General contractor
rankings by state.
Use the figures to narrow your reading, then check the state’s license level, pathway and qualifications. A low issuance fee does not establish the cheapest overall route to licensure.
Lowest license fee
Ranked only by the recorded license issuance fee. Application, exam, training and other costs are not included. This is not a ranking of total cost to qualify.
11 of 51 jurisdictions ranked. Equal values share a rank; the next rank skips tied places. Calculations use unrounded values. Source scope may differ between states.
| 1 | Wisconsin | $25.00 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | District of Columbia | $99.00 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $150.00 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $150.00 |
| 5 | Minnesota | $180.00 |
| 6 | California | $200.00Source and scopeInitial license fee of $200 for a sole ownerOfficial source Last verified Oct 24, 2026 |
| 6 | New Mexico | $200.00Source and scopeThe basic fee for an initial license or for renewal of a license for the GA-98, GB-2, GB-98, GF-98, EE-98 or MM-98 classification shall be $100.00 per year, or $200.00 for two years, for each such classification.Official source Last verified Oct 24, 2026 |
| 8 | South Carolina | $220.00 |
| 9 | Alabama | $250.00 |
| 9 | Alaska | $250.00 |
| 11 | Oregon | $400.00 |
40 jurisdictions not ranked for this measure
Not verified yet, stale, or not a single comparable number. A missing rank does not mean no requirement. Use each state page’s official source to check.
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Fewest required hours
Ranked only where the required-hours field is a single verified number. Conditional text and alternative pathways are excluded. Hours are not elapsed time to licensure.
6 of 51 jurisdictions ranked. Equal values share a rank; the next rank skips tied places. Calculations use unrounded values. Source scope may differ between states.
| 1 | Rhode Island | 5 hoursSource and scopeSubmit proof of completing a state-approved, 5-hour pre-registration course.Official source Last verified Oct 24, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Virginia | 8 hoursSource and scopeIn order to become licensed as a Contractor (Class A, Class B, or Class C), applicants must complete eight hours of pre-license education.Official source Last verified Oct 24, 2026 |
| 3 | Alaska | 16 hoursSource and scopeThis endorsement may be obtained after an individual has completed a 16-hour cold climate course and passed the residential contractors endorsement exam.Official source Last verified Oct 24, 2026 |
| 3 | Oregon | 16 hoursSource and scopeComplete at least 16 hours of pre-license training from an approved pre-license education provider and pass the Oregon exam.Official source Last verified Oct 24, 2026 |
| 5 | Utah | 30 hoursSource and scopeAll general contractors (E100, R100, B100), plumbing and electrical contractors require a 30-hour pre-licensure courseOfficial source Last verified Oct 24, 2026 |
| 6 | Michigan | 60 hoursSource and scopeComplete 60 hours of approved prelicensure coursesOfficial source Last verified Oct 24, 2026 |
45 jurisdictions not ranked for this measure
Not verified yet, stale, or not a single comparable number. A missing rank does not mean no requirement. Use each state page’s official source to check.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Fastest time to get licensed
Requires a verified total time-to-license figure in days for the cited pathway. Training hours, experience requirements and agency processing estimates cannot establish that total.
Not verified yet
The current records do not establish total time to get licensed. No fastest state is named.
Read the verified state requirements and official sources51 jurisdictions not ranked for this measure
Not verified yet, stale, or not a single comparable number. A missing rank does not mean no requirement. Use each state page’s official source to check.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Renewal cost per year
Calculated as the verified renewal fee divided by its verified renewal period in years. This is an annualized fee, not an annual bill; CE and other costs are not included. An initial fee or initial license term is never substituted.
Not verified yet
A separate renewal fee and its matching renewal period are needed. Initial license fees cannot fill that gap.
Read the verified state requirements and official sources51 jurisdictions not ranked for this measure
Not verified yet, stale, or not a single comparable number. A missing rank does not mean no requirement. Use each state page’s official source to check.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Read before you choose a route
Last verified Oct 24, 2026.
Official sources (15)
- https://dsps.wi.gov/credentialing/credential-fees-and-renewal-dates/
- https://dlcp.dc.gov/page/contractor-and-construction-services
- https://www.mass.gov/info-details/home-improvement-contractor-registration-and-renewal
- https://crb.ri.gov/general-contractor-registration/apply
- https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/residential-contractors/residential-contractor-licensing
- https://cslb.ca.gov/contractors/applicants/Apply_for_a_Sole_Owner_License/default.aspx
- https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title14/14.005.0005.html
- https://www.llr.sc.gov/res/licensure.aspx
- https://hblb.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HBLB-NEW-IND-APP-PACKET-23-03-24.pdf
- https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/5/pub/con4815.pdf
- https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/pages/ccb%20license.aspx
- https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Contractors
- https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/CBPL/ProfessionalLicensing/ConstructionContractors.aspx
- https://commerce.utah.gov/dopl/contracting/apply-for-a-license/specialty-contractor-license/
- https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bcc/Sections/Licensing-Section/residential-builders/forms/prelicensure-education-requirements-for-residential-builder-and-maintenance-alteration-contractor-a
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.