How to check if a contractor is licensed in Alabama
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
In Alabama, the state keeps license or registration records for general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors, HVAC contractors and roofing contractors, and each has an official lookup or board listed below. Check the record before you sign a contract or pay a deposit, and treat the board's own record as final.
Which board covers which trade
| Trade | Who keeps the record | Official lookup |
|---|---|---|
| General contractor | Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board | Search general contractor licenses We could not load this lookup when we checked, so confirm the link on the board site. |
| Electrical | Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors | Search electrical licenses |
| Plumbing | Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board | Search plumbing licenses |
| HVAC | Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors | Search HVAC licenses |
| Roofing | Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board | Search roofing licenses We could not load this lookup when we checked, so confirm the link on the board site. |
Step by step
- Open the official Alabama lookup run by Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board and search the contractor by name or number.
- For electrical work, also check the electrical contractor lookup from Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors.
- For plumbing work, also check the plumbing contractor lookup from Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board.
- For HVAC work, also check the HVAC contractor lookup from Alabama Board of Heating.
- For roofing work, also check the roofing contractor lookup from Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board.
- The general contractor board lookup offers a downloadable list of current licensees. source Residential home builders and roofers are looked up on the Home Builders Licensure Board site. source Electrical contractors and journeymen are searchable on the electrical board's licensee search. source
- Confirm the record is active and the class matches the job (Residential Home Builder). The board's own record governs. A license is required for jobs above A residential home builder license is required when the cost of the undertaking exceeds $10,000. source
If the contractor is not licensed, or you have a complaint
- Residential construction complaints go to the Home Builders Licensure Board, not the general contractor board. source
Homeowner protections in Alabama
- The Homeowners' Recovery Fund pays at most $90,000 in total for claims against any one licensed home builder. source
- The Homeowners' Recovery Fund pays at most $30,000 for claims from the same transaction. source
- Before work starts, a residential home builder must tell the homeowner in writing, signed by both, whether the builder carries liability insurance. source
- Owners awarding a project of $100,000 or more must confirm the contractor is licensed before accepting a bid. source
Questions
- How do I check if a contractor is licensed in Alabama?
- Search the contractor by name or license number on the official Alabama lookup run by Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board, then confirm the record is active and covers the type of work. For electrical, plumbing, HVAC or roofing work, use that trade's lookup in the table on this page.
- What can I do if a contractor in Alabama is not licensed?
- Residential construction complaints go to the Home Builders Licensure Board, not the general contractor board.
All Alabama licensing rules by trade
Sources
- https://hblb.alabama.gov/
- https://hblb.alabama.gov/consumers/
- https://hblb.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/HBLB-Law-Effective-October-1-2025-Reg-Effective-November-14-2025.pdf
- https://aecb.alabama.gov/
- https://alecb-search.kalmservices.net/
- https://aecb.alabama.gov/applicants/how-to-get-licensed/
- https://pgfb.alabama.gov/
- https://alpgfb.igovsolution.net/online/Lookups/Business.aspx
- https://pgfb.alabama.gov/applicants/how-do-i-become-licensed/
- https://hacr.alabama.gov/
- https://hacr.igovsolution.net/online/Lookups/Individual_Lookup.aspx
- https://hacr.alabama.gov/how-to-get-licensed/
- https://hblb.alabama.gov/roofers-license/
- https://alhobv7prod.glsuite.us/GLSuiteWeb/Clients/ALHOB/Public/LicenseeSearch.aspx
- https://hblb.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/NEW-ROOFERS-IND-APP-PACKET-23-08-30.pdf
- https://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/administrative-code/465-X-3-.04
- https://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/administrative-code/465-X-3-.06
- https://hblb.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NEW-UNLIMITED-IND-APP-PACKET-23Sep25.pdf
- https://aecb.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ea-1-thru-ea-4-ecb-new-exam-app-electrical-contractor.pdf
- https://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/administrative-code/303-X-3-.05
- https://aecb.alabama.gov/applicants/reciprocity-applications/
- https://pgfb.alabama.gov/applicants/exams/
- https://pgfb.alabama.gov/applicants/reciprocation/
- https://pgfb.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/InitialApplCertificate-Master.pdf
- https://pgfb.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Company-Registration-Form-02-24.pdf
- https://hacr.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/EA-1-thru-EA-7-Exam-Application-with-Prep-Courses-2025-1.pdf
- https://hblb.alabama.gov/how-to-get-licensed/
- https://licensesearch.alabama.gov/genconbd
- https://aecb.alabama.gov/consumers
- https://genconbd.alabama.gov/about/law/
- https://genconbd.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2022-Prime-App-Instructions.pdf
- https://genconbd.alabama.gov/consumers/complaints/
- https://genconbd.alabama.gov/14534/new-contractor-licensing-exemptions-take-effect-october-1-2026/
- https://genconbd.alabama.gov/licensees/apply/
- https://genconbd.alabama.gov/licensees/renewal-information/
- https://genconbd.alabama.gov/licensees/reciprocity/
This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.