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The cheapest state to get a general contractor license is Idaho at $25. The most expensive is Hawaii at $633. The national average is $164.
Lowest
$25
Idaho
Average
$164
across 38 states
Median
$140
20 states at or below
Range
$608
spread across states
| # | State | Renewal Fee | Initial Fees | Renewal Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Idaho | $25 | $50 | Biennial (2-year) — effective October 14, 2025. Staggered transition: odd-year births moved to biennial in 2025, even-year births in 2026. |
| #1 | Nebraska | $25 | $25 | 1 year |
| #3 | Iowa | $50 | $50 | Annual for Chapter 91C contractor registration; PMSB plumbing/mechanical contractor license uses a combined 3-year registration process. |
| #3 | Pennsylvania | $50 | $50 | 2 years (biennial) |
| #5 | West Virginia | $60 | $220 | 2 years |
| #6 | Montana | $70 | $70-$125 | 2 years |
| #7 | Delaware | $75 | $75+ | 1 year (Business License expires December 31 annually) |
| #7 | Vermont | $75-$250 | $75-$250 | — |
| #7 | Wisconsin | $75 | $45 | 2 years |
| #10 | Georgia | $100 | $300 | Renewal by June 30 of even-numbered years; late renewal July 1–July 31. Processed online via GOALS portal. |
| #10 | Massachusetts | $100 | $400 | 2 years (both CSL and HIC) |
| #10 | North Carolina | $100 | $154+ | 3 years |
| #10 | North Dakota | $100-$300 | $100-$300 | Annual — must renew on or before March 1 of each year |
| #10 | Rhode Island | $100 | $150+ | 1 year |
| #10 | South Carolina | $100 | $250 | 2 years |
| #16 | New Jersey | $110 | $200 | 2 years (biennial) |
| #17 | Minnesota | $115 | $550-$750 | 2 years |
| #18 | Washington | $120 | $141.10 | 2 years |
| #19 | Utah | $130 | $285 | Licenses expire November 30 of odd-numbered years regardless of when issued. |
| #20 | Connecticut | $140 | $240 | 1 year (expires March 31 annually) |
| #21 | Arkansas | $150 | $134-$184 | 1 year |
| #21 | Louisiana | $150 | $350 | Annual (1-year), with 2-year and 3-year renewal options available. Begin renewal 30 days before expiration. Non-renewable after 1 year past expiration. |
| #21 | Michigan | $150 | $312 | 3 years |
| #21 | Mississippi | $150 | $640+ | Annual renewal confirmed |
| #21 | New Mexico | $150 | $134.53 - $269.06 | 3 years |
| #26 | Alabama | $200 | $502+ | 1 year |
| #26 | Arizona | $200 | $554-$1,186+ | 2 years |
| #26 | Oklahoma | $200 | $400 | 1 year |
| #26 | Tennessee | $200 | $305 | 2 years |
| #30 | Virginia | $210 | $100-$310 | 2 years |
| #31 | District of Columbia | $220 | $540 | 2 years |
| #32 | Alaska | $250 | $300 | 2 years (expires September 30 of even-numbered years) |
| #32 | Maryland | $250 | $533 | 2 years |
| #34 | Florida | $267 | $349-$399 | 2 years |
| #35 | Nevada | $300 | $700 | Biennial (2 years) |
| #36 | Oregon | $400 | $400+ | 2 years |
| #37 | California | $450 | $753+ | 2 years |
| #38 | Hawaii | $633 | $848 | Biennial — all licenses expire September 30 of every even-numbered year; next renewal period October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2028 |
| — | Colorado | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Illinois | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Indiana | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Kansas | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Kentucky | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Maine | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Missouri | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | New Hampshire | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | New York | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Ohio | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | South Dakota | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Texas | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Wyoming | Varies — see details | — | — |
Renewal fees are per renewal cycle as reported by state licensing boards. Where fee ranges are listed, the lower bound is used for ranking. Click any state for full renewal details.
Idaho has the lowest renewal fee at $25. The national average renewal fee is $164.
There is significant variation across the 38 states with data. Values range from $25 to $633, with a median of $140.
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