Contractor Licensing in Connecticut: Which Trades Need a License
Yes, Connecticut requires a statewide license for 3 of 5 contractor trades, issued by the Department of Consumer Protection. Initial costs run $365 to $430.
Connecticut licenses specialty trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) statewide through the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), but does not require a statewide general contractor license. General contractors must register as either a Home Improvement Contractor (residential) or Major Contractor (commercial). Roofing contractors register under the Home Improvement Contractor or Major Contractor categories depending on project type. All trade licenses use an odd/even numbered classification system: odd numbers (E-1, P-1, S-1) for contractors and even numbers (E-2, P-2, S-2) for journeypersons.
General Contractor
RegistrationOversees and manages construction projects, coordinating subcontractors, materials, and timelines for residential and commercial builds.
View full requirements →Electrician
RequiredInstalls, maintains, and repairs electrical wiring, systems, and fixtures in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
View full requirements →Plumber
RequiredInstalls and repairs water supply lines, drainage systems, fixtures, and appliances in buildings and other structures.
View full requirements →HVAC Technician
RequiredInstalls, services, and repairs heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
View full requirements →Roofing Contractor
RegistrationInstalls, repairs, and replaces roofing systems on residential and commercial structures.
View full requirements →Connecticut Licensing Overview
Connecticut requires statewide licensing for 3 of 5 contractor trades. The licensed trades — electrician, plumber, hvac technician — are regulated by the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). General Contractor and Roofing Contractor requirea statewide registration rather than a license — mandatory, with its own fees and bond, but no trade exam. Across all licensed trades, initial costs range from $365 to $430, including application fees, exams, license issuance, fingerprinting, and any other fees the state requires to obtain the license.
Connecticut Contractor License Cost Summary
| Trade | Application | Exam | License | Bond | Est. Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Contractor | $220 | — | — | — | $220 |
| Electrician | $150 | $65 | $150 | — | $365 |
| Plumber | $150 | $65 | $150 | — | $365 |
| HVAC Technician | $150 | $130 | $150 | — | $430 |
| Roofing Contractor | $220 | — | — | — | $220 |
Estimated totals include application, exam, license, and fingerprinting fees, plus any other fees the state requires to obtain the license. Bond amounts are separate and typically paid as an annual premium.
Set up the business before you apply in Connecticut
Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in Connecticut. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form an LLC with Northwest→Key Facts About Connecticut Contractor Licensing
- Home Improvement Contractors must carry minimum $20,000 general liability insurance. Major Contractors must also provide proof of general liability insurance. Workers comp required for all employers.
- Connecticut requires statewide registration, not a license, for general contractor and roofing contractors — no trade exam.
- Business & Law exam ($65) required in addition to trade exam for E-1 contractor license
- First renewal exempt from continuing education requirement
- Online continuing education is not permitted for plumbers in Connecticut
You're registered in Connecticut — the next 30 days
Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form the business and get an EIN.
The Department of Consumer Protection issues the Home Improvement Contractor Registration / Major Contractor Registration; the business that invoices Connecticut customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the registration number goes on an estimate.
Bond: none required by the state.
Connecticut does not require a surety bond for this registration — No bond required for most registrants. The DCP commissioner may require a $15,000 bond as a condition of issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of a Home Improvement Contractor registration.
Carry the insurance the registration requires.
Connecticut requires general liability insurance for this registration. Home Improvement Contractors must carry minimum $20,000 general liability insurance. Major Contractors must also provide proof of general liability insurance. Workers comp required for all employers. Contractor insurance requirements→
Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.
Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck home-service businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Connecticut require a contractor license?
Yes, Connecticut requires statewide licensing for 3 of 5 trades: electrician, plumber, hvac technician. General Contractor and Roofing Contractor do not require a statewide license.
How much does a contractor license cost in Connecticut?
Initial licensing costs range from $365 to $430 depending on the trade, including application, exam, license and fingerprinting fees, plus any other fees the state requires to obtain the license.
Does Connecticut have license reciprocity with other states?
Connecticut does not currently have reciprocity agreements with other states. Contractors from other states must apply and meet the full requirements.
What trades require a state license in Connecticut?
Connecticut requires statewide licenses for: electrician, plumber, hvac technician. General Contractor and Roofing Contractor licensing is handled at the local level.
Do I need workers compensation insurance in Connecticut?
Home Improvement Contractors must carry minimum $20,000 general liability insurance. Major Contractors must also provide proof of general liability insurance. Workers comp required for all employers.
Official Connecticut Licensing Resources
- Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) — for electrician, plumber, hvac technician