Georgia general contractor license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
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Not verified yet
Required hours
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Not verified yet
Exam
Pass the residential division examination unless eligible for the statutory exemption under Code Section 43-41-8.
Renewal
License renewal is conducted online and must be completed by June 30th of even-numbered years.
Before you begin
Agency guidance
This record's age, experience and insurance requirements describe the residential-basic category. Residential-light commercial has separate qualifications.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Licensure Requirements for an Individual to Practice as a Residential-Light Commercial ContractorOfficial source
Agency guidance
Apply and renew through GOALS using the residential contractor guide.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
License renewal is conducted online and must be completed by June 30th of even-numbered years.Official source
Agency guidance
Georgia requires licensing to perform or offer residential or commercial general contracting for compensation; specialty-trade and own-home exceptions are described by the Board.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
To perform (or offer to perform) residential or commercial general contractor services for compensation in Georgia, you must be licensed licenses are not required to perform work that qualifies as a specialty trade. Georgia does not require that you hold a license to build your own homeOfficial source
Agency guidance
CE is annual: residential-basic 3 hours, residential-light commercial 6 hours; commercial general contractors have no CE requirement.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Commercial General Contractors are NOT required to complete Continuing Education. Residential Contractors must complete Continuing Education (3 hours per year for Residential Basic and 6 hours per year for Residential Light Commercial).Official source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
Residential Contractor Division
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE - RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR DIVISION
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Check the qualifications
Experience
Residential-basic: at least two years of qualifying experience, plus significant responsibility for completion of at least two residential-basic projects in the preceding two years.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Has at least two years of proven experience working as or in the employment of a residential contractor, predominantly in the residential-basic category, or other proven experience deemed substantially similar by the division; and (d) Has had significant responsibility for the successful performance and completion of at least two projects falling within the residential-basic category in the two years immediately preceding application.
Official sourceExam
Pass the residential division examination unless eligible for the statutory exemption under Code Section 43-41-8.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
such applicants must submit to and successfully pass an examination prepared by the residential contractor division, except where an applicant is otherwise qualified for licensure and has satisfied the residential contractor division requirements and regulations for licensure pursuant to Code Section 43-41-8 exempting such applicant from the examination requirement.
Official sourceInsurance
Residential-basic: general liability of at least $300,000 and workers’ compensation as required by Georgia law.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
all applicants shall provide satisfactory proof of general liability insurance of not less than $300,000 for the residential-basic category and satisfactory proof of workers´ compensation insurance as required by the laws of this state
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
Not verified yet
Exam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
Not verified yet
Apply with the agency
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Create an account or log into your existing account in GOALS.
Official source
Reciprocity
Not verified yet
Official sources and verification (13)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE - RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR DIVISIONOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
Create an account or log into your existing account in GOALS.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Has at least two years of proven experience working as or in the employment of a residential contractor, predominantly in the residential-basic category, or other proven experience deemed substantially similar by the division; and (d) Has had significant responsibility for the successful performance and completion of at least two projects falling within the residential-basic category in the two years immediately preceding application.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
such applicants must submit to and successfully pass an examination prepared by the residential contractor division, except where an applicant is otherwise qualified for licensure and has satisfied the residential contractor division requirements and regulations for licensure pursuant to Code Section 43-41-8 exempting such applicant from the examination requirement.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
all applicants shall provide satisfactory proof of general liability insurance of not less than $300,000 for the residential-basic category and satisfactory proof of workers´ compensation insurance as required by the laws of this stateOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
License renewal is conducted online and must be completed by June 30th of even-numbered years.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Licensure Requirements for an Individual to Practice as a Residential-Light Commercial ContractorOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
License renewal is conducted online and must be completed by June 30th of even-numbered years.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
To perform (or offer to perform) residential or commercial general contractor services for compensation in Georgia, you must be licensed licenses are not required to perform work that qualifies as a specialty trade. Georgia does not require that you hold a license to build your own homeOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
Commercial General Contractors are NOT required to complete Continuing Education. Residential Contractors must complete Continuing Education (3 hours per year for Residential Basic and 6 hours per year for Residential Light Commercial).Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Residential Contractors must complete Continuing Education (3 hours per year for Residential Basic and 6 hours per year for Residential Light Commercial).Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
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- California
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- North Carolina
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- Oregon
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- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
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- Tennessee
- Texas
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- Virginia
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- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
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Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (3)
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.