Contractor Licensing in Georgia: Which Trades Need a License
Yes, Georgia requires a statewide license for 4 of 5 contractor trades, issued by 4 separate agencies. Initial costs run $140 to $377.
Georgia requires statewide licensing for general contractors, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC (conditioned air) contractors through the Georgia Secretary of State's office. The Construction Industry Licensing Board oversees electrical, plumbing, and conditioned air divisions, while a separate State Licensing Board handles residential and commercial general contractors. Roofing is NOT a state-licensed trade in Georgia -- roofers operate as exempt specialty contractors, though local jurisdictions may require permits and business licenses. All applications are submitted online through the GOALS portal.
General Contractor
RequiredOversees 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
Not requiredInstalls, repairs, and replaces roofing systems on residential and commercial structures.
View full requirements →Reciprocity Agreements
Georgia has reciprocity agreements with 8 states. Licensed contractors from these states may be eligible to skip certain exams. Full Georgia reciprocity guide: which states, what is waived, what it costs →
Georgia Licensing Overview
Georgia requires statewide licensing for 4 of 5 contractor trades. The licensed trades — general contractor, electrician, plumber, hvac technician — are regulated by 4 separate agencies: State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (SLBRCGC), Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Electrical Contractors (CILB-Electrical), Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers (CILB-Plumbing), Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors (CILB-HVAC). Roofing Contractor licensing is handled at the city and county level rather than statewide. Across all licensed trades, initial costs range from $140 to $377, including application fees, exams, license issuance, fingerprinting, and any other fees the state requires to obtain the license. Georgia also participates in reciprocity agreements with 8 other states, which can streamline the process for out-of-state contractors.
Georgia Contractor License Cost Summary
| Trade | Application | Exam | License | Bond | Est. Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Contractor | $10 | $210 | $25 | $25,000 | $245 |
| Electrician | $110 | $30 | — | $10,000 | $140 |
| Plumber | $40 | $233 | — | $10,000 | $273 |
| HVAC Technician | $110 | $267 | — | $10,000 | $377 |
| Roofing Contractor | Local — no statewide fees | ||||
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 Georgia
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 Georgia. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.
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Form an LLC with Northwest→Recommended exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a $100+ retake. Many states examine contractors on two separate papers — the trade exam and a business and law exam — so we list the course covering both first, with trade-specific depth after.
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Mometrix · SponsoredContractor License Online Study CourseFull online prep course covering the trade and business-and-law exams — video lessons, practice questions, and a study plan built for a first-try pass.See the course →
Mometrix · SponsoredContractor's Exam FlashcardsPortable flashcards for the high-frequency exam topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling terms and code references on the go.See the flashcards →Key Facts About Georgia Contractor Licensing
- Residential Basic: $300,000 GL per occurrence minimum. Residential Light Commercial, GC Limited, GC Unlimited: $500,000 GL per occurrence minimum. Workers comp required for 3+ employees.
- Georgia does not require a statewide license for roofing contractors. Local permits may still apply.
- Georgia has reciprocity agreements with 8 states, which may allow licensed contractors to skip certain exams.
- State fees are low: the GOALS fee schedule (Commercial General Contractor Company) lists a $10 application processing fee and a $25 license pocket-card fee. The prior $200/$280 figures were corrected against that primary schedule on 2026-07-05. (A separate $75 'license roster' charge is a public-records/data-product fee, not a licensing cost, and is excluded.)
- The exam fee (~$210) covers the two required PSI exams -- the NASCLA Commercial General Building exam and the Georgia Business & Law exam.
- Paper applications no longer accepted -- must use GOALS online portal
You're licensed in Georgia — 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 State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors issues the Commercial General Contractor (Limited or Unlimited); the business that invoices Georgia 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 license number goes on an estimate.
Post the bond.
Georgia requires a $25,000 surety bond. $25,000 surety bond required for all residential and general contractor licenses. Typical annual premium is 1-3% of bond amount ($250-$750/year). How contractor bonds work→
Carry the insurance the license requires.
Georgia requires general liability insurance for this license. Residential Basic: $300,000 GL per occurrence minimum. Residential Light Commercial, GC Limited, GC Unlimited: $500,000 GL per occurrence minimum. Workers comp required for 3+ employees. 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 Georgia require a contractor license?
Yes, Georgia requires statewide licensing for 4 of 5 trades: general contractor, electrician, plumber, hvac technician. Roofing Contractor does not require a statewide license.
How much does a contractor license cost in Georgia?
Initial licensing costs range from $140 to $377 depending on the trade, including application, exam, license and fingerprinting fees, plus any other fees the state requires to obtain the license.
Does Georgia have license reciprocity with other states?
Yes, Georgia has reciprocity agreements with 8 states. Licensed contractors from these states may be eligible to skip certain exams or have an expedited application process.
What trades require a state license in Georgia?
Georgia requires statewide licenses for: general contractor, electrician, plumber, hvac technician. Roofing Contractor licensing is handled at the local level.
Do I need workers compensation insurance in Georgia?
Residential Basic: $300,000 GL per occurrence minimum. Residential Light Commercial, GC Limited, GC Unlimited: $500,000 GL per occurrence minimum. Workers comp required for 3+ employees.
Official Georgia Licensing Resources
- State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (SLBRCGC) — for general contractor
- Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Electrical Contractors (CILB-Electrical) — for electrician
- Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers (CILB-Plumbing) — for plumber
- Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board, Division of Conditioned Air Contractors (CILB-HVAC) — for hvac technician