general contractors, check with your local city or county building department
3. Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati each maintain their own contractor databases

What to check: Ohio’s split system means you may need to check both state and local databases. For insulation, concrete, and fencing work that does not require a specialty license, verify insurance and local registration directly. Ask the contractor which jurisdictions they are registered in.

Important note: Similar to Colorado, Ohio’s lack of a statewide general contractor license makes insurance verification especially important. Get certificates of insurance directly and call the insurance company to confirm they are current.

What to look for when checking a license

Finding the license in a database is just the first step. Here is what to verify:

License status

• Active/Current: Good. This is what you want.
• Expired: Not valid. The contractor cannot legally perform work.
• Suspended: The contractor has been disciplined. Do not hire them.
• Revoked: The license has been permanently removed. Do not hire them.
• Inactive: The contractor is not currently practicing. Not valid for new work.

License classification

Make sure the license covers the specific type of work you need. Common classifications relevant to our services:

• General contractor/building contractor: Covers most construction work
• Insulation contractor (specialty): Specific to insulation installation
• Concrete/masonry contractor: Specific to concrete work
• Fencing contractor: May fall under general contractor or a specific specialty
• Residential contractor: Limited to residential projects

A general contractor license typically covers insulation, concrete, and fencing work. But some states require specialty classifications for certain trades. When in doubt, ask the licensing board.

Complaint and disciplinary history

Most state databases show:

• Number of complaints filed
• Outcome of each complaint (dismissed, resolved, action taken)
• Disciplinary actions (fines, probation, suspension)
• Details of any violations

A single complaint that was resolved does not necessarily mean a bad contractor. But multiple unresolved complaints, disciplinary actions, or a pattern of the same issue repeated across different clients is a clear warning sign.

Insurance and bonding

Some state databases show insurance and bond status. If your state does not display this information, ask the contractor directly for:

• Certificate of general liability insurance. This covers property damage caused by the contractor.
• Workers’ compensation certificate. This covers injuries to the contractor’s employees while on your property.
• Surety bond information. This provides financial protection if the contractor fails to complete the job.

Call the insurance company listed on the certificate to verify coverage is current. Certificates can be forged or outdated.

What to do if a contractor is not licensed

If you discover a contractor is not licensed:

• Do not hire them. No matter how low their bid is.
• Report them. Contact your state’s licensing board. Unlicensed contracting is illegal in most states.
• Warn others. If they solicited you, they are likely soliciting your neighbors too.

Beyond the license

A license is the minimum. You should also verify:

• Insurance. Ask for certificates of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation. Call the insurance company to confirm the policy is active.
• References. Ask for three to five references from recent projects similar to yours. Actually call them.
• Written contract. Never start work without a written contract that includes scope, timeline, payment schedule, and warranty terms.
• Online reviews. Check Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. Look for patterns in the reviews, not just the star rating.
• Work history. Ask how long they have been in business and how many projects similar to yours they have completed.

Ready to get quotes?

Now that you know how to check a contractor’s credentials, put that knowledge to work. Get matched with contractors in your area, then verify their license before you hire.

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