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How to become a licensed general contractor in Georgia. State-level licensing required. Experience: 2–4 depending on license type years. Total initial fees: $300. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
Governing Authority
Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
93% of data points are verified against official sources. 1 field based on preliminary research. 3 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
License Required?
2–4 depending on license type years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$300
Total Initial Fees
Biennial — expires June 30 of even-numbered years. Late renewal period July 1–31. Online via GOALS portal.
Renewal Period
None
CE Hours
Description
1-2 family residences, townhomes under 4 stories. Requires 2 years experience + 2 completed projects. $25,000 net worth. $300,000 GL insurance.
Project Limit
Projects over $2,500 (labor + materials)
Description
Commercial projects up to $1,000,000. Requires 4 years experience (or 4-year degree + 1 year). $25,000 net worth. $500,000 GL insurance.
Project Limit
Commercial projects ≤ $1,000,000
Description
All project types with no dollar or scope restrictions. Requires 4 years experience (or 4-year degree + 1 year). $150,000 net worth (CPA-signed). $500,000 GL insurance.
Project Limit
No restrictions
Description
Multi-family and mixed-use structures under 4 stories. Requires 4 years experience (or 4-year degree + 1 year). $25,000 net worth. $500,000 GL insurance.
Project Limit
Multi-family/mixed-use under 4 stories
Experience & Documentation
Verified2–4 depending on license type
Years Required
Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
Residential Basic: 2 years + 2 completed projects. All other types: 4 years (or 4-year degree + 1 year experience).
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Trade Exam
Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
PSI
Passing Score
70%
Open Book
Yes
Trade Exam Details
NASCLA Commercial General Building Exam: 125 questions (115 scored), 5.5 hours, open book, 70% passing, $130 fee. NASCLA accepted for GC Unlimited and Residential Light Commercial.
Business & Law Exam Details
Georgia Business and Law Exam: 50 questions, 120 minutes, open book, 70% passing, $195 fee. Provider: PSI Exams (Atlanta, Macon, Tifton locations).
Retake Policy
2 attempts within 1 year. After 2 failures, must complete Board-approved review course before retesting.
Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Required
$25,000
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
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
Required
Workers' Compensation
Minimum Coverage
Residential Basic: $300,000 per occurrence. Residential Light Commercial, GC Limited Tier, GC Unlimited: $500,000 per occurrence.
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 3 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
Georgia requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 3 or more employees. Sole proprietors may be exempt but coverage is recommended.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Sources conflict: $120–$300 reported. Fee may vary by license type and may have changed with Nov 2025 GOALS portal launch. Verify at sos.ga.gov GOALS portal. | $100 |
Exam Fee $195 (B&L) + $130 (NASCLA trade exam) | $325 |
License Fee | $100 |
Renewal Fee Per 2 years | $100 |
Total Initial Fees Approximate total of application, exam, and license fees. All fees are uniformly $100 which may be placeholder data - verify. | $300 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedBiennial — expires June 30 of even-numbered years. Late renewal period July 1–31. Online via GOALS portal.
Renewal Period
—
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$100
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
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Not Accepted
Reciprocity Type
Limited reciprocity
Transfer Details
Reciprocity with Louisiana (GC Unlimited + Residential Basic), Mississippi (most types), South Carolina (residential qualifying agent only). All reciprocity applicants must still pass the Georgia Business and Law exam.
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.
Georgia is unusual in requiring applicants to be 21 years old (not 18). The state offers 5 ways to demonstrate financial responsibility and has 4 distinct license classifications. All applications now processed through the GOALS portal (launched November 2025).
Georgia requires a state contractor license for any project over $2,500. Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors oversees licensing.
GOALS portal launched November 2025 — all applications now processed through sos.ga.gov GOALS portal.
License classifications: Residential Basic, Residential Light Commercial, GC Limited Tier, GC Unlimited.
Workers' compensation insurance is required in Georgia for 3 or more employees.
Study material: NASCLA Contractors Guide — Georgia Edition, 3rd Edition.
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 90 days after completion
Georgia construction lien law: Preliminary notice is required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 90 days after completion.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Georgia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#36 of 51
Salary
#37 of 51
Cost
#19 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
$59,400
25th percentile
Median
$75,410
-4% vs. national avg ($78,690)Experienced
$92,590
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
25,380 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+28% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$75,410
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$58,860
You are here
Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$75,410
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
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 216–230 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Georgia Contractor Licensing
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Georgia Contractor Licensing
Study guides and practice tests for the general contractor licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-22
Georgia requires state-level contractor licensing. 2–4 depending on license type years of experience is required. All licensing is managed through the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.