Does New Jersey require a contractor license?

Yes. New Jersey requires a state registration for general contractors. The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Home Improvement Contractors issues it as the Home Improvement Business Contractor or Home Elevation Business Contractor credential. Registration is not a test of skill.

How do I look up a contractor license in New Jersey?

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Home Improvement Contractors keeps the record for general contractors in New Jersey. Use the official lookup linked in the Look up a license table, and treat the board's own record as final.

How do I look up an electrician license in New Jersey?

The Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors keeps the record for electrical contractors in New Jersey.

How do I look up a plumbing license in New Jersey?

The State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers keeps the record for plumbing contractors in New Jersey.

Does New Jersey have an HVAC license?

The State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Contractors keeps the record for HVAC contractors in New Jersey.

Do roofers need a license in New Jersey?

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Home Improvement Contractors keeps the record for roofing contractors in New Jersey.

New Jersey contractor license lookup

New Jersey requires state registration for general contractors and roofing contractors. It issues state licenses for electrical contractors, plumbing contractors and HVAC contractors. New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs lists 26,120 active contractor registrations and licenses as of October 1, 2026.

Look up a license

Trade	Credential	Board	Official lookup
General contractor	State registration (no competency license)	New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Home Improvement Contractors	Search general contractor licenses
Electrical	State license	Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors	Search electrical licenses
Plumbing	State license	State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers	Search plumbing licenses
HVAC	State license	State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Contractors	Search HVAC licenses
Roofing	State registration (no competency license)	New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Home Improvement Contractors	Search roofing licenses

Verify a contractor

For homeowners hiring in New Jersey.

Open the official New Jersey lookup run by New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and search the contractor by name or number.
Open the official lookup
The Division of Consumer Affairs License Verification System is a real-time lookup; home improvement contractors and electrical contractor businesses are under Business Search, individual licensees under Person Search. source Contact Consumer Affairs to check for complaints and confirm a home improvement contractor is registered. source Licensed plumbers and electrical contractors working within their profession do not need home improvement registration; check their license instead. source
Confirm the record is active and the class matches the job (Home Improvement Business Contractor or Home Elevation Business Contractor). The board's own record governs.
Check the bond and insurance on the record against the state minimums: Additional security (compliance bond, letter of credit or other security) of $10,000 to $50,000 scaled to contract size, with $10,000 the minimum. source Commercial general liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence, plus workers' compensation insurance unless exempt. source
File a home repair complaint online at NJConsumerAffairs.gov or call Consumer Affairs at 1-800-242-5846 for a complaint form. source Complaints about an electrical contractor go to the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors through its File a Complaint link or by phone at 973-504-6410. source

Homeowner protections in New Jersey

Home improvement contracts over $500 must be in writing and include the contractor's registration number. source
The contractor must give the homeowner a copy of its commercial general liability insurance policy and the insurer's phone number. source
A signed home improvement contract can be canceled for any reason before midnight of the third business day after receiving a copy. source
Unregistered home improvement contractors cannot get municipal construction permits. source
No home improvement guaranty or recovery fund found on Division of Consumer Affairs pages; claim amounts and deadlines against the HIC additional security were not found.

Get licensed

For a general contractor working in New Jersey.

Register with New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs as a Home Improvement Business Contractor or Home Elevation Business Contractor.
Board page
Post a additional security (compliance bond, letter of credit or other security) of $10,000 to $50,000 scaled to contract size, with $10,000 the minimum. source
Carry commercial general liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence, plus workers' compensation insurance unless exempt. source
Pay the initial registration application fee, nonrefundable: $110. source
Registration renews every year by March 31. source

Other trades

Electrical: state license, $1,000 bond, $100 fee. Requirements
Plumbing: state license, $3,000 bond, $100 fee. Requirements
HVAC: state license, $3,000 bond, $100 fee. Requirements
Roofing: state registration, $10,000 bond, $110 fee. Requirements

Requirements by trade

General contractorSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam	Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Experience	Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Bond	Additional security (compliance bond, letter of credit or other security) of $10,000 to $50,000 scaled to contract size, with $10,000 the minimum. source
Insurance	Commercial general liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence, plus workers' compensation insurance unless exempt. source
Renewal	Registration renews every year by March 31. source
Reciprocity	Not found on an official source. No reciprocity provision found on official sources; this is a business registration open to any business that meets the requirements.
Fees	$110 (Initial registration application fee, nonrefundable). source $90 (Annual renewal fee, due by March 31). source $115 (Late renewal fee for applications received April 1 to April 30). source $20 (Duplicate or replacement registration fee). source

ElectricalSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam	Three-part exam covering the electrical contractor trade, alarm systems, and business and law. source
Experience	5 years (At least five years of hands-on experience immediately before applying, with apprenticeship and degree alternative). source
Bond	Surety bond of $1,000 in favor of the State of New Jersey, required for the Business Permit. source
Insurance	General liability insurance of at least $300,000, or a $300,000 bank letter of credit, required for the Business Permit. source
Renewal	Licenses and business permits expire every three years on March 31; the current period ends March 31, 2027. source
Reciprocity	New Jersey has no electrical license reciprocity with any other state. source
Fees	$100 (Exam application filing fee, nonrefundable). source $150 (Business Permit application fee in the first year of the triennial period ($100 in year two, $50 in year three)). source $25 (Pocket pressure seal fee for a contractor with a Business Permit). source $50 (Late renewal fee within 30 days after expiration). source Not found on an official source. Exam fee charged by the exam vendor: not found on an official page in this session. Not found on an official source. Initial license issuance fee and standard renewal fee: not found on an official page in this session.

PlumbingSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam	Master Plumber's examination required after the board approves the application. source
Experience	Four-year approved apprenticeship (or engineering degree) plus one journeyman year in New Jersey of at least 1,200 hour. source
Bond	Surety bond of $3,000 running with the license for each biennial term. source
Insurance	Not found on an official source. No liability insurance requirement for master plumbers found on the board's FAQ or application overview.
Renewal	Licenses expire every two years on June 30 of odd-numbered year. source
Reciprocity	Reciprocity only with states whose standards are equal or comparable and that reciprocate with New Jersey. source
Fees	$100 (Master Plumber application fee). source $160 (Biennial license renewal fee). source Not found on an official source. Exam fee and initial license fee: the board says a separate licensing fee is assessed after passing the exam, but no amount was found on an official page.

HVACSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam	Master HVACR Contractor examination must be passed after board approval and before the license is issued. source
Experience	1 years (Four-year approved HVACR apprenticeship or degree plus at least one year of journeyperson experience under a licensed Master HVACR Contractor (three years on one pathway)). source
Bond	Surety bond of $3,000 for each biennial cycle. source
Insurance	General liability insurance of $500,000 combined property damage and bodily injury per occurrence, when offering HVACR services to the public. source
Renewal	Licenses renew every two year. source
Reciprocity	Reciprocity only for states with equal or comparable standards; the board lists 26 states it will deny, including New York and Pennsylvania. source
Fees	$100 (Master HVACR Contractor application fee). source $160 (Biennial license renewal fee). source $150 (Reinstatement fee for a lapsed license). source Not found on an official source. Exam fee and initial license fee: not found on an official page in this session.

RoofingSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam	Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Experience	Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Bond	Additional security (compliance bond, letter of credit or other security) of $10,000 to $50,000 scaled to contract size, with $10,000 the minimum. source
Insurance	Commercial general liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence, plus workers' compensation insurance unless exempt. source
Renewal	Registration renews every year by March 31. source
Reciprocity	Not found on an official source. No reciprocity provision found on official sources; this is a business registration open to any business that meets the requirements.
Fees	$110 (Initial registration application fee, nonrefundable). source $90 (Annual renewal fee, due by March 31). source $115 (Late renewal fee for applications received April 1 to April 30). source $20 (Duplicate or replacement registration fee). source

Licenses on record

26,120 active records in Home Improvement Contractors, active business licensee file, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, as of October 1, 2026. 26,120 expire within the next year.

Active by trade
Trade	Active
General contractor (business)	26,120
Electrical (business)	2,879
Electrical (individual)	2,289
Plumbing (individual)	1,727
HVAC (individual)	1,586
Roofing (business)	26,120

Active by license type
License type	Active
Home Improvement Business Contractor (business)	26,104
Home Elevation Business Contractor (business)	16
Electrical Business Permit (business)	2,879
Telecom Contractor (business)	1,022
BA and FA Business (business)	206
Burglar Alarm Business (business)	115
FBL CE Sponsor (Facility) (business)	81
CE Sponsor (Facility) (business)	70
Locksmith Business (business)	65
FBL Business (business)	24
Fire Alarm Business (business)	18
Electrical Contractor (individual)	2,289
Class A Journeyman Electrician (individual)	832
Burglar Alarm License (individual)	210
Fire Alarm License (individual)	131
Locksmith License (individual)	55
CE Sponsor (Person) (individual)	25
Class A Electrical Apprentice (individual)	16
Class B Wireman (individual)	15
Master Plumber (individual)	1,727
Medical Gas Piping Installer (individual)	141
Plumber CE Sponsor (individual)	28
Journeyman Plumber (individual)	27
Master HVACR Contractor (individual)	1,586
HVACR CE Sponsor (individual)	41

Electrical business permits by city
Category	Active
Toms River	50
Brick	46
Lakewood	31
Wayne	29
Clifton	24
Flemington	22
Jackson	21
Trenton	21
Hamilton	20
Newark	20
Union	20
Cherry Hill	18
Fairfield	18
Sparta	18
Hackettstown	17
Neptune	17
Rockaway	17
Bayville	16
Freehold	16
Vineland	16
Bridgewater	15
Hammonton	15
Hillsborough	15
Jersey City	15
Bayonne	14
Egg Harbor Township	14
Forked River	14
Manahawkin	14
Newton	14
Denville	13
East Hanover	13
Garfield	13
Howell	13
Linden	13
Bloomfield	12
Manalapan	12
Mount Laurel	12
Somerset	12
Barnegat	11
Edison	11
Elizabeth	11
Mahwah	11
Mountainside	11
Oakland	11
Old Bridge	11
Phillipsburg	11
Wall Township	11
West Milford	11
Williamstown	11
Beachwood	10

Licensed electrical contractors by city
Category	Active
Toms River	45
Brick	33
Lakewood	20
Clifton	19
Bridgewater	18
Forked River	16
Flemington	15
Wayne	15
Hamilton	14
Howell	14
Jackson	14
Manahawkin	14
Newton	14
Freehold	13
Rockaway	13
Sparta	13
Vineland	13
Bayville	12
Manalapan	12
Beachwood	11
Hackettstown	11
Old Bridge	11
Fairfield	10
Newark	10
Park Ridge	10
Trenton	10

Master plumbers by city
Category	Active
Toms River	35
Brick	28
Freehold	19
Howell	14
Williamstown	14
Hamilton	13
Manahawkin	13
Wayne	13
Clifton	12
Flemington	12
Forked River	12
Jersey City	12
Warren	12
Bayville	11
Clark	11
Jackson	11
Sparta	11
Bridgeton	10
Bridgewater	10
Edison	10
Newark	10
Newton	10
Vineland	10
West Orange	10

Master HVACR contractors by city
Category	Active
Toms River	47
Brick	25
Freehold	19
Vineland	18
Edison	17
Clifton	15
Newark	15
Wayne	15
Forked River	13
Jackson	13
Newton	13
Bayville	12
Fairfield	11
Hamilton	11
Howell	11
Paterson	11
Williamstown	11
Nutley	10
Union	10

Top cities
City	Active
Newark	556
Toms River	439
Trenton	357
Hamilton	294
Jersey City	288
Clifton	276
Elizabeth	261
Lakewood	243
Garfield	240
Brick	237
Paterson	218
Jackson	214
Wayne	210
Egg Harbor Township	206
Freehold	201
Long Branch	199
Edison	169
Cherry Hill	166
Union	165
Hackensack	162

Show more cities

City	Active
Manahawkin	159
Morristown	159
Howell	152
Plainfield	152
Irvington	149
North Bergen	144
Cliffside Park	138
Orange	137
Vineland	136
West Orange	134
Bridgeton	131
Kearny	127
Bloomfield	125
Williamstown	124
Union City	118
Flemington	117
Somerset	117
Neptune	116
Lodi	114
Sewell	113
Cape May Court House	111
Bayonne	109
Passaic	109
Dover	107
Bayville	106
Ewing	106
East Brunswick	104
Englewood	102
Hammonton	102
Fairview	101

A snapshot of the Home Improvement Contractors, active business licensee file, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs as of October 1, 2026. The board's live lookup may differ.
New Jersey has no separate roofing registration: roofers register as home improvement contractors, so the roofing count (26,120) is every active home improvement registration, not a count of roofers. The general count is the same registrations.
Electrical is shown in two rows: 2,879 electrical business permits held by firms and 2,289 electrical contractor licenses held by people. A firm and its licensed contractor can both appear, so the rows are not added together.
Master plumber and master HVACR counts are licenses held by people; the publisher's business file has no plumbing or HVACR contractor permit.
Cities come from the address on file, not where the contractor works. 2,473 active home improvement registrations with an address outside New Jersey are left out of the city table.
Every active home improvement registration in the file expires on the same date, so all of them fall in the coming year.
Counts cover active credentials only. The publisher's files with every status and discipline were not used, so no discipline count is shown.
No reuse terms are stated on the publisher's page. Data from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, files dated October 1, 2026.

How these counts are defined

Electrical business permits by city: Active electrical business permits by the city of the business address on file, New Jersey addresses only. Shows the largest 50 cities with at least 10 permits.
Licensed electrical contractors by city: Active individual electrical contractor licenses by the city of the address on file, New Jersey addresses only. Shows the largest 50 cities with at least 10 licenses.
Master plumbers by city: Active master plumber licenses by the city of the address on file, New Jersey addresses only. Shows the largest 50 cities with at least 10 licenses.
Master HVACR contractors by city: Active master heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration contractor licenses by the city of the address on file, New Jersey addresses only. Shows the largest 50 cities with at least 10 licenses.
Active: A home improvement contractor registration the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs lists as active. The publisher's active file holds only registrations with an active status.
Active by license type: Active credentials by license or registration type for the four contractor boards. Each row comes from one board and one file (businesses or individuals), and rows from different boards are never added together.
Active by trade: General and roofing both count every active home improvement contractor registration, because New Jersey has no separate general contractor or roofing license and roofers register as home improvement contractors. Electrical counts electrical business permits held by firms plus electrical contractor licenses held by people, in separate rows that are not added together. Plumbing counts master plumber licenses and HVAC counts master heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration contractor licenses, both held by people.
Cities: Active home improvement contractor registrations by the city of the business address on file, New Jersey addresses only. Shows the largest 50 cities with at least 10 registrations.
Expiring within the next year: Active home improvement contractor registrations whose expiration date falls after October 1, 2026 and on or before October 1, 2027.
Active Out Of State: Active home improvement contractor registrations whose address on file is outside New Jersey.

Counts only, no personal data. Small groups are left out. Rows marked business, individual or mixed count different holders and are never added together.

Source: Home Improvement Contractors, active business licensee file, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, as of October 1, 2026. Data license: no reuse terms stated. Source: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Standard Files.
Source: Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, active business licensee file, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, as of October 1, 2026. Data license: no reuse terms stated. Source: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Standard Files.
Source: Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, active individual licensee file, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, as of October 1, 2026. Data license: no reuse terms stated. Source: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Standard Files.
Source: State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers, active individual licensee file, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, as of October 1, 2026. Data license: no reuse terms stated. Source: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Standard Files.
Source: State Board of Examiners of HVACR Contractors, active individual licensee file, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, as of October 1, 2026. Data license: no reuse terms stated. Source: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Standard Files.

Questions

Does New Jersey require a contractor license?: Yes. New Jersey requires a state registration for general contractors. The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Home Improvement Contractors issues it as the Home Improvement Business Contractor or Home Elevation Business Contractor credential. Registration is not a test of skill.
How do I look up a contractor license in New Jersey?: The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Home Improvement Contractors keeps the record for general contractors in New Jersey. Use the official lookup linked in the Look up a license table, and treat the board's own record as final.
How do I look up an electrician license in New Jersey?: The Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors keeps the record for electrical contractors in New Jersey.
How do I look up a plumbing license in New Jersey?: The State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers keeps the record for plumbing contractors in New Jersey.
Does New Jersey have an HVAC license?: The State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Contractors keeps the record for HVAC contractors in New Jersey.
Do roofers need a license in New Jersey?: The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Home Improvement Contractors keeps the record for roofing contractors in New Jersey.
How many contractors are registered or licensed in New Jersey?: The Home Improvement Contractors, active business licensee file, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs lists 26,120 active records as of October 1, 2026.

Sources

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.