Licensing Guides
State Contractor License: How to Become a General Contractor in Pennsylvania
Contractor, PA
Table of Contents
Why Do You Need a Contractor License in Pennsylvania?
How Can You Get a Contractor License in Pennsylvania?
Types of Contractor Licenses in Pennsylvania
What Are the Requirements of a Pennsylvania Contractor License?
How Long Does It Take to Get a Contractor License in Pennsylvania?
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Contractor License in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania Contractor License Training Programs and Schools
Does Pennsylvania Reciprocate Contractor Licenses?
Do I Need to Renew my Contractor License in Pennsylvania?
Are There Any Penalties for Contracting Without a License in Pennsylvania?
We all need a place to live and work, and those buildings require upkeep and repair. They are often the biggest investments we make in our lives and keeping them in good condition is essential. We count on professionals to know how to fix damage to or wear and tear on our homes and businesses. General contractors are typically the experts we rely on to help us with these repairs, and we need these men and women to know what they’re doing.
Many states require contractors to be licensed. Others simply require solid insurance to back up the essential work they perform. There are 520,900 construction managers and 1,599,800 construction laborers and helpers nationwide according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Pennsylvania employs 3,550 managers and 39,370 laborers and helpers. The national number for managers is projected to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033 and 8% for laborers and helpers. In Pennsylvania, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate for laborers is 5%, and for managers it’s also 5%. If you’re thinking about becoming a contractor or you want a job in the field, you need to know the licensing requirements in your state or local jurisdiction. This guide will help you determine what you need before you get started.
Why Do You Need a Contractor License in Pennsylvania?
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania doesn’t issue a state-level general contractor license and instead leaves most licensing requirements up to each municipality. However, the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act requires most Home Improvement Contractors (HIC) to register with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office. Licensure for plumbers, electrical contractors, and other trades is also done at the local level.
The only trades that require a state-issued license are crane operators and asbestos- and lead-removal contractors.
How Can You Get a Contractor License in Pennsylvania?
The process is spelled out on the state website.
You must be at least 18 years of age. You must have either a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number.
You must specify the structure of your contracting business–LLC, sole proprietorship, etc.--and provide a copy of your business license.
You must provide proof of insurance coverage in the amount of at least $50,000 for bodily harm and at least $50,000 for property damage.
You must complete the registration application and pay all applicable fees.
Types of Contractor Licenses in Pennsylvania
To recap, contractor licenses in Pennsylvania are issued at the local level. However, all contractors completing projects valued higher than $5,000 must register as a Home Improvement Contractor with the Office of the Attorney General.
Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, a Contractor License is required for any business doing work that involves construction, demolition, or repair and doesn’t require a specialized trade license, such as for electrical work. The Department of Licenses and Inspections issues this license.
You don’t need a Contractor license if your business only does work on existing one- or two-family dwellings and doesn’t perform work that requires a special trade license. Instead, you simply need to register as a Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor.
Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh, a General Contractor license is required for any work that requires a commercial building permit, as well as for the construction of one- and two-family dwellings. This license is issued by the City of Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections.
Registering as a Home Improvement Contractor
The bottom line is that you need to register as a Home Improvement Contractor to do any kind of initial residential or commercial construction, repair, or maintenance valuing more than $5,000 in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Here’s how you go about getting registered.
APPLY FOR REGISTRATION: The first step involves filling out the HIC registration application. There are currently three ways to complete this form:
Online: Create an account and complete the application using the online registration system.
Easy-Fill: Fill out the form online, then print and mail it to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
Print: Print the form, fill it out, and mail it to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
Mail applications to: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 15th Floor, Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120, ATTN: Home Improvement Contractor Registration
PAY APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE: Submit a check or money order in the amount of $50 payable to the “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” Application fees are nonrefundable.
COMPLETE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK: As part of the application process, you must attest if you have ever had an HIC registration revoked within the past 10 years, faced any criminal penalties, or faced any civil judgments in the past 10 years.
PROVIDE PROOF OF INSURANCE: You must provide proof of general liability insurance covering personal injury in an amount of at least $50,000 and insurance covering property damage in the amount of at least $50,000.
Getting a contractor license in Philadelphia
APPLY FOR LICENSE: The first step involves filling out the Contractor license application. There are two ways to complete the form.
Online: Apply online using the eCLIPSE licensing system.
In person: You must schedule an appointment in advance to complete the application in person at the Permit and License Center in Philadelphia.
PAY LICENSE FEE: The license fee for a Philadelphia Contractor license is $116. Fees must be paid when you submit the application. The city imposes an additional fee for credit card and debit card payments.
COMPLETE SAFETY TRAINING: All contractors and subcontractors need to complete the required OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health training provided by an authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer.
PROVIDE PROOF OF INSURANCE: All applicants must file evidence of general liability insurance in the amount of $500,000 per occurrence and workers’ compensation insurance with the following amounts: $100,000 per accident, $100,000 per employee, $500,000 policy limit.
FOLLOW THE CONTRACTOR CODE OF CONDUCT: All contractors and subcontractors must follow the rules and responsibilities for contractors operating in Philadelphia.
Getting a general contractor license in Pittsburgh
APPLY FOR LICENSE: The first step involves completing the license application online via the city’s OneStopPGH portal.
PAY APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE: The initial fee for the Pittsburgh General Contractor license is $90. You must submit this payment and all required documents along with your license application to the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections.
PROVIDE PROOF OF INSURANCE: You must obtain a “non-expired certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage for the applicant at the location where licensed activity will take place, and listing the City of Pittsburgh as the certificate holder and additionally insured.” You also need to obtain workers' compensation insurance and list the City of Pittsburgh as the certificate holder. If your business doesn’t have any employees, you need to upload a notarized statement attesting that there are no employees.
OBTAIN RRR CERTIFICATION: All applicants for a General Contractor license must provide their firm's EPA Lead, Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) certification. The RRP certification is valid for five years.
Getting a specialty trade license
Pennsylvania issues trade licenses for electricians, plumbers, and more at the local level. Specialty trades typically require several years of on-the-job and classroom training.
For example, in Pittsburgh, plumbing apprentices must complete 576 hours of classroom training at an accredited school and four full years (40 hours per week) of on-the-job-experience to become eligible to apply for the journeyman plumbing license.
For more, consult our guides to getting your HVAC license, plumbing license, or electrical license in Pennsylvania.
What Are the Requirements of a Pennsylvania Contractor License?
The requirements for licensure as a contractor in Pennsylvania are determined at the local level, so there is some variation in licensing requirements. Regardless, the licensure requirements are all intended to demonstrate that an individual who will be serving the public is properly prepared to do the job right.
You must be at least 18 years of age.
You must have either a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number.
You must show proof of insurance, including general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
Pay all fees.
Attest if you have ever had an HIC registration revoked within the past 10 years, faced any criminal penalties, or faced any civil judgements in the past 10 years.
In Philadelphia, you must complete OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health training provided by an authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer.
In Pittsburgh, you need to obtain an EPA Lead, Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) certification.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Contractor License in Pennsylvania?
Because most Pennsylvania municipalities don’t require previous job training or passing an examination, the process for obtaining a license is relatively quick. For the HIC Registration, the Secretary of State’s office says online applications are processed immediately, but mail applications typically take several weeks.
What Business Owners Need to Know
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How Much Does It Cost to Get a Contractor License in Pennsylvania?
The fee for the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor registration is $50. In Philadelphia, the Contractor license fee is $116. In Pittsburgh, the General Contractor license fee is $90. Regardless of where you work, you will also incur fees for obtaining insurance.
Pennsylvania Contractor License Training Programs and Schools
There are no specific educational or training course requirements. However, there are training programs throughout the state that can help you prepare for a career in construction.
One option is to complete an apprenticeship via the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Training’s Registered Apprenticeship Program. Apprenticeships allow you to earn money while you gain valuable job skills and experience.
If you choose to start your career path at a college or university, you can pursue a degree in construction management or construction engineering. There are many higher-education options throughout the state that offer these types of programs. Each of the following schools offers a Construction Management Bachelor of Science degree.
There are also many Pennsylvania Community Colleges throughout the state that offer Construction Management programs and associate degree and certificate options.
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Does Pennsylvania Reciprocate Contractor Licenses?
No. Because Pennsylvania issues contractor licenses at the local level, the state doesn’t permit license reciprocity with other states.
Do I Need to Renew my Contractor License in Pennsylvania?
To keep your contractor license current, most Pennsylvania municipalities require you to renew it every one to two years. The HIC registration must be renewed biannually for a fee of $50. In Philadelphia, licenses must be renewed each year for a fee of $116. In Pittsburgh, licenses must be renewed each year for a fee of $90. Pittsburgh considers licenses to be invalid if more than 60 days lapse from the renewal date.
Are There Any Penalties for Contracting Without a License in Pennsylvania?
Yes. There are fines and even possible criminal charges for contracting for a construction project without a license.
According to the Office of the Attorney General, “Any Home Improvement Contractor who is not registered is prohibited from offering or performing home improvements. The failure to register is a violation of the law and unregistered contractors face legal action, including civil penalties of $1,000 or more.”
Penalties vary at the municipal level in Pennsylvania, so make sure to check local regulations where you intend to work.
National Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. There are many professional organizations that offer certification. These certifications are not required but can add to your marketability and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money.
Some of the top construction certifications are:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Safety Certificate
Construction Management Association of America Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP) Certified Safety Manager (CSM) certification
National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER)
Continuing Education
Because Pennsylvania issues contractor licenses at the local level, there are no state-mandated continuing education requirements for Home Improvement Contractors. However, many municipalities require continuing education, especially for specialty contractors like electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians.
Also, Pittsburgh General Contractors must obtain the EPA’s Lead, Renovation, Repair, and Painting certification every five years to keep their licenses valid. In Philadelphia, contractors must complete the OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health training every five years.
Resources
You can stay up to date on contracting industry news several ways:
Check top blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your business.
Listen to top podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
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