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General Contractor
Total cost: $75+
Governing Authority
Delaware Division of Revenue (Business License) / Dept of Labor (Contractor Registration)
Official website →Yes
License Required?
0 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$75+
Total Initial Fees
1 year (Business License expires December 31 annually)
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
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Contractor registration covers all residential and commercial construction work. Two registrations required: Business License ($75/yr from Division of Revenue) + Contractor Registration (Dept of Labor).
Description
Same contractor registration covers commercial work. Two registrations required: Business License ($75/yr from Division of Revenue) + Contractor Registration (Dept of Labor).
Description
Delaware general contractor registration. Two separate registrations required: (1) Business License from Division of Revenue ($75/yr), (2) Contractor Registration from Dept of Labor. No exam, no experience required. Both must be completed BEFORE work begins.
Experience & Documentation
Verified0
Years Required
Not Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
No documented experience required for GC registration.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedNot Required
Trade Exam
Not Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
None — no exam required for GC registration
Trade Exam Details
No exam required for general contractor registration. Only specialty trades (electrical, plumbing, HVACR) require exams through Division of Professional Regulation.
Business & Law Exam Details
No business/law examination required
Retake Policy
No exam required
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Contractor Licensing Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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General Contractor Licensing Exam
Administered By
None — no exam required for GC registration
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the General Contractor Licensing Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Contractor's License Exam
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Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Required
Resident: NO bond required. Non-resident: 6% of contract amount for single contracts > $20,000 OR aggregate > $20,000/year.
Surety Bond Amount
Bond Types
Surety bonds protect consumers by providing financial recourse if a contractor fails to complete a project or violates licensing regulations. Bond costs are typically 1-3% of the bond amount annually.
Insurance & Workers' Comp
VerifiedNot Required
General Liability
Required
Workers' Compensation
Minimum Coverage
Workers' compensation required (must register with Dept of Labor even if no employees — submit form). Unemployment insurance required. General liability required (minimum amount unverified).
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 1 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
Delaware requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 1 or more employees. Sole proprietors may be exempt but coverage is recommended.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Business License from Division of Revenue: $75/year (prorated first year based on month of application). Plus gross receipts tax of 0.624% on receipts over $50,000/month (reduced by subcontractor payments). | $75 |
Exam Fee No exam required | N/A |
License Fee Contractor Registration fee from Dept of Labor may be separate | Included in Business License |
Renewal Fee Annual, expires December 31 | $75 |
Total Initial Fees Business License: $75/yr (prorated). Contractor Registration fee from Dept of Labor may be additional. | $75+ |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year (Business License expires December 31 annually)
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$75
Annual, expires December 31
Regulatory Board
Contractor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Many states require continuing education covering building codes, safety practices, business law, and energy efficiency standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Not Accepted
Reciprocity Type
Not applicable
Transfer Details
No reciprocity. Registration-based system.
General contractor license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states recognize ICC certifications, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials. Always verify current policies with the state licensing board.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Delaware with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Delaware requires two separate registrations (Division of Revenue + Dept of Labor) but no exam and no experience. Non-resident contractors face a percentage-based bond (6% of contract, not a fixed amount) — one of the few states using this model. Penalties for unregistered work range from $1,000 to $85,000.
Delaware requires TWO separate registrations: (1) Business License from Division of Revenue ($75/yr), (2) Contractor Registration from Dept of Labor.
No exam required, no documented experience required for GC registration. Only specialty trades (electrical, plumbing, HVACR) require exams.
Bond: Resident contractors — NO bond required. Non-resident contractors — 6% of contract amount for single contracts > $20,000 OR aggregate > $20,000/year.
Penalties: $5,000–$85,000 per knowing violation; up to $1,000 per unintentional violation (Chapter 36, Contractor Registration Act).
Business License expires December 31 annually (prorated first year based on month of application).
Gross receipts tax: 0.624% on receipts over $50,000/month (reduced by subcontractor payments).
Some municipalities (Dover, Wilmington) may have additional local requirements.
No CE required. No reciprocity.
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Not Required
Lien Deadline: 3 years after completion
Delaware construction lien law: No preliminary notice required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 3 years after completion.
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General Contractor requirements in Delaware verified against Delaware Division of Revenue (Business License) / Dept of Labor (Contractor Registration), March 2026.
Official state websites — verified during GC audit
Accessed 2026-03-22
General Contractor Schools in Delaware
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.