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Contractor license renewal by state

Contractor license renewal runs on each board's own cycle: every 2 years in California (CSLB), Florida (CILB) and for Pennsylvania's home improvement registration, but every year by December 31 in North Carolina. Florida requires 14 hours of continuing education per cycle and North Carolina 8 hours a year for building classes.[1][7][15][11][10]

By the Notary Renewal by State team · Updated · 15 sources

On this page
  1. Contractor license renewal rules side by side
  2. Contractor license renewal California (CSLB)
  3. Florida contractor license renewal (CILB)
  4. NC contractor license renewal (NCLBGC)
  5. PA contractor license renewal (home improvement registration)
  6. FAQ
  7. Sources

Not a government website. We are a private company, not affiliated with any Secretary of State, notary commissioning office or contractor licensing board. Renewal applications are filed directly with your state.

Contractor license renewal rules side by side

These are the boards' own renewal rules, read on 2026-11-15. We do not sell continuing education, bonds or insurance; each row links to the board.

Contractor license renewal in four states
State and boardCycleRenewal feeContinuing educationBond or insurance at renewal
California, CSLB2 years (active)[1]$450 / $700[5][2]Not on the CSLB renewal pages$25,000 contractor's bond; workers' comp or exemption[6][3][1]
Florida, CILB2 years[7]$200 (rule)[8]14 hours per cycle[10]Workers' comp, liability and property damage affidavit[9]
North Carolina, NCLBGC1 year, by Dec 31[11]$75 / $100 / $125[11]8 hours a year (building classes)[11]Financial responsibility attestation; bond if used instead of working capital[11]
Pennsylvania, Attorney General (HIC)2 years[15]$100[14]None in the Act or forms[13]$50,000 / $50,000 liability insurance[15]

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Contractor license renewal California (CSLB)

An active California contractor license expires every 2 years and an inactive one every 4. The CSLB mails the renewal application about 60 days before expiration; if it has not arrived 45 days out, order one, because a complete renewal has to reach the board before the expiration date.[1]

  • Fee: on time, $450 sole owner or $700 other entities (C-10: $470/$720); delinquent, $675/$1,050: Business and Professions Code §7137 sets the delinquency fee at 50% of the renewal fee. Inactive: $300/$500 on time, $450/$750 late.[5][2]
  • Bond and workers' comp: a $25,000 contractor's bond must be on file to renew an active license (Business and Professions Code §7071.6), plus a $25,000 bond of qualifying individual where a responsible managing employee qualifies the license. You recertify workers' compensation or your exemption and list your class codes.[6][3][4]
  • How: licenses with one qualifier can renew online; others mail the signed form with payment.[4]
  • Late: a late renewal pays the delinquent fee and counts only from the day it is received, so work in the gap is unlicensed. The CSLB reinstates retroactively when a complete renewal arrives within 90 days of expiration. After 5 years expired you apply for a new license.[1]

Continuing education is not mentioned on the CSLB renewal pages we read.

Florida contractor license renewal (CILB)

Florida certified and registered contractors renew every 2 years, and the state sends a renewal notice at least 60 days before the cycle ends.[7] Certified contractors are on an even-year cycle and registered contractors on an odd-year cycle; check your expiration date with the board.

  • Continuing education: 14 hours each cycle: one hour each of an advanced module, workplace safety, business practices, workers' compensation and laws and rules, plus one hour on wind mitigation, pool electrical or stucco for the classes that need it. No CE in your first licensure year.[10]
  • Fee: the board's rule sets $200 per two-year renewal ($50 inactive) and a $25 delinquency fee. The notice the state mails may show a different total; pay what it shows.[8]
  • Insurance: a signed affidavit of workers' comp and of public liability and property damage insurance: $300,000/$50,000 for general and building contractors, $100,000/$25,000 for residential and most specialty classes.[9]
  • Late: a license not renewed by expiration is delinquent; if it is not renewed active or inactive before the end of the current cycle it becomes void, and you apply as a new applicant.[7]

NC contractor license renewal (NCLBGC)

North Carolina general contractor licenses expire every January 1 and must be renewed by December 31 for the next year; 60 days after expiration an unrenewed license becomes invalid. Renewal is in the board's online licensee portal.[11][12]

  • Fee: up to $75 (limited), $100 (intermediate) or $125 (unlimited), plus $10 a month late after January 1.[11]
  • Continuing education: building, residential and unclassified licenses need 8 hours a year (2 hours of the board's mandatory course and 6 elective), due November 30; at least one qualifier completes them. CE alone does not renew the license.[11][12]
  • Financial responsibility: you attest to it at renewal; if you use a surety bond instead of working capital, show it each year ($175,000 limited, $500,000 intermediate, $1,000,000 unlimited).[11]
  • Late: after 4 years invalid the license is archived and you meet every new-applicant requirement, including the exam.[11]

PA contractor license renewal (home improvement registration)

Pennsylvania has no state contractor license. Home improvement contractors register with the Office of Attorney General, and the registration is valid for 2 years and keeps the same number at renewal.[13][15]

  • Fee: $100, non-refundable, for applications and renewals received after March 2, 2026 (the statute text online still shows $50).[14][13]
  • Insurance: a current certificate of insurance showing at least $50,000 for personal injury and $50,000 for property damage, or a self-insurance attestation.[15]
  • How: renew online at the Attorney General's registration site or on the paper form marked "Renewal".[15]
  • Late: the sources we read give no grace period; home improvement work without a valid registration is a violation of the Act.[14]

Notary commissions renew on a separate schedule: see California notary renewal, Florida notary renewal, North Carolina notary renewal and PA notary renewal, or compare states on how to renew a notary license.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to renew a contractor license in California?

$450 for a sole owner and $700 for other entities when you renew an active license on time (C-10: $470 and $720). Late, it is $675 and $1,050, a 50% delinquency fee (Business and Professions Code §7137).[5][2]

How many CE hours do Florida contractors need to renew?

14 hours each two-year cycle, including one hour each of an advanced module, workplace safety, business practices, workers' compensation and laws and rules, plus topic hours for some license classes.[10]

When do North Carolina general contractors renew?

Every year by December 31; the license expires January 1 and becomes invalid 60 days later unless renewed. Building, residential and unclassified licenses need 8 CE hours by November 30.[11][12]

Does Pennsylvania have a contractor license renewal?

Pennsylvania has no state contractor license; home improvement contractors register with the Attorney General every 2 years. The renewal fee is $100 for applications received after March 2, 2026, with proof of $50,000/$50,000 liability insurance.[15][14]

Sources

  1. Renew your license: general renewal information · Contractors State License Board, 2026-11-15
  2. List of all fees · Contractors State License Board, 2026-11-15
  3. Bond requirements · Contractors State License Board, 2026-11-15
  4. Online renewals · Contractors State License Board, 2026-11-15
  5. Business and Professions Code §7137: Fees · California Legislature, 2026-11-15
  6. Business and Professions Code §7071.6: Contractor's bond · California Legislature, 2026-11-15
  7. Florida Statutes Chapter 489, Part I: Construction Contracting · Florida Legislature, 2026-11-15
  8. Rule 61G4-12.009: Fees · Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (Florida Administrative Code), 2026-11-15
  9. Rule 61G4-15.003: Financial responsibility and insurance · Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (Florida Administrative Code), 2026-11-15
  10. Rule 61G4-18.001: Continuing education · Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (Florida Administrative Code), 2026-11-15
  11. 2026 Laws and Regulations book (G.S. 87, 21 NCAC 12) · North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors, 2026-11-15
  12. Board Buzz, Fall 2026 · North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors, 2026-11-15
  13. Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Act 132 of 2008) · Pennsylvania General Assembly, 2026-11-15
  14. Contractor questions since the cyber incident (fee change, 3/16/2026) · Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, 2026-11-15
  15. Home improvement contractor registration: application instructions (rev. 10/26/2026) · Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, 2026-11-15