what do i need to get my contractor license

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Getting a contractor license involves the completion of several steps that will let y'all to legally have and complete contracting work in your country. The application procedure for a contractor license includes examinations and supporting paperwork regarding legal residency, criminal background, and experience in the surface area of work for which you are applying for a license. You must also formally contain your contracting company, and purchase whatsoever required insurance or bonds in order to practice your trade.

1. 1

   Make up one's mind on your license form. In many areas, yous must apply for a contractor'due south license of a certain form. Usually, the form is determined by the monetary value of projects contractors will undertake. For example, Grade C contractors might be limited to working on projects of $x,000 or less, Class B contractors on projects upward to $200,000, and Class A contractors may be able to piece of work on projects of any value.

   • Fees and insurance requirements may vary past contracting class.
   • Working on projects exterior of the limits of a contracting form is a violation of regulations. Disciplinary or legal action can result.
   • Seek the contracting class that suits the types of project y'all want to do, too as your visitor's financial and physical abilities.

2. 2

   Choose a specialty, if desired. In many locations, you may be classified either as a "general contractor" or a "specialty contractor." Full general contractors, as the proper noun implies, oversee many aspects of a project, while specialty contractors focus on a specific surface area. Common specialties include:^[1]

   • Appliances
   • Awnings, coverings, and screens
   • Boiler, steam, and process piping
   • Cabinetry and finish carpentry
   • Closets
   • Concrete
   • Demolition
   • Drywall
   • Electric
   • Excavation
   • Burn down protection
   • Floor
   • Glass and glazing
   • Heating, ventilation, ac and refrigeration (HVAC/R)
   • Landscaping
   • Masonry
   • Plumbing
   • Roofing

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3. iii

   Name and register your visitor. If you want to practice equally a contractor, you lot will need to officially register a company with your state and/or local authorities. Your contractor's license volition so certify that this company can operate. You must first determine that your intended company name is not already taken. Many states will accept a name availability form you tin fill out, or an online database y'all can check to meet if a visitor proper name is not yet taken.

   • You lot too need to decide on your contracting business concern' construction (sole proprietorship, limited liability corporation, etc.).
   • If you plan on hiring employees other than yourself, y'all should too asking an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.^[2]
   • Make certain to pay any fees that are required to register your business and/or its name.
   • In some states, y'all must too designate people to serve equally your contracting business organisation' direction and qualified individuals (those with the appropriate training/experience in the contracting field). These may or may non be the same people, depending on how your business is structured.

4. four

   Pass the contractor's examination. Each land will have a required examination or prepare of examinations that contractors must pass in order to legally practice. These exams might exist composed of multiple topics, some dealing with business aspects and others with technical and trade practices.

   • Contact the International Lawmaking Quango (ICC) for information virtually contracting examinations that are applicative in your area.^[three]

5. 5

   Purchase insurance and a bond, if required. ^[4] In many locales, you lot must purchase special insurance in society to practice as a contractor. Since contracting piece of work is oftentimes dangerous and involves large amounts of money, this insurance protects you against liabilities and covers any losses. In improver to or instead of insurance, you may exist required to buy a surety bond. This is substantially protection against loss in case y'all are unable to finish a project or consummate information technology satisfactorily.

   • The amount of insurance or bond that you must purchase will vary depending on your location and the blazon of projects you will practise. Yet, wait information technology to be substantial.
   • You volition need to show proof that you have purchased the insurance or bond in social club to receive your contractor'southward license.

6. 6

   Pass a background check. In many states, yous must laissez passer a criminal background bank check before you tin can receive your contractor's license. Consummate the background check co-ordinate to the instructions provided past your state. Make certain to keep a copy of the certificate showing you have passed the background bank check—yous will need this later when submitting your license application.

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1. 1

   Fill out the awarding and gather required documents. Once yous accept all of the preliminary steps taken care of, you volition need to complete the formal application for your contractor'due south license. The exact application course and instructions will vary depending on your location. Contact your local planning and development board, registrar of contractors, or other relevant agency near where to find the application form and instructions. Common information and documents included with contracting license applications include:^[v]

   • Your company's proper noun, EIN, and address
   • Your contracting class and specialty, if applicable
   • Copies of your company's incorporation papers
   • A summary of your teaching, training, and experience
   • Proof of your insurance and/or bond
   • Certification from the ICC or other approved bureau that you lot accept passed any required contracting examinations
   • Copies of personal identification
   • A statement of citizenship
   • Information almost whatsoever prior contracting licenses you have had (including in another land)
   • Proof that you have passed a background check

2. two

   Submit the application and pay any required fees. When your application is filled out and you have included all documents, you are ready to submit it to the relevant agency. Deliver the application (by mail, online, in person, by fax, etc.) according to the instructions provided on the application course or by the relevant bureau.

   • Make certain to include whatever required fees with your application.
   • Make sure to get your application notarized, if required, earlier submitting information technology.

3. 3

   Await for your application to exist approved. Most likely, there will be a small waiting flow before your application is approved or rejected. Inquire the relevant bureau if there is a confirmation number or letter you lot should expect to receive in one case y'all submit your application, and how you lot will receive notice that your awarding has been approved or rejected.

4. 4

   Get a license for each state you want to operate in. Each state has its own regulations for contracting. You must be approved for each state you want to piece of work in, even if you already have a contracting license that is valid in some other land. In some cases, you may exist able to become a special temporary license (which may have a lower fee or streamlined application process) if you exercise already have a license that is valid in some other state.^[6]

   • Note that contractors must follow any local or municipal contracting regulations in addition to ones enforced past the state.

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• Typically, contracting licenses must be periodically renewed, although the renewal awarding process may be easier. Check with the agency that approves contractors in your area for data nearly renewing your license.

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Commodity Summary Ten

To get a contractor license, start by deciding if you lot desire to be classified as a full general contractor or as a specialty contractor, which may include concrete, demolition, or electrical. Next, make up one's mind on a name for your business and officially register your company. You'll also demand to pass the contractor's exam in order to legally practice. Later your test, buy special insurance to practice as a contractor. Additionally, yous'll need to laissez passer a criminal groundwork cheque earlier y'all can receive your contractor's license. To learn how to purchase a bond to practice as a contractor, proceed reading!

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