This is the complete list of what Georgia requires for a contractor license, with the current figures. If you want the step-by-step process instead, start with how to get a Georgia contractor license.
This is an independent guide, not affiliated with the Georgia Board of Residential and General Contractors, PSI, or NASCLA. Licensing details change, so verify current requirements against the Board's official publications before you act.
The $2,500 threshold
Residential contracting in Georgia is covered where the total value of the work or the compensation received, whichever is higher, exceeds $2,500 (O.C.G.A. section 43-41-2(9)). Cross that line and you need a license before you contract for or perform the work. This is one of the lower thresholds in the country, and it catches more people than any other single rule.
License categories
Georgia licenses three main categories through the Board of Residential and General Contractors. Full category breakdown:
- Residential-Basic: detached one- and two-family residences and one-family townhouses of 3 stories or less.
- Residential-Light Commercial: adds qualifying buildings under 4 stories and 25,000 square feet of aggregate interior floor space, or qualifying pre-engineered steel buildings up to 50,000 square feet.
- General contractor: unlimited by type, with a Limited Tier capping individual contracts at $1,000,000.
Age and experience
- Minimum age 21 for all three categories.
- Residential-Basic: at least 2 years of verifiable experience under the direct employment of a licensed residential contractor.
- Residential-Light Commercial: a qualifying education/experience combination totaling at least 4 years, OR 4 years of verifiable active experience with at least 2 years as or in the employment of a residential contractor.
- General: a qualifying combination totaling 4 years, OR 4 years of proven active experience including at least 2 years as or in the employment of a commercial general contractor and at least 1 year in qualifying administration, marketing, accounting, estimating, drafting, engineering, supervision, or project-management work.
Financial responsibility
Georgia does not use one flat bond. Instead, each category has financial-responsibility requirements:
- Residential-Basic: $25,000 net-worth affirmation, OR a 24-month bank credit reference, OR a $25,000 surety bond, OR a $25,000 line-of-credit letter, OR a $25,000 letter of credit. General liability of at least $300,000 per occurrence.
- Residential-Light Commercial: the same $25,000 alternatives. GL of at least $500,000 per occurrence.
- General: minimum net worth of $150,000. GL of at least $500,000 per occurrence.
- Limited Tier: minimum net worth of $25,000. GL of at least $500,000. Maximum contract value $1,000,000.
The $25,000 surety bond is one option for demonstrating financial responsibility. Georgia has no separate general license bond.
The qualifying agent
Every business organization must have at least one licensed qualifying agent. If the company loses its only qualifying agent, it has 180 days to employ another and submit the licensure application under the new agent (O.C.G.A. section 43-41-9(e)(1), amended by SB 503 effective July 1, 2024). During the window, the financially responsible officer, president, or CEO assumes the duties. Business-information changes must be reported within 45 days.
The exam
Every applicant passes the Business and Law Examination: 50 questions, 70% (35 correct) to pass, 120 minutes, open book with the Georgia-NASCLA 3rd Edition as the only allowed reference, $60 fee. If you fail, current law (O.C.G.A. section 43-41-6(g), HB 635) lets you be reexamined at any regularly scheduled examination with no attempt limit and no waiting period. The PSI bulletin's older 2-attempt/1-year-wait language is stale.
Insurance
- General liability at the category minimums above ($300,000 or $500,000 per occurrence).
- Workers' compensation: required for employers with 3 or more employees. Georgia has no construction-specific lower threshold.
- Auto liability: minimums of 25/50/25 ($25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident bodily injury, $25,000 property damage).
- Notify the Board in writing within 30 days of any change in insurance coverages.
Renewal and continuing education
- Licenses renew on a biennial cycle, with a 6-month late-renewal window after expiration.
- Continuing education per year: 3 hours (Residential-Basic), 6 hours (Residential-Light Commercial), up to 8 hours (Commercial General). No more than 50% may come from online or correspondence courses.
The application packet checklist
When you apply, the Board expects a complete packet. Use this as your checklist:
- Completed application for your category, with every field filled
- Application and license fees (verify the current fee schedule; the published one is stale)
- Passing Business and Law exam result
- Financial-responsibility documents for your category ($25,000 alternatives, $150,000 net worth, or Limited Tier $25,000)
- Proof of general liability insurance at your category minimum ($300,000 or $500,000 per occurrence)
- Proof of workers' compensation if you have 3 or more employees
- Qualifying-agent documentation for business organizations
- Any additional supporting documents the application instructions list
Submit it complete. Every correction cycle is measured in weeks, not days.
What unlicensed work costs you
Unlicensed contracting is a misdemeanor: a fine of not less than $1,000 or up to 3 months imprisonment, or both, for each offense. The Board may fine up to $5,000 per violation and suspend a license for up to 1 year. Contracts made by unlicensed contractors are unenforceable, and no lien or bond claim arises under them. A project may be presumed abandoned after 90 days of unjustified cessation without proper notice.
Try the free practice quiz
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