Connecticut Contractor Licensing
Trade-by-trade licensing requirements for Connecticut, sourced directly from the state regulatory board and verified by the CLR Editorial Review Desk. We currently publish 14 published trade guides, with direct links to each underlying board, statute, or candidate bulletin.
- Published guides
- 14
- Exam-backed
- 11
- Bond-backed
- 0
- Local / municipal
- 2
- Avg initial fee
- $183
How licensing works in Connecticut
Connecticut is not a one-size-fits-all licensing market. Across the 14 guides currently live on this state hub, 11 require a formal trade examination and 0 require a surety bond before the credential can issue. 2 of the published entries rely on city, county, or municipal registration rather than a single statewide credential, so contractors need to confirm the local building department or business-license office before bidding work.
The point of this state page is to give you a fast read on the regulatory model before you dive into a specific trade. Start with the trades grid below if you already know your specialty. If you are comparing jurisdictions, use the cost calculator for first-year cost and the reciprocity matrix for license portability.
Main boards and agencies
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Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection — Occupational and Professional Licensing Division
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection registers home improvement and new home construction contractors, licenses individual electrical, plumbing and heating/cooling tradespeople, administers the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund, and conducts disciplinary proceedings for all contractor trades statewide.
Open agency site -
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, License Services Division / Occupational and Professional Licensing Division
State agency that licenses Swimming Pool Builders and administers the SP-1/SP-2 spa and pool maintenance trade licenses under CGS Chapter 393.
Open agency site -
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Home Inspection Licensing Board
The Department of Consumer Protection administers and issues home inspector intern permits and licenses and administers the competency examination (CGS Sec. 20-491a). The eight-member Home Inspection Licensing Board (5 licensed home inspectors with at least five years of experience and 3 public members) prescribes the examination form and content, training-program standards, the code of ethics, and continuing-education requirements.
Open agency site
Licensed trades
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General Contractor
Connecticut Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration and New Home Construction Contractor Registration
Verified 2026-06-09
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Electrician
Connecticut E-2 Journeyperson Electrician and E-1 Unlimited Electrical Contractor
Verified 2026-05-13
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Plumber
Connecticut P-2 Journeyperson Plumber and P-1 Unlimited Plumbing Contractor
Verified 2026-06-17
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HVAC Technician
Connecticut S-2 Journeyperson Heating, Piping and Cooling and S-1 Unlimited Heating, Piping and Cooling Contractor
Verified 2026-06-13
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Roofing Contractor
Connecticut Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) / New Home Construction Contractor (NHC)
Verified 2026-05-25
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Painting Contractor
Connecticut Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration — Painting Scope
Verified 2026-04-24
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Landscaping Contractor
Connecticut Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) + DEEP Commercial Pesticide Supervisor
Verified 2026-05-26
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Masonry Contractor
Connecticut Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) — DCP (Masonry Subtrade)
Verified 2026-04-23
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Carpentry Contractor
Connecticut Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration
Verified 2026-04-15
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Solar Installer
Connecticut PV-1 Solar Photovoltaic Contractor / PV-2 Solar Photovoltaic Journeyperson (and HIC Registration)
Verified 2026-06-04
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Low-Voltage Technician
Connecticut L-5 / L-6 Limited Electrical Contractor and C-5 / C-6 Journeyperson
Verified 2026-05-26
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Fire Sprinkler Contractor
Connecticut F-1 / F-2 / F-3 / F-4 Fire Protection Sprinkler License (DCP)
Verified 2026-05-28
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Home Inspector
Home Inspector License (two-tier credential: Home Inspector Intern Permit, then Home Inspector License)
Verified 2026-06-29
View full report →
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Pool Contractor
Swimming Pool Builder (SPB) License
Verified 2026-07-10
View full report →
Compare Connecticut against other states
Every trade above also has a national comparison hub showing how Connecticut's exam, bond, fee, and experience requirements stack up against the other 50 jurisdictions.
- GC by state
- Electrician by state
- Plumber by state
- HVAC by state
- Roofing by state
- Painting by state
- Landscaping by state
- Masonry by state
- Carpentry by state
- Solar by state
- Low-Voltage by state
- Fire Sprinkler by state
- Home Inspector by state
- Pool by state
Best starting points in Connecticut
Budget
Estimate first-year cost
Compare filing fees, bond premiums, insurance assumptions, and renewal cost before you apply.
Mobility
Check reciprocity pathways
See whether this state accepts NASCLA or uses bilateral reciprocity for the trade you hold now.
Research
Search related guides
Jump directly to linked state and trade pages if you are comparing multiple jurisdictions side by side.
Related reading
Original analyses drawn from our national dataset that put Connecticut's rules in context — how its requirements compare, what a record means for eligibility, and how to carry a license across state lines.
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Can you get a contractor license with a criminal record?
A 50-state breakdown of background checks, which offenses actually disqualify, and how long a conviction counts.
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Contractor license difficulty index
Where each state ranks on exam, experience, and bond burden — hardest to easiest.
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License costs ranked by state
Cheapest to most expensive states once fees, bond, and first-year insurance are counted.
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How to transfer a license to another state
Which states accept NASCLA or bilateral reciprocity, and what re-testing each requires.