Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) License Requirements

Official classification: Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration · Issued by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection.

🏗️ General ContractorPA ✔ Verified 2026-07-09

In Pennsylvania, general contractors must hold the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration, issued by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 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 Pennsylvania

Follow these steps to earn your Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration. Every figure is verified against the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. None — HIC registration is administrative, not competency-based; no experience requirement
Confirm exam requirements. Pennsylvania sets no state trade exam for this license, though your city or county may require one.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: $50,000 per occurrence minimum. Property damage: $50,000 per occurrence minimum. Workers' compensation: Required if the contractor has employees.
Clear the background check. Disclosure of relevant criminal history (fraud, theft, deception, home-improvement-related crimes) and prior bankruptcy filings required on the application
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection — $100 application fee, plus a Included in the $100 registration fee license fee. Processing time: Apply online for faster processing; for a mailed application the Attorney General says to allow several weeks once it is complete (HIC application instructions).
Keep the license active. Renewal: Every 2 years (biennial).

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

Pennsylvania general contractor license lookup

To confirm a general contractor is properly licensed in Pennsylvania — 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 hicsearch.attorneygeneral.gov database →

License types

Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) — Required for anyone performing $5,000 or more per year of home improvement work in Pennsylvania (Act 132 / HICPA)

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	None — HIC registration is administrative, not competency-based; no experience requirement
Application fee	$100
License fee	Included in the $100 registration fee
Renewal fee	$100 every 2 years
Renewal period	Every 2 years (biennial)
Continuing education	None required
Bond required	None required
Liability insurance	$50,000 per occurrence minimum
Property damage	$50,000 per occurrence minimum
Workers' comp	Required if the contractor has employees
Background check	Disclosure of relevant criminal history (fraud, theft, deception, home-improvement-related crimes) and prior bankruptcy filings required on the application
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	None · other states' agreements
Processing time	Apply online for faster processing; for a mailed application the Attorney General says to allow several weeks once it is complete (HIC application instructions)

What a Pennsylvania general contractor license costs

Application fee	$100.
License fee	Included in the $100 registration fee.
Surety bond	None required.
Renewal fee	$100 every 2 years.
Renewal period	Every 2 years (biennial).

Exams

No state trade exam is required — the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration is a registration, not an examined license. Local jurisdictions may set their own exam requirements.

Renewing a Pennsylvania general contractor license

The Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration renews on a fixed cycle set by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection. 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 (biennial)
Renewal fee	$100 every 2 years
Continuing education	None required
Where to renew	Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection

Local / municipal notes

Pennsylvania has no statewide general-contractor license — the HIC registration with the Attorney General is the statewide credential for residential work. Some municipalities (e.g. Philadelphia) layer their own contractor licenses on top; commercial construction is not covered by HICPA.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Pennsylvania general contractor license cost?

Application: $100. License: Included in the $100 registration fee. Renewal: $100 every 2 years.

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

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

Do general contractors in Pennsylvania need a surety bond?

None required

What experience is required for a Pennsylvania general contractor license?

None — HIC registration is administrative, not competency-based; no experience requirement

Is insurance required for general contractors in Pennsylvania?

Liability: $50,000 per occurrence minimum. Property damage: $50,000 per occurrence minimum. Workers' compensation: Required if the contractor has employees.

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

Processing time: Apply online for faster processing; for a mailed application the Attorney General says to allow several weeks once it is complete (HIC application instructions).

Is a background check required for general contractors in Pennsylvania?

Background check: Disclosure of relevant criminal history (fraud, theft, deception, home-improvement-related crimes) and prior bankruptcy filings required on the application.

How often must a Pennsylvania general contractor license be renewed?

Every 2 years (biennial). Continuing education: None required.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-07-09 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection before applying. This is not legal advice.