Contractors License Board 2026: Lookup, Apply & Complaints

To verify a contractor

1. Open the official CSLB license lookup.
2. Choose license-number search if the proposal provides a number.
3. Open the exact license record rather than relying on the results list alone.
4. Compare the legal business name, current status and classification to the project.
5. Review published bond and workers’ compensation information where shown.
6. Recheck before signing if the license is near expiration.

Critical $1,000 rule

California’s current exemption permits certain projects below $1,000 only when the person does not hire workers and the project does not require a building permit. If employee labor or a required permit is involved, the appropriate contractor license can still be required below $1,000.

To file a complaint

1. Gather the contract, change orders, payments, permit record, photos and written correction requests.
2. Open the CSLB interactive complaint form.
3. Complete every required field; the form will not allow progression while required information is missing.
4. Review the completed complaint before submitting or save/print it for later mailing.
5. Remember that CSLB is a regulatory board; its investigation does not guarantee financial restitution.

Applicant sequence

1. Identify the classification and qualifying party before purchasing exam products.
2. Complete Arizona’s Statutes and Rules training/exam and the applicable trade exam unless an approved waiver route applies.
3. Complete background checks for persons named on the application.
4. Form/register the legal entity where required.
5. Obtain the license bond for the classification.
6. Submit government-issued ID and the completed ROC license application through the customer portal or permitted delivery method.

Residential consumer protection

Eligible residential property owners may be able to recover up to $30,000 from the Arizona Residential Contractors’ Recovery Fund, subject to statutory eligibility and claim rules. Each residential contracting license has a $200,000 fund limit.

New HIC registration

1. Decide whether the contracting party is an individual/sole proprietor or legal entity before opening the application.
2. If an LLC/corporation will contract with consumers, register that entity with Connecticut’s Secretary of State first.
3. Obtain general liability coverage of at least $20,000 and have insurer/policy information ready.
4. Submit the application online; current HIC application fee is $220.
5. After approval, verify the exact legal entity through eLicense and keep the annual March 31 expiration date on the calendar.

Guaranty Fund online claim path

1. Open Connecticut eLicense and log in or create an account.
2. Choose File a Complaint under Online Services.
3. Choose File a Complaint/Claim.
4. Select Home Improvement or New Home Construction as appropriate.
5. Confirm the respondent/business and your contact information.
6. Answer all eligibility questions and upload the judgment and required collection/residency documents.
7. Review everything before final submission.

DBPR license verification micro-guide

1. Open the Construction Industry license search.
2. Choose Search by License Number if you have the number.
3. If searching by name, confirm the correct business/entity rather than a similar individual.
4. Read the license type and determine whether the contractor is certified or registered.
5. Check current status and any public disciplinary information accessible through DBPR.
6. For a registered contractor, confirm the local jurisdiction in which the credential is valid.

Unlicensed activity check

DBPR has a separate public unlicensed-activity complaint search. It can be searched by person/business and county. A complaint listing is an allegation record, not automatically a final disciplinary determination.

After opening GOALS

1. Register a new GOALS account or verify/consolidate an existing account.
2. Select the exact residential or commercial license type.
3. For a business license, establish the business account/principal-business access required by GOALS.
4. Complete the application and upload the requested experience, financial and qualifier information.
5. Monitor email for licensing-analyst requests rather than assuming submission equals approval.

Verification tip

Georgia’s verification portal supports profession, license type, name and license number. It also permits wildcard searching by adding an asterisk after a partial term.

The Board began transitioning to biennial contractor registration in October 2025, and its published fees effective July 1, 2026 distinguish annual and biennial renewal amounts.

1. Open the Contractors Board page.
2. Choose Search for a Registration before hiring.
3. Existing registrant: check the actual expiration/cycle shown on your live record.
4. Applicant: use Apply for or Renew a Registration and confirm whether an individual or business registration applies.
5. For licensed electrical/plumbing/HVAC or another trade, use its separate DOPL program.

Before opening the application

• Obtain an Iowa unemployment-insurance account number—even if the contractor has no employees.
• Identify the correct NAICS code.
• If employees are used, prepare workers’ compensation evidence.
• Out-of-state contractor: prepare the $25,000 Iowa bond on the state form with Power of Attorney, unless an applicable Iowa DOT prequalification letter is used.

Important form conflict

Plumbing/HVAC/R/hydronics/mechanical contractor?

The Iowa registration PDF explicitly tells these applicants not to use the ordinary contractor-registration form when they need a Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board contractor license. Use the combined PMSB licensing/registration route instead.

Kansas is a useful example of why “find the state contractor board” can be the wrong task. Kansas Business One Stop explicitly says cities and counties set construction/contracting licensing requirements, and state statutes provide a framework for local contractor examinations and license recognition.

1. Open the Kansas Construction & Contracting Starter Kit.
2. Scroll to the official city/county contractor-licensing list.
3. Choose the jurisdiction where the project will occur—not merely the business mailing address.
4. Check whether General, Building, Residential or trade licensing is required.
5. Ask whether the jurisdiction recognizes a competency certificate/license from another Kansas jurisdiction.
6. If roofing is part of the business, separately check Kansas Attorney General Roofing Contractor registration requirements.

Louisiana’s contractor search is more useful than a simple name box: it supports company, license number, city/town, parish, contractor type and qualifying-party searches. The Board states that only currently licensed/registered contractors appear in its contractor-search results.

1. Search the license number first.
2. If unavailable, search the exact company name.
3. Use contractor type/classification filters to confirm the credential fits the work.
4. Use qualifying-party search when verifying the person tied to the license.
5. For a local project, still confirm parish/city permitting.

Contractor Hub applicant route

1. Create/login to MA Contractor Hub.
2. Select new HIC registration; paper applications are no longer accepted.
3. If using a DBA, prepare the local business certificate.
4. Pay the $150 registration fee plus the employee-count-based Guaranty Fund assessment.
5. Renew every two years; current renewal fee is $100.

Homeowner complaint upload limit

The HIC complaint route asks for a concise packet of no more than 25 pages, including a brief allegations summary, payment copies, up to five relevant photos, signed contract and a building application where available.

What to do when a project fails

1. Verify that the contractor held the relevant MHIC license.
2. File the MHIC complaint with contract, payment and project evidence.
3. Allow MHIC to investigate.
4. If the dispute remains unresolved and the case is eligible, obtain the separate Guaranty Fund claim form from the assigned investigator.
5. Watch the three-year claim deadline measured from when the loss/damage was or should have been discovered.

The residential building contractor/remodeler application requires the business identity to match the active Minnesota Secretary of State filing. The Recovery Fund assessment is added to the $180 license fee based on gross annual receipts.

Recovery Fund

The Contractor Recovery Fund can compensate qualifying owners/lessees for direct out-of-pocket loss caused by a licensed residential contractor’s fraudulent, deceptive or dishonest conduct, conversion of funds or failure of performance. A civil judgment is an important part of the eligibility path.

1. New user: create a contractor-registration user profile.
2. Returning contractor: log in and choose renewal rather than creating another profile.
3. If the business has one or more employees, verify that a current workers’ compensation certificate lists Nebraska DOL as certificate holder.
4. Do not assume registration remains visible if coverage expires: DOL says contractors can be removed from the registered list until updated insurance is received.

Before hiring

1. Search the contractor on the official NSCB site.
2. Confirm active status.
3. Compare classification to the proposed work.
4. Review the monetary limit rather than assuming an active license covers any project size.
5. Review public disciplinary information.

The Residential Recovery Fund can provide qualifying owner-occupants of single-family residences up to $40,000 for eligible loss involving a properly licensed residential contractor. Recovery is not automatic, and other sources such as the contractor’s bond may need to be pursued.

New York does not give homeowners one statewide home-improvement contractor lookup. The Attorney General currently identifies licensing in New York City, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties, and the City of Buffalo.

1. Open the Attorney General contractor guide.
2. Select the link for your exact city/county when the project is in one of the listed licensing jurisdictions.
3. Search the contractor’s legal name/license before signing.
4. Ask the local building department which permits and inspections apply.
5. For home-improvement work over $500, review New York’s written-contract requirements.

Payment protection

New York Attorney General guidance states that contractor progress payments are generally to be placed in escrow for the project or otherwise protected by bond arrangements, and homeowners should connect payments to actual completed work.

1. Calculate the total value of the undertaking—not just one invoice.
2. At $40,000 or more, use the Board’s Find a Licensed Contractor search.
3. Search license name/number and check active status.
4. Confirm classification and limitation fit the project.
5. For an unlicensed $40,000+ project, the Board accepts complaints and may investigate unauthorized general contracting.

Build this packet before clicking Submit

• Surety bond plus Power of Attorney.
• Certificate of liability insurance naming the CCB correctly.
• Proof of passing the Oregon Contractor Exam when applicable and not already on file.
• Certification & Signatures form.
• Current $400 fee for the two-year license.

Oregon’s online portal is mobile-friendly and supports translation. The official March 2026 FAQ says the online application can be saved and resumed if supporting documents are not yet ready.

1. General contractor: use the CRLB Registration/License Status Lookup.
2. Electrical/plumbing/mechanical work: use Rhode Island DLT’s professional-license search instead of assuming the CRLB record is enough.
3. First-time general applicant: complete current preregistration education, prepare ID, entity information and insurance.
4. Current residential renewal: follow CRLB’s current 2.5-hour CE guidance rather than legacy two-year rule wording.
5. Confirm municipal project permits separately.

Application packet logic

1. Select General or Mechanical classification/subclassification.
2. Determine the Primary Qualifying Party / Qualifying Party route.
3. Complete the SC Business Management and Law exam and applicable technical exam unless an approved waiver path applies.
4. Prepare at least two years of work experience within the preceding five years when required.
5. Determine the license group/dollar limit.
6. Use the financial-statement or Board surety-bond option applicable to the group.
7. Submit the correct business-license application and QP/PQP documents.

Current application sequence

1. Determine classification and monetary limit before bidding or negotiating a $25,000+ project.
2. Identify the company’s Qualifying Agent.
3. Schedule the Tennessee Business & Law exam and required trade exam through the current provider. New scheduling after July 1, 2026 uses Prov.
4. Check financial-statement requirements and the Board’s new July-2026 surety-bond alternative.
5. Prepare insurance/workers’ compensation as applicable.
6. Complete the Initial New Contractor Application through CORE and pay the $250 initial fee.

Texas is another state where a national directory can mislead users. Ordinary general contractors do not use one statewide Texas GC license, while TDLR regulates specified professions such as electrical and air-conditioning/refrigeration contracting.

General contractor

1. Identify the project municipality.
2. Open its official building-development or permitting department.
3. Search for contractor registration/license requirements.
4. Check permit requirements for the exact scope.
5. Separately verify state-licensed trades working under the project.

Electrical contractor example

A Texas Electrical Contractor must employ a licensed Master Electrician as master of record. TDLR states that the business electrical-contractor license itself does not require an examination, although the master electrician has separate licensing/examination requirements.

General classification applicant

• 25-hour prelicense course unless another listed qualification route applies.
• Specified general/primary classifications also require the 5-hour Business & Law course.
• Meet the Utah Business & Law exam requirement unless a listed alternative applies.
• General classification qualifier generally demonstrates at least two years / 4,000 hours of paid construction experience or another recognized pathway.
• Maintain general liability coverage of at least $100,000 each incident and $300,000 aggregate, covering the licensed work.

Endorsement can be a real benefit

The current Utah application provides an endorsement pathway where the applicant has held a similar-scope contractor license in another U.S. jurisdiction for at least one year, it is active/good standing and ownership-continuity conditions are met. When endorsement requirements are satisfied, the form states additional courses or exams are not required.

Do not email the application

The current form states applications are not accepted by email. Use DOPL’s current delivery/application instructions.

Virginia’s Board for Contractors uses license classes and classifications. Do not treat “active” as the only field that matters: the class/project limits and specialty classification must fit the contract.

Consumer Recovery Fund

The Virginia Contractor Transaction Recovery Fund can provide eligible consumers relief for monetary loss caused by improper or dishonest conduct of a licensed residential contractor. Current law limits a single claim to $30,000 and claims involving one contractor to $100,000 per biennium. Filing does not guarantee payment.

1. Obtain a qualifying Virginia court judgment against the licensed contractor.
2. Review statutory claimant exclusions before filing.
3. Separate actual monetary loss from interest or punitive/exemplary damages that the Fund does not pay.
4. Complete the DPOR Recovery Fund process after confirming eligibility.

Registration sequence from the July 2026 form

1. Choose business structure; corporate structures first coordinate with Washington Secretary of State.
2. File the Washington Business License Application and obtain/verify UBI and tax-account information.
3. Choose General or one Specialty contractor category.
4. Obtain the correct $30,000 general or $15,000 specialty bond/assigned savings.
5. Obtain liability coverage: $200,000 public liability + $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit.
6. Make the business name match DOR, bond and insurance exactly.
7. Each principal completes the affidavit; signatures are notarized as instructed.
8. Submit the current $150.20 fee and required original documentation.

What the Verify tool tells homeowners

Washington’s Verify tool can show active contractor registration, workers’ compensation status, business-owner names, safety/construction citations and lawsuits against the contractor’s surety bond.

New 2026 Homeowner Recovery Fund

Eligible owner-occupants of a single-family home or dwelling of four or fewer units may apply after obtaining a qualifying final Superior Court judgment ordered after July 1, 2026. Condominiums are excluded. The application must generally be filed within 90 days after the court case ends, and recovery can be up to $25,000.

For one- and two-family dwelling permits, DSPS says the contractor generally needs a Dwelling Contractor or Dwelling Contractor Restricted certification and must hold or employ a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier.

What Form #3096 requires

• Apply/pay through LicensE.
• Applicant representative must be an authorized owner/partner/chairman/CEO as described by DSPS.
• Attest to workers’ compensation compliance.
• Attest to unemployment-compensation compliance.
• Provide financial responsibility through qualifying bond or liability insurance.
• If using the standard bond route, the form specifies at least $25,000.
• If using liability insurance, the form specifies at least $250,000 per occurrence.

The Dwelling Contractor Qualifier route separately requires at least 12 hours of approved initial qualifier education completed within one year before application.