Oklahoma City Contractor Registration (2026): Requirements & Cost
Oklahoma has no state general-contractor license (the Construction Industries Board licenses only the skilled trades — electrical, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC, roofing). Oklahoma City itself does not issue a GC license by exam, but it does require anyone doing residential building work that needs a building permit to register with the City as a 'Building Contractor (Residential Only).' It is a registration — proof of general-liability and workers' compensation insurance on file, a $100 fee, no written test and no bond. Trade contractors (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) must hold a state CIB license AND register that license with the City before pulling permits.
Building Contractor (Residential Only) Registration
Issued by City of Oklahoma City — Development Services, Business Licensing (Online Business Licensing) · (405) 297-2606
Fees
- Registration$100
Exam: Not required. No written test for the residential building contractor registration. Unlike the City's fence and sidewalk contractor categories (which require a written test with the Chief Building Inspector), the building contractor registration requires only proof of insurance, an information sheet, photo ID and an immigration affidavit.
Experience: Not required.
Bond: No surety bond required. No surety/occupation bond is listed for the residential Building Contractor registration. The City requires occupation bonds only for other categories — boiler, fence ($1,000), house moving ($3,000), insulation ($5,000), sidewalk ($2,000) and sign ($5,000) contractors — none for residential building contractors. Source
Insurance: General liability: $50,000 minimum for each occurrence. Workers' comp: $100,000 minimum for each occurrence (or a Workers' Compensation exempt form, if applicable). Required documents to register include a general-liability certificate and workers' compensation coverage (or an exempt affidavit). Source
Governed by Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 12-1. Definition: 'Any person contracting to make or provide any beneficial or valuable change or addition, betterment, enhancement, or amelioration of upon or to any new, proposed or existing structure on private property for which a building permit is required. The person must register as a building contractor.' Registration renews annually and is done online at https://access.okc.gov/aca. The City's only building-construction GC category is residential; there is no separate commercial/general building-contractor registration — commercial GCs pull permits per project. Trade work is separately licensed by the state CIB and separately registered with the City (electrical $100/yr, plumbing $100/yr, mechanical $95/yr per category).
How to get licensed in Oklahoma City
- Obtain the required insurance coverage and provide a certificate.
- Submit your application and fees to City of Oklahoma City — Development Services, Business Licensing (Online Business Licensing).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a general contractor registration in Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma has no state general-contractor license (the Construction Industries Board licenses only the skilled trades — electrical, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC, roofing). Oklahoma City itself does not issue a GC license by exam, but it does require anyone doing residential building work that needs a building permit to register with the City as a 'Building Contractor (Residential Only).' It is a registration — proof of general-liability and workers' compensation insurance on file, a $100 fee, no written test and no bond. Trade contractors (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) must hold a state CIB license AND register that license with the City before pulling permits.
How much does a contractor registration cost in Oklahoma City?
The registration fee is $100.
Is an exam required for a Oklahoma City contractor registration?
No, Oklahoma City does not require an exam for this registration.
Do I need a bond for a Oklahoma City contractor registration?
No. Oklahoma City does not require a surety bond for this registration.
Next steps
You know the requirements for general contractors in Oklahoma— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Sources
Related pages
Last verified 2026-07-02 · Verified from primary documents