Where to verify a contractor's license
The fastest way to check a contractor's license is through your state's licensing board website. Every state that requires contractor licensing maintains a searchable database — usually called a license lookup, contractor search, or verification tool — where you can enter the contractor's name or license number and see whether they hold a current, active license.
Start by searching "[your state] contractor license lookup" or "[your state] licensing board." You'll land on the official state agency page. Most states have a single board that oversees all trades (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, general contracting); a few states split licensing by trade, so you may need to search the specific board for the work you're hiring for.
If you can't find the state database online, call your state's licensing board directly. The phone number appears on the state agency website. Have the contractor's name and license number ready — the license number is usually printed on their invoice or business card, or they can give it to you over the phone.
Key Takeaways
- Your state's licensing board website has a free searchable database where you can verify whether a contractor holds a current, active license.
- The contractor's license number appears on their invoice, business card, or estimate — ask for it if they don't volunteer it.
- An active license means the contractor passed exams and background checks; an expired or suspended license means they cannot legally work in that trade.
- Check the license status before signing a contract, because an unlicensed contractor may not carry insurance and you have fewer legal protections if something goes wrong.
- If the contractor is not in the state database, ask them directly whether they hold a license and in which state — some contractors work across state lines.
What information the database shows you
When you find the contractor in the state database, you'll see their license status — active, expired, suspended, or revoked. An active license means the contractor passed the required exams, passed a background check, and is currently authorized to work. An expired license means they let it lapse and cannot legally take new jobs until they renew it. A suspended or revoked license means the state took action against them — usually for complaints, safety violations, or failure to carry insurance.
Most databases also show the license type (general contractor, electrician, plumber, HVAC technician, and so on), the date it was issued, and the expiration date. Some states display complaint history or disciplinary actions. If you see a suspended or revoked license, that's a red flag — call the licensing board and ask why it was suspended before you hire that contractor.
The database does not tell you whether the contractor carries liability insurance or workers' compensation insurance. You need to ask the contractor directly for proof of insurance and verify it with their insurance company before they start work.
What to do if the contractor is not in the database
If you search the state database and the contractor does not appear, ask them directly whether they hold a license. Some contractors work in states that do not require licensing for their trade — for example, not all states license handymen or general home repair workers. If they say they're licensed, ask which state issued the license and search that state's database instead.
If the contractor says they don't hold a license, ask whether the work they're doing requires one in your state. You can call your state's licensing board and describe the job — they'll tell you whether a license is legally required. If it is required and the contractor doesn't have one, do not hire them. If it's not required, you can hire them, but understand that you have fewer legal protections if something goes wrong.
Some contractors work under a licensed general contractor or a licensed electrician — meaning they're employees or subcontractors of someone with a license. If that's the case, ask for the name and license number of the licensed contractor they work under, and verify that license in the state database.
Checking license status before signing a contract
Verify the license before you sign anything or hand over a deposit. Once you've confirmed the license is active, write the license number into your contract so there's a record of who you hired. If the contractor's license expires or gets suspended after you sign but before the work is done, you have a written record of who was licensed when you hired them.
If the contractor asks you to pay a large deposit upfront, verify the license first. A contractor with a current, active license has passed background checks and has a reputation to protect — they're less likely to take your money and disappear. An unlicensed contractor has no state oversight and no license to lose, so the risk is higher.
What an active license does and doesn't may provide
A current, active license means the contractor passed exams proving they know the trade and passed a background check. It does not mean the work will be perfect, that they'll finish on time, or that they won't overcharge you. It means they are legally authorized to do the work and that the state has a record of who they are.
If something goes wrong — the work is shoddy, they don't finish the job, they damage your home — you have legal recourse because you hired a licensed contractor. You can file a complaint with the state licensing board, and they can investigate. If you hire an unlicensed contractor and something goes wrong, you have fewer options and may have to pursue them in small claims court on your own.
An active license also usually means the contractor carries liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance, because most states require it as a condition of licensing. But verify this directly with the contractor — ask to see their insurance certificate before they start work.
How to file a complaint if something goes wrong
If you hired a licensed contractor and the work is defective or incomplete, you can file a complaint with your state's licensing board. The board will investigate and may take disciplinary action — warning, fine, suspension, or revocation of the license. This is a free process and does not require a lawyer.
To file a complaint, go to your state's licensing board website and look for a complaint form or contact information. You'll need to describe the problem, provide dates, and explain what you asked the contractor to do. Include photos if you have them. The board will contact the contractor and ask for their side of the story. If the board finds the contractor violated the law or their professional standards, they can take action.
Filing a complaint does not get your money back directly — that's a civil matter between you and the contractor. But a complaint on the contractor's record may pressure them to fix the problem or refund you, and it protects future customers by creating a public record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a contractor work without a license if they're working under someone else's license?
Yes. A licensed general contractor or electrician can hire unlicensed workers to help them. The licensed person is responsible for the work. If you hire a company and they send unlicensed workers, the licensed contractor whose name is on the license is still accountable. Always get the name and license number of the person whose license covers the work.
What if the contractor's license is expired but they say they're renewing it?
Do not hire them until the license is active again. An expired license means they are not currently authorized to work. If they start the job before the license is renewed and something goes wrong, you have no legal protection because they were unlicensed when they did the work. Wait until you see the active license in the state database.
Do I need to check the license if the contractor comes from a big company?
Yes. Company size does not matter — check the license anyway. The company may be reputable, but the individual contractor or the company itself still needs to be licensed to do the work. A big company with an unlicensed contractor is still breaking the law and putting you at risk.
What does it mean if a contractor's license is suspended?
A suspended license means the state temporarily removed the contractor's right to work while investigating a complaint or waiting for them to fix a problem — unpaid fines, failure to carry insurance, or safety violations. Do not hire them until the suspension is lifted and the license is active again. Call the licensing board and ask why it was suspended.
Can I hire a contractor from another state to work in my state?
It depends on your state's rules. Some states allow out-of-state contractors to work if they hold a license in their home state and register with your state first. Others require them to get a license in your state. Call your state's licensing board and ask — they'll tell you what's required and whether the contractor needs to do anything before starting work.