In the state of Georgia, the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors regulates and issues the general contractor license Ga. This Board sets rules and standards for professional conduct. Also, it investigates and imposes consequences for unauthorized, negligent, or incompetent workmanship.
Application Requirements for a General Contractor License Ga
The following sections explain the requirements for an application for a license as a general contractor in Georgia.
General Requirements for Obtaining a License
- Application Fee: There is a $200 non-refunable application fee.
- Applicants must meet the following personal requirements:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Be of good moral character and have high financial responsibility
- Be of competent ability to perform construction work
- The applicant must consent to a background check, including criminal history. Form B in the application packet gives permission to the Board to conduct the criminal history search.
- Applicants must furnish a list of all persons, entities, and businesses with which he/she will be affiliated. This includes names, positions, and contact details for each individual.
- The applicant must provide copies of a Certificate of Insurance for their business with these coverage amounts:
- General liability insurance for a minimum of $500,000 per occurrence
- Workers compensation insurance, if required by Georgia law to carry such
Educational Expectations of Applicants
Applicants for a Georgia General Contractor License must also meet one of the following for education:
- A four-year degree from an accredited university or college in architecture, engineering, building construction, or project management. A similar field may be acceptable. In addition, one year of relevant work experience in the construction trades is required. This employment must be under the supervision of a licensed contractor.
- College-level academic courses from an accredited institution plus provable experience that would be deemed significantly similar to at least four years of university work.
- A minimum of four years of provable work experience in the construction trades. At least two must be working for a general contractor. One year must also be in the field of engineering, administration, supervision, project management, accounting, or marketing.
To prove education, applicants must submit an official diploma, transcript, or certificate issued by the school in a sealed envelope for the first two choices above.
For any option above, the applicant must also submit a solid letter of recommendation from their employer. This must be a licensed engineer or architect or other construction-trade professional. Also, this should be done on the “Reference for General Contractor” form included in the application packet.
Note that this reference letter must be notarized. Un-notarized letters cannot be accepted.
See general contractor licensing information in nearby states
- Florida contractors license
- Alabama contractors license
- Tennessee contractors license
- NC contractor license
- South Carolina contractors license
- General contractors license information for all states
General Contractor Exam Requirements
There is an exam requirement for a Georgia general contractor license. However, applicants must first complete an application packet (see details below).
After the application packet is approved, the Board will notify the applicant to contact the exam administrator, PSI Exams Online, to register for the exam.
The Board’s office will notify PSI of the applicant’s eligibility for testing. Then, it will also notifying individual applicants of eligibility.
Applicants may take exams at a PSI location in Atlanta, Tifton, or Macon or in a state neighboring Georgia.
Steps to Apply for a Georgia General Contractor License
- Before applying for a license, applicants are highly encouraged to read and become familiar with the laws regulating the general contractor industry. These can be found here.
- Contact any universities, trade schools, community colleges, etc. to obtain a transcript of required educational achievements (see above). This should be done in enough time to receive them prior to submitting the application packet. Do not open the envelope, as it must be sealed when received by the licensing board.
- Download, print, and carefully complete the PDF application packet. This can be located here. Note that the packet includes an application affidavit, which must be notarized. Applications with un-notarized affidavits cannot be processed.
- Make copies of any insurance certificates (general liability for $500,000 and workers’ compensation, if required).
- Write a check or obtain a money order for $200 for the required application fee.
- Place the application packet, college/university/trade-school transcripts, insurance certificates, and the check or money order into a single large envelope.
- Mail the envelope to the following address:
State Licensing Board For Residential and General Contractors
General Contractor Division
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217
For additional information or for questions regarding general contractor license Ga, the Board’s office can be reached at 478-207-2440.
Applicants should be aware that all materials that they send are kept by the licensing board and are not returned to the applicant.
If all materials are accepted by the Board, it will notify the applicant with details on how to proceed with registering for the exam with PSI.
Application Status Information
The Board has established an online system for checking on the license application status. Applicants can visit here to access the system.
The applicant’s social security number is required to check on the application status. Also, at the time of application, a valid email must have been included on the document.
Detailed instructions for using the system can be found here.
Upon successfully fulfilling requirements for a Ga contractor license, including passing the exam, the license will be mailed to the applicant.
After the license is issued, contractors can download a printable PDF pocket card to show potential clients by visiting here.
Georgia Business Licensing Information for Contractors
GA Residential and General Contractor Licensing Information
Category: State Licenses and Permits
For more information, visit: http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing/plb/46
Georgia Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division.
Details: General contracting licenses were not required until July 1, 2008. The Georgia General Assembly created the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors in 2004 to regulate individuals engaged in construction contracting. Applicants for licensure must pass a two-part examination covering the license they are attempting to obtain, and business and law. The Georgia Secretary of State provides frequently asked questions about licensing requirements for contractors.
Georgia Business Licensing Information for Electricians
GA Electrical Contractor and Electrician Licenses
Category: State Licenses and Permits
For more information, visit: http://shttp://sos.ga.gov/index.php/?section=licensing
Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board.
Details: Georgia law requires state licenses for electrical contractors and electricians.
Georgia Business Licensing Information for Plumbers
GA Plumbing Contractor Licenses and Regulations
Category: State Licenses and Permits
For more information, visit: http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/?section=licensing
Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board.Details: Georgia requires a state license to perform plumbing work.
Additional Business Licensing Information for all Georgia Businesses
GA Business and Occupational Licenses
Category: State Licenses and Permits
For more information, visit: http://georgia.gov/popular-topic/applying-business-license
Details: Information about how to obtain business and occupational licenses and permits.
Georgia Business Tax Information
Business Tax Registration
Category: Tax Registration
For more information, visit: http://dor.georgia.gov/tax-registration
Details: Businesses that operate within Georgia are required to register for one or more tax-specific identification numbers, licenses or permits, including income tax withholding, sales and use tax (seller’s permit), and unemployment insurance tax. Contact the following agency for more information about business registration and your tax obligations:
General Tax Information and Forms
Category: Tax Registration
For more information, visit: http://dor.georgia.gov/tax-registration
Details: Businesses that operate within Georgia are required to register for one or more tax-specific identification numbers, licenses or permits, including income tax withholding, sales and use tax (seller’s permit), and unemployment insurance tax. Contact the following agency for more information about business registration and your tax obligations:
Georgia Insurance Requirements for Businesses
Get Unemployment Tax Requirements for GA
Category: Employer Requirements
For more information, visit: http://dol.georgia.gov/file-tax-and-wage-reports-and-make-payments
Details: Businesses with employees are required to pay unemployment insurance taxes under certain conditions. If your business is required to pay these taxes, you must register your business with your state’s workforce agency:
Find Workers’ Comp Requirements for GA
Category: Employer Requirements
For more information, visit: https://sbwc.georgia.gov/insurance
Details: Businesses with employees are required to carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance coverage through a commercial carrier, on a self-insured basis, or through the state Workers’ Compensation Insurance program.
Georgia New Hire Reporting Requirements for Businesses
Report New Hires in GA
Category: Employer Requirements
For more information, visit: http://www.dol.state.ga.us/em/employment_laws_rules.htm
Details: All employers are required to report newly and re-hired employees to their state’s Directory of New Hires within 20 days of their hire or re-hire data.
I am trying to verify CEDS Construction as a licensed contractor. I also am trying to verify if the have an valid Certificate of Insurance
If you follow the last link in the guide on this page “Find a Licensed Contractor in Georgia” you will be taken to the license look up page for the state. It has the link to look up a license by first and last name. If you click on ‘Search for a Facility’ instead, that will allow you to search by company name. Another hint: usually licensed contractors will publish their license #s on their publicity materials. We’ve noticed that sometimes a general contractor will have a separate business name for different licensed specialties. Make sure you are using the right name to do the search. Good luck!
I am a single mom who hired Chris Robinson of Robinson’s Remodeling & Restoration to work on my home. I paid a substantial amount of money for him to start the job and he did the very minimum for a two week period then abandoned the job without notice or explanation. After about 6 weeks he had his workers come back and again did minimum work and he tried to get me to pay more money…which I refused to pay because I believe he was using my money to complete other projects. He abandoned the job for a second time! He and his workers also left my house in disarray both times. Left trash and debris in my yard and left my home in disarray. I checked for his professional license and his company’s professional license and it appears he is not licensed. I performed internet research and it appears he is operating under another individual’s license. Is that legal?
We are sorry to hear about your trouble. It’s very important to check an individual’s license before they start work on your home or other project, to protect yourself in these exact circumstances. No one is allowed to misrepresent themselves as a licensed contractor if they are not licensed. However, licensed contractors do hire subcontractors to do work that is covered under their license. It sounds like you need to file a complaint about this individual, their company or the company whose license they are using. In the state of Georgia, you can do so here: http://sos.ga.gov/plb/submitcomplaint.php
Best of luck to you.
I want to get my GA Genl Contractor License…. I am a female, btw. What are the exact things i need to do?
what school? how much? how long is the course/study period? how long is the test?
thank you !
If there are not any funds left, the subcontractor or
supplier can solely go after the final contractor for cost.
I started my company this year where I paid the SOS $100.00 and thought I had a business lic. but as it turns out I had to pay the county also which I didn’t do. My company is a Solar Company , where we erect Solar Canopies in shopping malls , grocery store parking lots , convenience stores . All around the state of Georgia .
I was told that I needed a Contractors license to do so in my county (White) . I personally don’t do the erecting of these canopies and my men are all 1099 workers . So what do I do here ? Do I apply for a General Contractors License for the state of Georgia and if so , is it me that will have to take this contractors test ?
Robert, thanks for your question. According to the Georgia Secretary of State, licenses are required from the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors unless it’s work for certain specialty trades or work costing less than $2,500, which does not require the services of a state licensed contractor. If your work involves projects less than 500,000, you should apply for a General Contractor Limited Tier license, which allows you to work on residential and commercial projects. Separate, additional licenses are required for persons doing specialty work, such as electrical or plumbing. See Boards and Licensed Professions page of the Georgia Secretary of State.
Trying to understand for my husband… He had aoplied for his GC license and he has been denied for an assurity bond because of credit and very little assets. I find it absurd for that to be a requirement for a license. Is it true ? From everything I’ve read, nothing requires it but the states application is requiring this bond or proof of 25k deposits. Please help, he has the experience just not the money.
Hi GC Wife, We feel your pain! Even though the Georgia Board of Residential and General Contractors posts a frequently asked questions page, it doesn’t answer that question or make it easy to find out. Yes, the state of Georgia requires residential and general contractors demonstrate financial responsibility in several ways. You could submit a credit reference from a bank showing a two-year history; a Georgia Residential and General Contractors Bond in the amount of $25,000; either a line of credit or letter of credit for $25,000; or affirm a minimum net worth in the amount of $25,000. Also keep in mind that, in Georgia, various cities, counties and contractor classifications may require contractors to post surety bonds prior to completing work. Your husband should also verify additional required bond amounts, if any, with the city and/or government entity in charge of licensing and registration for his classification where the work will be performed prior to bonding. Good luck!