Whether you are a Pennsylvania State resident starting a contracting business or an out-of-state contractor looking to expand into the area, it's important to know the rules and regulations around licensing requirements.
Pennsylvania has very few state-level licensing regulations and largely leaves contractor licensing up to individual counties and municipalities — which there are a lot of, and with varying requirements by trade. Keep reading to learn more about what you might need to get licensed to work in Pennsylvania.
Working somewhere else? For information on licensing in other states, check out The Ultimate Guide to Contractor License Requirements in Every State.
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Pennsylvania is a commonwealth, so its oversight on contractor licensing is minimal compared to other states.
The majority of contractors in the state of Pennsylvania fall under the term “home improvement contractor.” This term applies to general contractors, drywallers, carpenters, and all the typical specialty trades on a standard residential construction project — with the exception of plumbers and electricians.
Pennsylvania prefers to leave "home improvement contractor" licensing up to its many individual municipalities and counties.
The only two contractors that need state-issued licenses are crane operators and asbestos and lead removal contractors.
While the state doesn’t have any hard licensing requirements for home improvement contractors, it does require most to register with the State’s Attorney General’s Office.
Home improvement contractors don’t require licenses in Pennsylvania, but crane operators and asbestos and lead removal contractors do.
Crane operators need to go through the Pennsylvania State Board of Crane Operators to apply for a license. The requirements for licensing are as follows:
Be 18 years or older Be of good moral character Pass a physical Pay all feesBe free (or 10 years past) of felony convictions under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act
To apply, you’ll have to create a login for the Pennsylvania Licensing System and fill out your application online.
Contractors working in asbestos and lead removal must carry a state-issued license. That license falls under the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
The application process is fairly straightforward for asbestos and lead removal contractors. Simply complete the Asbestos Contractor Certification Application, and pay the licensing fee (between $304 and $608). Send everything by mail to:
PA Department of Labor & Industry
Certification, Accreditation & Licensing Division
651 Boas Street, Room 1606
Harrisburg, PA 17121
All home improvement contractors and handyman businesses making an excess of $5,000 a year must register with the Pennsylvania State Attorney General’s Office.
The process for registration isn’t terribly difficult to navigate:
Provide business information such as type of business (sole proprietor, partnerships, etc.), business name, address, and Federal Employer Identification Number
Provide personal information such as social security numbers, driver’s license information, and addresses for every owner, officer, or partner involved
Provide information identifying shareholders holding more than 5 percent stake in the companyProvide license and registration information if the applicant holds a license in any other political subdivision
Describe the business Provide proof of general liability and workers' compensation insurance Include a $50 check or money order made payable to “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania”Subscribe to Blueprint, Procore’s free construction newsletter, to get content from industry experts delivered straight to your inbox.
Some municipalities in Pennsylvania have their own rules and regulations pertaining to contractor licensing. Here’s a breakdown of the laws in some of the most populated areas.
Philadelphia requires all home improvement contractors working within the city to carry a city-issued license. The requirements for this license are quite simple. Applicants will have to provide proof of insurance, take the OSHA 30 safety training course, and disclose the names of each of their subcontractors.
To apply, use the city’s ECLIPSE system, create a login, and fill out the application online.
Electrical contractors must also carry a license separate from home improvement contractors, though they will use the same ECLIPSE portal to apply. The requirements are:
