UPDATED August 2025: What a difference eight years make. This article was originally published in 2014 and was updated in 2017. We have again updated the links to the relevant agency resources.
The question frequently arises for participants in a nationwide construction contracting industry. Simply stated, is a licensed contractor in good standing in State A permitted to offer to contract for or to perform work requiring a contractor’s license in State B?
Roughly half the states have statutes or regulations on point. 6 Bruner & O’Connor Construction Law § 16:17. Some states have easy requirements, like Nebraska (contractors only need register), while others have no exceptions or onerous requirements, like Alaska (residential contractors must take a 16-hour cold climate course and pass an exam).
Some states have partial relief that eases the process for out-of-state licensed parties. They have “reciprocity agreements” with certain other states, pursuant to which an applicant holding a license in good standing in a comparable classification in State A (a “reciprocity state”) may have the trade portion of the written licensing exam waived in State B.
Even with reciprocity, the license applicant generally must comply with all of State B’s other licensing requirements, including submitting a license application and passing the law portion of the written licensing exam (as well as State B’s general requirements for transacting intrastate business).
Contractors should always review websites of the applicable agencies. Different bodies may issue licenses to contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors and other categories. Reading the relevant authorities is essential in determining whether a license is required for the trade or trades the contractor would like to contract for and to perform in that state, and what full or partial process is needed to comply with those requirements.
Note that not all states license contractors generally; some require licenses for only certain trades, and as noted above, some simply require the contractor to register with the agency. If it is unclear whether a license is required, contractors should consider whether to seek confirmation from the agencies (on a blind basis if the contractor is concerned that the agency’s answer may pose a problem for its current operations). If it is unclear whether the contractor might qualify for reciprocity, communicating with the agency may save the contractor time, money and risk.
Reciprocity is sometimes required even before a contract is signed or dirt is turned over. Some laws prohibit even the act of offering or bidding to contract to perform a trade, if a license would be required to perform that trade. For example, California defines “contractor” very broadly to include “any person who undertakes to or offers to undertake to, or purports to have the capacity to undertake to, or submits a bid to, or does himself or herself or by or through others, construct, alter, repair, add to, subtract from, improve, move, wreck or demolish any building, highway, road, parking facility, railroad, excavation or other structure, project, development or improvement … or fabrication into, any structure, project, development or improvement herein described of any material or article of merchandise” (emphasis added). This statute expressly declares a contractor to include a “subcontractor” and a “specialty contractor.”
The consequences of unlicensed activity can be severe, starting with the risk of not being able to receive or sue for compensation for the work itself. That can happen even if the owner is aware of the lack of licensure. The Florida Supreme Court, in Earth Trades, Inc. v. T&G Corp., Case No. SC10-1892 (Jan. 24, 2013), applied a law providing that “[a]s a matter of public policy, contracts entered into on or after October 1, 1990, by an unlicensed contractor shall be unenforceable in law or in equity by the unlicensed contractor.” Fla. Stat. § 489.128(1) (2005). The Court found that “the fault of the person or entity engaging in unlicensed contracting is not substantially equal to that of the party who merely hires a contractor with knowledge of the contractor’s unlicensed status.” Accordingly, “the defense that parties to a contract are in pari delicto was not available to the unlicensed contractor.”
The California Contractors State License Board is authorized to investigate and to issue citations, including civil penalties, to unlicensed individuals acting in the capacity of a contractor who are not otherwise exempted from the licensing requirements, California Contractors’ State License Law, Bus. & Prof. Code § 7000 et seq. Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7031 prevents a contractor from suing to collect payment for work requiring a license without alleging that it was licensed throughout the project. In addition, unlicensed activity could qualify as a misdemeanor, and even felony charges may be filed against anyone who illegally uses another person’s contractor license or who tries to mislead consumers into believing that he or she is a licensed contractor.
There are cases in some jurisdictions that afford some relief in the case of “substantial compliance” with the licensing law. See RAM-Ellsworth Subdivision Partners, LLC v. Construction Services, LLC et al., Case No. 5:2022cv00779 (N.D. Ala. 2024) (contractor “substantially complied” with Alabama’s general contractor’s licensing statute by obtaining license on reciprocal basis during performance of the work). That is a less desirable position to be in than fully complying ahead of time.
All of this is to say that licensure matters and state boundaries matter. The following chart provides helpful information for taking the first step on the journey of verifying compliance in conducting an interstate construction business. For more information on these and subsequent steps, please contact the authors or your construction attorney.
Alabama
Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors – Reciprocity
Alabama Electrical Contractors Board: Reciprocal State Contact Information
Alaska
Alaska Labor Standards and Safety Division – Reciprocal Electrician Journeyman License
NOTE: Alaska no longer has a reciprocal agreement with the state of Utah.
Arizona
Arizona Registrar of Contractors – Applying for a Contractor’s License
Arizona Registrar of Contractors – Form RC-L-200G Out-of-State Waiver Request Form
Arkansas
Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board – Licensing Laws
Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board – Reciprocal Form
California
California Contractors State License Board’s Reciprocity Program
Colorado
Delaware
State of Delaware, Division of Professional Regulation – Frequently Asked Questions
“Do you have reciprocity?”
State of Delaware, Division of Professional Regulation – Electrician License
“Application Types”
District of Columbia
District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades – Electrical Reciprocity Notice
Florida
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation – Construction Industry – Reciprocity and Endorsement
Florida Department of Business Professional Regulation –Electrical Contractors – Endorsement and Reciprocity
Georgia
Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors – Frequently Asked Questions
“Does Georgia have reciprocity with other states?”
Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors – Frequently Asked Questions
“I am a licensed Commercial General Contractor in another state. How do I become licensed in Georgia so I can perform work in Georgia?”
Georgia State Board of Electrical Contractors – Frequently Asked Questions
“Does Georgia have reciprocity with other states?”
How-To Guide: Electrical Contractors
“Electrical Contractor – Non-Restricted, Reciprocity”
Hawaii
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division – Contractors License Board– Frequently Asked Questions
“Does Hawaii have reciprocity agreements with other states?”
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division – Board of Electricians and Plumbers – Frequently Asked Questions
“Does Hawaii have reciprocity agreements with other states?”
Idaho
Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses – Licenses that Idaho Will Reciprocate
Indiana
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency – Plumbing Licensing Information – Frequently Asked Questions
“Does reciprocity exist for journeyman and contractor plumbers?”
Indianapolis Business & Neighborhood Services – Board of Electrical Examiners Application
“Jurisdictions with Prometric Reciprocation Agreements”
Kentucky
Kentucky Administrative Regulations – 815 KAR 35:060 Licensing of electrical contractors, master electricians, and electricians.
“Section 2. Reciprocity.”
Louisiana
Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors – Reciprocity and Examination Endorsement Agreements
State Plumbing Board of Louisiana – License Reciprocation
Maine
Maine Electricians’ Examining Board – Master Electrician
“Requirements … Reciprocity”
Maine Electricians’ Examining Board – Journeyman Electricians
“Requirements … Reciprocity”
Maryland
Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation – Licensing FAQs for Applicants – Home Improvement Commission
“17. Reciprocity”
Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation – Plumbers Reciprocal Application
Michigan
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs – Licenses & Requirements
“Reciprocity”
Minnesota
Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry – Electrical License Reciprocity
Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry – Individual Electrical License Reciprocity Application
Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry – Plumbing Reciprocity
Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry – Individual Plumbing License Reciprocity Application
Mississippi
Mississippi State Board of Contractors – Reciprocity
Montana
Montana Department of Labor and Industry – State Electrical Board – Master Electrician
“Continuing Education Requirements”
Montana Department of Labor and Industry – Board of Plumbers – FAQ
“What states will Montana reciprocate with AND can I work in Montana as a plumber…”
Montana Department of Labor and Industry – Board of Plumbers – FAQ
“Can I work in Montana as a plumber with my Idaho/North Dakota/South Dakota/Oregon…”
Nebraska
Nebraska State Electrical Division – Application for State Electrical License
“Application for License By: … Reciprocity with Other States”
Nevada
Nevada State Contractors Board – Licensure by Endorsement
“State Equivalency Chart”
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification – Electricians’ Board
“Who We Regulate… For Reciprocity applicants…”
New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification – FAQs for Electricians
“How to I reciprocate my license to New Hampshire?
New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification – Reciprocity Checklist
New Mexico
New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department –Continuing Education – Information by Bureau
“Electrical… Reciprocal Agreement”
North Carolina
North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors – FAQ for Contractors
“Existing License: I am applying for a license in another state. What do I need to do for reciprocity or examination waiver?”
North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors – FAQ for Contractors
“Existing License: I am applying for a license and have completed an exam in another state. How do I get reciprocity or an exam waiver?”
North Dakota
North Dakota State Electrical Board – Reciprocal License Agreements
Ohio
Ohio Department of Commerce – Division of Industrial Compliance – General Information
“Plumbing Inspector… Does the Division recognize uniform licensure requirements or allow for reciprocity?”
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Construction Industries Board – Guidelines for Electrical License through Reciprocity
Oregon
Oregon Secretary of State – Corporation Division – Reciprocal General Journeyman (J)
Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services – Building Codes Division – Reciprocal Plumbing License Application
Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services – Reciprocal Licenses
South Carolina
South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board – Frequently Asked Questions
“General & Mechanical Contractor Questions – Initial Applications… I am applying for a license through reciprocity with a state that licenses the individuals, not the entities. What DBA name should I list on the application?”
South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board – Technical Exam Waiver Agreements
South Dakota
South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation – Plumbing Commission – Reciprocity
Tennessee
Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance – Board for Licensing Contractors -License & Bidding Requirements – Summary
“Reciprocal Agreements”
Texas
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration– Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Texas reciprocate with any state, and if so, which states?
Utah
Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing – Contracting Frequently Asked Questions
“Does Utah have reciprocity with other states?
Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing – Endorsement to Utah: Contractor
Vermont
Virginia
Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation – Applicants
Washington
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries – Plumber Examination – Out-of-state Applicants
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries – Reciprocal States (Workers’ Comp)
Wash. Admin. Code Section 296-17-31009 Reciprocal agreements.
West Virginia
West Virginia Division of Labor FAQ
“Does West Virginia offer reciprocity or accept other exam scores in order to obtain a license?”
Wisconsin
Wyoming