Important disclaimer
Contractor licensing laws change frequently. Local jurisdictions (cities and counties) often have additional requirements beyond the state minimums described here. Always verify current requirements directly with the relevant licensing board and your municipality before bidding or performing work. This guide reflects conditions as of April 2026 and is for informational purposes only — not legal advice.
Operating without the required license is not a small technicality. In many states it means you can’t pull permits, you may not be able to legally collect payment for unlicensed work, and you can face fines, stop-work orders, and criminal penalties. For service providers building a PTI profile, your license and proof of insurance are foundational trust signals.
This guide covers the licensing requirements for the trades most commonly needed in the rental property market — plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, and general contracting — across all nine states where PTI is active.
Quick-reference: licensing strictness by state and trade
Alabama
- General contractor
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Roofing
Georgia
- General contractor
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Roofing
Tennessee
- General contractor
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Roofing
Texas
- General contractor
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Roofing
Michigan
- General contractor
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Roofing
Ohio
- General contractor
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Roofing
Indiana
- General contractor
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Roofing
Florida
- General contractor
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Roofing
North Carolina
- General contractor
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Roofing
Alabama has robust contractor licensing requirements administered by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (ALBGC) and separate boards for plumbing and electrical. Jefferson County (Birmingham), Mobile County, and other jurisdictions may have additional local requirements.
| Trade | License type | Issuing body | Key requirements (high level) | Exam? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General contractor | State | ALBGC | Required above a dollar threshold; classifications include Building and specialty categories. Financial documentation often required. | Yes |
| Plumbing | State | Alabama State Plumbing Board | Apprentice → Journeyman → Master pathway; master-level credential typically required to operate a plumbing business. | Yes |
| Electrical | State | Alabama Electrical Contractors Board | Contractor licensing required; classifications vary by scope. Permits and inspections apply by jurisdiction. | Yes |
| HVAC | State | ALBGC (Mechanical category) | Mechanical contractor licensing for HVAC installation/replacement. EPA Section 608 required for refrigerant handling. | Yes |
| Roofing | State | ALBGC (Building category) | No dedicated roofing license in many cases; GC/Building classification often covers higher-dollar roofing work. Local registration can still apply. | Varies |
🍑 Georgia
Georgia Secretary of State — licensing →Georgia contractor licensing is administered through the Georgia Secretary of State’s office. The state has specific licensing requirements for most trades, with plumbing, electrical, and HVAC having stringent pathways.
| Trade | License type | Issuing body | Key requirements (high level) | Exam? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General contractor | State | GA SOS | Residential and commercial classifications; experience and financial documentation typically required. | Yes |
| Plumbing | State | Construction Industry Licensing Board | Journeyman/master classifications; master credential typically required to operate and pull permits. | Yes |
| Electrical | State | Construction Industry Licensing Board | Electrical contractor licensing required. Some cities add local registration/inspection layers. | Yes |
| HVAC | State | Construction Industry Licensing Board | Conditioned Air Contractor licensing required. EPA 608 required for refrigerants. | Yes |
| Roofing | Local | Local jurisdictions | No uniform statewide roofing license; many municipalities require registration or a GC license depending on scope. | Varies |
🎸 Tennessee
TN Board for Licensing Contractors →Tennessee uses project dollar thresholds as the trigger for certain contractor licensing. Memphis (Shelby County) is the primary PTI market in Tennessee.
| Trade | License type | Issuing body | Key requirements (high level) | Exam? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General contractor | Threshold | TN BLC | Licensing typically required above a threshold; below thresholds, home improvement registration may apply. | Yes (threshold) |
| Plumbing | State | TN Commerce & Insurance | Master plumber credential generally required to operate a business; local inspection layers apply. | Yes |
| Electrical | State | TN Electrical Contractors Board | Contractor licensing required; jurisdictional inspections apply in major metros. | Yes |
| HVAC | State/threshold | TN BLC (Mechanical) | Mechanical specialty licensing above thresholds; EPA 608 required for refrigerants. | Yes (threshold) |
| Roofing | Threshold | TN BLC | Roofing above thresholds often requires a licensed contractor classification; check local rules post-storm. | Varies |
Texas takes a deregulated approach to general contracting and roofing at the state level but has strict state licensing for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. Houston (Harris County) is PTI’s primary Texas market.
| Trade | License type | Issuing body | Key requirements (high level) | Exam? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General contractor | None | Local jurisdictions | No statewide GC license; many large cities have local registration/permitting requirements. | No (state) |
| Plumbing | State | TX Plumbing Board | Licensing required for virtually all plumbing work; multiple credential levels. | Yes |
| Electrical | State | TDLR | Electrical contractor licensing required statewide. | Yes |
| HVAC | State | TDLR | HVAC contractor licensing required statewide; EPA 608 required for refrigerants. | Yes |
| Roofing | None | Local jurisdictions | No statewide roofing license; some cities require registration. Verify local storm-response rules. | No (state) |
🏙️ Michigan
Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes →Michigan has comprehensive contractor licensing requirements administered by state agencies, with permits and inspections widely used. Detroit (Wayne County) is the primary PTI market in Michigan.
| Trade | License type | Issuing body | Key requirements (high level) | Exam? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General contractor | State | Michigan LARA / BCC | Residential builder and maintenance/alteration contractor pathways cover common scopes. | Yes |
| Plumbing | State | Michigan BCC | Master credentials typically required to operate; permits common. | Yes |
| Electrical | State | Michigan BCC | Electrical contractor licensing required; permits/inspections common. | Yes |
| HVAC | State | Michigan BCC (Mechanical) | Mechanical contractor licensing required; EPA 608 required for refrigerants. | Yes |
| Roofing | State | Michigan BCC | Maintenance/alteration licensing often covers roofing; verify local registration requirements. | Varies |
Ohio is a hybrid system: the state regulates some trades (like plumbing), while general contracting, roofing, and many electrical/HVAC requirements are often local. Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) is the primary PTI market in Ohio.
| Trade | License type | Issuing body | Key requirements (high level) | Exam? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General contractor | Local | Local jurisdictions | No statewide GC license; most cities require registration or licensing. | Varies |
| Plumbing | State | Ohio CILB | State contractor license required for plumbing work. | Yes |
| Electrical | Local | Local jurisdictions | Local requirements are common; verify per city/county. | Varies |
| HVAC | Local | Local jurisdictions | No uniform statewide HVAC license; EPA 608 required for refrigerants. | Varies |
| Roofing | Local | Local jurisdictions | Local registration/licensing varies by city and county. | Varies |
🏎️ Indiana
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency →Indiana is strict on plumbing and electrical, more flexible on general contracting and roofing at the state level, and mixed on HVAC (often local). Indianapolis (Marion County) is the primary PTI market in Indiana.
| Trade | License type | Issuing body | Key requirements (high level) | Exam? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General contractor | None | Local jurisdictions | No statewide GC license; Indianapolis and other cities may require local registration/licensing. | Varies |
| Plumbing | State | Indiana PLA | Contractor licensing required; permits common in many jurisdictions. | Yes |
| Electrical | State | Indiana PLA | State licensing required for electrical contracting. | Yes |
| HVAC | Local | Local jurisdictions | No uniform statewide HVAC licensing; EPA 608 required for refrigerants. | Varies |
| Roofing | None | Local jurisdictions | No statewide roofing license; check local registration/bonding requirements. | Varies |
🌴 Florida
Florida DBPR licensing →Florida has one of the most comprehensive contractor licensing frameworks in the US. Jacksonville (Duval County) is the primary PTI market in Florida.
| Trade | License type | Issuing body | Key requirements (high level) | Exam? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General contractor | State | Florida DBPR / CILB | Certified and registered pathways; insurance and financial documentation required. | Yes |
| Plumbing | State | Florida DBPR | Certified plumbing contractor licensing required for operating a business. | Yes |
| Electrical | State | Florida DBPR | Certified electrical contractor licensing required. | Yes |
| HVAC | State | Florida DBPR | Air conditioning contractor licensing; EPA 608 required for refrigerants. | Yes |
| Roofing | State | Florida DBPR | State roofing contractor licensing required; insurance requirements can be stringent. | Yes |
🌲 North Carolina
NC Licensing Board for General Contractors →North Carolina uses a project dollar threshold for general contracting licensing and has separate boards for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. Charlotte (Mecklenburg County) is the primary PTI market in North Carolina.
| Trade | License type | Issuing body | Key requirements (high level) | Exam? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General contractor | Threshold | NC GC Board | Licensing typically required above a threshold; classifications vary by project size/financials. | Yes |
| Plumbing | State | NC PH & Fire Sprinkler Board | Contractor licensing requires qualifying credentials; permits common. | Yes |
| Electrical | State | NC Electrical Board | Electrical contractor licensing required. | Yes |
| HVAC | State | NC PH & Fire Sprinkler Board | Heating/air contractor licensing; EPA 608 required for refrigerants. | Yes |
| Roofing | Threshold | NC GC Board | Often covered by GC licensing above threshold; local rules may add registration requirements. | Varies |
Universal requirements that apply in every state
- EPA Section 608 Certification: Required by federal law for anyone who purchases, handles, or reclaims refrigerants in HVAC systems.
- General liability insurance: Many landlords and property managers require proof before work begins. \( $1M \) per occurrence is a common baseline in rental property work.
- Workers’ compensation: Often required when you have employees; even when not required, it reduces liability risk for everyone involved.
- Business entity formation: Operating as an LLC or corporation can separate personal assets from business liability; consult counsel for your situation.
Local licensing is often more important than state licensing
In states where state licensing is minimal for certain trades, local city and county rules often fill the gap and are actively enforced. Always verify requirements with the municipality where the work will be performed — not just the state website.
Licensed, insured, and ready for work? List your business on PTI.
PTI connects verified, licensed service providers with rental property owners in your market. No per-lead fees, no competing bids — direct relationships with landlords who need what you do.
Create your PTI service provider profileFrequently asked questions
Can I do contractor work without a license?
In states and trades that require a license, performing work without one can expose you to fines, stop-work orders, inability to collect payment, and in some cases criminal charges. Even where no state license is required, local jurisdictions may require registration or permitting.
Does a license from one state work in another?
Contractor licenses are generally not reciprocal between states, though some states have reciprocity agreements for specific trades or exam waivers. Always check with the board in the state where you want to work.
What is the difference between a journeyman and master license?
In many trades, a journeyman credential allows you to work under a licensed contractor. A master credential typically qualifies you to pull permits and operate a contracting business (requirements vary).
Do I need a separate license for each state I work in?
Usually yes. Licenses are state-specific and generally do not transfer across state lines.
Your license is your most valuable marketing asset.
Display it on your PTI profile and let landlords across your market know they’re hiring someone who does the work legally, professionally, and with the insurance that protects them.
Build your PTI service provider profileRelated guides
Drexton Andrews
Founder, Perfect Tenant Innovation
PTI helps great service providers replace per-lead fees with recurring work from landlords who value reliability and documentation. Home · Service Providers · Blog.