Operating as a professional painter or painting contractor requires meeting certain state-level licensing and insurance requirements in order to legally provide services. While specific regulations vary widely across the United States, most states mandate licenses for painters working on projects over a certain dollar threshold. Carrying appropriate insurance coverage is also obligatory.

This extensive guide examines painter and painting contractor licensing requirements, application processes, exams, fees, reciprocity, bond mandates, and insurance rules on a state-by-state basis. We’ll explore key regulations painters must know to legally provide services in their state.

Note: Local county, city, and municipal governments often have additional licensing and insurance regulations for painters and contractors. Always check with your local jurisdiction for any extra requirements beyond state-level rules. Failing to meet local licensing guidelines in your operating area can still lead to penalties.

Alabama

Alabama exempts painters from needing a state license for most residential jobs under $50,000. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Alaska

  • License Required? Yes
  • Exam Required? Yes
  • Reciprocity? No
  • Surety Bond Required? Yes, ranges from $10,000 – $25,000 based on license type
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • $20,000 Property Damage
  • $50,000 (1 person) or $100,000 (multiple people) for Personal Injury/Death

All painting contractors in Alaska need a state-issued license. Exams test competency for certain license types. Insurance minimums, surety bonds, experience, and other eligibility requirements apply. Licenses renew biennially. Alaska currently has no license reciprocity pathways with other states.

Arizona

  • License Required? Yes – Commercial or Residential
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business and law exam + trade exam
  • Reciprocity? Yes – CA, NV, UT
  • Surety Bond Required? Yes – $2,000 (Residential), $5,000 (Commercial)
  • Insurance Required? Yes – General Liability with minimums set by license type

Arizona provides commercial and residential painting licenses. Applicants must pass 2 exams and provide bonding/insurance. Licenses renew biennially with continuing education. Reciprocity offered for certain states.

Arkansas

  • License Required? Yes – Home Improvement or Commercial Specialty
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business and law exam required
  • Reciprocity? No
  • Surety Bond Required? Yes – $10,000 (Commercial only)
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • Home Improvement – Minimum $100,000 General Liability
  • Commercial Specialty – Minimum $500,000 General Liability

Arkansas mandates a Home Improvement or Commercial Specialty license for most painters. Testing, insurance, and bonding required in certain situations. No reciprocity, but application fee may be waived for out-of-state painters. Licenses must be renewed annually.

California

  • License Required? Yes – C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor
  • Exam Required? Yes – Law/Business Exam + Trade Exam
  • Reciprocity? Yes – AZ, NV, LA
  • Surety Bond Required? Yes – $25,000 License Bond
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • General Liability with $500,000 minimum recommended
  • Workers Compensation
  • Commercial Auto

California requires the C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor license for projects over $500. Applicants must take exams, carry a license bond, have 4 years experience, and provide insurance. Licenses renew biennially with continuing education required. Reciprocity offered for select states.

Colorado

Colorado has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Connecticut

Connecticut has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Delaware

  • License Required? No – Just registration
  • Exam Required? No
  • Reciprocity? No
  • Surety Bond Required? Yes – $10,000 (Non-residents only)
  • Insurance Required? Recommended – General Liability

Delaware has no statewide trade exam/certification requirements for painting contractors. But painters must register with the state and acquire business licenses to operate legally. Liability insurance recommended but not mandated. Surety bonds required for non-resident contractors.

Florida

  • License Required? Yes – Need residential or building contractor license
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business/Finance exam + Trade exam
  • Reciprocity? Yes – 10+ years experience in certain states, NASCLA exam
  • Surety Bond Required? Can substitute for financial requirements
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • Minimum $100,000 General Liability

Florida issues licenses under Residential and Building contractor categories that allow painting work. Testing, financial requisites, and insurance required. Renewals every 2 years with continuing education needed. Offers some license reciprocity options. Surety bonds can help meet financial qualification requirements.

Georgia

  • License Required? Yes – Residential-Basic or Residential-Light Commercial
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business and law exam + applicable trade exam
  • Reciprocity? Yes – With AL, LA, MS, SC, TN for equivalent license types
  • Surety Bond Required? No
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • Residential-Basic – Minimum $50,000 General Liability
  • Residential-Light Commercial – Minimum $100,000 General Liability

Georgia provides a tiered licensing structure. Testing, insurance, and experience required for new applicants. Licenses need renewal every 2 years with continuing education. Reciprocity available for certain states/classifications. Georgia does not mandate bonding.

Hawaii

  • License Required? Yes – C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business and law exam + trade exam
  • Reciprocity? No
  • Surety Bond Required? Not typically, but can be required by the licensing board
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • Minimum $100,000 General Liability
  • Workers Compensation

The C-33 license is required for painting contractors in Hawaii. Applicants must document experience, pass exams, and obtain insurance. Licenses renew biennially. Hawaii has no license reciprocity pathway currently. Surety bonds occasionally mandated on a case-by-case basis.

Idaho

Idaho has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Illinois

Illinois has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Indiana

Indiana has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Iowa

Iowa has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Kansas

Kansas has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Kentucky

Kentucky has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Louisiana

  • License Required? Yes – Residential or Commercial
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business/Law Exam + Trade Exam
  • Reciprocity? Yes – For painters licensed in 13 approved states
  • Surety Bond Required? Yes – $10,000+ depending on license type
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • Minimum $100,000 General Liability

Louisiana mandates Residential or Commercial painting licenses for projects over $50,000 based on license type. Testing, insurance, and bonding required. Annual license renewal with continuing education. Reciprocity available with 13 approved states.

Maine

Maine has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Maryland

  • License Required? Yes – Home Improvement License
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business exam + trade exam
  • Reciprocity? Yes – DE, DC, PA, VA, WV
  • Surety Bond Required? Can provide in lieu of financial requirements
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • Minimum $50,000 General Liability

Maryland issues a Home Improvement license that allows painting and decorating work on residential properties. Testing, insurance, and potential bonding required. Licenses expire and renew biennially. Reciprocity offered for certain nearby states.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Michigan

  • License Required? Yes – Residential Builders or Maintenance and Alterations
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business/Law exam + Trade exam
  • Reciprocity? No
  • Surety Bond Required? Yes – $10,000 Residential Builders only
  • Insurance Required? Recommended – General Liability

Michigan issues Residential Builders or Maintenance/Alterations licenses that enable painting services. Testing, pre-licensure education, and potential bonding required. Licenses renew triennially. No reciprocity, but outside education may provide some exemptions. Liability insurance strongly recommended.

Minnesota

  • License Required? Yes – Residential Building Contractor
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business exam + trade exam
  • Reciprocity? Yes – AL, AR, LA, SC, TN equivalent licenses
  • Surety Bond Required? Yes – $25,000 License and Permit Bond
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • Minimum $100,000 General Liability

Minnesota’s Residential Building Contractor license covers painters offering services in multiple trade skill areas. Testing, a permit bond, insurance, and experience required. Licenses renew biennially with reciprocity offered for certain states.

Mississippi

  • License Required? Yes – Painting and Decorating Contractor
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business/Law exam + trade exam
  • Reciprocity? Yes – AL, AR, GA, LA, NC, SC, TN for equivalent license types
  • Surety Bond Required? Yes – $10,000 (Commercial) or $20,000 (Public/Government work)
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • Minimum $100,000 General Liability

Mississippi provides a Painting and Decorating Contractor license for projects exceeding $50,000. Testing, bonding, and insurance required. Licenses must be renewed annually with continuing education. Offers reciprocity for certain states.

Missouri

Missouri has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Montana

Montana has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Nebraska

  • License Required? Yes – Class A, B, C or D License
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business/Law exam + potential trade exam
  • Reciprocity? No
  • Surety Bond Required? Yes – $10,000
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • General Liability minimums vary by license class

Nebraska issues painter licenses across several classes based on project size and scope. Testing, bonding, and insurance required for compliance. Licenses renew every 1-3 years depending on class. No formal reciprocity, but outside education/testing may provide exemptions.

Nevada

  • License Required? Yes – Painting and Decorating Contractor
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business/Law exam + trade exam
  • Reciprocity? Yes – CA, AZ, UT substantially equivalent licenses
  • Surety Bond Required? Yes – $1,000 – $500,000 based on license type
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • General Liability with minimums set by license type

Nevada requires a state-issued Painting and Decorating Contractor license. Testing, surety bonds, insurance, 4 years experience, and other eligibility requisites apply. Licenses must be renewed every 2 years. Offers reciprocity for certain states.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

New Jersey

New Jersey has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

New Mexico

  • License Required? Yes – Multiple classifications
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business/Law exam + trade exam
  • Reciprocity? Yes – AZ, AR, CO, ID, MT, ND, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WY
  • Surety Bond Required? Yes – $10,000
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • Minimum $100,000 General Liability

New Mexico offers several classifications of painting contractor licenses. Testing, bonding, and insurance is mandatory. Licenses must be renewed every 3 years. Reciprocity is offered for multiple states with equivalent licensing types.

New York

New York has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

North Carolina

  • License Required? Yes – Multiple license classifications
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business/Law exam + potential trade exam
  • Reciprocity? Yes – AL, LA, TN, FL, GA license exam waiver through equivalency
  • Surety Bond Required? Can substitute surety bond for financial requirements
  • Insurance Required? Yes – Varies by license class

North Carolina has several license classifications allowing painting services. Testing, financial requirements, and insurance mandated. Licenses renew annually. Offers exam waiver through reciprocity for certain states. Surety bonds can help meet financial criteria.

North Dakota

  • License Required? Yes – Class A, B, C or D Contractor License
  • Exam Required? No
  • Reciprocity? Yes – Reciprocity process for painters licensed in other states
  • Surety Bond Required? No
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • General Liability minimums vary by license class

North Dakota provides multiple classes of painting contractor licenses based on project size. No testing, but bonding and insurance required. Licenses expire annually. Reciprocity offered for painters already licensed in other states through an application process.

Ohio

Ohio has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Oregon

  • License Required? Yes – Painting Contractor
  • Exam Required? Yes – Oregon Construction Contractor Exam
  • Reciprocity? Yes – ID, MT, UT, WA, WY equivalent licenses
  • Surety Bond Required? Yes – $15,000
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • Minimum $500,000 General Liability

Oregon requires painting contractors be licensed by the Construction Contractors Board. Testing, bonding, and insurance required. Licenses renew biennially with reciprocity offered for certain states.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

South Carolina

  • License Required? Yes – Commercial or Residential License
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business/Law exam + trade exam (commercial)
  • Reciprocity? Yes – For approved license types from AL, GA, LA, MS, NC, TN
  • Surety Bond Required? $5,000 (Residential jobs over $5,000)
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • Commercial – Minimum $300,000 General Liability
  • Residential – Minimum $100,000 General Liability

South Carolina provides commercial and residential license options for painters. Testing, insurance, and potential bonding required. Licenses renew biennially. Reciprocity offered for certain states and license types.

South Dakota

South Dakota has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Tennessee

  • License Required? Yes – Home Improvement or Contractor License
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business/Law exam + trade exam (contractor)
  • Reciprocity? Yes – AL, AR, GA, LA, MS, NC, OH, SC, WV, NASCLA
  • Surety Bond Required? No
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • Home Improvement – $100,000 Public Liability
  • Contractor – Increased limits based on license monetary limit

Tennessee provides Home Improvement and Contractor licenses suitable for painters. Testing, insurance, and other eligibility requisites apply. Licenses renew biennially. Offers exam waiver reciprocity for certain states. Surety bonds not mandated.

Texas

Texas has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Utah

  • License Required? Yes – S340 Painting and Wall Covering Contractor
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business/Law exam + trade exam
  • Reciprocity? Yes – ID, LA, NC, SC, TN substantially equivalent licenses
  • Surety Bond Required? No
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • Minimum $100,000 General Liability

Utah provides the S340 Painting and Wall Covering Contractor license. Testing, insurance, experience, and other eligibility requirements apply. Licenses renew biennially. Reciprocity offered for certain states with equivalent licensing. Surety bonds not mandated.

Vermont

Vermont has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Virginia

  • License Required? Yes – Multiple license classifications
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business/Law exam + trade exam
  • Reciprocity? Yes – Limited agreements with AL, MD, NC
  • Surety Bond Required? Yes – $10,000 – $15,000 based on license type
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • Minimums vary by license class

Virginia has several license classifications suitable for painting contractors. Testing, bonding, insurance, and other eligibility criteria required. Licenses renew biennially. Offers partial exam waiver reciprocity for certain states.

Washington

  • License Required? Yes – Specialty Contractor
  • Exam Required? No
  • Reciprocity? No
  • Surety Bond Required? Yes – $6,000
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • Minimum $200,000 Public Liability
  • Minimum $50,000 Property Damage

Washington requires the Specialty Contractor license for painters. Bonding and insurance is mandatory, but no testing required. Licenses renew annually. Reciprocity not offered currently.

West Virginia

  • License Required? Yes – Specialty Contractor License
  • Exam Required? Yes – Business/Law exam
  • Reciprocity? Yes – OH, AL, TN, NC license exam waiver through equivalency
  • Surety Bond Required? Yes – $10,000 for bids over $100,000
  • Insurance Required? Yes
  • Minimum $300,000 General Liability

West Virginia provides the Specialty Contractor license for painting services. Testing, insurance, and potential bonding required. Licenses must be renewed annually. Offers exam waiver reciprocity for states with similar license standards.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Wyoming

Wyoming has no statewide licensing requirements for painters. Contact local governments regarding local registration rules.

Here are more details about each state that requires a license:

Conclusion

As shown in this extensive state-by-state overview, licensing and insurance regulations for painters and painting contractors can vary significantly across the United States.

Nearly half of states mandate professional licensing for painters, while the other half currently do not have statewide licensing requirements. However, painters and contractors should still verify local licensing rules for the jurisdiction they plan to operate in.

Testing is required for licensure in roughly two-thirds of states with licensing regulations. Other common requirements include business registration, surety bonding, minimum insurance levels, and reciprocity for existing licenses in specific states.

Understanding the applicable licensing, reciprocity, bond, and insurance requirements in your state is essential. While regulations are not universal nationwide, following your jurisdiction’s specific rules enables painting contractors to operate legally and gain credibility with customers.