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.
General Contractor
RequiredElectrician
RequiredPlumber
RequiredHVAC Technician
RequiredRoofing Contractor
Not requiredReciprocity Agreements
Georgia has reciprocity agreements with 8 states. Licensed contractors from these states may be eligible to skip certain exams.
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, 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 | $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. Bond amounts are separate and typically paid as an annual premium.
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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- 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
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, 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