Skip to main content
Back to Contractor Licensing Guide
GAState License RequiredNASCLA Accepted

Georgia Contractor License

Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors

Georgia requires a state-level contractor license for projects above $2,500 for any single project. Exam required. NASCLA accepted. Administered by Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors.

Licensing & Bidding in Georgia

To legally bid and perform work in Georgia, contractors must be licensed through the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors once a project reaches the $2,500 threshold. Any single project at or above that figure triggers the licensing requirement, so all but the smallest repair jobs require a credential before you can submit a compliant bid. Match your work to the correct classification: Residential Basic, Residential Light Commercial, or General Contractor. Bidding outside your classification exposes you to the same enforcement risk as bidding with no license at all.

Georgia requires passing an exam and accepts the NASCLA accreditation, which is valuable for firms that bid across state lines and want to avoid duplicate trade testing. Reciprocity is available with Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina, easing entry for established out-of-state bidders. Continuing education is not required for the general contractor tier, though residential classifications carry modest hourly requirements (3 hours for Residential Basic, 6 hours for Residential Light Commercial). Track your renewal cycle carefully: licenses and bonds expire on June 30 of even-numbered years, and a lapsed license can disqualify an otherwise winning bid.

The consequences of bidding unlicensed in Georgia hit directly at your ability to get paid. Contracts entered without a required license become unenforceable, meaning you may be unable to collect on the work, and you forfeit mechanics lien rights that would otherwise secure payment. Misdemeanor charges are also possible. Have your insurance documentation in order on the required ACORD certificate form, since the Board ties licensing and bonding together as a package.

Key Facts

GC License Required
Yes
Threshold
$2,500 for any single project
Exam Required
Yes
NASCLA Accepted
Yes
Official Board Website

Fees

Application Fee
$210
License Fee
Included in application
Renewal Fee
$100 biennially (even-numbered years by June 30)

Key Facts

  • License required for any project valued at $2,500 or more
  • Classifications include Residential Basic, Residential Light Commercial, and General Contractor
  • Licenses and bonds expire June 30 of even-numbered years
  • Certificate of Insurance must be submitted on ACORD form

Insurance Requirements

General Liability
$300,000 for residential basic; $500,000 for light commercial and unlimited GC
Workers Comp
Required if you have 3 or more employees
Surety Bond
$25,000 surety bond required

Continuing Education

None for general contractors; 3 hours for residential basic; 6 hours for residential light commercial

Reciprocity States

LAMSNCTNSC

Specialty Licenses Required

ElectricalPlumbingConditioned Air (HVAC)Low VoltageUtility Contractor

How to Apply

  1. 1Submit application to the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors
  2. 2Pass the trade exam and business exam (NASCLA accepted for trade)
  3. 3Obtain $25,000 surety bond in the name of your business
  4. 4Provide Certificate of Insurance (ACORD form) for general liability
  5. 5Demonstrate required net worth through financial statement
  6. 6Pay $210 application fee

Penalties for Unlicensed Work

Contracts become unenforceable; forfeiture of mechanics lien rights; misdemeanor charges possible

Related Templates

Pre-Qualification QuestionnaireCOI Request FormSubcontractor Agreement

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Georgia requires a state-level contractor license for projects above $2,500 for any single project. The administering board is Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors.
Yes. Georgia requires a licensing exam. The state accepts the NASCLA standardized exam as an alternative to the state-specific exam.
General Liability: $300,000 for residential basic; $500,000 for light commercial and unlimited GC. Workers Comp: Required if you have 3 or more employees. Bond: $25,000 surety bond required.
Contracts become unenforceable; forfeiture of mechanics lien rights; misdemeanor charges possible
Georgia requires a license for any single project valued at $2,500 or more. Below that amount, a state license is generally not triggered. Because most repair and improvement jobs exceed $2,500, contractors should assume licensure is needed and confirm their classification before submitting a bid.
Georgia contractor licenses and their associated bonds expire on June 30 of even-numbered years. Tracking this two-year cycle is critical, since a lapsed license can disqualify a winning bid. Renew well ahead of the deadline and keep your bond and insurance current to stay eligible to bid public and private work.
Yes. Georgia accepts the NASCLA accreditation, letting multi-state contractors avoid duplicate trade examinations. Georgia also maintains reciprocity with Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina, which can streamline qualification for established out-of-state firms looking to bid Georgia projects without retaking a full state-specific exam.

© 2026 ConstructionBids.ai — A LaderaLabs Product