Pennsylvania contractor license lookup
Pennsylvania requires state registration for general contractors and roofing contractors. There is no state license for electrical contractors, plumbing contractors and HVAC contractors; cities and counties handle them. Use the official lookup below to check a contractor. Information as of October 6, 2026.
Look up a license
| Trade | Credential | Board | Official lookup |
|---|---|---|---|
| General contractor | State registration (no competency license) | Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection (Home Improvement Contractor Registration) | Search general contractor licenses |
| Electrical | No state license: cities and counties | City or county | Pennsylvania does not license electrical contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules. |
| Plumbing | No state license: cities and counties | City or county | Pennsylvania does not license plumbing contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules. |
| HVAC | No state license: cities and counties | City or county | Pennsylvania does not license HVAC contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules. |
| Roofing | State registration (no competency license) | Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection (Home Improvement Contractor Registration) | Search roofing licenses |
Where licensing happens locally
| Jurisdiction | Agency | Credentials | Lookup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) source | Contractor License, Electrical Contractor License, Master Plumber License, Journeyman Plumber License, Plumber Apprentice License, Sheet Metal Technician License, Fire Suppression Systems Contractor License, Demolition Contractor License | Search Philadelphia licenses |
| Pittsburgh | City of Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI) source | General Contractor License, Sign Contractor License, Electrical Trade License, Mechanical Trade License, Fire Suppression Trade License | Search Pittsburgh licenses |
| Allegheny County | Allegheny County Health Department, Plumbing Program source | Apprentice Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Master Plumber | No online lookup found |
Verify a contractor
For homeowners hiring in Pennsylvania.
- Open the official Pennsylvania lookup run by Home Improvement Contractor Registration and search the contractor by name or number.
- The Attorney General registration search shows only active Home Improvement Contractor registrations and can be downloaded as a spreadsheet. source Searching by type of work may miss contractors because that field is new and has little data for existing registrants. source You can call the Bureau of Consumer Protection at 1-888-520-6680 to check whether a contractor is registered. source A registered contractor must show its registration number, written as PA followed by digits, in ads, contracts, estimates and proposals. source In Philadelphia, the L&I contractor lookup lists actively licensed contractors and any licensing violations. source Philadelphia L&I Contractor Lookup searches contractors, electrical contractors, master plumbers and PA home improvement contractors by name or number and shows status, expiration and violation history. source
- Confirm the record is active and the class matches the job (Home Improvement Contractor registration). The board's own record governs. A registration is required for jobs above Registration is required once a contractor does $5,000 or more of home improvements in a calendar year. source
- Check the bond and insurance on the record against the state minimums: Liability insurance of at least $50,000 for personal injury and at least $50,000 for property damage. source
- Report a problem contractor with a consumer complaint to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, online or by mailed form. source
Homeowner protections in Pennsylvania
- Any home improvement contract over $500 must be in writing and signed by both you and the contractor. source
- You can cancel a home improvement contract without penalty within three business days of signing. source
- On contracts over $5,000 the contractor may not take a deposit above one-third of the price, or one-third plus special order materials. source
- The contract must state that the contractor carries at least $50,000 of personal injury and $50,000 of property damage insurance. source
Get licensed
For a general contractor working in Pennsylvania.
- Register with Home Improvement Contractor Registration as a Home Improvement Contractor registration.
- Carry liability insurance of at least $50,000 for personal injury and at least $50,000 for property damage. source
- Pay the registration fee of $100 for a new two-year registration: $100. source
- Registration is valid for two years and renews every two years. source
Other trades
- Roofing: state registration, $100 fee. Requirements
Requirements by trade
| Exam | Not found on an official source. On an official source. |
|---|---|
| Experience | Not found on an official source. On an official source. |
| Bond | Not found on an official source. On an official source. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance of at least $50,000 for personal injury and at least $50,000 for property damage. source |
| Renewal | Registration is valid for two years and renews every two year. source |
| Reciprocity | No reciprocity found: out-of-state contractors must comply with the Pennsylvania registration law like any other contractor. source |
| Fees |
| Exam | Not found on an official source. On an official source. |
|---|---|
| Experience | Not found on an official source. On an official source. |
| Bond | Not found on an official source. On an official source. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance of at least $50,000 for personal injury and at least $50,000 for property damage. source |
| Renewal | Registration is valid for two years and renews every two year. source |
| Reciprocity | No reciprocity found: out-of-state contractors must comply with the Pennsylvania registration law like any other contractor. source |
| Fees |
Electrical: Pennsylvania does not license electrical contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules. source
Plumbing: Pennsylvania does not license plumbing contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules. source
HVAC: Pennsylvania does not license HVAC contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules. source
Questions
- Does Pennsylvania require a contractor license?
- Yes, in most cases Pennsylvania requires a state registration for general contractors. Registration is required once a contractor does $5,000 or more of home improvements in a calendar year. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection (Home Improvement Contractor Registration) issues it as the Home Improvement Contractor registration credential. Registration is not a test of skill.
- How do I look up a contractor license in Pennsylvania?
- The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection (Home Improvement Contractor Registration) keeps the record for general contractors in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania does not license electrical contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules. The main local licensing offices are listed under Where licensing happens locally.
- How do I look up a plumbing license in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania does not license plumbing contractors at the state level.
- Does Pennsylvania have an HVAC license?
- Pennsylvania does not license HVAC contractors at the state level.
- Do roofers need a license in Pennsylvania?
- The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection (Home Improvement Contractor Registration) keeps the record for roofing contractors in Pennsylvania.
Sources
- https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/resources/home-improvement-contractor-registration/
- https://hicsearch.attorneygeneral.gov/
- https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/businesses-and-organizations/home-improvement-contractor-registration/frequently-asked-questions/
- https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dli/programs-services/labor-management-relations/bureau-of-occupational-and-industrial-safety/uniform-construction-code-home/contractor-licensing
- https://www.palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information/view-statute?txtType=PDF&SessYr=2008&ActNum=0132.&SessInd=0
- https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/find-a-licensed-contractor-and-contractor-information/
- https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a-complaint/
- https://li.phila.gov/Contractor-Lookup/
- https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Business-Development/Permits-Licenses-and-Inspections/Licensing/Contractor-Licenses
- https://onestoppgh.pittsburghpa.gov/pghprod/pub/lmswebui/
- https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Services/Health-Department/Plumbing-Program
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.