Can a Contractors License Carry From One State to Another?

Some states require a contractor to have a license to perform a certain type of work, such as installing an irrigation system, building a swimming pool or installing an air conditioning system. If the contractor has a license in one state, the state licensing board may grant reciprocity, allowing the contractor to use a license from one state to meet some licensing requirements in the other.

Reciprocity Agreement

When a state grants reciprocity for a contractor's license, it may only apply to licenses from certain states. For example, California grants reciprocity only for Nevada, Arizona and Utah licenses. Neighboring states are more likely to have reciprocity agreements. To arrange reciprocity, the licensing board of one state negotiates an agreement with the licensing board of the other state, so it is usually possible for a contractor to carry a license from either state to the other.

Trade Exams

A contractor must take two exams. One exam is specific to the trade, such as plumbing. The other exam is a business and law exam, which requires knowledge of state contracting regulations. A state grants reciprocity only for the trade exam, so the contractor does not have to take the plumbing exam again, but does have to take the business and law exam in the other state.

Classifications

Each state sets up its own classification system for each trade. When a state grants reciprocity, the contractor may receive a similar reciprocal classification instead of the same classification. For example, the state of California assigns a license with the class code of C-50, Reinforcing Steel, when the contractor has an Arizona license with a class code of K-62, Reinforcing Bar and Wire Mesh. If no similar classification exists, reciprocity will not be available for that trade, even if the state grants it for other trades.

Applying

A contractor has to request reciprocity from the state licensing board. States establish additional conditions for a contractor to qualify for reciprocity, such as practicing the trade in the other state without disciplinary actions for several years, or a waiting period of a few months. The contractor must ask the licensing board of his home state to send a license verification document to the licensing board of the other state. The state licensing board does not have to grant reciprocity to every contractor.

References

• Arizona Registrar of Contractors: License Reciprocity
• State of Tennessee: Contractors License Information
• California Contractors State License Board: Reciprocal Classifications List
• Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors: Frequently Asked Questions
• California Contractors State License Board: Reciprocity