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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 GC registration. Triennial (3-year) for PMSB contractor license. |
| #3 | Pennsylvania | $50 | $50 | 2 years |
| #5 | West Virginia | $60 | $220 | 2 years |
| #6 | Montana | $70 | $70-$125 | 2 years |
| #7 | Delaware | $75 | $75+ | 1 year |
| #7 | Vermont | $75-$250 | $75-$250 | — |
| #7 | Wisconsin | $75 | $45 | 2 years |
| #10 | Georgia | $100 | $300 | Biennial — expires June 30 of even-numbered years. Late renewal period July 1–31. Online via GOALS portal. |
| #10 | Massachusetts | $100 | $400 | 2 years |
| #10 | North Carolina | $100 | $154+ | 3 years |
| #10 | North Dakota | $100-$300 | $100-$300 | 1 year |
| #10 | Rhode Island | $100 | $150+ | 1 year |
| #10 | South Carolina | $100 | $250 | 2 years |
| #16 | New Jersey | $110 | $200 | 2 years |
| #17 | Minnesota | $115 | $550-$750 | 2 years |
| #18 | Washington | $120 | $141.10 | 2 years |
| #19 | Utah | $130 | $285 | 2 years (expires November 30 of odd-numbered years) |
| #20 | Connecticut | $140 | $240 | 1 year |
| #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+ | 1 year |
| #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 | 2 years |
| #36 | Oregon | $400 | $400+ | 2 years |
| #37 | California | $450 | $753+ | 2 years |
| #38 | Hawaii | $633 | $848 | Biennial — expires September 30 of even-numbered years. |
| — | 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.