Georgia Residential Contractor Licensing Information
Updated July 2, 2007
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Home Builders Association of Georgia |
State Licensing Board for |
*The law establishing the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (Board) and creating licensing requirements for Residential and General Contractors was signed July 1, 2005. With the signing of Senate Bill 115 by Gov. Sonny Perdue on May 29, 2007, the licensing start date was extended. You will not have to produce a license to pull a permit until July 1, 2008.
Information Updates as of July 2, 2007
- The Greater Atlanta HBA is always available to assist with questions or concerns regarding licensing. In addition to the resources available here, you may contact our Builder Licensing Helpline at 678-775-1498 and receive a return call within 24 to 28 hours, depending on call volume. You may also contact Government Affairs Representative Penny Round with any questions.
- The deadline for accepting applications for licensure for examination exemption for residential-basic contracting, residential-light contracting and general contracting was July 2, 2007. The exemption period could be re-opened pending legislative changes made in Senate Bill 115 and would extend the exemption period until July 2, 2007.
- The state builder licensing exam is completed and ready to administered. PSI has opened three statewide facilities in Atlanta, Macon and Tifton. Click here for state licensing exam information. REMINDER: You must make application to and be approved by the State Licensing Board BEFORE you can take the licensing exam.
- The HBA is offering licensing application workshops to assist you in completing your application. One-on-one consulting will be available at all workshops. Click here to register for upcoming workshops.
- The HBA is offering builder licensing exam prep classes for the residential-basic exam. The HBA will offer classes in several different formats. Click here to register for licensing exam prep classes.
Top 5 Most Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do I need to do to get licensed?
Your first step will be to apply for “licensure by examination” with the Board. Get applications here. Then complete and submit the application to the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors. Once approved by the Board, you will need to take the license exam. Click here for state exam information.
2. I am licensed in another state and am relocating to Georgia. Will I be able to receive reciprocity?
To request reciprocity, you will have to apply for “licensure by reciprocity” with Board. The Board will be unable to establish reciprocity with other states until the Georgia exam has been developed. Again, you will not need a license in Georgia to pull a permit until July 1, 2008 unless you will be building within a local jurisdiction who requires builders to be licensed.
3. I submitted my application for “licensure by exemption” just prior to the exemption deadline, but I haven’t heard anything from them. Should I be concerned?
Do not be surprised if you applied at the end of 2006 and have not heard anything from the Secretary of State's office. The Licensing Board recevied almost 20,000 applications during the 2006 exemption period and has processed almost 10,000 of them. However, the Secretary of State's office has added additional staff and are focusing on getting all applications processed.
You can check the Secretary of State's Web site to see that your application has been received and where it currently is in the application process. You will need your Social Security number to access your account. Click here to check the status of your application. If the SOS's site does not have a record of receiving your application, contact the SOS office at (478) 207-2440 for assistance.
4. I received a deficiency letter from the Board regarding the five-year requirement. Can you help?
Prior to the exemption deadline, the Licensing Board made several clarifications regarding the five-year requirement under O.C.G.A 43-41-8(a)(2) that states, “[…] if applying as a qualifying agent for a business organization, such business organization shall be […] authorized and certified to transact business in Georgia with a regular office and place of business in Georgia currently and have had such office and place of business continuously for the five years immediately preceding such application.” To receive the exam exemption, the company for which you applied MUST have had five years of business experience at the time of application.
The Board further clarified that years spent operating as a Sole Proprietorship or doing business in your own name does not meet the definition of a “business organization” recognized in O.C.G.A 43-41-2(2), which states “(2) ‘Business organization’ means any partnership, corporation, limited liability entity, business trust, joint venture, or other legal entity, other than an individual person, doing business or seeking, offering, or contracting to do business as a contractor or otherwise performing or acting as a contractor as defined in this code section.”
5. I received a deficiency letter from the Board and am unsure what exactly the Board is requesting. Can you help?
Yes. Fax a copy of your letter from the Board to (770) 938-6586, attention Penny Round. Be sure to include your contact information. We will review your letter and follow up with you within 48 hours.
*All licensing information is provided as a voluntary service to the members of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, Inc. and The Housing Institute, Inc. Georgia’s contractor licensing law, regulations and related forms are new. As a result, there are uncertainties about their interpretation, implementation and use. The information provided herein is based on the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association staff’s understanding of the application requirements of those laws and regulations. HBA staff are not lawyers and are not providing legal advice. All person(s) reviewing this information are responsible, individually or with the assistance of their legal counsel, for complying with those laws and regulations.
