How Do You Gain Experience to Get a Contractor's License?
Work in the trade as an employee, most commonly for a licensed contractor, and keep records of it. You don't have to follow that path, and you can hire a qualifier instead of getting licensed yourself.
What's the most common way to gain experience?
Get hired by a licensed contractor in the trade and work your way up. It's how many people in many trades build their hours, and the work you do on the job is the experience. It isn't the only route, and you don't have to follow it.
Does working for a family member's business count?
Yes, as long as you're an employee. States credit experience from a family business the same as from any other employer. Being on the payroll is what makes it employment and not just helping out.
Do apprenticeships or trade programs count?
In many states, yes. Which programs count is set by each state (learn more about your state here). Check that a program is recognized before you enroll in it.
Does military experience count?
In some states, yes. See our guide on what experience is required to get a contractor's license for more.
Can experience in one trade help in another?
It can help you get hired in the new trade, but it isn't counted as experience in it. Your hours start when you begin working in the trade you want to be licensed in.
What records should you keep?
Keep anything that shows where you worked, when, and what you did: pay stubs, W-2s, and contact information for the people who supervised you. States verify experience, and it's much easier to document it as you go than to reconstruct it years later.
Can you gain experience by hiring a qualifier?
Yes. Hire a qualifier, and the work you do under them at your own company counts as experience toward your own license, so you can start building your hours from day one. See our guide on adding a new trade to your existing business for how that works.
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.