What Experience Is Required to Get a Contractor's License?
Documented, hands-on experience in the trade, for an amount of time your state sets. Some states also credit military service or education toward it.
Is experience required to get a contractor's license?
Yes. States that license contractors require you to show hands-on experience in the trade before they issue the license, usually alongside an exam.
How much experience do you need?
Each state sets its own amount of time, and it's spelled out in that state's licensing rules. Look up yours before you start counting hours (learn more about your state here).
What counts as qualifying experience?
Hands-on work in the trade you're applying for. You have to be able to prove it, which usually means employers or supervisors confirming what you did and when. The exact form of that proof is set by the state, so find out what yours accepts before you start gathering it.
Does military experience count?
In some states, military service in the trade counts toward the requirement. Check whether yours does and what paperwork it wants.
Can education replace some of the experience?
In some states, yes. Education can substitute for part of the required time. How much it substitutes, and what kind of education qualifies, is set by each state.
How do you gain the experience if you don't have it yet?
Work in the trade, or hire a qualifier and gain it working under them at your own company. See our guide on how to gain experience for the ways to build it.
Do you need to get licensed yourself?
Not necessarily. You can hire a qualifier instead of getting licensed. findQualifier.com is a public, searchable board of licensed professionals advertising their availability to work as a qualifier, by state and trade. Browse available qualifiers or post a listing so qualifiers can find you.