As of February 2011, 23 U.S. states require construction contractors to pass a licensing exam. While the remaining states do not have full contractor licensing requirements, most require licensing in the electrical, plumbing and specialty contract trades, and all recommend checking with individual municipalities for local regulations. Call your Secretary of State licensing office for specific details about construction licensing in your area.
Every state's licensing exam process is different; however, at a minimum, applicants will be required to pass a comprehensive test that covers business and legal issues as well as specific knowledge related to specific aspects of the building trades. Some states divide licensing into primary classifications of general engineering, general construction and specialty trades. Localized construction license schools will help you understand and determine which license exam is most appropriate for the type of work you do.
Trade schools, community colleges and universities used to be the primary resource for construction license exam preparation. Online study and distance learning have also become more common options in recent years. Ask your state licensing office to recommend the best preparation source for their test. This will help you avoid scams and ensure that course work yields a successful licensing exam on the first attempt.
Expect to invest between $200 and $500 for online exam preparation materials that cover basic business, law and trades information within a given classification of construction. For course work that is taught in a classroom or supported by personal instruction, tuition costs may be twice as high and the time necessary to prepare may be longer. Your learning style, lifestyle and budget will determine what is best and most cost effective for you.