New Jersey Construction Licensing
Licenses are typically required for individuals and businesses that provide construction industry services. This guide contains information about construction industry licensing in New Jersey.
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- New Jersey Construction and Contracting Company Licenses
- Local Construction and Contracting Company Licenses
- New Jersey Individual Construction and Contracting Licenses
- Local Individual Construction and Contracting Licenses
Company Licenses
New Jersey Construction and Contracting Company Licenses
New Jersey Electrical Business Permit
Agency: | New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - Board of Examiners and Electrical Contractors |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $150 for permits issued during the first year of the triennial period, $100 for the second year, and $50 for permits issued during the third year of the triennial period. |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | $225 |
Due: | Triennially by March 31. |
Notes: | Contact the board for a renewal application. |
New Jersey Fire Protection Equipment Contractor Permit
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $250 |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $250 |
Due: | Annually by date of issuance. |
New Jersey General Contractor License
Not required
General Contractor Company licensure is not required on the State level in New Jersey.
There is no state level license for general contractor firms in New Jersey, however, home improvement contractors are licensed by the division of consumer affairs and the department of banking and insurance.
Home Improvement is any remodeling, altering, painting, repairing, renovating, restoring, moving, demolishing, or modernizing of a structure used as a place of residence, or of any portion of the property on which the structure is located, is considered a home improvement for the purposes of the Act.
Home improvement includes the construction, installation, replacement, improvement, or repair of driveways, sidewalks, swimming pools, terraces, patios, landscaping, fences, porches, windows, doors, cabinets, kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements and basement waterproofing, water purifiers (not including the installation or disconnection of water filtration systems), insulation installation, siding, wall-to-wall carpeting or attached or inlaid floor coverings, and other changes, repairs, or improvements made to residential property.
Construction of a new residence is not considered a home improvement under the Act.
Any person, whether a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company or any other type of business organization that is engaged in the business of selling or making home improvements is considered a home improvement contractor for the purposes of the Act.
New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor License
Agency: | New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs - Home Improvement Contractor Section |
Notes: | General contractors are licensed at the county and city level. |
Initial Registration
Form: | Home Improvement Contractor Application for Initial Registration |
Filing Method: |
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Agency Fee: | $110 |
Notes: |
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Before you Apply: |
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Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $110 |
Due: | Annually by March 31. |
Before you Apply: | COI |
The home repair contractor license issued by DOBI is required for a New Jersey home repair contractor who executes financed home repair contracts on the goods or services provided to New Jersey consumers for home repair work.
A home repair contractor who deals strictly in cash installment payments over a period of 90 days or less or accepts credit card payments does not need to obtain this license.
New Jersey Home Repair Contractor License
Agency: | New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance - Home Repair Contractor/Salesperson |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: |
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Agency Fee: | $300 |
Original Ink: | Required |
Notarization Required?: | Required |
Notes: |
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Before you Apply: |
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Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $300 |
Due: | By June 30 of odd-numbered years. |
New Jersey Lead Abatement Contractor Certification
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $2,518 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $2,518 |
Due: | Biennially by the date of issuance. |
New Jersey Lead Evaluation Contractor Certification
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $2,518 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $2,518 |
Due: | Biennially by the date of issuance. |
New Jersey Mechanical Contractor License
Not required
Mechanical/HVAC Contractor Company licensure is not required on the State level in New Jersey.
New Jersey does not issue firm licenses for mechanical contractors, however, a Master HVACR License may be required before an individual establishes an HVAC business.
All builders of owner-occupied new homes, including single family, townhouse, duplex (two-family), cooperative, condominium, factory-built, and modular residences are required to register with the New Home Warranty Program. A builder is any individual or organization in the business of constructing new homes, including anyone who constructs a new home for sale, acts as prime contractor to construct a new home for himself/herself or for another person, contracts with a general contractor for construction of a new home, or sells or transfers title to land and then participates in the construction of a new home. It does not include a person who constructs a new home for his/her own personal use, a licensed architect, engineer, or attorney, or someone who contracts with a licensed architect, engineer, or attorney to provide professional services related to the construction of a new home.
Each new home building business is required to register separately. The name of the company which is transferring title to the new home is the entity which must register and warrant the new home.
New Jersey New Home Builder Registration
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $200 |
Turnaround: | 20 business days |
Penalties: | Applications may be deemed incomplete and closed after 30 days, if after having been notified by the New Home Builder Registration Unit of a deficiency, the applicant fails to correct the deficient application submission. If an application is closed a new application and a new $200.00 application fee is required to restart or continue the application process. |
Notes: |
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Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $200 |
Due: | Biennially by date of issuance. |
Required Attachments: |
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New Jersey Plumbing Contractor License
Not required
Plumbing Contractor Company licensure is not required on the State level in New Jersey.
There is no state level license for plumbing firms in New Jersey, however, individual and local licensing requirements may apply.
Local Construction and Contracting Company Licenses
Atlantic City General Contractor Class I License
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: |
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Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $250 renewal fee |
Due: | Annually by March 1. |
Required Attachments: |
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Atlantic City General Contractor Class II License
Initial Registration
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: |
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Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $200 license fee |
Due: | Annually by March 1. |
Required Attachments: |
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Lawrence Township Contractor License
Automatic Exemption
Notes: | All state-licensed contractors are exempt from the contractor licensing requirement |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail, fax, or in-person |
Agency Fee: | $75 |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | Mail a current Certificate of Insurance and the required fee via check to renew a contractor's license. There is no renewal form. |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $75 |
Due: | Annually by December 31 |
Required Attachments: |
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City of Trenton Contractor Registration
Initial Registration
Agency Fee: | $200 |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | $200 |
Due: | Annually by date of issuance |
Required Attachments: |
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Individual Licenses
New Jersey Individual Construction and Contracting Licenses
New Jersey Apprentice Plumber Registration
Agency: | New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $50 |
Notarization Required?: | Required |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | $50 |
Due: | By June 30 of odd-numbered years. |
Notes: | Renewal applications are not available online. Renewal invoices will be sent directly to individual licensees. |
New Jersey Contractor Certification
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $75 per certification |
Before you Apply: |
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Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: |
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Due: | Triennially by April 30 or October 31. |
New Jersey Dewatering Well Driller License
Agency: | New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Division of Water Supply and Geoscience |
Initial Registration
Form: | Application for New Jersey Well Drilling & Pump Installer License |
Agency Fee: | There is currently no application fee for any category of NJ well driller or pump installer license. Exam fees for the required technical and regulatory exams are paid directly to the third-party testing vendor that administers the test. Once an applicant has been approved for licensure by the NJ State Well Drillers & Pump Installers Examining & Advisory Board (Board), payment of a license fee is required to activate the license. These fees are pro-rated based on the remaining time left in the 3-year license cycle for which driller and pump installer licenses are valid. |
Notarization Required?: | Required |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | $300 |
Due: | Triennially by June 30. |
Notes: | Renewal applications are not available online. Renewal invoices will be sent directly to individual licensees. |
New Jersey Home Repair Salesperson License
Agency: | New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance - Home Repair Contractor/Salesperson |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $60 |
Notarization Required?: | Required |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | By June 30 of odd-numbered years. |
Notes: | Renewal applications are not available online. Renewal invoices will be sent directly to individual licensees. |
New Jersey Journeyman Electrician License
Agency: | New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - Board of Examiners and Electrical Contractors |
Initial Registration
Form: | Application for a Certificate of Registration to Practice as a Qualified Journeyman Electrician |
Agency Fee: | If paid during the first year of a triennial; $ 60.00; second year of a triennial; $ 40.00; third year of a triennial; $ 20.00. |
Notarization Required?: | Required |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | $60 |
Due: | Three years from the date of initial licensure. |
Notes: | Renewal applications are not available online. Renewal invoices will be sent directly to individual licensees. |
New Jersey Journeyman Plumber Registration
Agency: | New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $75; The application fee is $50.00 if the applicant has previously registered with the Board as an apprentice plumber. |
Notarization Required?: | Required |
Registration Renewal
Due: | By June 30 of odd-numbered years. |
Notes: | Renewal applications are not available online. Renewal invoices will be sent directly to individual licensees. |
New Jersey Journeyman Well Driller License
Agency: | New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Division of Water Supply and Geoscience |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | There is currently no application fee for any category of NJ well driller or pump installer license. Exam fees for the required technical and regulatory exams are paid directly to the third-party testing vendor that administers the test. Once an applicant has been approved for licensure by the NJ State Well Drillers & Pump Installers Examining & Advisory Board (Board), payment of a license fee is required to activate the license. These fees are pro-rated based on the remaining time left in the 3-year license cycle for which driller and pump installer licenses are valid. |
Notarization Required?: | Required |
Notes: | The applicant will apply for their license after they have taken all the necessary exams and have met the appropriate experience requirements. |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | $300 |
Due: | Triennially by June 30. |
Notes: | Renewal applications are not available online. Renewal invoices will be sent directly to individual licensees. |
New Jersey Lead Inspector / Assessor License
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $150 |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $150 |
Due: | Biennially by date of issuance. |
Notes: | Renewal applicants must submit their application during the 90-calendar day period prior to or the 90-calendar day period after their previous permit’s expiration. Any applications pending in excess of one year will be rejected. |
Required Attachments: |
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New Jersey Master Plumber License
Agency: | New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers |
Initial Registration
Form: | Application to Take the Examination to Become a Licensed Master Plumber |
Agency Fee: | $100 |
Notarization Required?: | Required |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | $160 |
Due: | By June 30 of odd-numbered years. |
Notes: | Renewal applications are not available online. Renewal invoices will be sent directly to individual licensees. |
New Jersey Master Well Driller License
Agency: | New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Division of Water Supply and Geoscience |
Initial Registration
Form: | Application for New Jersey Well Drilling & Pump Installer License |
Agency Fee: | There is currently no application fee for any category of NJ well driller or pump installer license. Exam fees for the required technical and regulatory exams are paid directly to the third-party testing vendor that administers the test. Once an applicant has been approved for licensure by the NJ State Well Drillers & Pump Installers Examining & Advisory Board (Board), payment of a license fee is required to activate the license. These fees are pro-rated based on the remaining time left in the 3-year license cycle for which driller and pump installer licenses are valid. |
Notarization Required?: | Required |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | $300 |
Due: | Triennially by June 30. |
Notes: | Renewal applications are not available online. Renewal invoices will be sent directly to individual licensees. |
New Jersey Pump Installer License
Agency: | New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Division of Water Supply and Geoscience |
Initial Registration
Form: | Application for New Jersey Well Drilling & Pump Installer License |
Agency Fee: | There is currently no application fee for any category of NJ well driller or pump installer license. Exam fees for the required technical and regulatory exams are paid directly to the third-party testing vendor that administers the test. Once an applicant has been approved for licensure by the NJ State Well Drillers & Pump Installers Examining & Advisory Board (Board), payment of a license fee is required to activate the license. These fees are pro-rated based on the remaining time left in the 3-year license cycle for which driller and pump installer licenses are valid. |
Notarization Required?: | Required |
Notes: | The applicant will apply for their license after they have taken all the necessary exams and have met the appropriate experience requirements. |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | $150 |
Due: | Triennially by June 30. |
Notes: | Renewal applications are not available online. Renewal invoices will be sent directly to individual licensees. |
Local Construction and Contracting Individual Licenses
Lawrence Township Contractor License
Automatic Exemption
Notes: | All state-licensed contractors are exempt from the contractor licensing requirement |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail, fax, or in-person |
Agency Fee: | $75 |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail, fax, or in-person |
Agency Fee: | $75 |
Due: | Annually by December 31 |
Required Attachments: |
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Explore Licensing in Other States
Associated General Contractors of America
Professional association providing advocacy and organization for construction firms and workers.
National Association of Home Builders
National association for the promotion of the housing industry.
National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies
National organization that represents and promotes the interests of state level contractor licensing agencies.