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Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors · checked 2026-10-21
Georgia General contractor License Requirements
Statewide contractor licenses issued by the Residential and General Contractors board through the Secretary of State's GOALS portal (paper applications are no longer accepted): Residential Basic, Residential Light Commercial, General Contractor and General Contractor Limited Tier. The Limited Tier caps both the contract value and the net worth required. General Contractor: the source states no minimum time, plus an exam.
- 1RB · Residential Basic contractor time not stated
- 2RLC · Residential Light Commercial contractor time not stated
- 3GC · General Contractor time not stated
License levels in Georgia
The Georgia path has 3 steps on this page: Residential Basic contractor, Residential Light Commercial contractor and General Contractor.
| Level | Experience | Classroom | Time from start | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RB Residential Basic contractor | none stated | — | time not stated | Yes | Not printed |
| RLC Residential Light Commercial contractor | none stated | — | time not stated | Yes | Not printed |
| GC General Contractor | none stated | — | time not stated | Yes | Not printed |
Residential Basic contractor (RB)
First-time individual applicants apply by examination with work experience and project references, a net worth affirmation, and general liability insurance (workers' compensation if applicable); qualifying agents add a line of credit and a surety bond. The guide states no minimum years or amounts. Source: Georgia Secretary of State, How-to guide: residential contractors.
Residential Light Commercial contractor (RLC)
Exam route with an official college transcript, diploma or certificate and two project references with affidavits, a net worth affirmation, line of credit and surety bonds, and general liability insurance. The guide states no minimum years or amounts. Source: Georgia Secretary of State, How-to guide: residential contractors.
General Contractor (GC)
Exam route (NASCLA transcripts accepted if already taken) with education documents, projects and experience, a net worth affirmation or financial documents, and general liability insurance (workers' compensation if applicable). The guide states no minimum years, net worth or coverage amounts. Source: Georgia Secretary of State, How-to guide: commercial general contractors.
Georgia also issues narrower classes on the same page: General Contractor Limited Tier (caps on contract value and required net worth).
Exam
3 of the 3 levels listed here require an exam: Residential Basic contractor, Residential Light Commercial contractor and General Contractor. The source does not print a pass mark.
Fees
The Georgia source read prints no dollar amounts for this license. Fees are published only in the GOALS fee schedule, which was not read. Residential Basic and Residential Light Commercial licensees must show continuing education to renew.
Reciprocity
The Georgia source names 2 partner states for general contractor licenses: Louisiana and Mississippi. The board offers reciprocity to holders of a current, equivalent license from Louisiana or Mississippi obtained by examination. Source: Georgia Secretary of State, How-to guide: commercial general contractors.
How Georgia compares
Georgia's source states no minimum time for the general contractor, so it is not ranked against the other states on this site.
Same trade elsewhere: California · Florida · Pennsylvania · North Carolina · Michigan. All states side by side: General contractor license requirements by state.
Other trades in Georgia
- Electrician: Electrical Contractor Class II (Non-restricted): 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- Plumber: Master Plumber Class II (Non-restricted): 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- HVAC: Conditioned Air Contractor Class II (Non-restricted): 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
All covered trades on one page: Georgia trade licenses.
Background reading: From apprentice to master: how long each state takes · Trade license reciprocity between states.
Questions
Who issues the general contractor license in Georgia?
Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, Secretary of State. Statewide contractor licenses issued by the Residential and General Contractors board through the Secretary of State's GOALS portal (paper applications are no longer accepted): Residential Basic, Residential Light Commercial, General Contractor and General Contractor Limited Tier. The Limited Tier caps both the contract value and the net worth required.
How long does it take to qualify for the General Contractor in Georgia?
The source read (Georgia Secretary of State, How-to guide: commercial general contractors) states no minimum time for the General Contractor. Exam route (NASCLA transcripts accepted if already taken) with education documents, projects and experience, a net worth affirmation or financial documents, and general liability insurance (workers' compensation if applicable). The guide states no minimum years, net worth or coverage amounts.
Does Georgia have general contractor license reciprocity?
Yes, with Louisiana and Mississippi. The board offers reciprocity to holders of a current, equivalent license from Louisiana or Mississippi obtained by examination.
Sources and last checked
| What | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, Secretary of State | 2026-10-21 |
| RB requirements | Georgia Secretary of State, How-to guide: residential contractors | 2026-10-21 |
| RLC requirements | Georgia Secretary of State, How-to guide: residential contractors | 2026-10-21 |
| GC requirements | Georgia Secretary of State, How-to guide: commercial general contractors | 2026-10-21 |
| Law cited | Georgia board rules, Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 553 (not read); O.C.G.A. § 43-41 | 2026-10-21 |
This page summarises what the Georgia source said on 2026-10-21. It is general information, not legal advice; the board's own page and the statute are the authority and can change. Confirm with Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors before applying. The free official route is the board itself: its page, application forms and staff answer eligibility questions.