Georgia Contractor & Trade License Requirements

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.

Reciprocity Agreements

Georgia has reciprocity agreements with 8 states. Licensed contractors from these states may be eligible to skip certain exams.

louisiana — General contractor trade exam waived for licensees with 3+ years active NASCLA-accredited license; must still pass Georgia Business and Law exam

mississippi — General contractor trade exam waived for licensees with 3+ years active license issued by examination; must still pass Georgia Business and Law exam

south carolina — Residential Basic contractor trade exam waived under specific conditions; must still pass Georgia Business and Law exam

alabama — Electrical contractor reciprocity available; trade exam waiver with license verification form

tennessee — Electrical contractor reciprocity available; trade exam waiver with license verification form

louisiana — HVAC (Conditioned Air) reciprocity available under specific conditions

south carolina — HVAC (Conditioned Air) reciprocity available under specific conditions

texas — HVAC (Conditioned Air) reciprocity available under specific conditions

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 $690, including application fees, exams, and license issuance. 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	$200	$210	$280	$25,000	$690
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. Bond amounts are separate and typically paid as an annual premium.

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.
Paper applications no longer accepted -- must use GOALS online portal
Applicants must be at least 21 years old (not 18)
License threshold: required for any work exceeding $2,500

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 $690 depending on the trade, including application, exam, and license fees.

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