How do I verify a subcontractor's license?

Subcontractor licensing works differently from general contractor licensing in many states. Trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing) are often state-licensed even where residential GCs are not.

State-by-state licensing for trades (selected):

California (CSLB): - C-10 (Electrical) — required for electrical contractors. - C-36 (Plumbing) — required for plumbing contractors. - C-20 (HVAC) — required for HVAC. - Verify at cslb.ca.gov.

Texas (TDLR + Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners + Texas Electrical Code): - Electrical: Texas state license required. Verify at tdlr.texas.gov. - Plumbing: licensed by Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. Verify at tsbpe.texas.gov. - HVAC: licensed by TDLR. Verify at tdlr.texas.gov. - General contractor: NO state license in Texas.

Florida (DBPR): - CGC (Certified General Contractor) — general contractor. - CBC (Certified Building Contractor). - CRC (Certified Residential Contractor). - Electrical, plumbing, roofing, HVAC all licensed. - Verify at myfloridalicense.com.

Arizona (ROC): - R-11 through R-XX — various residential classes. - Verify at roc.az.gov.

Oregon (CCB): - Residential General Contractor. - Specialty classes for electrical, plumbing, etc. - Electricians separately licensed by Oregon BCD. - Verify at ccb.oregon.gov.

Washington (L&I): - General or specialty contractor. - Electricians licensed by L&I Electrical Section. - Plumbers certified by L&I. - Verify at lni.wa.gov.

New York: - No state contractor license. NYC licenses Home Improvement Contractors (HIC) through DCWP. - Electricians licensed by city (NYC DOB, or upstate city equivalents). - Plumbers licensed by city.

How to verify:

1. Get the license number in writing — ask via email or text to create a record. 2. Go directly to the state board website — not a third-party aggregator. 3. Search by license number — if that fails, search by name. 4. Verify ALL of the following: - License is active (not expired, suspended, or revoked). - License class covers the work (a C-36 plumber doing electrical is an issue). - License is for the business entity you contracted with (not a different DBA). - Bond and insurance are current. - No open disciplinary actions. 5. Check complaint history where available. 6. For trades, verify workers' comp separately — trade subs' WC is separate from GC's.

Red flags:

• License number that doesn't come up on search.
• License class doesn't match work.
• License issued recently (less than 1 year).
• Multiple discipline history.
• Name or entity mismatch with contract.
• Expired bond or insurance.

When your GC hires subs:

• GC is typically responsible for sub's licensing and insurance.
• You can request COI and license verification from GC for each sub.
• Mechanic's lien rights mean unlicensed subs still have claim rights in many states (unlike unlicensed GCs).

DIY homeowner and licensing:

• Most states allow a homeowner to perform work on their own primary residence without a contractor license (with specific restrictions).
• Usually requires occupying the property for a specific period afterward (to prevent homeowner license as a loophole for flippers).
• California: B&P Code §7044 homeowner exemption.

AskBaily matches homeowners with a general contractor whose subs are pre-verified. We check the GC's license + each trade sub's license for every project. See /ask/how-do-i-verify-a-contractor-license-in-california for the CSLB-specific deep dive.