How to Verify a Contractor License in Georgia

TL;DR — Verifying a Contractor License in Georgia in 60 Seconds

Georgia requires state licensing for all residential and general contractors through the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, a division of the Secretary of State. Georgia offers four license classifications: Residential Basic, Residential Light Commercial, General Contractor Limited Tier (projects under $1M), and General Contractor (unlimited). To verify a contractor, search their name or license number on LicensedCheck.com or the Georgia GOALS licensing portal.

Electricians, plumbers, HVAC contractors, and low voltage contractors are licensed by separate state boards under the Secretary of State. Always verify both the general contractor license and any trade-specific licenses for your project.

Best Contractor License Verification Tools for Georgia

LicensedCheck.com will soon include Georgia contractor license data and provide the fastest way to verify any Georgia licensed contractor. It is free, instant, and requires no account. Best for: homeowners in Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, and across Georgia who want a quick, reliable license check.

The Georgia GOALS portal at sos.ga.gov is the official source for license verification. It provides license status, classification, expiration date, and disciplinary history for all contractors and trade professionals licensed by the Secretary of State. Best for: confirming the exact license classification and any board actions.

For most Georgia homeowners, verifying the contractor's license classification is critical — a Residential Basic license does not authorize commercial work, and a Limited Tier license caps projects at $1 million.

Which Georgia Trades Require State Licenses

Georgia requires licensing for any person who contracts for residential or general construction work valued at $2,500 or more. The state issues four contractor classifications: Residential Basic (single-family homes), Residential Light Commercial (commercial buildings under 4 stories and 25,000 sq ft), General Contractor Limited Tier (any project under $1M), and General Contractor (unlimited).

Trade-specific licenses are issued by separate boards: the Board of Electrical Contractors licenses electricians, the Division of Master and Journeyman Plumbers licenses plumbers, the Board of Conditioned Air Contractors licenses HVAC professionals, the Board of Low Voltage Contractors handles low voltage work, and the Board of Utility Contractors covers utility contracting.

All contractors must pass a state examination and carry general liability insurance ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 per occurrence depending on the license classification.

Protecting Yourself When Hiring in Georgia

Before hiring a contractor in Georgia, verify their license classification matches your project scope. A Residential Basic contractor cannot legally perform commercial work. A Limited Tier contractor cannot take on projects exceeding $1 million. Confirm the license is active and not expired, suspended, or revoked.

Georgia requires contractors to carry general liability insurance. Request a current certificate and verify it directly with the insurance company. If your contractor has three or more employees, Georgia law requires workers compensation coverage.

Get a written contract that includes the full scope of work, total price, payment schedule, start and completion dates, and the contractor's license number and classification. Georgia law allows serious penalties for unlicensed contracting, including fines and criminal charges.

Watch for these red flags: a contractor who cannot produce a valid license number, a Residential Basic license being used for commercial work, a license classification that does not match the project scope, anyone who refuses to provide proof of insurance, and contractors who demand full payment before starting work. Verify first at LicensedCheck, then hire.

Red Flags and Consumer Protections in Georgia

Georgia requires state licensing for certain trades — including residential and general contractors, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians — through the Georgia Division of Professional Licensing. Understanding which category your contractor falls under is essential because requirements differ. Residential contractors (working on homes and buildings with up to four units) and general contractors (larger commercial projects) have separate license classifications.

The Georgia Residential Mortgage Fraud Act and the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act both provide consumer protections relevant to contractor disputes. Under the Fair Business Practices Act, a contractor who engages in deceptive or unfair business practices — such as misrepresenting their license status, abandoning a project, or performing grossly defective work — can be liable for damages. The governor's Office of Consumer Protection investigates contractor fraud complaints.

Georgia law requires a written contract for residential construction projects over $2,500. The contract must include the contractor's state license number. Contractors cannot demand more than 60 percent of the contract price before work is substantially completed. These are legal requirements, not suggestions — a contractor who violates them is breaking Georgia law.

Watch for unlicensed individuals who claim they are working under another contractor's license (called "license lending," which is illegal in Georgia), contractors who offer dramatically lower bids because they skip permits and inspections, and anyone who cannot provide a Georgia license number that matches their name on LicensedCheck. The Georgia licensing board posts disciplinary actions publicly, so check before you hire.