How To Buy Carpet and Flooring Wisely

All State Verify Contractor License Requirements

What is a Contractor's License?

The Contractor's License is designed to protect homeowners from shoddy or "fly-by-night" contractors. In many states, Contractors may be required to purchase a Surety Bond and or/a General Liability Insurance Policy before the state will issue a license to conduct business within the state.

You should always verify to make sure anyone you hire to do work on your home or property is licensed according to your State's requirements. Below I have posted information and requirements for contractors listed by state. I have also posted phone numbers and websites to help you verify your contractor or flooring installer before you hire them. Don't forget to check references too!

What is a Surety Bond?

The Surety Bond - Basically, a Surety Bond is for the benefit of consumers who may be damaged as a result of defective or incomplete job completion; for license law violations; and for the benefit of employees (or sub-contractors) who have not been paid wages that are due to them by the general contractor.

Not all states require contractors to have a surety bond, but it is an important safeguard for homeowners. If you are doing a major home project or remodel and your contractor does not have a surety bond, either find another contractor who does or speak with your attorney and get professional advice before you proceed.

What is a Contractor's Liability Policy?

The Contractor's Liability Insurance Policy - A Contractors General Liability Insurance Policy is used specifically for coverage in the construction, home remodeling and building trades. This policy pays for damages to property and persons caused by the contractor.

This insurance also covers a range of issues from accidents to negligence and oversight. Important: Be sure to ask the contractor to have his insurance agent send you a Certificate of Insurance naming you as an "additional insured" on the policy before any work begins. The Certificate will verify the contractor’s Commercial General Liability and Workers Compensation insurance and should be provided to you free of charge.

Finding Qualified Flooring Installers

Even if your contractor has a license, bond, insurance and a valid workers compensation policy does not mean he is qualified to perform the quality of work you need preformed in your home.

If you are installing high-end products, you need to hire a contractor that is qualified and experiences in installing the same high-end materials. This is why it is also important for you to ask for references, and verify references before you hire any contractor or carpet or flooring installer. How to Find a Qualified Carpet or Flooring Installer

Verify the Contractor's License Before You Hire

Is your Carpet or Flooring Installer required to be Licensed, Bonded & Insured? Select your state below to see if your carpet or flooring installer is subject to State Licensing Regulations. Also check to make sure everyone working on your property is covered by a valid Workers Compensation Policy.

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All 50 States

Contractor License Requirements

and Verification Methods

(States Listed Alphabetically)

ALASKA

Contractors must be registered with the Department of Community and Economic Development. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Alaska, call (907) 465-2546 or (907) 465-3035.

ALABAMA

No state license required. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Alabama, call (334) 242-2839.

ARKANSAS

A state contractor’s license may be required. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Arkansas, call (501) 372-4661.

ARIZONA

Contractors must be licensed by the state. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Arizona call (602) 542 1525.

CALIFORNIA

Contractors must be licensed by the state.

COLORADO

No state license is required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

CONNECTICUT

Contractors must be certified by the state. To find out if a contractor is certified in Connecticut click call (860) 713-6135.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Contractors must be licensed by the state. To find out if a contractor is licensed in the District of Columbia call (202) 442-4311.

DELAWARE

No state license is required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

FLORIDA

Contractors must be registered or certified. To find out if a contractor licensed in Florida click https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp.

GEORGIA

A state license may be required. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Georgia, Call (478) 207-1416.

HAWAII

Specialty contractors must be licensed by the state. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Hawaii, click http://hbe.ehawaii.gov/cogs/search.html or call (808) 587-3295.

IOWA

Contractors must be licensed by the state. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Iowa call 515-242-5871.

IDAHO

No state license is required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

ILLINOIS

Most contractors do not need to be licensed.

INDIANA

No state license required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

KANSAS

No state license required. Check for licensing requirements at the local level.

KENTUCKY

No state license required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

LOUISIANA

Contractors must be licensed by the state. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Louisiana, call (800) 256-1392.

MASSACHUSETTS

A state license is required.

MARYLAND

A state license is required. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Maryland call (410) 230-6176.

MAINE

No state license is required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

MICHIGAN

Contractors must be licensed.

MINNESOTA

A state license may be required. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Minnesota, call (651) 296-6319 or (800) 657-3978.

MISSOURI

No state license required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

MISSISSIPPI

A certificate or license may be required. To find out if a contractor is has a certificate or license, call (800) 880-6161.

MONTANA

Contractors must register with the Department of Labor and Industry if they have employees. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Montana, call (406) 444-7734.

NORTH CAROLINA

No state license is required. To find out if a contractor is licensed, call (919) 571-4183

NORTH DAKOTA

A state license may be required. To find out if a contractor is licensed in North Dakota, call (701) 328-3665.

NEBRASKA

A state license may be required. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Nebraska call (402) 595-3189.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

No state license is required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

NEW JERSEY

Registration is required by the state. To find out if a contractor is registered in New Jersey, call 609-984-7910.

NEW MEXICO

Construction contractors must be licensed by the state. To find out if a contractor is licensed in New Mexico, go to http://public.psiexams.com/search.jsp or call (505) 827-7030 in Santa Fe, (505) 841-8020 in Albuquerque or (505) 524-6320 in Las Cruces.

NEVADA

A state license may be required. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Nevada, call 702-486-1100.

NEW YORK

No state license is required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

OHIO

No state license required. General construction contractors may need to be licensed at the local level. Check with the city or county for licensing requirements.

OKLAHOMA

No state license is required.

OREGON

Contractors must register with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. Call (503) 378-4621.

PENNSYLVANIA

No state license is required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

RHODE ISLAND

A state license may be required. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Rhode Island call (401) 222-1268.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Contractors must be licensed by the state. To find out if a contractor is licensed in South Carolina call (803) 896-4696.

SOUTH DAKOTA

No state license required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

TENNESSEE

Contractors must have a state license. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Tennessee, call (615) 741-8307.

TEXAS

No state license is required. Check with your city or county for local requirements.

UTAH

Contractors must have a license from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.

VIRGINIA

Some construction contractors must be licensed. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Virginia, call (804) 367-8511.

VERMONT

No state license is required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

WASHINGTON STATE

Contractors must register with the Washington Department of Labor and Industries. Call (360) 902-5226.

WISCONSIN

No state license required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

WEST VIRGINIA

Contractors must be licensed. To find out if a contractor is licensed in West Virginia, call (304) 558-7890 or (877) 558-5134.

WYOMING

No state license is required. Contractors are licensed at the city or county level.

Disclaimer: While I try hard to make sure all the information provided on this website is accurate and up-to-date, I do not guarantee that the information posted herein is complete, accurate or up-to-date since laws and regulations, phone numbers and websites are constantly changing. Please verify all information with your state offices or seek professional advice.