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How to become a licensed general contractor in Delaware. State-level licensing required. Total initial fees: $75+. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
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
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
Description
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
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+ |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year
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.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Delaware.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#17 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (SOC 47-1011)
Entry Level
$67,790
25th percentile
Median
$81,170
+3% vs. national avg ($78,690)Experienced
$99,490
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
2,350 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades" is broader than general contractors specifically. It includes supervisors across all construction specialties.
Source: BLS OEWS – First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.5%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+40,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
55,200
per year (avg.)
729,900 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+29% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$81,170
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$62,970
You are here
Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$81,170
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Estimated total: 8–22 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Delaware Contractor Information
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Delaware Contractor Information
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Official state websites — verified during GC audit
Accessed 2026-03-22
Delaware requires state-level contractor licensing. All licensing is managed through the Delaware Division of Revenue (Business License) / Dept of Labor (Contractor Registration).
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.