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General Contractor
Total cost: $75-$250
Yes
License Required?
Varies
Experience Required
No
Bonding Required?
$75-$250
Total Initial Fees
Renewal Period
None
CE Hours
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Vermont Residential Contractor Registration — required for work ≥$10,000 on residential structures with ≤4 dwelling units. Written contract mandatory for all registered work. Effective April 2023 under Act 34.
Experience & Documentation
VerifiedExam Requirements
VerifiedNot Required
Trade Exam
Not Required
Business & Law Exam
Trade Exam Details
No trade examination required
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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Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Not Required
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
$1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate general liability insurance required
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 1 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
Vermont requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 1 or more employees. Sole proprietors may be exempt but coverage is recommended.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Individual: $75, Business entity: $250 | $75-$250 |
License Fee Same as registration fee | $75-$250 |
Renewal Fee Per 2 years | $75-$250 |
Total Initial Fees Individual $75 or business $250. No exam fees. | $75-$250 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedRenewal Period
—
CE Hours Required
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
Full application required
Transfer Details
Vermont requires out-of-state contractors to complete the full registration process.
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 Vermont with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Vermont enacted mandatory residential contractor registration in April 2023 (Act 34) after decades with no state licensing. High GL requirement ($1M/$2M). Written contracts mandatory. No exam. Commercial GC remains unregulated.
MAJOR CHANGE: As of April 2023 (Act 34), Vermont requires mandatory residential contractor registration through OPR for work ≥$10,000 on ≤4 dwelling unit structures.
Registration fee: $75 (individual) or $250 (business entity). No exam required.
High GL requirement: $1,000,000/$2,000,000 general liability insurance mandatory.
Written contract MANDATORY for all registered residential construction work.
Commercial general contractor work remains unregulated at the state level.
Vermont also licenses electricians and plumbers through the Division of Fire Safety (separate from OPR).
There is no interstate compact for general contractors.
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 180 days after completion
Vermont construction lien law: Preliminary notice is required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 180 days after completion.
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Official Sources
General Contractor requirements in Vermont verified against Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), March 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-21
Accessed 2026-03-06
General Contractor Schools in Vermont
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.