Operating a handyman or handyman contracting business requires following proper licensing and registration rules, which vary by state and local jurisdiction. While some states have no statewide handyman licensing requirements, most mandate contractor licenses for work above certain dollar values. Localities also often impose registration rules.
This extensive guide provides an overview of handyman and contractor licensing requirements by state. We summarize key regulations like license thresholds, exams, eligibility rules, reciprocity, bonds, and insurance.
If a state is not listed below, it currently has no statewide handyman or contractor licensing requirements as of February 2023. However, handymen should still check with that state regarding general business registration rules. And contact local municipalities for any local handyman licensing regulations, which may be more stringent than state laws.
Let’s explore handyman and contractor licensing requirements state-by-state…
Alabama
Alabama exempts handymen from needing a state license for most residential jobs under $50,000. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.
Alaska
License Required? Yes
License Issuer: Dept. of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
License Name: General Contractor – Handyman License
Key Requirements:
- Pass NO exams
- Carry general liability insurance
- Provide $5,000 license bond
- Submit application and fees
Alaska requires a state-issued General Contractor – Handyman License for anyone providing handyman services in exchange for compensation. There are no examination or educational requirements.
Arizona
License Required? For jobs over $1,000 or needing permits
License Issuer: Registrar of Contractors
License Name: Residential or Commercial Contractor License
Key Requirements:
- Document experience
- Pass trade exam & Business/Law exam
- Obtain $10,000+ license bond
- Show general liability insurance
- Submit application and fees
Arizona provides a “handyman exemption” allowing unlicensed work on projects under $1,000 not needing permits. But any job above that threshold or requiring a permit needs a Residential or Commercial Contractor License from the Registrar.
Arkansas
License Required? For jobs over $2,000
License Issuer: Contractors Licensing Board
License Name: Home Improvement License
Key Requirements:
- Pass NO exams
- Carry general liability insurance
- Provide references
- Submit application and fees
In Arkansas, handymen can perform small tasks under $2,000 without a license. But exceeding that value requires obtaining a Home Improvement License from the state contractors board.
California
License Required? For jobs over $500
License Issuer: Contractors State License Board
License Name: General Building Contractor License
Key Requirements:
- Prove 4 years experience
- Pass trade exam and Law/Business exam
- Obtain $25,000+ license bond
- Show general liability insurance
- Submit application and fees
California requires a state-issued General Building Contractor License for any handyman projects valued at over $500. There are strict eligibility rules including proving extensive experience and passing licensing exams.
Colorado
Colorado has no statewide licensing requirements for handymen. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.
Connecticut
Connecticut has no statewide licensing requirements for handymen. Check with the state regarding general business registration rules.
Delaware
Delaware has no statewide licensing requirements for handymen. Verify business registration requirements with the state.
Florida
Florida has no statewide licensing requirements for handymen. Verify business registration requirements with the state.
Georgia
License Required? For jobs over $2,500
License Issuer: Secretary of State’s Office
License Name: Residential-Basic Contractor License
Key Requirements:
- Document 2 years experience
- Pass Business/Law exam and trade exam
- Obtain $25,000 license bond
- Show general liability insurance
- Submit application and fees
Georgia offers a “handyman exemption” allowing unlicensed work under $2,500. But any job above that threshold requires a Residential-Basic Contractor License by passing exams, proving experience, and obtaining a bond.
Hawaii
License Required? For jobs over $2,500 or needing permits
License Issuer: Dept. of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
License Name: General Building or Specialty Contractor License
Key Requirements:
- Document 4 years experience
- Pass trade exam and business/law exam
- Obtain $20,000 license bond (if required)
- Show general liability insurance
- Submit application and fees
Hawaii requires licensing for handyman jobs over $2,500 in value or needing permits. Applicants must document substantial experience and pass two exams to qualify for a General Building or Specialty Contractor License.
Idaho
Idaho has no statewide licensing requirements for handymen. Check with the state regarding general business registration rules.
Illinois
Illinois has no statewide handyman licensing requirements. Verify local registration rules with your county or municipality.
Indiana
Indiana does not currently license or regulate handymen at the state level. Verify any local licensing rules with your city or county.
Iowa
Iowa has no statewide handyman licensing requirements. Contact the state regarding general business registration procedures.
Kansas
Kansas does not require handymen to obtain a state license. Check local regulations with your city or county.
Kentucky
Kentucky has no statewide handyman licensing requirements. Contact local building departments regarding permits and potential local registration rules.
Louisiana
License Required? For jobs over $7,500
License Issuer: State Licensing Board for Contractors
License Name: Home Improvement Registration or Residential Contractor License
Key Requirements:
- Home Improvement Registration: Carry insurance
- Residential License: Pass exams, obtain $10k bond, show insurance
Louisiana requires registration for handyman jobs $7,500-$75,000 and a Residential Contractor License for work above $75,000. The residential license involves passing exams and providing bonds/insurance.
Maine
Maine has no statewide handyman licensing requirements. Check with municipalities regarding potential local registration rules.
Maryland
License Required? For jobs over $500
License Issuer: Home Improvement Commission
License Name: Home Improvement Contractor License
Key Requirements:
- Complete pre-licensure course
- Pass exam
- Obtain $20,000+ license bond
- Show general liability insurance
- Submit application and fees
Maryland requires a state Home Improvement Contractor License. Obtaining this license requires pre-licensure education, exams, bonding, and insurance.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts has no statewide handyman licensing requirements. Check with municipalities regarding potential local registration rules.
Michigan
License Required? For jobs over $600
License Issuer: Bureau of Professional Licensing
License Name: Residential Maintenance and Alterations Contractor License
Key Requirements:
- Complete 60 hours pre-licensure education
- Pass trade exam and business/law exam
- Show general liability insurance
- Submit application and fees
Michigan requires a Residential Maintenance and Alterations Contractor License for handyman work valued at over $600. Obtaining this license requires education, exam, and insurance requirements.
Minnesota
License Required? For jobs over $15,000 annually
License Issuer: Department of Labor and Industry
License Name: Residential Building Contractor License
Key Requirements:
- Pass 2 licensing exams
- Provide general liability insurance
- Submit application and fees
- Renew license every 2 years
Minnesota requires a state Residential Building Contractor License for handymen earning over $15,000 annually or taking on major projects. Key requirements include passing two exams, showing liability insurance, and renewing the license every two years.
Mississippi
License Required? For jobs over $10,000
License Issuer: Mississippi State Board of Contractors
License Name: Residential Remodeling License
Key Requirements:
- Pass 2 licensing exams
- Provide general liability insurance
- Submit application and fees
Mississippi requires a state Residential Remodeling License for handymen doing jobs over $10,000. Key requirements include passing two exams, and showing liability insurance.
Missouri
Missouri does not currently license or regulate handymen at the state level. Check with local municipalities regarding potential registration requirements.
Montana
Montana has no statewide handyman licensing requirements. Contact the state to determine general business registration procedures.
Nebraska
Nebraska does not license or regulate handymen at the state level. Verify local permit and registration requirements with cities and counties.
Nevada
License Required? For jobs over $1,000 or needing permits
License Issuer: Nevada State Contractors Board
License Name: Handyman Contractor License
Key Requirements:
- Verify at least 4 years experience
- Pass Business/Law exam and any trade exams
- Obtain license bond
- Show general liability insurance
- Submit application and fees
In Nevada, handymen need a state-issued contractor license for jobs exceeding $1,000 in value or requiring a building permit. The handyman license involves verifying experience, passing exams, obtaining bonds, and carrying adequate insurance.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire does not currently license or regulate handymen at the state level. Verify local requirements with city and town governments.
New Jersey
New Jersey has no statewide handyman licensing requirements. Contact the state regarding general business registration rules.
New Mexico
License Required? For jobs over $7,200 annually
License Issuer: Construction Industries Division
License Name: GB-2 Residential Building License or GB-98 General Building License
Key Requirements:
- Pass trade exam and business/law exam
- Obtain $10,000+ license bond
- Show workers’ compensation insurance
- Submit application and fees
New Mexico requires licensing for handymen who earn over $7,200 annually or perform major renovations/repairs. A Residential Building or General Building contractor license is needed, which requires exams, bonding, and insurance.
New York
New York has no statewide licensing requirements for handymen. Contact municipalities about potential local registration rules.
North Carolina
North Carolina does not currently license or regulate handymen at the state level. Verify local requirements with city and county governments.
North Dakota
License Required? For jobs over $4,000
License Issuer: Secretary of State
License Name: Class D Contractor License
Key Requirements:
- Document experience
- Provide general liability insurance
- Provide workers’ compensation insurance
- Submit application and fees
North Dakota exempts handymen on projects under $4,000 from needing a license. But any job over that amount requires a Class D Contractor License issued by the Secretary of State.
Ohio
Ohio has no statewide handyman licensing requirements. Contact the state regarding general business registration procedures.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma does not currently license or regulate handymen at the state level. Check local regulations with your municipality.
Oregon
Oregon has no statewide handyman licensing requirements. Verify local rules and general business registration requirements with the state.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania does not currently license or regulate handymen at the state level. Check with local municipalities for potential registration requirements.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island has no statewide handyman licensing requirements. Contact the state regarding general business registration rules.
South Carolina
South Carolina has no statewide licensing requirements for handymen. Verify local regulations with cities and counties.
South Dakota
South Dakota does not license or regulate handymen at the state level. Check with municipalities regarding permits and potential local registration requirements.
Tennessee
License Required? For jobs $3,000-$25,000
License Issuer: Board for Licensing Contractors
License Name: Home Improvement Contractor License
Key Requirements:
- Pass Business and Law exam
- Obtain CPA-prepared financial statement
- Show general liability insurance
- Submit application and fees
Tennessee offers a handyman exemption up to $3,000. But any residential job valued $3,000-$25,000 requires obtaining a state Home Improvement Contractor License by passing an exam, providing financials, and showing liability insurance.
Texas
Texas has no statewide handyman licensing requirements. Verify local regulations with cities and municipalities.
Utah
License Required? For jobs over $1,000
License Issuer: Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
License Name: Contractor License
Key Requirements:
- Pass trade exam and business/law exam
- Obtain $10,000 license bond
- Show general liability insurance
- Submit application and fees
Utah provides a handyman exemption for jobs under $1,000. But any project exceeding that amount requires obtaining a state-issued Contractor License by passing exams, acquiring a bond, and providing insurance.
Vermont
Vermont has no statewide licensing requirements for handymen. Check with the state regarding general business registration rules.
Virginia
License Required? For jobs over $1,000
License Issuer: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
License Name: Class C Contractor License
Key Requirements:
- Complete pre-licensure course
- Show general liability insurance
- Submit application and fees
In Virginia, handymen need a Class C Contractor License for projects valued over $1,000. Obtaining this handyman license involves taking pre-licensure education, showing liability insurance, and submitting licensing forms/fees.
Washington
License Required? For jobs over $2,000
License Issuer: Department of Labor and Industries
License Name: Specialty Contractor Registration
Key Requirements:
- Obtain $6,000 license bond
- Show general liability insurance
- Submit application and fees
Handymen in Washington must register as Specialty Contractors for jobs over $2,000. This requires obtaining a license bond, carrying liability insurance, and submitting registration forms and fees.
West Virginia
License Required? For jobs over $5,000 residential, $25,000 commercial
License Issuer: Contractor Licensing Board
License Name: Contractor License
Key Requirements:
- Document experience
- Pass Contractor Business & Law exam
- Provide workers’ compensation insurance (if employees)
- Submit application and fees
West Virginia exempts handymen on small residential jobs under $5,000 and commercial jobs under $25,000. Going over those thresholds requires obtaining a state Contractor License by verifying experience, passing an exam, and showing workers’ compensation insurance.
Wisconsin
License Required? For jobs over $1,000
License Issuer: Department of Safety and Professional Services
License Name: Dwelling Contractor Qualifier License
License Name: Dwelling Contractor Qualifier License
Key Requirements:
- Complete 12 hour pre-licensure course
- Pass license exam
- Submit application with fees
- Renew license every 2 years
Wisconsin requires the Dwelling Contractor Qualifier License for handymen completing projects valued at over $1,000. Key steps include taking pre-licensure training, passing an exam, and renewing the license every 2 years.
Wyoming
Wyoming does not currently license or regulate handymen at the state level. Check with municipalities about local registration requirements.
We hope this state-by-state summary helps handymen understand when they need to obtain a contractor license and key requirements like passing exams, obtaining bonds, and carrying insurance.
Even if your state has no handyman licensing regulations, take time to properly register your business, research local rules, and adequately insure yourself. These steps demonstrate professionalism to customers and help mitigate risk.
Stay up to date on any changes to your state or local handyman licensing requirements. Following the rules and regulations outlined above will allow you to legally provide valuable services in your area.