Connecticut General Contractor License Requirements

Official classification: New Home Construction Contractor (NHCC) Registration · Issued by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Trade Practices Division.

🏗️ General ContractorCT ✔ Verified 2026-06-23

In Connecticut, general contractors must hold the New Home Construction Contractor (NHCC) Registration, issued by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Trade Practices Division, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed general contractor in Connecticut

Follow these steps to earn your New Home Construction Contractor (NHCC) Registration. Every figure is verified against the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Trade Practices Division; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. No experience requirement for registration. Connecticut does not issue a traditional 'general contractor license' — there is no exam or apprenticeship requirement for general construction work. Trade work within the project (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) must be performed by separately licensed tradespeople.
Confirm exam requirements. Connecticut sets no state trade exam for this license, though your city or county may require one.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: Minimum $20,000 general liability insurance required for both NHCC and HIC registration (statutory floor under CGS Chapter 399a and Chapter 400). Insurance provider name and policy number must be provided at application and each renewal. Property damage: Covered within general liability policy; no separate state-mandated property damage amount specified. Workers' compensation: Required for any business with one or more employees under CGS § 31-284.
Clear the background check. NHCC registration has no criminal-history question in its statute (CGS 20-417b). A concurrently held HIC registration does: the HIC application must disclose any felony conviction in Connecticut, under federal law, or in another jurisdiction for an act that would be a felony here (CGS 20-421(a)(2)).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Trade Practices Division — NHCC: $360 total ($120 registration fee under CGS 20-417b + $240 New Home Construction Guaranty Fund fee under CGS 20-417i, non-refundable). The $120 NHCC fee is waived for a year in which the applicant has paid the HIC registration fee (CGS 20-417b(b)). HIC (if also needed): $220 first year ($120 application + $100 Home Improvement Guaranty Fund). application fee, plus a Included in application/registration fee license fee. Processing time: Typically a few weeks after complete online application is submitted; DCP processes applications through the eLicense portal.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Annually – NHCC and HIC registrations both expire March 31; renewal notices sent approximately 30 days before expiration; online renewal only.

For the general path in every state, see the General Contractor guide →

Connecticut general contractor license lookup

To confirm a general contractor is properly licensed in Connecticut — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official elicense.ct.gov database →

License types

New Home Construction Contractor (NHCC) Registration — Required for any person or business that contracts with a consumer to build a new home or structure on residential property. Covers new construction from the ground up, including custom homes and spec homes. Registered under CGS Chapter 399a.
Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration (separate, concurrent registration) — Required for repair, alteration, remodeling, or improvement work on existing residential property where contract value exceeds $200. Contractors doing both new construction and renovation work must hold both HIC and NHCC registrations.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	No experience requirement for registration. Connecticut does not issue a traditional 'general contractor license' — there is no exam or apprenticeship requirement for general construction work. Trade work within the project (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) must be performed by separately licensed tradespeople.
Application fee	NHCC: $360 total ($120 registration fee under CGS 20-417b + $240 New Home Construction Guaranty Fund fee under CGS 20-417i, non-refundable). The $120 NHCC fee is waived for a year in which the applicant has paid the HIC registration fee (CGS 20-417b(b)). HIC (if also needed): $220 first year ($120 application + $100 Home Improvement Guaranty Fund).
License fee	Included in application/registration fee
Renewal fee	NHCC: $360 annually ($120 registration + $240 Guaranty Fund). HIC (if held): $220 annually ($120 renewal + $100 Guaranty Fund). Both expire March 31.
Renewal period	Annually – NHCC and HIC registrations both expire March 31; renewal notices sent approximately 30 days before expiration; online renewal only.
Continuing education	None required for HIC or NHCC registration.
Bond required	No state surety bond required for NHCC registration. The New Home Construction Guaranty Fund (funded by the $120 annual Guaranty Fund fee) protects consumers in lieu of a posted surety bond. (A concurrently held HIC registration also carries no standard bond; under CGS § 20-426a the DCP commissioner may require a $15,000 bond as a condition of issuance or renewal, typically as a disciplinary measure.)
Liability insurance	Minimum $20,000 general liability insurance required for both NHCC and HIC registration (statutory floor under CGS Chapter 399a and Chapter 400). Insurance provider name and policy number must be provided at application and each renewal.
Property damage	Covered within general liability policy; no separate state-mandated property damage amount specified.
Workers' comp	Required for any business with one or more employees under CGS § 31-284.
Background check	NHCC registration has no criminal-history question in its statute (CGS 20-417b). A concurrently held HIC registration does: the HIC application must disclose any felony conviction in Connecticut, under federal law, or in another jurisdiction for an act that would be a felony here (CGS 20-421(a)(2)).
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	Connecticut does not recognize out-of-state contractor registrations or licenses. All contractors performing covered work in Connecticut must register independently with the DCP regardless of credentials held in other states. · compare all states
Processing time	Typically a few weeks after complete online application is submitted; DCP processes applications through the eLicense portal.

What a Connecticut general contractor license costs

Application fee	NHCC: $360 total ($120 registration fee under CGS 20-417b + $240 New Home Construction Guaranty Fund fee under CGS 20-417i, non-refundable). The $120 NHCC fee is waived for a year in which the applicant has paid the HIC registration fee (CGS 20-417b(b)). HIC (if also needed): $220 first year ($120 application + $100 Home Improvement Guaranty Fund).
License fee	Included in application/registration fee.
Surety bond	No state surety bond required for NHCC registration. The New Home Construction Guaranty Fund (funded by the $120 annual Guaranty Fund fee) protects consumers in lieu of a posted surety bond. (A concurrently held HIC registration also carries no standard bond; under CGS § 20-426a the DCP commissioner may require a $15,000 bond as a condition of issuance or renewal, typically as a disciplinary measure.).
Renewal fee	NHCC: $360 annually ($120 registration + $240 Guaranty Fund). HIC (if held): $220 annually ($120 renewal + $100 Guaranty Fund). Both expire March 31.
Renewal period	Annually – NHCC and HIC registrations both expire March 31; renewal notices sent approximately 30 days before expiration; online renewal only.

Exams

None — no examination required for NHCC or HIC registration	Provider: N/A · Passing: N/A · Fee: N/A

Renewing a Connecticut general contractor license

The New Home Construction Contractor (NHCC) Registration renews on a fixed cycle set by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Trade Practices Division. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Annually – NHCC and HIC registrations both expire March 31; renewal notices sent approximately 30 days before expiration; online renewal only.
Renewal fee	NHCC: $360 annually ($120 registration + $240 Guaranty Fund). HIC (if held): $220 annually ($120 renewal + $100 Guaranty Fund). Both expire March 31.
Continuing education	None required for HIC or NHCC registration.
Where to renew	Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Trade Practices Division

Local / municipal notes

There is NO traditional 'general contractor license' in Connecticut. General construction work on existing homes is regulated through HIC registration; new home construction is regulated through NHCC registration. Neither requires a trade exam or minimum experience. However, all electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work within any project must be subcontracted to or performed by the appropriately licensed trade professional. Commercial construction has separate municipal permit and bonding requirements not covered by DCP registration.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Connecticut general contractor license cost?

Application: NHCC: $360 total ($120 registration fee under CGS 20-417b + $240 New Home Construction Guaranty Fund fee under CGS 20-417i, non-refundable). The $120 NHCC fee is waived for a year in which the applicant has paid the HIC registration fee (CGS 20-417b(b)). HIC (if also needed): $220 first year ($120 application + $100 Home Improvement Guaranty Fund). License: Included in application/registration fee. Renewal: NHCC: $360 annually ($120 registration + $240 Guaranty Fund). HIC (if held): $220 annually ($120 renewal + $100 Guaranty Fund). Both expire March 31.

How do I look up a general contractor license in Connecticut?

Search the official license database at elicense.ct.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do general contractors in Connecticut need a surety bond?

No state surety bond required for NHCC registration. The New Home Construction Guaranty Fund (funded by the $120 annual Guaranty Fund fee) protects consumers in lieu of a posted surety bond. (A concurrently held HIC registration also carries no standard bond; under CGS § 20-426a the DCP commissioner may require a $15,000 bond as a condition of issuance or renewal, typically as a disciplinary measure.)

What experience is required for a Connecticut general contractor license?

No experience requirement for registration. Connecticut does not issue a traditional 'general contractor license' — there is no exam or apprenticeship requirement for general construction work. Trade work within the project (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) must be performed by separately licensed tradespeople.

Is insurance required for general contractors in Connecticut?

Liability: Minimum $20,000 general liability insurance required for both NHCC and HIC registration (statutory floor under CGS Chapter 399a and Chapter 400). Insurance provider name and policy number must be provided at application and each renewal. Property damage: Covered within general liability policy; no separate state-mandated property damage amount specified. Workers' compensation: Required for any business with one or more employees under CGS § 31-284.

How long does it take to get a Connecticut general contractor license?

Processing time: Typically a few weeks after complete online application is submitted; DCP processes applications through the eLicense portal.

Is a background check required for general contractors in Connecticut?

Background check: NHCC registration has no criminal-history question in its statute (CGS 20-417b). A concurrently held HIC registration does: the HIC application must disclose any felony conviction in Connecticut, under federal law, or in another jurisdiction for an act that would be a felony here (CGS 20-421(a)(2)).

How often must a Connecticut general contractor license be renewed?

Annually – NHCC and HIC registrations both expire March 31; renewal notices sent approximately 30 days before expiration; online renewal only. Continuing education: None required for HIC or NHCC registration.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-23 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Trade Practices Division before applying. This is not legal advice.