Georgia Contractor License Requirements
Georgia licenses contractors through the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors, with applications now handled through the state’s GOALS online portal — here’s how the Residential and General Contractor classifications work, and where the exact application fee still needs a direct check before you apply.
- Quick facts
- Residential vs. General Contractor classifications
- Steps to get licensed
- Renewal
- FAQ
Quick facts
| Regulator | Georgia Secretary of State, State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors — applications via the GOALS portal (launched November 2025) |
|---|---|
| Project threshold | A license is required for any project where the value of work or compensation exceeds $2,500 (O.C.G.A. §§ 43-41-17, 43-42-2) |
| License classifications | Residential-Basic and Residential-Light Commercial (single-family homes, townhomes, buildings up to 3 stories); General Contractor — Limited Tier and Unlimited (commercial, industrial, and multifamily buildings of 4+ units, any project value) |
| Financial responsibility | Minimum net worth of $25,000 for Residential classifications; $150,000 for General Contractor |
| Insurance | General liability minimum of $300,000 (Residential-Basic) or $500,000 (Residential-Light Commercial and General Contractor), plus workers’ compensation coverage for any employees |
| Exam | PSI-administered Business & Law exam plus a trade/technical exam matching your classification |
| Application fee | Not confirmed against a primary source this run — see note below |
| Renewal | Every 2 years, due June 30 of even-numbered years; continuing education required for Residential-Basic and Residential-Light Commercial license holders |
Residential vs. General Contractor classifications
Georgia splits contractor licensing into two tracks. The Residential track (Residential-Basic and Residential-Light Commercial) covers single-family homes, townhouses, and buildings up to three stories, and requires a minimum net worth of $25,000. The General Contractor track (Limited Tier and Unlimited) covers commercial, industrial, and multifamily buildings of four or more units at any project value, and requires a much higher $150,000 minimum net worth. Which track you need depends entirely on the kind of work you plan to do, not just the size of the jobs — a contractor doing $2 million in single-family remodels still falls under the Residential track, while a contractor building a small four-unit apartment building needs the General classification.
Steps to get licensed
- Confirm your classification. Residential-Basic, Residential-Light Commercial, General Contractor Limited Tier, or General Contractor Unlimited — based on the type and scale of work you’ll perform.
- Document your financial responsibility. $25,000 minimum net worth for Residential classifications, $150,000 for General Contractor.
- Pass the PSI exams. A Business & Law exam plus a trade/technical exam specific to your classification.
- Secure the required insurance. General liability coverage of $300,000 or $500,000 depending on classification, plus workers’ compensation if you have employees.
- Apply through the GOALS portal with your documentation and application fee — confirm the current fee on the portal itself, since published figures for this step vary by source.
- Receive your license once the Board approves your application.
Renewal
Georgia contractor licenses renew every two years, with renewals due by June 30 of even-numbered years. Residential-Basic and Residential-Light Commercial license holders must also complete continuing education as a condition of renewal. Late renewals are accepted for a limited window after the deadline but carry escalating penalty fees the longer you wait, so it’s worth renewing on time rather than relying on the grace period.
What’s the actual dollar amount of the Georgia contractor license application fee?
We couldn’t pin this down to one confirmed number this run. Sources report figures anywhere from around $120 to $500 depending on classification, and sos.ga.gov itself blocked our direct research attempts (returning HTTP 403 on every page tried, which reads as bot-protection rather than the page being gone). Rather than pick one of the conflicting numbers and present it as fact, we’re flagging the uncertainty directly — check the fee shown in the GOALS portal at sos.ga.gov when you’re ready to apply.
Do I need a license for a small home repair job in Georgia?
Only if the value of the work or compensation exceeds $2,500. Georgia law also allows owner-builders to do construction work on their own residence without a license, as long as it’s for personal occupancy and the property isn’t sold within a year of the work.
How often do I need to renew my Georgia contractor license?
Every two years, with renewals due June 30 of even-numbered years. If you hold a Residential-Basic or Residential-Light Commercial license, you’ll also need to complete continuing education before you can renew.
Penalty for contracting without a license
Under O.C.G.A. Section 43-41-12, contracting without a required Georgia license is a misdemeanor, carrying a fine of not less than $500 or imprisonment of up to 3 months, or both. A separate provision, Section 43-41-17, specifically penalizes intentionally misrepresenting a contract’s value to dodge the licensing threshold, with a fine of not less than $1,000 or up to 3 months in jail. Beyond the criminal penalty, contracts signed by an unlicensed contractor are unenforceable in Georgia, and an unlicensed contractor has no lien rights to collect unpaid amounts — a real financial risk on top of the fine.
Reciprocity with other states
Georgia’s reciprocity depends on which license classification you hold. The General Contractor license has reciprocity agreements with Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The Residential-Basic classification reciprocates with Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina. Residential Light Commercial and General-Limited classifications currently have no reciprocity agreements with any state. If reciprocity doesn’t apply to your situation, passing the NASCLA exam (with 3+ years of experience) is an alternate path some out-of-state contractors use instead. Confirm the current reciprocity list directly with the Georgia licensing board before assuming your out-of-state license transfers.