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 a 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 Georgia Residential Basic Contractor Examination (90 questions, 200 minutes, open-book) and NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors (for Residential Light Commercial, Limited Tier, and Unlimited) and Georgia Business & Law Examination (required for all license types) exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. Georgia requires Residential Basic: $25,000 surety bond acceptable as alternative to demonstrating $25,000 net worth. Limited Tier: $25,000 surety bond acceptable as alternative to $25,000 net worth. Unlimited GC: No surety bond alternative; CPA-prepared financial statement showing $150,000 net worth required.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (Residential Basic: $300,000 per occurrence. Residential Light Commercial, Limited Tier, and Unlimited: $500,000 per occurrence.), and workers' compensation coverage.
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. Residential Basic and Limited Tier: demonstrated net worth of $25,000 (via CPA financial statement, bank credit reference, letter of credit, line of credit, or $25,000 surety bond). Unlimited: CPA-prepared financial statement showing minimum net worth of $150,000.
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. Renew every 2 years (June 30 of even-numbered years), completing General Contractor (Unlimited and Limited Tier): None required. Residential Light Commercial: 6 hours annually. Residential Basic: 3 hours annually.

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	Residential Basic: $25,000 surety bond acceptable as alternative to demonstrating $25,000 net worth. Limited Tier: $25,000 surety bond acceptable as alternative to $25,000 net worth. Unlimited GC: No surety bond alternative; CPA-prepared financial statement showing $150,000 net worth required.
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	Residential Basic and Limited Tier: demonstrated net worth of $25,000 (via CPA financial statement, bank credit reference, letter of credit, line of credit, or $25,000 surety bond). Unlimited: CPA-prepared financial statement showing minimum net worth of $150,000.
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)
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.

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)

Preparing for the General Contractor exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

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.

Do general contractors in Georgia need a surety bond?

Residential Basic: $25,000 surety bond acceptable as alternative to demonstrating $25,000 net worth. Limited Tier: $25,000 surety bond acceptable as alternative to $25,000 net worth. Unlimited GC: No surety bond alternative; CPA-prepared financial statement showing $150,000 net worth required.

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 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.