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Home improvement contractor license by state
Home improvement contractor (HIC) registration in states whose consumer protection agency publishes it. These are registrations of the contracting business, not skills licenses: the pages read list no trade exam. Each figure is copied from the agency page or form named beside it.
- 1Who registers contracts of $200 or more
- 2To register $220
- 3Term 1 year
- 4Insurance $20,000
| State | Who registers | To register | Term | Insurance minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | contracts of $200 or more | $220 | 1 year | $20,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $5,000+ of work a year | $100 or $50 (agency documents disagree) | 2 years | $50,000 |
| Massachusetts | owner-occupied 1-4 unit homes | $250 | 2 years | not printed |
| New Jersey | anyone selling home improvements | $110 | 1 year | $500,000 |
What these registrations are
A home improvement registration is a consumer protection record, not a trade license. The state learns who the contractor is, collects a fee and, in most of these states, proof of liability insurance; some add a guaranty fund that can repay homeowners after a court judgment. None of the agency pages read lists an exam. That is why the same work can need two credentials: a Connecticut or Massachusetts electrician still holds an electrical license, and in Massachusetts a Construction Supervisor License covers structural building work separately from the HIC registration.
Connecticut
An individual or business that contracts with a consumer to do work on residential property must register with DCP. All registrations expire annually on March 31. Renewal notices go out about a month before; renewal is online only. Connecticut home improvement registration details.
Pennsylvania
Contractors who perform at least $5,000 of home improvements a year register with the Attorney General under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Act 132 of 2008). The Attorney General says registration is not an endorsement and does not assess competency. Registrations are valid for two years and are renewed every two years; renewals keep the same registration number. Pennsylvania home improvement registration details.
Massachusetts
Contractors, subcontractors, partnerships and corporations doing contracting work on existing, owner-occupied residential property with one to four units must register. Registration must be renewed every two years; the page suggests starting 30 to 60 days before expiration. A late renewal means applying again with the $150 fee plus the Guaranty Fund payment. Massachusetts home improvement registration details.
New Jersey
Any contractor engaged in the business of making or selling home improvements registers each year, whether it is an individual or an entity such as a corporation, LLC or partnership, unless an exemption applies. Registrations must be renewed before March 31 each year; renewal reminders go out in January. New Jersey home improvement registration details.
States that license home improvement work with an exam, or register every contractor
- Maryland: Maryland's Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) issues a license with an exam; it is the Maryland general contractor page on this site.
- Rhode Island: Rhode Island registers every contractor with the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board; it is the Rhode Island general contractor page on this site.
Not covered
- New York. Home improvement licensing there is run by New York City and some counties; no statewide registration page was read.
- Connecticut Home Improvement Guaranty Fund amounts. The only DCP page that printed them is an undated guide whose threshold and expiry date no longer match DCP's current application pages, so its figures are not used.
Background: license or registration: what the state is checking · general contractor license requirements by state.
General information from the state agency pages on 2026-10-25, not legal advice. Verify with the state agency before registering.