General Contractor License Reciprocity by State (2026)
12 of 51 states have a published reciprocity note in our dataset. For the remaining states, the note is not published — check both state boards before you move.
Bids and manages construction projects. Most states license contractors through a state board; requirements range from registration to a written exam (e.g. California CSLB). A reciprocity note means a license from a listed state is accepted, usually still with an application, fee and background check. When no note exists, verify directly.
| State | Reciprocity note | Verify with |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Trade-exam waiver available to licensees from CA, NV and UT with 5+ years active; AZ Statutes & Rules exam still required | Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) — General Contractor (B / B-1 / KB classifications) ↗ |
| California | Trade exam waiver available to licensees from some states (e.g. AZ, NV, UT) with 5+ years active | California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) — Class B General Building Contractor ↗ |
| Florida | NASCLA-accredited exam accepted for trade parts; trade-exam waivers with some states (e.g. NC, LA, MS) | Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) — Construction Industry Licensing Board, Certified General Contractor (CGC) ↗ |
| Georgia | Reciprocity with LA, MS and SC (residential qualifying agent); Georgia Business & Law exam still required | Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (SLBRGC) ↗ |
| Illinois | No state general contractor license — Illinois has no statewide contractor licensing; some municipalities (e.g. Chicago) require local registration | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) ↗ |
| Michigan | No state general contractor license — general contractor licensing is local in Michigan (LARA licenses specified trades only) | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) ↗ |
| New York | No state general contractor license — NYC DOB licenses general contractors locally; New York home-improvement contractors are covered by consumer-protection law rather than a state license | New York City Department of Buildings (no state-level general contractor license) ↗ |
| North Carolina | Trade-exam waiver with 7 southeastern states (SC, TN, LA, GA, MS, AL, FL); NC Business & Law exam always required | North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) ↗ |
| Ohio | No state general contractor license — Ohio does not license general contractors at the state level (OCILB covers specified trades only) | Ohio Department of Commerce ↗ |
| Pennsylvania | No state general contractor license — PA requires Home Improvement Contractor registration with the Office of Attorney General (no exam); some cities (e.g. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh) license locally | Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act ↗ |
| Texas | No state general contractor license — Texas does not license general contractors at the state level (only specified trades such as electricians, plumbers and HVAC are licensed by TDLR) | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) ↗ |
| Washington | Registration, not a license — no exam, no experience verification and no CE; L&I requires a $30,000 surety bond (GC, since July 1, 2024) plus general liability insurance; renewed biennially | Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Contractor Registration ↗ |
| Alabama | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Alaska | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Arkansas | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Colorado | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Connecticut | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Delaware | check both state boards | board site pending |
| District of Columbia | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Hawaii | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Idaho | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Indiana | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Iowa | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Kansas | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Kentucky | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Louisiana | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Maine | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Maryland | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Massachusetts | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Minnesota | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Mississippi | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Missouri | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Montana | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Nebraska | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Nevada | check both state boards | board site pending |
| New Hampshire | check both state boards | board site pending |
| New Jersey | check both state boards | board site pending |
| New Mexico | check both state boards | board site pending |
| North Dakota | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Oklahoma | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Oregon | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Rhode Island | check both state boards | board site pending |
| South Carolina | check both state boards | board site pending |
| South Dakota | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Tennessee | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Utah | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Vermont | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Virginia | check both state boards | board site pending |
| West Virginia | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Wisconsin | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Wyoming | check both state boards | board site pending |
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer my General Contractor license to another state?
In our dataset, 12 states have a published reciprocity note (see the table). For every other state the rule is not published here — check both state boards before moving.
What does reciprocity mean for a license?
Reciprocity lets an already-licensed professional from one state qualify for a license in another state without repeating the full education and exam process. Some states have formal agreements; others require a state-specific exam or extra coursework even when they accept your license.
Why do some states say "check both state boards"?
State reciprocity tables are not consistently published in machine-readable form. When a state has not published an official note in our verified sources, we point you to both boards rather than guess. That is the safest answer for a decision that can affect your eligibility to work.
Does holding a license in one state guarantee a license in another?
No. Every state sets its own licensing law. Even in states with reciprocity, you typically still file an application, pay a fee, pass a background check and sometimes pass a state-specific exam. Always confirm directly with the destination state board.
Plan your move with General Contractor data
Reciprocity rules change frequently and are set by each state legislature and board. “Check both state boards” means the note is not published in our dataset — it is not a negative answer. Always verify with both boards before relocating (data retrieved 2026-08-20).