Contractor License Requirements in Georgia

Georgia requires contractor licensing for construction work on projects exceeding $2,500. The licensing process is overseen by the Georgia Secretary of State - Division of Professional Licensing. Georgia requires licensing for residential and general contractors. Residential licenses are tiered: Basic allows projects up to $100,000, Light Commercial up to $600,000. General contractors have no project limit. Electrical, plumbing, and conditioned air contractors have separate licensing through the Construction Industry Licensing Board.

Important

Never hire a contractor who cannot provide a valid license number. A legitimate contractor will have no hesitation sharing their license credentials for you to verify independently. If a contractor refuses, discourages you from checking, or makes excuses, treat that as a serious red flag.

Georgia Secretary of State - Division of Professional Licensing

Search by: License number, Last name, First name, Business name

Trade-Specific Licensing Boards

Follow these steps to verify a contractor's license in Georgia:

1. 1
   Go to the Georgia license verification portalVisit verify.sos.ga.gov to access the official Georgia Secretary of State license verification system. All Georgia contractor licenses can be verified through this single portal.
2. 2
   Select the license type and enter search detailsChoose the appropriate board (Residential/General Contractors or Construction Industry) and enter the contractor's license number, name, or business name. License number searches are the most accurate.
3. 3
   Verify the license classification and limitsGeorgia uses tiered residential licenses: Basic (up to $100,000 projects), Light Commercial (up to $600,000). General contractor licenses have no project limit. Make sure the license tier covers your project's value.
4. 4
   Check the license expiration and statusConfirm the license is currently active and has not expired. Georgia licenses must be renewed biennially. An expired license means the contractor is not currently authorized to perform work in the state.
5. 5
   Review disciplinary historyCheck for any disciplinary actions, consent orders, or complaints on file. Georgia's licensing board publishes enforcement actions. Look for patterns of complaints rather than isolated incidents.

What to Look for in Verification Results

• License status must be "Active" -- not Expired, Suspended, or Revoked
• License tier must cover your project's estimated value
• For trade work (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), verify the appropriate trade license
• Check the qualifying agent listed on the license
• Review any disciplinary actions or board orders
• Verify insurance requirements are met -- Georgia requires general liability for licensed contractors

Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Georgia carries significant risks for both the homeowner and the contractor:

• No consumer protections: State recovery funds and guaranty programs typically only cover work performed by licensed contractors.
• Insurance issues: Your homeowner's insurance may deny claims related to work done by an unlicensed contractor.
• Permit problems: Building permits often require a valid contractor license. Work done without permits can create issues when selling your property.
• Quality concerns: Licensed contractors have demonstrated minimum competency through exams, experience requirements, or both.
• Legal liability: Homeowners may bear greater legal responsibility for injuries or property damage caused during unlicensed work.
• Penalties: In Georgia, unlicensed contracting can result in fines and criminal penalties for the contractor, and the homeowner may lose the ability to enforce the contract.

Georgia does not currently have reciprocal contractor licensing agreements with other states. Contractors licensed in other states must apply for a new Georgia license through the standard application process. Some states may credit out-of-state experience toward licensing requirements -- contact the Georgia Secretary of State - Division of Professional Licensing for details.