How to get a general contractor license in Delaware
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
Delaware Division of Revenue (contractor business license) registers general contractors in Delaware. Registration is not a competency license. The Delaware Business Licenses lists 13,349 active general contractor business records as of September 29, 2026.
Who licenses general contractor work in Delaware
| Credential | State registration (no competency license) |
|---|---|
| Board | Delaware Division of Revenue (contractor business license) official statement |
| Official lookup | Search general contractor licenses |
| License types | Resident Contractor, Non-Resident Contractor, Construction Transportation Contractor, Non-Resident Const Transport Contractor |
How to get licensed
- Register with contractor business license for a credential such as Resident Contractor, Non-Resident Contractor or Construction Transportation Contractor.
- Post a non-resident contractors only: surety or cash bond to the Division of Revenue equal to 6% of all contracts over $20,000 for construction in Delaware (it guarantees state tax payment, not homeowner claims). source
- Carry certificate of workers' compensation insurance (or a qualified self-insurer certificate) required before the license is issued; no general liability minimum stated. source
- Pay the contractor business license fee of $75: $75. source
- Renewed every year, expiring December 31; a three-year license is optional after the first year. source
General contractor requirements in Delaware
| Exam | Not found on an official source. No exam appears among the conditions for the Division of Revenue contractor business license, which is a tax and business license rather than a competency license. |
|---|---|
| Experience | Not found on an official source. |
| Bond | Non-resident contractors only: surety or cash bond to the Division of Revenue equal to 6% of all contracts over $20,000 for construction in Delaware (it guarantees state tax payment, not homeowner claims). source |
| Insurance | Certificate of workers' compensation insurance (or a qualified self-insurer certificate) required before the license is issued; no general liability minimum stated. source |
| Renewal | Renewed every year, expiring December 31; a three-year license is optional after the first year. source |
| Reciprocity | Not found on an official source. |
| Fees |
Hiring a general contractor?
See every official lookup in Delaware, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.
Questions
- Do you need a general contractor license in Delaware?
- Delaware Division of Revenue (contractor business license) registers general contractors in Delaware. Registration is not a competency license.
- How do I check a general contractor license in Delaware?
- The Delaware Division of Revenue (contractor business license) keeps the record for general contractors in Delaware. 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 Delaware?
- Contractor business license fee of $75. Annual renewal of $75 plus the gross receipts license fee. 0.65% (Gross receipts license fee of 0.6472% of gross receipts after a $100,000 monthly deduction (statute rate; the Revenue tax tips sheet states a different rate)).
- How often does a general contractor license renew in Delaware?
- Renewed every year, expiring December 31; a three-year license is optional after the first year.
Other trades in Delaware
- Electrical license in Delaware
- Plumbing license in Delaware
- HVAC license in Delaware
- Roofing license in Delaware
- All Delaware trades
General contractor license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- 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://revenue.delaware.gov/business-tax-forms/contractors-resident-and-non-resident/
- https://revenue.delaware.gov/business-license-search/
- https://delcode.delaware.gov/title30/c025/index.html
- https://revenuefiles.delaware.gov/docs/contractors.pdf
- https://revenue.delaware.gov/frequently-asked-questions/business-licenses-faqs/
- https://data.delaware.gov/d/5zy2-grhr
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.