Connecticut Contractor License

For those wanting to be their own boss, working as a contractor can be a satisfying job, but it also comes with many risks, which is why several states require you to meet certain criteria before working.

A person willing to conduct general contracting work in the state of Connecticut will first have to find out if a license or simple registration is necessary for the nature of his work. The Consumer Protection Department of Connecticut breaks different general contracting jobs into many groups.

In addition, while some jobs only require a license, others only require collateral and insurance, state registration, or a combination of all three.

Moreover, you would need to be certified and enrolled with multiple classifications if your work spans across this division. For plumbers and electricians employed in the state of Connecticut, there are different permits. Connecticut plumbers and electricians are licensed separately.

Are you thinking of becoming a general contractor in Connecticut and obtaining a Connecticut contractor license? To be a contractor in Connecticut you will need to have a license. For Connecticut contractor license lookup, you can scroll down and find the answers for the most searched questions or use the CT contractor license lookup form above. Keep reading to learn more about the requirements for receiving a CT contractor license.

How do I get a contractors license in CT?

You can need different licenses, depending on the type of work you are doing. There’s a license for home renovation projects, a license for electricians, a plumbing license, etc.

When you apply as a Major Contractor

Examples of these projects include:

• Multi-unit condo buildings
• Healthcare facilities
• Office buildings
• Hotels

A major contractor is also licensed to work on smaller residential projects, so this license is probably your best bet if you are planning on doing both commercial and residential work. To obtain a license and appear on the Connecticut contractor license lookup, you need to:

• Download the Major Contractor Registration Application Form and fill it out.
• Get a bank or financial institution’s reference letters.
• Get another letter of reference from a supplier or subcontractor for whom you’ve worked.
• Provide three (3) reference letters, whether it be a former employer or a client, from individuals who are familiar with your contracting skills.
• Provide proof that you have general liability insurance coverage.
• Additional information based on the legal structure of the company.
• Additional info about any contracting projects in the last five (5) years that you are currently working on or have worked on.

Send your form-along with a check for $500-to the address on your application once you have collected all of this documentation. Your application can also be submitted online here. Your Major Contractor license is only good for one year, after which you will need to renew it.

The best option is to renew online; you will need to send the following details to [email protected]

• Your name
• Your license type (Major Contractor)
• Your license number
• Your email address

When you apply as a Minor Contractor

A “minor contractor” is described by Connecticut as someone specializing in single family residential homes and small multi-family units. Although there is no license for a minor contractor, you may need to register as a New Home Construction Contractor and/or Contractor for Home Improvement. This means you can get certified in Connecticut for a Home Improvement Contractor License.

Download an application for registration, sign it in front of a notary, and then submit the completed application by mail to the address [email protected]. It normally takes you approximately three weeks to obtain your registration, at which point you can begin construction.

Your registration will last for two years once you register as a New Home Construction Contractor, at which point you will need to renew it. All registrations for New Home Construction expire on September 30 of every odd-numbered year (2017,2019,2021, etc.) The renewal fee is $720; to view renewal details, click here.

Home Improvement Construction

Thinking about getting into home remodeling or landscaping? Then you’d probably need to register as a contractor for Home Improvement.

Here are a couple of examples of what Connecticut means by rearranging the house:

• Adding an addition
• Remodeling a bedroom or bathroom
• Repaving the driveway
• Landscaping the yard
• Installing a swimming pool
• Adding a new door to an existing garage
• Adding a new porch
• Installing new windows

Basically, it’s better to register as a home improvement contractor if you’re making any improvements to a customer’s home. More precisely, whether you are working on a project costing more than $200, or if you are making changes that exceed $1000 or more over a one-year span, you are legally required to register as a Home Improvement contractor and appear on the CT home improvement contractor license lookup.
The procedure for obtaining your certificate for Home Improvement is identical to the certificate for New Home Construction. The application for registration can be downloaded here.

Be sure to sign it in front of a notary, attorney, or justice. Within three to four weeks, you can expect to get your registration.
The fee for registering as a contractor for Home Improvement is $220 which is payable by check or credit card. Also, you can apply for your certificate online here. Please note, do not get started before you receive this certificate!

Your registration will last for one year once you register as a Home Improvement contractor, after which point you will need to renew it. On November 30th of each year, all Home Improvement registrations expire. The renewal fee is $220; to view renewal details, click here.

Wondering if both certificates are right for you?

Let’s say that you are working on a project where you are constructing a new home, so you already have your certificate for New Home Construction. Within three months, you complete the job, but after six months, the owner contacts you asking to add a balcony to the master bedroom.

Therefore, consider getting both certificates anyway. In addition, it will broaden the ability to take on numerous types of projects!

Do You Need to Take an Exam to Get Your Contractor’s License?

In order to get their contractor’s license, many states legally require contractors to take the National Business and Law exam. Wondering if one of them is Connecticut?

The answer is NO- unless you’re an electrician, a plumber, or an HVAC technician.

Does Connecticut require a general contractor license?

To operate in the state, General Contractors do not need a license. However, you are considered as a home improvement contractor (HIC) if you work on home improvement projects and would need to register with the Department of Consumer Protection of the state.

How do I find out if a contractor is licensed in CT?

The simplest way to verify a contractor’s license is with the official State of Connecticut contractors license lookup.

To use the Connecticut contractor license lookup, you will need to enter either a license number, a person’s name, or a business name.
Go to Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection, choose “verify a license”, then click “ONLINE SERVICES” in the top right corner on the eLicensing Website screen. Then select “Lookup a License”.

It will show a search screen. You can scan using the different data you have. To obtain the best search results, use only 1 or 2 pieces of information. To narrow your quest, you can add more details if needed.

If you are looking for the results of the Connecticut contractors license lookup, you can also find it here.