General Contractor License Requirements in Pennsylvania
Registration Required — Not a License
Pennsylvania does not license general contractors at the state level, but it does require a mandatory statewide registration with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — no trade exam. The fees, bond and insurance below are what registration requires; the difference from a license is that the state does not test competency. Major cities (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, etc.) require separate local contractor licenses in addition to HIC registration. Philadelphia requires $1M GL for new construction and $2M for demolition.
| Licensing Authority | Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (OAG) |
| License Type | HIC - Home Improvement Contractor Registration |
| Experience Required | No experience requirements for HIC registration. Pennsylvania does not require any minimum years of experience, apprenticeship, or training to register as a home improvement contractor. |
| Exam Required | No |
| Bond Required | No |
| Insurance | General liability: required. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | Not required |
| Processing Time | 4-8 weeks (paper applications currently; online system not operational as of early 2026) |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Est. Initial Total | $100 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.
| Fee increase effective March 2, 2026 (previously $50) | $0 |
Renewal: $100 every 2 years
Set up the business before you apply in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania. 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→Notes
- Pennsylvania has NO statewide general contractor license — this is a registration, not a license
- Required for contractors performing $5,000+ of home improvement work per year on 1-2 family dwellings
- Exempt: contractors doing less than $5,000/year and retailers with net worth over $50 million
- Registration fee increased from $50 to $100 effective March 2, 2026
- Online registration system is currently down; Attorney General is accepting paper applications only
- Philadelphia requires a separate City contractor license from the Department of Licenses and Inspections for work within city limits
- UCC Triennial Update effective January 1, 2026 adopts 2021 International Codes
You're registered in Pennsylvania as a general contractor — 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 Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General issues the HIC - Home Improvement Contractor Registration; the business that invoices Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania does not require a surety bond for this registration — No statewide bond required for HIC registration. Some municipalities may require bonds separately.
Carry the insurance the registration requires.
Pennsylvania requires general liability insurance for this registration. Must provide proof of liability insurance with minimum $50,000 personal injury coverage and $50,000 property damage coverage. Workers' comp required if you have any employees (full-time, part-time, or seasonal). Industry standard is $1M/$2M GL. Contractor insurance requirements→
Register locally.
Major cities (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, etc.) require separate local contractor licenses in addition to HIC registration. Philadelphia requires $1M GL for new construction and $2M for demolition.
City rules we have on file: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh.
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 general contractor 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→
Keep the license.
Renewal is every 2 years at $100.
General Contractor licensing by city in Pennsylvania
Other licenses in Pennsylvania
- Electrician license in Pennsylvania
No statewide license — check local requirements
- Plumber license in Pennsylvania
No statewide license — check local requirements
- HVAC Technician license in Pennsylvania
No statewide license — check local requirements
- Roofing Contractor license in Pennsylvania
Statewide registration, not a license · $100 in fees · OAG
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a general contractor license in Pennsylvania?
No — Pennsylvania does not issue a statewide general contractor license, but it requires a mandatory statewide registration with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. There is no trade exam; registration carries its own fee and insurance requirements.
Do I need a general contractor license in Pennsylvania?
No, Pennsylvania does not require a statewide general contractor license. However, local permits or registrations may be required. Major cities (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, etc.) require separate local contractor licenses in addition to HIC registration. Philadelphia requires $1M GL for new construction and $2M for demolition.
What do I need to work as a general contractor in Pennsylvania?
While no statewide license is required, you may need local business licenses, building permits, or contractor registration depending on your city or county. Must provide proof of liability insurance with minimum $50,000 personal injury coverage and $50,000 property damage coverage. Workers' comp required if you have any employees (full-time, part-time, or seasonal). Industry standard is $1M/$2M GL.
Does Pennsylvania require insurance for general contractors?
General liability insurance is required for general contractors in Pennsylvania. Workers compensation is required if you have employees. Must provide proof of liability insurance with minimum $50,000 personal injury coverage and $50,000 property damage coverage. Workers' comp required if you have any employees (full-time, part-time, or seasonal). Industry standard is $1M/$2M GL.
Next steps
You know the requirements for general contractors in Pennsylvania— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: OAG