Georgia Contractor Licensing

Trade-by-trade licensing requirements for Georgia, 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: 13
Bond-backed: 0
Local / municipal: 6
Avg initial fee: $162

How licensing works in Georgia

Georgia is not a one-size-fits-all licensing market. Across the 14 guides currently live on this state hub, 13 require a formal trade examination and 0 require a surety bond before the credential can issue. 6 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

Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors

SLBRGC licenses and disciplines residential and general contractors statewide, adopts the International Residential Code and International Building Code by reference (with Georgia amendments), and conducts disciplinary proceedings. The Board meets monthly to vote on applications and complaints.
Open agency site
Georgia Construction Industry Licensing Board (within the Georgia Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division)

The Georgia CILB licenses electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low-voltage contractors, and utility contractors statewide. The Board adopts the National Electrical Code, International Plumbing Code, and International Mechanical Code by reference. General contractors are licensed by a separate body — the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (SLBRGC).
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State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors

Georgia's contractor licensing board, operating under the Secretary of State. It issues Residential-Basic, Residential-Light Commercial, and General Contractor licenses. There is no swimming-pool-specific classification. Building a swimming pool or spa where the work or compensation exceeds $2,500 must be performed by a licensed residential contractor (residential/accessory pools) or a licensed general contractor (commercial pools). Note: the SOS website titles the board 'State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors,' while the board's own PDFs and the statute use 'Residential and General Contractors'; 'SLBRGC' is a common shorthand, not an official acronym.
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Georgia Secretary of State — Professional Licensing Boards Division (no home inspector board)

No Georgia state agency licenses or registers home inspectors. The Georgia Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards Division administers occupational boards in the Building & Contractors category — including Residential & General Contractors, Conditioned Air Contractors, Electrical Contractors, and Engineers & Land Surveyors — but none covers home or residential property inspectors. The official georgia.gov professional-licensing index lists categories such as Real Estate and Property Appraisals, yet contains no home inspector entry, and the Real Estate Commission & Appraisers Board does not regulate the trade.
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Licensed trades

Compare Georgia against other states

Every trade above also has a national comparison hub showing how Georgia's exam, bond, fee, and experience requirements stack up against the other 50 jurisdictions.

Best starting points in Georgia

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.