Carpenter license requirements by state: A comprehensive guide

To succeed as a carpenter and build your business, you must follow all state licensing rules. With the right carpenter insurance and license, you can focus on your work, keep clients satisfied and grow your business.

Only a few states require a carpentry license, but others might require general contractor licenses if the work is over a particular amount. Typically, licenses are usually required for jobs beyond minor construction. Definitions of carpentry and general contractor jobs vary state-by-state.

We’ve put together a list of the carpenter license requirements you’ll need to know across all 50 states.

(We also have state guides for other trades, including handypersons, electricians, HVAC technicians, landscapers, roofing, painters and plumbers.)

The list is in alphabetical order and includes links for additional resources in each state.

Jump ahead:

• States A-E
• States F-J
• States K-O
• States P-T
• States U-Z

Alabama

License required: No

Alabama has two licensing boards for contractors, based on whether they perform residential or non-residential work.

Residential contractors are licensed by the Home Builders Licensure Board (HBLB), which regulates the construction, remodeling, repair or improvement on residential structures exceeding $10,000.

Non-residential contractors are licensed by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (LBGC), which licenses contractors working on commercial or public contracts over $50,000, including specialty or trade contractors.

Applying for either of these licenses requires providing financial statements, proof of experience, references (non-residential only), application and fee, proof of insurance in Alabama and passing exams.

Alaska

License required: Yes

A carpenter falls under the classification of Specialty Contractor and requires a state license to work in Alaska. The license is issued by the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.

If you only perform work worth under $10,000 you will still need a General Contractor – Handyman license.

You will need a $10,000 surety bond and must show proof of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. Learn more about Alaska business insurance.

Arizona

License required: Yes

Arizona requires you to have a contractor license to build, alter, repair, subtract from or improve any structure. These licenses are issued by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. They have the following specialty contractor licenses for carpenters:

Residential:

• R-7 Carpentry
• R-60 Finish Carpentry
• R-61 Carpentry, Remodeling and Repairs (Carpentry remodeling and repairs for projects worth $50,000 or less.)

Commercial:

• C-7 Carpentry
• C-60 Finish Carpentry
• C-61 Carpentry, Remodeling and Repairs (Carpentry remodeling and repairs for projects worth $50,000 or less.)

You will need to pass a statutes and rules exam. Trade exams may be required, but can be substituted with years of experience. Bond requirements are based on gross volume per license but range from $2,500-$50,000.

Arkansas

License required: Yes

The State of Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board issues several types of licenses that carpenters could obtain.

• Commercial contractors in Arkansas need a license for projects that aren’t single-family residences, with a contract value of $50,000 or more. There is a carpentry specialty.
• Residential contractors need a license for projects over $2,000, including labor and materials.
• Subcontractors can obtain certificates as long as they work for a licensed contractor.

Commercial and residential applicants must provide references, financial statements and proof of workers’ comp insurance if they are an employer. They must also take and pass the Arkansas Business and Law test. Commercial applicants must also show proof of a $10,000 contractor bond.

Subcontractors aren’t required to carry licenses if they work for a licensed contractor. They must become certified by the licensing board. They must provide proof of a $10,000 contractor bond and workers’ comp insurance.

California

License required: Yes

A carpenter must hold a state license in California to do work on any projects worth $500 or more. The license is issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board.

You will need a Specialty C-5 Framing and Rough Carpentry Contractor license or a C-6 Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry Contractor license.

To meet the California carpenter license requirements, you will need to show four full years of experience in the last ten years, you must pass an exam, have a $25,000 bond in place and have proof of workers’ comp insurance if you are an employer.

Colorado

License required: No

There are no carpenter license requirements for the state of Colorado. As with other general contractors, there may be regulations at the state level that you need to check before you begin work.

Several cities require contractors to have active insurance. Learn more about Colorado business insurance.

Connecticut

License required: No

While neither carpenters nor general contractors are required to be licensed at the state level, contractors need to register with the Department of Consumer Protection as a major or minor contractor.

Major contractors work on larger projects, including commercial, residential, and institutional projects, thus it’s a catch-all. To register, they need to provide references and proof of general liability insurance.

Minor contractor registration is for contractors working on single-family homes and small multi-family structures. To complicate matters, minor contractor licenses are divided into new house building and home improvement contractors. (You might need to register for both.)

• Home builders must register as new home construction contractors, except for subcontractors working for registered home builders.
• Home improvement contractors alter residential structures. You must register with the state if the project exceeds $200 or if you do more than $1,000 in these projects every year.

Delaware

License required: No

Carpenters and general contractors are required to register in Delaware for revenue purposes only.

Florida

License required: Yes

As a carpenter, you may be considered a contractor and may need a license to work in Florida, depending on the scope of the projects you do. According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, a contractor in Florida is considered to be any person who constructs, repairs, alters, remodels, adds to, demolishes, subtracts from or improves any building or structure.

If you do only miscellaneous non-structural work such as minor carpentry, door repairs, paneling, tile installation and window repair you won’t need a state license. State carpenter license requirements include passing a trade exam, as well as a business and finance exam.

Georgia

License required: No

Those who perform jobs in rough carpentry or finish carpentry fall under the category of specialty trades in Georgia. These specialty trades do not require a state Residential and General Contractor license if they subcontract for a licensed residential or general contractor.

Hawaii

License required: Yes

Carpenters in Hawaii are a specialty classification. The C-5 specialty license covers cabinet, millwork and carpentry remodeling and repairs. The C-6 specialty license covers carpentry framing. The licenses are issued by the Contractors License Board.

You must pass a trade exam, as well as a business and law exam. You will need to have four years of experience in the past ten years and show proof of workers’ compensation insurance and general liability insurance.

Idaho

License required: No

As a carpenter who works as a contractor in Idaho, you will need to be registered with the Idaho Contractors Board. There are no license requirements.

Illinois

License required: No

You do not require a state license to work as a carpenter (or any general contractor) in Illinois. Make sure to check all local carpenter license requirements before starting work.

Indiana

License required: No

Carpenters and other general contractors do not require a state license to work in Indiana. You must check all local regulations before you begin work.

Iowa

License required: No

All contractors, including carpenters, who perform “construction” work on a residence that is not their own, and who earn more than $2,000 per year, must register with the Iowa Division of Labor. There is no state carpenter license requirement.

Kansas

License required: No

As a carpenter, you don’t need a state license to work in Kansas. However, there may be license requirements on the local level so you need to check these before you begin work.

Kentucky

Specific carpenter license: No

You won’t need a state license to work as a carpenter in Kentucky; however, there may be carpenter license requirements at the local level so make sure you check these before you start any work.

Louisiana

License required: Yes

Carpenters may require a state license in Louisiana, depending on the scope of the work being done. Home improvement projects, worth between $7,500 and $75,000 do not require a license but do require registration with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.

A residential license covers projects where the labor and materials are worth more than $75,000. Both residential and home improvement contractors must hold business insurance in Louisiana, specifically general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

A commercial license covers projects worth more than $50,000 and covers the building construction subclassification of carpentry. No trade exam is required unless you apply for the Commercial Specialty Classification 7-156 Carpentry. You’ll also need to pass a business and law exam.

Maine

License required: No

Carpenters do not need a state license to work in Maine. However, home construction and home improvement projects worth more than $3,000 require a written contract. Make sure to check for any local carpenter licensing requirements before you begin work.

Maryland

License required: Yes

Carpenters in Maryland must be licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission to do any home improvement work, defined as “alteration, remodeling, repair or replacement of a building or part of a building used as a residence.” It also includes improvements and modernizations.

You’ll need to show proof of at least two years of experience, proof of financial solvency, and proof of current liability insurance. You’ll need to pass a trade exam, along with a business and law component.

Massachusetts

License required: Yes

A carpenter only needs a Home Improvement Contractor Registration to do projects that are considered ordinary repairs on a property, such as repairing an existing deck. You won’t need to take an exam for your registration.

However, if you plan to perform structural work on a property, such as building a new deck or renovating a kitchen, you’ll need a Construction Supervisor License, awarded by the Office of Public Safety and Inspections.

There are specific licenses to cover the scope of work you plan to perform with restricted licenses covering one- to two-family dwellings. You’ll need to show proof of three years of experience. You must pass an exam to be licensed.

Michigan

License required: Yes

As a carpenter in Michigan, you’ll need a Maintenance and Alterations Contractor license from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. You’ll need to complete 60 hours of approved pre-licensing education and you’ll need to pass an exam to be awarded the license.

Minnesota

License required: Yes

Carpentry is considered a special skill area within the category of Residential Building Contractor. The special skill areas of carpentry include rough carpentry, finish carpentry, doors, windows and skylights, porches and decks, wood foundations, and drywall installation.

If you earn less than $15,000 per year and you provide only one special skill, you don’t need a state license. However, if you offer more than one specialty skill (such as interior finishing or exterior finishing), you’ll need a residential remodeler license (to work on existing structures) from the Department of Labor and Industry. To be licensed, you’ll need to show proof of liability insurance and pass an exam.

Mississippi

License required: Yes

A carpenter is considered a remodeler in Mississippi and requires a Residential Remodeling License to do any work that is considered improvements to an existing structure when the cost of the improvements is more than $10,000. The license is awarded by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors.

You will need to pass a trade exam, as well as a business and law exam. You’ll need to show proof of general liability insurance.

Missouri

License required: No

Carpenters in Missouri do not need a state license to work. However, there may be local Missouri carpenter license requirements, and you need to check these before you begin any projects.

Montana

License required: No

A carpenter is considered a construction contractor in Montana and is defined as anyone who “adds or takes away from a structure, project, development or improvement attached to real estate.” There are no carpenter license requirements, but if you have employees, you’ll need to register with the Department of Labor and Industry. You must have valid insurance.

Nebraska

License required: No

As a carpenter, you don’t need a state license to work in Nebraska; however, as a subcontractor who may perform construction, alterations, renovations, additions, repairs or installations, you will need to register with the Nebraska Department of Labor.

Nevada

License required: Yes

Carpenters must hold a state specialty contractor License to work in Nevada. Carpentry, maintenance and minor repairs is a C-3 subclassification which includes carpentry and repairs (C-3a), finish carpentry (C-3b), insulation and weather stripping (C-3c), overhead doors (C-3d), and drywall (C-3e). There are exceptions when the work to the property is worth less than $1,000.

You’ll need to show proof of four years of experience, but up to three years of education at an accredited college can satisfy years of experience. You must show proof of workers’ compensation insurance and will need to show proof of a bond. To meet all carpenter license requirements, you must pass the trade exam, as well as the business and law exam.

New Hampshire

License required: No

As a carpenter, you won’t need a state license to work in New Hampshire. Make sure to check local regulations and carpenter license requirements before you begin work.

New Jersey

License required: No

Carpenters in New Jersey fall are classified as home improvement contractors, who remodel, alter, paint, repair, renovate, restore, move, demolish or modernize a structure. This includes the construction, improvement or repair of patios, fences, porches, windows, doors, cabinets, and more.

All home improvement contractors must register with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. There is no state license but there may be local licensing requirements.

New Mexico

License required: Yes

As a carpenter, you may need a state license to work in New Mexico. You’ll need to request a classification. In this request, contractors will define their job as thoroughly as possible, the industry they expect to work in and whether they intend to be the prime contractor. Carpenters may be classified as a GB-2 Residential or GB-98 General Building contractor.

You’ll need to show proof of experience (two to four years, depending on the classification) and you’ll need to pass a trade exam, as well as a business and law exam.

New York

License required: No

New York state does not require carpenters to hold a state license in order to work. However, there are local carpenter license requirements and you must check these with the local governments before you begin work.

North Carolina

License required: Yes

As a carpenter, you’ll fall under the label of general contractor or specialty contractor, and will require a state license to work in North Carolina if your work totals $30,000 or more. A residential contractor does work in the construction of residential units. A specialty contractor includes interior construction, such as flooring and finishing, window and door installation, cabinets, and more.

Requirements include meeting the minimum financial requirement and successfully completing an examination based on the desired classification of license.

North Dakota

Specific carpenter license: No

As a carpenter, you’ll be considered a contractor in North Dakota and will require a state license for any work worth more than $4,000. Licenses are based on the scope of the work you plan to do and are awarded by the Secretary of State.

You’ll need to show proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

Ohio

License required: No

Carpenters do not need a state license to work in Ohio. However, you must check local carpenter license requirements before you begin work.

Oklahoma

License required: No

You won’t need a state license to work as a carpenter in Oklahoma. Be aware that there may be requirements on the local level and you should check these before you begin any work.

Oregon

License required: Yes

As a carpenter, you’ll need a construction contractor license from the Oregon Construction Contractors Board before you can work in the state. Carpentry is listed as a profession that involves improvements to real estate and which requires a license. You can apply for a residential license, commercial license or residential and commercial dual license.

You’ll need to provide proof of business insurance in Oregon, including general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. You also need to undertake pre-license training and pass a test.

Pennsylvania

License required: No

There is no licensing requirement for carpenters in Pennsylvania; however, any contractors who do at least $5,000 worth of home improvement work per year must register with the Attorney General’s Office.

Rhode Island

License required: No

There is no state licensing requirement for carpenters in the State of Rhode Island. However, as someone who may do commercial construction, home construction, alterations, remodeling or repairs to properties, you must register with the Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board.

You must complete five hours of pre-education courses and must show proof of liability insurance.

South Carolina

License required: No

The South Carolina Residential Builders Commission does not require a carpenter to be licensed by the state; however, as a carpenter, you’ll need to register with the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

South Dakota

License required: No

As a carpenter, you won’t need a state license to work in South Dakota; however, there are carpenter license requirements on the local level so make sure to check these before you begin to work.

Tennessee

License required: Yes

If you’re going to work as a prime contractor on projects valuing $25,000+, you must be licensed in Tennessee by the Department of Commerce & Insurance. Depending on the projects you work on, there are six different licenses available.

To apply, you’ll need proof of insurance and must pass a trade exam, as well as a business and law exam.

If you work on remodeling projects between $3,000 and $25,000, you can apply for a “home improvement contractor” license. The following counties require this license for this scope of work: Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford, and Shelby counties.

Texas

License required: No

As a carpenter, you won’t need a state license to work in Texas; however, there may be local Texas carpenter license requirements so make sure to check with your city or county before you begin work.

Utah

License required: Yes

As a carpenter in Utah, you’ll fall under the trade classification S220 Carpentry Contractor and will need a state license to work. The contractor license is awarded by the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.

You’ll need to show two years of experience in the past ten years, as well as proof of business insurance in Utah. You will be exempt from needing a license if the work you do is valued at less than $3,000.

Vermont

License required: No

You do not need a state license to work as a carpenter in Vermont; however, you must check the requirements with local governments before you begin work.

Virginia

License required: Yes

As a carpenter in Virginia, you’ll fall under the Residential Building Contractor classification which includes Home Improvement Contracting. There are three classes of licenses — A, B or C — depending on the value of the projects you plan to work on.

• Class A licenses are restricted to individual projects worth up to $10,000 and up to $150,000 per year. You must show two years of experience.
• Class B licenses are limited to individual projects of up to $120,000 and up to $750,000 per year. You must show three years of experience.
• Class C licenses are unlimited. You must show five years of experience.

You’ll need to complete a pre-license education course approved by the Board of Contractors and you must pass an exam.

Washington

License required: No

Carpenters are considered specialty contractors in Washington, falling either under the category of “cabinets, millwork and finish carpentry,” or “framing and rough carpentry.” There are no state carpenter license requirements, but specialty contractors must register with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

You’ll need to show proof of a $6,000 surety bond and general liability insurance.

West Virginia

License required: Yes

As a carpenter, you’ll need to hold a state license to work in West Virginia on any projects worth more than $2,500. Finish carpentry (058) is considered an untested specialty, which requires a business and law exam only. The license is awarded by the WV Division of Labor.

Wisconsin

License required: Yes

As a carpenter, you’ll need a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier license to work in Wisconsin. This covers construction on residential, commercial or public works projects, including alterations and improvements, worth more than $1,000.

You’ll need to complete an approved 12-hour pre-licensure course and pass a test. You must show proof of financial responsibility and proof of business insurance in Wisconsin, specifically general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. The license is awarded by the Department of Safety and Professional Services.

Wyoming

License required: No

Carpenters do not need a state license to work in Wyoming; however, there may be local carpenter license requirements so make sure to check these before you begin work. This information is provided as a service.

This information has been provided as a service. It is correct and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge; however, it is in no way intended to offer legal advice and you must always consult with local authorities before you make any business decisions. Regulations and requirements may change at any time.