How to get a general contractor license in Connecticut
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, License Services Division registers general contractors in Connecticut. Registration is not a competency license. Home improvement registration does not cover contracts under $200. The State Licenses and Credentials, Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection lists 26,820 active general contractor mixed records as of October 6, 2026.
Who licenses general contractor work in Connecticut
| Credential | State registration (no competency license) |
|---|---|
| Board | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, License Services Division official statement |
| Official lookup | Search general contractor licenses |
| When a license is needed | Home improvement registration does not cover contracts under $200. source |
| License types | Home Improvement Contractor, Home Improvement Salesperson, New Home Construction Contractor |
How to get licensed
- Register with Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection as a Home Improvement Contractor or Home Improvement Salesperson or New Home Construction Contractor.
- Post a no bond for ordinary registration; DCP may require a $15,000 bond as a condition of issuing, renewing or reinstating a registration after a violation. source
- Carry general liability insurance of at least $20,000. source
- Pay the home improvement contractor application fee of $220 (non-refundable): $220. source
- Registration renews every year and expires on March 31. source
General contractor requirements in Connecticut
| Exam | Not found on an official source. No exam requirement is stated for home improvement registration. |
|---|---|
| Experience | Not found on an official source. No experience requirement is stated for home improvement registration. |
| Bond | No bond for ordinary registration; DCP may require a $15,000 bond as a condition of issuing, renewing or reinstating a registration after a violation. source |
| Insurance | General liability insurance of at least $20,000. source |
| Renewal | Registration renews every year and expires on March 31. source |
| Reciprocity | Registration is not a competency license; no reciprocity provision was found. |
| Fees |
|
Hiring a general contractor?
See every official lookup in Connecticut, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.
Questions
- Do you need a general contractor license in Connecticut?
- Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, License Services Division registers general contractors in Connecticut. Registration is not a competency license. Home improvement registration does not cover contracts under $200.
- How do I check a general contractor license in Connecticut?
- The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, License Services Division keeps the record for general contractors in Connecticut. Use the official lookup on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.
- How much does a general contractor license cost in Connecticut?
- Home improvement contractor application fee of $220 (non-refundable). Statutory application fee component of $120 (the $220 total appears to be this plus the $100 guaranty fund fee). Home Improvement Guaranty Fund fee of $100 per year, paid with the application or renewal. Annual renewal fee of $220.
- How often does a general contractor license renew in Connecticut?
- Registration renews every year and expires on March 31.
Other trades in Connecticut
- Electrical license in Connecticut
- Plumbing license in Connecticut
- HVAC license in Connecticut
- Roofing license in Connecticut
- All Connecticut trades
General contractor license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/license-services-division/all-license-applications/home-improvement-applications
- https://www.elicense.ct.gov/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx
- https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_400.htm
- https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/license-services-division/all-license-applications/home-improvement-contractor-application
- https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/license-services-division/all-license-applications/new-home-construction-and-home-improvement-renewal
- https://data.ct.gov/d/ngch-56tr
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.