Georgia Contractor License Types
| License Type | Application Fee | Annual Renewal | Bond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential-Basic Contractor Contractor work on detached one-family and two-family residences and one-family townhouses not over three stories in height, plus accessory buildings and structures (O.C.G.A. § 43-41-2(10)). No per-project dollar limit. Requires at least two years of proven residential-contractor experience (predominantly residential-basic) with significant responsibility for at least two projects in the preceding two years, minimum age 21, and passing the Residential Contractor exam unless exempt under O.C.G.A. § 43-41-8. | $200 (non-refundable) | Renewal every 2 years by June 30 of even-numbered years | Minimum net worth of $25,000 (or alternate proof of financial responsibility); $300,000 minimum general liability insurance; workers' compensation as required by Georgia law |
| Residential-Light Commercial Contractor All work of a Residential-Basic Contractor, plus multifamily and multiuse light-commercial buildings under four stories tall, under 25,000 sq ft aggregate interior floor space, and constructed of wood or light-gauge metal frame, brick veneer, prefabricated/manufactured, or pre-engineered steel up to 50,000 sq ft (O.C.G.A. § 43-41-2(11)). Requires either a 4-year degree in engineering/architecture/construction management/building construction plus 1 year of qualifying experience, four years of combined academic credit and practical experience, or four years of construction-industry experience (at least 2 as/for a residential contractor). Must pass the Residential Contractor exam unless exempt. | $200 (non-refundable) | Renewal every 2 years by June 30 of even-numbered years | $500,000 minimum general liability insurance; workers' compensation as required by Georgia law; proof of financial responsibility (e.g., minimum net worth / bank credit reference) |
| General Contractor Unlimited as to type of work — private, commercial, institutional, industrial, and public buildings and structures (O.C.G.A. § 43-41-2(5)). Cannot self-perform electrical, plumbing, conditioned-air, low-voltage, or utility work without a separate Chapter 14 license. No per-project dollar cap. Requires minimum age 21, a CPA-reviewed financial statement affirming a minimum net worth of $150,000, and one of the following: (a) baccalaureate degree in engineering/architecture/construction management/building construction plus 1 year of qualifying general-contractor experience, (b) a combination of accredited college credit and practical experience totaling at least 4 years, or (c) at least 4 years of construction-industry experience (2+ as/for a general contractor, 1+ in administration, estimating, drafting, engineering, supervision, or project management). Must pass the Business & Law and Trade examinations through PSI, unless exempt under O.C.G.A. § 43-41-8. | $200 (non-refundable) | Renewal every 2 years by June 30 of even-numbered years | Minimum net worth of $150,000 (CPA-attested); $500,000 minimum general liability insurance per occurrence; workers' compensation as required by Georgia law |
| General Contractor Limited Tier Same scope as General Contractor, but limited to any single contract of no more than $1,000,000 (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 553-4-.05(8)). Change orders cannot push a project above that cap. Experience requirements mirror the General Contractor tier. To upgrade from Limited Tier to full General Contractor, the licensee must submit a new application meeting the $150,000 net-worth requirement. | $200 (non-refundable) | Renewal every 2 years by June 30 of even-numbered years | Minimum net worth of $25,000 (affirmed); $500,000 minimum general liability insurance per occurrence; workers' compensation as required by Georgia law |
Processing time: Typically 60-120 days from a complete application to an issued license — Board staff review the application, applicants sit the PSI Business & Law and Trade exams (or NASCLA for general contractors), and the Board votes on approvals at its monthly meeting. from application submission to license issuance.
Georgia (GA) licenses residential and general contractors through the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (SLBRGC), a division of the Georgia Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards (PLB). State licensing is required for any residential or general contracting project whose value — counting the higher of work value or the contractor's compensation — exceeds $2,500 (O.C.G.A. § 43-41-2). Georgia issues four tiers of license through two divisions: Residential-Basic Contractor and Residential-Light Commercial Contractor (Residential Contractor Division) plus General Contractor and General Contractor Limited Tier (General Contractor Division). Electrical, plumbing, conditioned air, low-voltage, and utility contracting work is licensed separately under O.C.G.A. Title 43 Chapter 14 and cannot be self-performed by residential or general contractors without the appropriate Chapter 14 license. Licenses renew every two years on June 30 of even-numbered years.
Step 1: Ask for the Contractor's Georgia License Number
Before any work starts on a project over $2,500, ask any Georgia residential or general contractor for their state license number and the license tier (Residential-Basic, Residential-Light Commercial, General Contractor, or General Contractor Limited Tier). A refusal to provide a number — or a claim of being 'exempt' without an O.C.G.A. § 43-41-17 citation — is a red flag.
Step 2: Look Up the License on the Georgia SOS Verification Site
Use the Secretary of State's online license verification portal to confirm the license is active, in good standing, and in the correct classification for your project. The lookup covers residential and general contractors as well as the Chapter 14 specialty trades (electrical, plumbing, conditioned air, low-voltage, utility).
Verify a Georgia contractor license →
Step 3: Confirm the Classification Matches the Job
Scope matters in Georgia. A Residential-Basic Contractor cannot legally take on a four-story multifamily project, and a General Contractor Limited Tier cannot sign a contract over $1,000,000. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work must be performed by a Chapter 14 trade licensee — not a general contractor. Verify the tier fits the building type, stories, and contract value.
- Residential-Basic: detached 1- and 2-family residences and townhouses up to 3 stories
- Residential-Light Commercial: also multifamily / light commercial under 4 stories and under 25,000 sq ft
- General Contractor: unlimited contract value
- General Contractor Limited Tier: max $1,000,000 per contract
Step 4: Verify Insurance and Financial Responsibility
Every licensed Georgia residential or general contractor must maintain general liability insurance filed with the Board. Ask for a current certificate of insurance naming you or your project, and confirm workers' comp is in place if the contractor has three or more employees in Georgia.
- Residential-Basic: $300,000 general liability minimum
- Residential-Light Commercial / General / General Limited Tier: $500,000 general liability minimum per occurrence
- Workers' compensation: required under Georgia law when the contractor has 3+ employees
Step 5: Check Disciplinary History and File a Complaint if Needed
The SLBRGC investigates complaints against licensed and unlicensed contractors and can reprimand, suspend, or revoke licenses. The verification portal shows license status; for active investigations, call the Board in Macon at (478) 207-2440. Contested cases are heard at the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH).
Georgia Contractor Insurance Requirements
| Insurance Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Liability | Residential-Basic Contractor: minimum $300,000. Residential-Light Commercial, General Contractor, and General Contractor Limited Tier: minimum $500,000 per occurrence. A signed, current certificate of insurance naming the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors as a certificate holder must be filed with the application and maintained for the life of the license. |
| Workers' Compensation | Required as provided by Georgia law — contractors with three or more employees in Georgia must carry workers' compensation coverage. Sole proprietors and small contractors below that threshold are not required to carry it but may do so voluntarily. |
Georgia Contractor Bond Requirements
Georgia does not require a statewide contractor surety bond. Instead, SLBRGC uses minimum net-worth thresholds as the financial-responsibility test: $150,000 for a General Contractor (CPA-attested with a $50,000 line of credit), $25,000 for a General Contractor Limited Tier, and financial-responsibility proof (e.g., $25,000 net worth, bank credit reference, or equivalent) for the residential tiers. Local Georgia jurisdictions (counties and cities) may separately require a license bond to pull building permits, and some project owners require a performance or payment bond under the Little Miller Act for public work.
Georgia Consumer Protections for Home Improvement
Georgia law provides several important protections for homeowners hiring contractors:
- Any Georgia residential or general contractor taking a project over $2,500 must hold an SLBRGC state license (O.C.G.A. § 43-41-2 / § 43-41-17).
- Residential contractors must provide a written warranty on single-family construction projects over $2,500 (O.C.G.A. § 43-41-7).
- Electrical, plumbing, conditioned-air, low-voltage, and utility work on a project must be performed by a contractor separately licensed under O.C.G.A. Title 43 Chapter 14 — a residential or general contractor cannot self-perform it without that license.
- The Right to Repair Act (O.C.G.A. §§ 8-2-35 through 8-2-43) requires homeowners to give contractors written notice and an opportunity to repair alleged construction defects before filing suit. The required notice must appear in the construction contract.
- SLBRGC can reprimand, place on probation, suspend, or revoke a license and can refer unlicensed-contracting cases for prosecution.
- Local Georgia jurisdictions may require an additional local license, business tax certificate, or permit bond before issuing building permits.
What Happens if You Hire an Unlicensed Contractor?
Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Georgia puts you at risk:
- Unlicensed contracting on any residential or general project over $2,500 violates O.C.G.A. § 43-41-17 and can trigger Board enforcement or criminal referral.
- Contracts with unlicensed contractors for work requiring a license may be legally unenforceable in Georgia courts.
- Homeowners lose access to the SLBRGC complaint and disciplinary process when the contractor isn't licensed.
- Homeowner's insurance may deny claims for property damage caused by work performed by an unlicensed contractor.
- Local Georgia jurisdictions can refuse to issue building permits for work done by unlicensed contractors and can issue stop-work orders.
- Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work performed without the required Chapter 14 trade license creates additional legal exposure even if the general contractor is licensed.
How to Report an Unlicensed Contractor in Georgia
Report unlicensed contracting activity to the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors through the Georgia Secretary of State's complaint portal. SLBRGC investigates unlicensed activity in addition to complaints against licensed contractors. Only work that violates state law or Board rule falls within the Board's jurisdiction — payment and performance disputes without a statute violation are civil matters.
- Online: https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-file-complaint-against-professional-licensee
- Phone: (478) 207-2440
- Mail: State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217
How to File a Complaint Against a Registered Contractor in Georgia
The State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors investigates consumer complaints against licensed and unlicensed contractors for violations of O.C.G.A. Title 43 Chapter 41 and Board rules (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 553). Contested cases proceed to the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH). For suits over construction defects, the Right to Repair Act (O.C.G.A. §§ 8-2-35 to 8-2-43) must be followed first.
You can file a complaint by:
- Online: https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-file-complaint-against-professional-licensee
- Phone: (478) 207-2440 (SLBRGC, Macon office)
- Mail: State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217
The Board can only act on violations of state law or Board rules — it cannot award damages. For financial recovery, homeowners typically must pursue the Right to Repair Act process and civil court.
Georgia Contractor Bond Schedule
Rather than a single statewide license bond, Georgia applies graduated net-worth and insurance requirements by license tier. Local permitting authorities can layer additional bond requirements on top of the state license.
| License Type | Bond Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Contractor — Net Worth | $150,000 | CPA-prepared financial statement (review or audit) attesting to minimum net worth of $150,000, plus proof of a $50,000 minimum line of credit. |
| General Contractor Limited Tier — Net Worth | $25,000 | Affirmed minimum net worth of $25,000. Licensees in this tier are capped at $1,000,000 per contract under Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 553-4-.05(8). |
| Residential-Basic / Residential-Light Commercial — Financial Responsibility | $25,000 net worth (or alternative) | Residential applicants prove financial responsibility via minimum net worth, a bank credit reference form, or equivalent documentation acceptable to the Residential Contractor Division. |
What Makes Georgia Contractor Licensing Unique
$2,500 State Licensing Threshold
Georgia's state licensing law for residential and general contractors only kicks in when the value of the work (or the contractor's compensation, whichever is higher) exceeds $2,500 (O.C.G.A. § 43-41-2). Projects under that amount do not require an SLBRGC license, though local jurisdictions may still require a business license or permit.
Four Tiers, Two Divisions
SLBRGC splits contractor licensing into a Residential Contractor Division (Residential-Basic, Residential-Light Commercial) and a General Contractor Division (General Contractor, General Contractor Limited Tier). Scope of work is set by statute in O.C.G.A. § 43-41-2 and cannot be expanded by experience alone — moving from Limited Tier to full General Contractor requires a new application.
Net Worth Instead of a License Bond
Unlike California's $25,000 license bond, Georgia uses graduated net-worth thresholds — $150,000 (CPA-attested) for full General Contractors, $25,000 for the Limited Tier and for residential tiers — and requires $300K or $500K of general liability insurance depending on the license class. Local permit bonds may still apply at the city or county level.
Trades Are Licensed Separately Under Chapter 14
Electrical, plumbing, conditioned-air, low-voltage, and utility work is licensed under O.C.G.A. Title 43 Chapter 14 by separate state boards. Even a full General Contractor cannot self-perform any of that work without also holding the appropriate Chapter 14 license — they must subcontract it to a licensed trade contractor.
Right-to-Repair Before Lawsuit
The Georgia Right to Repair Act (O.C.G.A. §§ 8-2-35 through 8-2-43) requires homeowners to send written notice and give the contractor a reasonable chance to inspect and offer repairs before filing a construction-defect suit. Contracts must reference the Act, and rejecting a reasonable repair offer can cap a homeowner's recovery at the offer amount.
Georgia Contractor License Fees
Frequently Asked Questions: Georgia Contractor Licensing
How do I check a contractor's license in Georgia?
Go to the Georgia Secretary of State's verification site at verify.sos.ga.gov/verification/ and search by name or license number. The lookup confirms the license tier (Residential-Basic, Residential-Light Commercial, General Contractor, or General Contractor Limited Tier), current status, and expiration. You can also call the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors at (478) 207-2440.
What is the minimum project value that requires a contractor license in Georgia?
Under O.C.G.A. § 43-41-2, a state contractor license is required when the value of the work — or the contractor's compensation, whichever is higher — exceeds $2,500. Projects of $2,500 or less do not require a Georgia state residential or general contractor license, although a local business license or permit may still apply.
What are the four Georgia contractor license tiers?
Residential-Basic Contractor covers detached one- and two-family homes and townhouses up to three stories. Residential-Light Commercial adds multifamily and light-commercial buildings under four stories and under 25,000 sq ft. General Contractor covers all building types with no dollar cap. General Contractor Limited Tier has the same scope as General Contractor but is capped at $1,000,000 per contract.
Does Georgia require a contractor license bond?
No — Georgia does not mandate a statewide contractor surety bond. Instead, applicants must prove financial responsibility through net-worth thresholds: $150,000 CPA-attested for full General Contractors (plus a $50,000 line of credit), $25,000 for General Contractor Limited Tier, and $25,000 / bank credit reference for residential tiers. Individual cities and counties can still require a local permit bond, and public-works projects may require performance and payment bonds.
What insurance do Georgia contractors need?
Residential-Basic Contractors must carry at least $300,000 of general liability insurance. Residential-Light Commercial, General Contractor, and General Contractor Limited Tier licensees must carry at least $500,000 per occurrence. All contractors with three or more Georgia employees must carry workers' compensation insurance. A signed certificate of insurance naming the State Licensing Board as certificate holder must be filed with the application.
How much does a Georgia contractor license cost?
The non-refundable application fee is $200 for all four license tiers, which covers licensure — there is no separate initial license fee after approval. Biennial renewals are $100, due by June 30 of even-numbered years (per SLBRGC fee schedule). PSI exam fees are set separately. Adding a qualifying agent to an existing license is $200; removing one is free.
What exam do Georgia contractors have to pass?
All residential and general contractor applicants take exams administered by PSI. Residential-Basic and Residential-Light Commercial applicants take a Residential Contractor exam plus Business & Law. General Contractor and General Contractor Limited Tier applicants take Business & Law plus a Trade exam — the NASCLA Commercial General Building exam is accepted in lieu of the Georgia-specific trade portion. Applicants who meet the qualifying criteria in O.C.G.A. § 43-41-8 may be exempt from the exam.
How do I file a complaint against a Georgia contractor?
File a complaint with the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors online through the Georgia Secretary of State's 'How to File a Complaint' portal, or by mail to 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217. The Board can investigate violations of O.C.G.A. Title 43 Chapter 41 and Board rules and can impose discipline ranging from reprimand to license revocation, but it cannot award monetary damages. For construction-defect claims, follow the Right to Repair Act (O.C.G.A. §§ 8-2-35 to 8-2-43) before suing.
What happens if I hire an unlicensed contractor in Georgia?
Unlicensed contracting on projects over $2,500 is a violation of O.C.G.A. § 43-41-17. An unlicensed contractor cannot legally enforce a contract for work requiring a license, may be subject to Board enforcement and criminal referral, and leaves homeowners without access to the SLBRGC disciplinary process. Your homeowner's insurance may also deny claims tied to unlicensed work.
How long does it take to get a Georgia contractor license?
Plan on 60 to 120 days end-to-end. Board staff process applications, then applicants register with PSI and sit the Business & Law and Trade exams once approved. The Board reviews applications and complaints at monthly meetings, so timing depends on when a complete file reaches the Board. Missing references, a non-notarized application, or incomplete insurance documentation are the most common reasons for delay.
Sources
Facts on this page were verified against the following primary sources on April 20, 2026. Licensing laws, fees, and bond amounts change — always confirm with the official board before acting.
- Georgia Secretary of State — State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (board home) — Primary regulator. Board meets monthly; application forms, rules, and contact information. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Georgia Secretary of State — Professional License Verification — Official license lookup for residential, general, and Chapter 14 trade contractors. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 553-3 — Qualifications for Licensure (Residential Contractor Division) — Residential-Basic and Residential-Light Commercial experience, exam, insurance, and financial-responsibility rules. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 553-4 — Qualifications for Licensure (General Contractor Division) — General Contractor and General Contractor Limited Tier rules, including $150,000 and $25,000 net-worth requirements and the $1,000,000 Limited Tier contract cap (553-4-.05(8)). (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 553 (full PDF) — Consolidated SLBRGC rules — application, exam, reciprocity, renewal, and discipline. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Georgia Secretary of State — How to File a Complaint Against a Professional Licensee — Complaint-filing instructions and portal for all Professional Licensing Boards, including SLBRGC. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Georgia Department of Law — Complaints Against Builders and Construction Contractors — Consumer overview of O.C.G.A. § 43-41 licensing and the Right to Repair Act. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- GEMA — State Complaint Portals (Georgia.gov) — Official Georgia.gov list naming verify.sos.ga.gov as the residential/general contractor lookup and the SLBRGC complaint portal. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Georgia General Assembly — Georgia Code (O.C.G.A. Title 43 Chapter 41 browser) — Official Georgia Code browser. Navigate to Title 43, Chapter 41 for the Residential and General Contractors statutory framework (O.C.G.A. §§ 43-41-1 et seq.). (retrieved 2026-04-20)
- Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation — Workers' compensation administrator (O.C.G.A. § 34-9) — coverage required for most Georgia employers with 3+ employees. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
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