Contractors in Georgia are licensed by the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors under the Georgia Secretary of State. The board offers residential and general contractor licenses with different experience and net-worth requirements, and candidates pass a two-part PSI exam: a trade exam plus the Georgia Business and Law exam. This guide walks through the license types, qualifications, application, and renewal.
Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with the official state or local licensing authority before applying.
Quick Overview
- Experience4 Years
- Application Fee$210
- Renewal2 Years
- CE NeededVaries
Figures come from official sources and can change. Always confirm with the licensing authority before applying.
3 Steps to Licensure
- 1
Meet the requirements
Qualification requirements depend on the license type:
- Residential-Basic: at least 2 years of proven experience predominantly in the residential-basic category, with significant responsibility for at least 2 completed projects in the 2 years preceding application.
- General Contractor: a 4-year degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, or similar plus 1 year of experience, OR an acceptable combination of college credit and practical experience totaling 4 years; overall at least 4 years of active construction-industry experience, at least 2 as or with a general contractor.
- Financial responsibility: general contractor minimum net worth $150,000; Limited Tier $25,000. The residential division accepts a bank credit reference, a $25,000 line of credit, a $25,000 surety bond, or $25,000 net worth.
Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with the official state or local licensing authority before applying.
- 2
Submit your application
Georgia's contractor application process:
- Choose your license type (residential or general) and confirm you meet the experience and financial requirements.
- Prepare financial documentation: net worth statements for general contractor tiers, or a bank credit reference, line of credit, surety bond, or net worth evidence for the residential division.
- Submit the application through the GOALS portal with the $210 nonrefundable application fee. Paper applications are no longer accepted.
- After board approval, schedule your exams with PSI: the trade exam and the Georgia Business and Law exam. Commercial general contractor candidates take the NASCLA-accredited commercial GC exam as the trade portion.
- Pass both exams and complete any remaining licensure steps in GOALS.
A reciprocity application exists for commercial general contractor qualifying agents; the specific states are not listed on the board's how-to page, so confirm eligibility with the board.
- 3
Pass the contractor exam
Georgia contractor candidates take two exams through PSI: a trade exam and the Georgia Business and Law exam. Commercial general contractors take the NASCLA-accredited commercial GC exam, which other NASCLA states can accept later; Georgia licensure itself still requires the Georgia Business and Law exam. Building code content follows the IBC/IRC-based Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes, with new editions and 2026 Georgia Amendments effective January 1, 2026.
Always confirm exam requirements with the board or PSI because formats and approved references can change.
License Types
General Contractor
Unlimited commercial and residential contracting statewide with a $150,000 minimum net worth.
- Unlimited project scope
- NASCLA trade exam
Residential-Basic Contractor
Detached one- and two-family residences and one-family townhouses, with lighter financial requirements.
- Residential scope
- 2 years experience to qualify
Details
Experience
For residential licenses, the board looks for hands-on responsibility: Residential-Basic candidates need at least 2 years of experience predominantly in that category, including significant responsibility for at least 2 completed projects in the 2 years before applying.
For the general contractor license, education and experience combine. A 4-year degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, or a similar field counts alongside 1 year of experience, or you can qualify with a mix of college credit and practical experience totaling 4 years. In all cases, the board expects at least 4 years of active construction-industry experience, with at least 2 of those years as, or working with, a general contractor.
Details
Fees
The application fee is $210, nonrefundable, submitted with the GOALS application per the board's how-to guide. Exam fees are paid separately to PSI and vary by exam. Always confirm current fee amounts with the board and PSI before submitting payment.
Details
Renewal
Georgia contractor licenses renew biennially, by June 30 of even-numbered years, with a late period from July 1 to December 31; after that the license is treated as revoked. Continuing education depends on the license type:
- Residential-Basic: 3 hours per year.
- Residential-Light Commercial: 6 hours per year.
- General contractors (Limited Tier and unlimited): no CE requirement under the current renewal rule (GAC 553-12).
Rules can change; always confirm renewal and CE requirements with the board before your deadline.
Frequently asked questions
What contractor licenses does Georgia offer?
Four main types: Residential-Basic (detached one- and two-family homes and one-family townhouses), Residential-Light Commercial (adds multifamily and lighter commercial buildings), General Contractor (unlimited scope), and General Contractor Limited Tier (reduced net worth with a per-project cap). Each has its own experience and financial requirements.
How much net worth does a Georgia contractor need?
General contractors need a minimum net worth of $150,000; the Limited Tier requires $25,000. The residential division accepts alternatives: a bank credit reference, a $25,000 line of credit, a $25,000 surety bond, or $25,000 net worth.
What exams are required for a Georgia contractor license?
Two PSI exams: a trade exam and the Georgia Business and Law exam. Commercial general contractor candidates take the NASCLA-accredited commercial GC exam as the trade portion, which can later be carried to other NASCLA states, though Georgia still requires its own Business and Law exam.
Do small jobs in Georgia require a contractor license?
Georgia law is widely cited as exempting projects at or under $2,500 under O.C.G.A. 43-41-17, often called the '$2,500 rule.' Confirm the current statute text and local enforcement before relying on the exemption for any project.
Does a Georgia general contractor need continuing education?
Under the current renewal rule, general contractors (both unlimited and Limited Tier) have no CE requirement. Residential-Basic licensees need 3 hours per year and Residential-Light Commercial licensees need 6 hours per year. Renewal for all types is due by June 30 of even-numbered years.
