Handyman license requirements by state: A comprehensive guide

Handyman license requirements by state: A comprehensive guide

Matt Crawford
By Matt Crawford
Dec 15, 2023
23 min read
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Whether you’re just starting out as a handyman or you’ve been working on your craft for years, it’s important to know the licensing requirements of the state where you plan to do business.

In general, individual states do not issue specific handyman licenses. However, a handyman may be considered a contractor when a project exceeds a specific cost or is part of a larger job. In this case, a handyman may be required to have a contractor license to perform the work or be subject to handyman license requirements.

Make sure that if you plan to perform any plumbing, electrical or HVAC work you check the licensing requirements as these are commonly not covered under the handyman or general contractor license requirements.

(We also have state guides for other trades, including electricians, HVAC technicians, landscapers, roofing, painters and plumbers.)

Once you know that you are in compliance with license requirements make sure you have the right handyman insurance so you are protected from the risks you face every day.

This comprehensive list of handyman requirements is in alphabetical order so that the information you need is easy to find.

Jump ahead:

Alabama

License required: No

A handyman does not need a state license or registration in Alabama for general maintenance and repair work. However, contractors must have a license issued by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors if they work on projects valued at more than $50,000, and specialty licenses are necessary for electrical, plumbing and mechanical work.

Learn more about handyman licenses and insurance requirements in Alabama.

Alaska

License required: Yes

A handyman in Alaska must hold a license to perform work worth up to $10,000. The General Contractor-Handyman license is issued by the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Division of Corporations Business and Professional Licensing.

You must show proof of business insurance, including general liability and property damage insurance.

Arizona

License required: No

This state does not offer a handy license. Arizona only requires a contractor license for major projects and work worth more than $1,000, including labor and materials. Work that is worth less than $1,000 and is of a casual or minor nature does not carry handyman license requirements. This is commonly known as the handyman exemption.

However, if the job has a value under $1,000 but still requires a building permit, the handyman exemption will not apply and a license will be required.

The Arizona contractors license is issued by the Registrar of Contractors. To be eligible for a license, you’ll need to pass two exams and submit proof of a bond.

Learn more about handyman license and insurance requirements in Arizona.

Arkansas

License required: Yes

You’ll need a Home Improvement License as a handyman in Arkansas if you are planning to do specialty work worth more than $2,000 as a contractor at a single-family residence. This includes painting, roofing, flooring and other projects.

If you’re planning on doing more significant work you’ll need to consider another Arkansas contractors license for residential remodelers or residential rebuilders.

There is no exam, but the handyman license requirements include proof of workers’ compensation insurance, as well as a financial statement.

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California

License required: Maybe

There is no specific handyman license in California for small jobs. However, a handyperson working on jobs worth more than $500 (even if your component is less than $500, but the overall job is worth more) must have a general contractor license from the state of California.

If you work on a job that does not become a fixed part of the structure, such as hanging pictures or building furniture, you’ll be exempt from the $500 limit and can work on bigger projects.

To cover all your options, you can get a California general contractor license from the Contractors State License Board. To be eligible for the license, you’ll need to show four years of work experience, have a certificate of insurance, and a contractor’s bond of $15,000. You’ll need to pass the trade exam and business and law exam.

Learn more about handyman license and insurance requirements in California.

Colorado

License required: No

As a handyman, you fall under the category of general contractors in Colorado. There are no state handyman license requirements for general contractors, although there are some local requirements that you need to check before you begin work.

Connecticut

License required: No

Handymen do not need a state license to work in Connecticut. However, if you consider yourself a home improvement contractor who creates permanent changes to a residential property, you’ll need to register with the Department of Consumer Protection.

Delaware

License required: No

There is no specific handyman license. General contractors in Delaware require a business license for revenue purposes and must register with the state to work on projects worth more than $50,000.

Alabama handyman license insurance requirements

Florida

License required: No

As a handyman in Florida, you don’t need a state license for miscellaneous non-structural work, such as minor carpentry, door repairs, paneling, tile installation and window repair.

However, any structural work, such as building, home renovations and roofing work, will require a Florida general contractor license. The license is issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

You’ll be required to show four years of experience, as well as proof of Florida general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. You must pass an exam.

Learn more about handyman license and insurance requirements in Florida.

Georgia

License required: Maybe

A handyman who works on any projects worth more than $2,500 needs a Residential-Basic Contractor license to work in Georgia.

Once you receive approval of your application to the Georgia Board of Residential and General Contractors, you must pass a trade exam and a business and law exam. You must have two years of experience and must show proof of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance in Georgia.

Learn more about handyman license and insurance requirements in Georgia.

Hawaii

License required: Maybe

Hawaii requires all handymen who work on jobs where the labor and material are worth more than $1,000 or require a building permit, to hold a license.

Hawaii General building contractor licenses and specialty contractor licenses are issued by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional and Vocational Licensing. You’ll need to pass a trade exam and a business and law exam, show four years of experience in the past 10 years, and show proof of insurance.

Idaho

License required: No

There are no contractor licensing requirements in Idaho. A handyman, however, cannot claim to be a contractor without registering with the Idaho Contractors Board.

Illinois

License required: No

Handymen and general contractors are not required to have a state license to work in Illinois. However, many local jurisdictions including Chicago, require that handymen and contractors have a general contractor license.

Indiana

License required: No

There are no licensing requirements for handymen or general contractors in Indiana. However, there may be regulations at a local level. Check with your local regulatory agencies before you do any work.

Iowa

License required: No

Iowa does not require a handyman to hold a state license. However, if you do business in the state and make more than $2,000 per year, you must register as a contractor with the Iowa Division of Labor.

Kansas

License required: No

As a handyman, you won’t need to get a state license to work in Kansas. However, there are regulations for general contractors on a local level so make sure to check these before you begin work.

Kentucky

License required: No

Kentucky does not require handymen or general contractors to hold a state license. However, be sure to check handyman license requirements with your local government before you begin work to make sure you are in compliance.

Louisiana

License required: Yes

A handyman must hold a state license in Louisiana for home improvement projects or residential projects where the labor and materials cost more than $7,500.

The residential license is issued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. You may need to pass a trade exam and a business and law exam in the subspecialty you’re planning to work in, and you’ll need to show proof of insurance.

There is also home improvement registration required for projects valued between $7,500 and $75,000. Registration requires only proof of insurance.

georgia handyman license insurance requirements

Maine

License required: No

There are no general contractor or handyman license requirements at the state level in Maine. There may be local regulations you need to comply with, so make sure to check these out before you begin working.

Maryland

License required: No

A handyman working in Maryland will need a Home Improvement license from the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

According to the department website, this will cover additions or alterations, conversions, improvement, modernization, remodeling, repair or replacement of a residential building. You must show two years of experience in home improvement work and a certificate of insurance. You must also pass an exam that questions about business and law.

Massachusetts

License required: No

A handyman who performs small home improvement jobs and property repairs in Massachusetts does not need a state license but must have a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration.

There is no HIC exam requirement, but you must pay a registration fee. If you perform any structural work, such as a renovation or larger building projects on existing homes, you’ll need a Construction Supervisor License (CSL).

There are various Massachusetts CSLs depending on the scope of the work you plan to perform, including restricted licenses for work on one-to-two-family homes and unrestricted licenses for work on structures up to 35,000 cubic feet.

You’ll need to show three years of experience and pass an exam to qualify for a Construction Supervisor License.

Learn more about handyman licenses and insurance requirements in Massachusetts.

Michigan

License required: No

A handyman in Michigan does not need a specific handyman’s license to work in the state. However, there are many jobs that a handyman may do that could require a license, including carpentry, laying concrete, painting and tiling. These all require a Maintenance and Alteration Contractor License.

To be eligible for the license, you’ll need to complete 60 hours of educational courses and pass an exam.

Minnesota

License required: No

If you’re a handyman in Minnesota and you make more than $15,000 per year by working on existing structures, you’ll need a Residential Remodeler License. Contractors who build new structures require a Residential Building License.

The license is issued by the Department of Labor and Industry. However, if you only provide services in one specialty skill area (excavation, masonry, carpentry, interior finishing, exterior finishing, drywall and plaster or general installation specialties), you do not need a license.

To be eligible for a license, you’ll need to pass an exam and show proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

Mississippi

License required: No

A handyman does not need a license in Mississippi unless the residential job costs more than $10,000. In this case, you’ll need a Residential Remodeling license issued by the Mississippi Contractor Licensing Board.

You’ll need to pass the residential trade exam and the business and law exam, and show proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

Missouri

License required: No

Handymen and general contractors do not need a state license to work in Missouri. Check your local handyman license requirements to make sure you are in compliance with any city regulations.

Montana

License required: No

General contractors, including handymen, are not required to hold a license to work in Montana. However, if you have employees, you will be required to register with the Department of Labor and Industry, Contractor Registration Unit.

To register, you must show proof of Montana workers’ compensation insurance. If you have no employees, you can register, but you’re not required to. You cannot perform any electrical work without a license.

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Nebraska

License required: No

You can work as a handyman in Nebraska without a state license. However, you will need to register with the Nebraska Department of Labor. This requirement applies to all general contractors, subcontractors or people who perform construction, alterations, renovations, additions, installations or repairs.

Nevada

License required: Maybe

As a handyman, you will need a contractor license awarded by the Nevada Contractors Board if you plan to do any work worth more than $1,000 or work that requires a building license.

To be eligible for a license, you’ll need to show four years of work experience as a journeyman, foreman, supervising employee or contractor. Up to three years of experience can be substituted for years of education at an approved college. You’ll need to pass a trade exam and a business and law exam and show proof of insurance.

Learn more about handyman license and insurance requirements in Nevada.

New Hampshire

License required: No

Handymen are not required to have a state license to work in New Hampshire, which only licenses those who perform electrical, plumbing or asbestos abatement work.

New Jersey

License required: No

No handyman license requirements apply in this state. However, each handyman must register with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs as a home improvement contractor. You must submit proof of general liability coverage with your application.

Learn more about handyman license and insurance requirements in New Jersey.

new jersey handyman license insurance requirements

New Mexico

License required: Yes

A handyman in New Mexico must either apply for a handyman certificate or obtain a contractor license. The handyman certificate requirement applies to those who work only on minor repairs and maintenance and earn up to $7,200 a year.

Those who earn more or work on major repairs and renovations must have a GB-2 Residential or GB-98 General Building contractor license issued by the Construction Industries Division of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department. The residential classification requires two years of experience and the general building classification requires four years experience. You must also pass a trade exam and a business and law exam, provide proof of a $10,000 bond and obtain New Mexico workers’ compensation insurance.

Learn more about handyman license and insurance requirements in New Mexico.

New York

License required: No

There are no state licensing requirements for handymen or general contractors in New York. However, there are laws and regulations at a local level. Check handyman license requirements with local government before you do any work.

North Carolina

License required: No

A handyman doesn’t need a state license in North Carolina. If the value of your work projects exceeds $30,000, however, you must have a general contractor license issued by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. To apply, you must meet the financial requirements and pass an exam.

Learn more about handyman license and insurance requirements in North Carolina.

North Dakota

License required: Yes

A handyman must have a contractor license to perform any jobs in North Dakota that are worth more than $4,000. The contractor license covers any construction, alteration or repairs to a property. It is awarded by the Secretary of State of North Dakota.

There are four classes of licenses based on the size of the jobs you plan to work on.

Ohio

License required: No

You don’t need a handyman license at the state level to work in Ohio, but there may be regulations at the local level. Make sure to confirm with your local government before you start work.

You must have a specialty contractor license issued by the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board if you work on any electrical, HVAC, hydronics, plumbing or refrigeration projects. Licensing requirements include a background check, passing scores on two exams and $500,000 in liability insurance coverage.

Learn more about handyman license and insurance requirements in Ohio.

Oklahoma

License required: No

As a handyman, you will not need a state license to work in Oklahoma on any renovation, remodeling, repair or construction project. Make sure to check with local governments to see if there are any regulations on the local level before you begin work.

Oregon

License required: Yes

A handyman must hold a state license in Oregon to work on jobs that are worth more than $1,000. Anyone doing construction work that involves improvements to a property must have a contractor license issued by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board.

You’ll need to pass pre-license training and pass a test, and show proof of Oregon general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

Learn more about handyman license and insurance requirements in Oregon.

Pennsylvania

License required: No

You do not need a state license to work as a handyman in Pennsylvania. However, if you do more than $5,000 worth of home improvement work per year, you must register with the Attorney General’s Office.

Rhode Island

License required: No

As a handyman, you won’t need a license to work in Rhode Island. However, if you work on construction, alterations, remodeling or repair projects at residential properties, you’ll need to register with the State of Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board.

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South Carolina

License required: No

A handyman, under the classification of Residential Specialty Contractor, does not need a license to work in South Carolina. However, you will need to register with the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. This allows you to work in carpentry, drywalling, wallpaper, painting, sidings, insulation, floor covering, masonry, concrete and roofing.

South Dakota

License required: No

Handymen do not need a state license to work in South Dakota. There may be handyman license requirements at the local level so make sure to confirm with local agencies before you start work.

Tennessee

License required: Maybe

A handyman in Tennessee is not required to hold a state license unless the job they are working on is worth more than $25,000. A home improvement license is required for remodeling jobs worth between $3,000 and $24,999.

Licenses are awarded by the Department of Commerce and Insurance Board for Licensing Contractors. You’ll need to pass a trade exam and a business and law exam. You must also show proof of Tennessee general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

Texas

License required: No

There are no state handyman license requirements for handymen in Texas.

However, local regulations may require you to be licensed or registered to work as a handyman. For example, most major Texas cities have permit or licensing rules for general contractors and construction work. In addition, you may need to register your small business with a local county clerk’s office.

Learn more about handyman license and insurance requirements in Texas.

Utah

License required: No

In Utah, handyman projects that are worth less than $3,000 qualify for what’s commonly known as the handyman exemption.

If you take on handyman projects worth less than $3,000, but more than $1,000, you’ll need to file an affirmation of exemption with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) and show proof that you have general liability insurance. You must also obtain worker’s compensation insurance if you have any employees.

To work on projects worth more than $3,000, you must have a Utah contractor license issued by the DOPL.

Learn more about handyman license and insurance requirements in Utah.

Vermont

License required: No

You do not need a state license to work as a handyman in Vermont. However, there may be regulations at the local level that you need to check before you begin work.

Virginia

License required: Yes

A handyman will need a Virginia contractors license to complete any projects worth more than $1,000. The state offers three classes of licenses (A, B and C) based on the monetary value of the projects you plan to work on.

You’ll need to complete a pre-license education course approved by the board. If you apply for a Class C license (which covers single projects up to $10,000 and a total project value of up to $150,000 per year), you must show two years of experience in your chosen specialty.

Learn more about handyman license and insurance requirements in Virginia.

Washington

License required: No

There is no state license for handymen in Washington. However, all general contractors and specialty contractors must register with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.

Washington classifies handymen as specialty contractors. In this state, a handyman is defined as someone who does minor work on existing properties worth a total value of less than $2,000. This does not include work that requires a building permit, and all work must be completed personally.

To register with the Department of Labor and Industries, you’ll need to purchase a $6,000 bond and show proof of general liability insurance.

Learn more about handyman license and insurance requirements in Washington.

West Virginia

License required: No

The state of West Virginia does not issue a specific handyman license or have handyman license requirements. However, if your handyman projects exceed $5,000 for work on a residential property or $25,000 for a commercial property, you must have a contractor license from the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board.

You will need to pass an exam and, if you have employees, provide proof of workers’ compensation insurance.

Learn more about handyman license and insurance requirements in West Virginia.

Wisconsin

License required: No

To work as a handyman in Wisconsin you’ll need to hold a Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Qualifier license, which is the contractor license that is issued to individuals. You’ll need to complete and pass a 12-hour course to be eligible for a license from the Department of Safety and Professional Services.

Wyoming

License required: No

You do not need a state license to work as a handyman in Wyoming; however, there may be local regulations that you need to check before you begin work.

Handyman license info by state

Learn more about contractor license requirements in the following states:

AlabamaNorth Carolina
ArizonaOhio
CaliforniaOregon
FloridaTexas
GeorgiaUtah
MassachusettsVirginia
NevadaWashington
New JerseyWest Virginia
New Mexico
Minnesota

How NEXT helps handyman businesses

Next specializes in handyman insurance that can be customized to meet your specific business needs. Our handyman costs and coverage options include liability insurance, business car insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance to cover medical expenses and lost wages if you are injured on the job.

Start a free online application to review options for your business. You can get a quote, purchase coverage and have a certificate of insurance in about 10 minutes with our online services.

Get an instant quote today.

This information is provided as a service. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct and up-to-date; however, it is not to be taken as legal advice and you must always check with local authorities before making any business decisions. Requirements and regulations are subject to change at any time.

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Matt Crawford
About the author

Matt Crawford leads NEXT's content team. He's a small business insurance specialist and has worked with business owners throughout his career as a community journalist and content marketer.


You can find him at one of his many favorite local restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area when he's not at work.

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