Georgia General Contractor License Requirements

Official classification: Commercial General Contractor License (Unlimited or Limited Tier) · Issued by the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (SLBRGC), Georgia Secretary of State.

🏗️ General ContractorGA ✔ Verified 2026-06-22

In Georgia, general contractors must hold the Commercial General Contractor License (Unlimited or Limited Tier), issued by the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (SLBRGC), Georgia Secretary of State, 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 Georgia

Follow these steps to earn your Commercial General Contractor License (Unlimited or Limited Tier). Every figure is verified against the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (SLBRGC), Georgia Secretary of State; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Residential Basic: 2 years documented experience in residential construction, plus successful completion of at least 2 projects in the prior 4 years. Residential Light Commercial, Limited Tier, and Unlimited: 4 years documented work experience (or 4-year accredited degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, or related field substituting for 1 year), plus completion of at least 2 projects in the prior 4 years.
Pass the exam for the license class you are applying for. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: Residential Basic: $300,000 per occurrence. Residential Light Commercial, Limited Tier, and Unlimited: $500,000 per occurrence. Workers' compensation: Required under O.C.G.A. §34-9-2 for any business with 3 or more employees.
Clear the background check. Applicants must disclose all arrests, charges, or convictions (felony, misdemeanor, DUI/DWI, or other); affirmative answers require written explanation with conviction documents and probation status.
Meet the credit / financial requirement. Minimum net worth per the Board's FAQ: Residential Basic $25,000; Residential Light Commercial $25,000; Commercial General Contractor Limited Tier $25,000; Commercial General Contractor $150,000. Applicants affirm the figure on the application and submit proof when directed (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 553-4).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (SLBRGC), Georgia Secretary of State — $200 application fee + $5–$10 processing fee (all license types, submitted via GOALS portal) application fee, plus a $100 (initial license fee) license fee. Processing time: Minimum 2 years to qualify (Residential Basic work-experience path); minimum 4 years (all other license types work-experience path). Application processing time not publicly stated by SLBRGC.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Every 2 years (June 30 of even-numbered years). Continuing education: General Contractor (Unlimited and Limited Tier): None required. Residential Light Commercial: 6 hours annually. Residential Basic: 3 hours annually.

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

Georgia general contractor license lookup

To confirm a general contractor is properly licensed in Georgia — 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 goals.sos.ga.gov database →

License types

Residential Basic Contractor — Residential construction and remodeling projects over $2,500; no commercial work permitted
Residential Light Commercial Contractor — Residential work and commercial work on structures under 4 stories and less than 25,000 sq ft
General Contractor — Limited Tier — Any commercial or residential project valued under $1,000,000 per contract; net worth $25,000 minimum
General Contractor — Unlimited — Any commercial or residential project with no dollar limit; net worth $150,000 minimum

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Residential Basic: 2 years documented experience in residential construction, plus successful completion of at least 2 projects in the prior 4 years. Residential Light Commercial, Limited Tier, and Unlimited: 4 years documented work experience (or 4-year accredited degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, or related field substituting for 1 year), plus completion of at least 2 projects in the prior 4 years.
Application fee	$200 application fee + $5–$10 processing fee (all license types, submitted via GOALS portal)
License fee	$100 (initial license fee)
Renewal fee	$100 (biennial; due June 30 of even-numbered years); $200 late penalty after June 30
Renewal period	Every 2 years (June 30 of even-numbered years)
Continuing education	General Contractor (Unlimited and Limited Tier): None required. Residential Light Commercial: 6 hours annually. Residential Basic: 3 hours annually.
Bond required	No bond alternative is listed: the Board's rule has general contractors affirm a minimum net worth of $150,000 (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 553-4), and its FAQ lists $25,000 for Residential Basic, Residential Light Commercial and the Commercial General Contractor Limited Tier.
Liability insurance	Residential Basic: $300,000 per occurrence. Residential Light Commercial, Limited Tier, and Unlimited: $500,000 per occurrence.
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Required under O.C.G.A. §34-9-2 for any business with 3 or more employees.
Background check	Applicants must disclose all arrests, charges, or convictions (felony, misdemeanor, DUI/DWI, or other); affirmative answers require written explanation with conviction documents and probation status.
Credit requirement	Minimum net worth per the Board's FAQ: Residential Basic $25,000; Residential Light Commercial $25,000; Commercial General Contractor Limited Tier $25,000; Commercial General Contractor $150,000. Applicants affirm the figure on the application and submit proof when directed (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 553-4).
Reciprocity	Louisiana (Unlimited GC and Residential Basic — must still pass Georgia Business & Law exam); Mississippi (Unlimited GC and Residential Basic — must still pass Georgia Business & Law exam); South Carolina (Residential Basic only — must still pass Georgia Business & Law exam) · compare all states
Processing time	Minimum 2 years to qualify (Residential Basic work-experience path); minimum 4 years (all other license types work-experience path). Application processing time not publicly stated by SLBRGC.

What a Georgia general contractor license costs

Application fee	$200 application fee + $5–$10 processing fee (all license types, submitted via GOALS portal).
License fee	$100 (initial license fee).
Georgia Residential Basic Contractor Examination (90 questions, 200 minutes, open-book)	Not publicly disclosed separately by SLBRGC; included in exam registration.
NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors (for Residential Light Commercial, Limited Tier, and Unlimited)	$130 (paid to PSI).
Georgia Business & Law Examination (required for all license types)	$195 (paid to PSI).
Surety bond	No bond alternative is listed: the Board's rule has general contractors affirm a minimum net worth of $150,000 (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 553-4), and its FAQ lists $25,000 for Residential Basic, Residential Light Commercial and the Commercial General Contractor Limited Tier.
Renewal fee	$100 (biennial; due June 30 of even-numbered years); $200 late penalty after June 30.
Renewal period	Every 2 years (June 30 of even-numbered years).

Exams

Georgia Residential Basic Contractor Examination (90 questions, 200 minutes, open-book)	Provider: PSI Exams (for SLBRGC) · Passing: 70% · Fee: Not publicly disclosed separately by SLBRGC; included in exam registration
NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors (for Residential Light Commercial, Limited Tier, and Unlimited)	Provider: NASCLA / PSI Exams · Passing: 70% · Fee: $130 (paid to PSI)
Georgia Business & Law Examination (required for all license types)	Provider: PSI Exams (for SLBRGC) · Passing: 70% · Fee: $195 (paid to PSI)

Renewing a Georgia general contractor license

The Commercial General Contractor License (Unlimited or Limited Tier) renews on a fixed cycle set by the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (SLBRGC), Georgia Secretary of State. Finish the continuing-education requirement before you file — boards generally will not process a renewal without it. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Every 2 years (June 30 of even-numbered years)
Renewal fee	$100 (biennial; due June 30 of even-numbered years); $200 late penalty after June 30
Continuing education	General Contractor (Unlimited and Limited Tier): None required. Residential Light Commercial: 6 hours annually. Residential Basic: 3 hours annually.
Where to renew	State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (SLBRGC), Georgia Secretary of State

Local / municipal notes

Georgia uses a separate exam and license structure for residential versus commercial work. Reciprocity applicants must hold an active equivalent license in good standing for at least 3 years with no violations and must still pass the Georgia Business & Law exam.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Georgia general contractor license cost?

Application: $200 application fee + $5–$10 processing fee (all license types, submitted via GOALS portal). License: $100 (initial license fee). Renewal: $100 (biennial; due June 30 of even-numbered years); $200 late penalty after June 30.

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

Search the official license database at goals.sos.ga.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do general contractors in Georgia need a surety bond?

No bond alternative is listed: the Board's rule has general contractors affirm a minimum net worth of $150,000 (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 553-4), and its FAQ lists $25,000 for Residential Basic, Residential Light Commercial and the Commercial General Contractor Limited Tier.

What experience is required for a Georgia general contractor license?

Residential Basic: 2 years documented experience in residential construction, plus successful completion of at least 2 projects in the prior 4 years. Residential Light Commercial, Limited Tier, and Unlimited: 4 years documented work experience (or 4-year accredited degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, or related field substituting for 1 year), plus completion of at least 2 projects in the prior 4 years.

Is insurance required for general contractors in Georgia?

Liability: Residential Basic: $300,000 per occurrence. Residential Light Commercial, Limited Tier, and Unlimited: $500,000 per occurrence. Workers' compensation: Required under O.C.G.A. §34-9-2 for any business with 3 or more employees.

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

Processing time: Minimum 2 years to qualify (Residential Basic work-experience path); minimum 4 years (all other license types work-experience path). Application processing time not publicly stated by SLBRGC.

Is a background check required for general contractors in Georgia?

Background check: Applicants must disclose all arrests, charges, or convictions (felony, misdemeanor, DUI/DWI, or other); affirmative answers require written explanation with conviction documents and probation status.

Is there a credit or financial requirement for a Georgia general contractor license?

Credit requirement: Minimum net worth per the Board's FAQ: Residential Basic $25,000; Residential Light Commercial $25,000; Commercial General Contractor Limited Tier $25,000; Commercial General Contractor $150,000. Applicants affirm the figure on the application and submit proof when directed (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 553-4).

How often must a Georgia general contractor license be renewed?

Every 2 years (June 30 of even-numbered years). Continuing education: General Contractor (Unlimited and Limited Tier): None required. Residential Light Commercial: 6 hours annually. Residential Basic: 3 hours annually.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-22 — always confirm current requirements directly with the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (SLBRGC), Georgia Secretary of State before applying. This is not legal advice.