New Jersey Masonry Contractor License Requirements (2026)

New Jersey does not license masonry as a trade. Masonry contractors performing residential work must register as Home Improvement Contractors (HIC) with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) under N.J.S.A. 56:8-136 et seq. (Contractors Registration Act). Registration is not exam-based but requires $500,000 minimum GL, written contracts compliant with the Home Improvement Practices regulations, and a registration fee. New construction is exempt from HIC; new home builders register separately as New Home Warranty Builders. This page documents the verified path including the contract requirements, OSHA silica enforcement, and NJ Uniform Construction Code compliance.

Governing Authority

New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (NJDCA) administers and enforces this credential under the authority of N.J.S.A. 56:8-136 et seq. (Contractors Registration Act); N.J.A.C. 13:45A-17. The NJ Division of Consumer Affairs registers Home Improvement Contractors and houses the professional and occupational boards that license electrical, plumbing, and HVACR contractors statewide.

Official portal: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/
Address: 124 Halsey Street, P.O. Box 45027, Newark, NJ 07101
Phone: (973) 504-6200

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, an applicant must have reached age 18 and hold a valid Social Security Number. No New Jersey residency requirement; out-of-state entities must register with the New Jersey Division of Revenue.

Good moral character

DCA reviews prior license discipline and consumer complaints. Felonies relating to fraud may bar issuance.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the HIC registration application; DCA requests court records for any disclosed conviction.

Experience & Education Matrix

Eligibility here is not measured in years of experience but by No state experience requirement for HIC registration. Insurance carriers require demonstrated journey-level masonry experience by contract., per the cited materials.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Optional: signed letters from prior masonry employers
Project list (used for insurance underwriting and prime subcontracts)

Examination Structure

Rather than a written state examination, the cited materials route this credential through: No exam required by NJ DCA

Examination fee: No exam fee — New Jersey HIC registration is administrative.

Insurance & Financial Security

The cited materials impose no contractor license bond for this credential. Bear in mind that specific contracts, permits, or public works can still require their own bonds.

General liability

NJ DCA requires $500,000 minimum GL on the HIC application — strict enforcement. Most owners require $1,000,000 per occurrence.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory under N.J.S.A. 34:15 for any New Jersey employer with one or more employees. Masonry NCCI 5022 carries one of the highest manual rates in New Jersey.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required.

Application and License Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$110
Initial license	$110
Renewal (every year)	$110

Maintenance & Renewal

Expect to renew the New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration — DCA every year. Renewal currently costs $110. New Jersey HIC registration renews annually on March 31. Late renewal incurs a $25 penalty plus possible registration suspension.

Downloadable Asset

2026 New Jersey Masonry License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and Endorsement

New Jersey does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

New Jersey HIC registration is not reciprocal with any other state. NY, PA, and DE masonry contractors must register independently.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Masonry license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

Form a New Jersey or foreign entity. Register your LLC or corporation with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and obtain an EIN.
Bind $500,000 GL and workers compensation. Bind GL meeting the $500,000 NJ DCA minimum (most policies are $1M+) and workers comp for any employees.
Submit DCA HIC registration. File the Home Improvement Contractor registration with $110 fee and proof of insurance.
Use HIC contract form. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16 requires written contracts on residential masonry work over $500 with three-day right of rescission, total price, completion date, and start date.
Receive HIC registration number. DCA issues the registration number; it must appear on every contract, ad, vehicle, and bid per N.J.S.A. 56:8-144.
Pull project permits at the AHJ. Local construction code officials issue permits per the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code; each masonry project on a permitted structure requires a permit.
Implement OSHA silica program. Federal OSHA enforces 29 CFR 1926.1153 in New Jersey (state plan covers public sector only); written exposure control plan and Table 1 controls are mandatory.

Study and Reference Materials

These are the preparation and reference materials tied to this credential — cited by the regulator or widely used by applicants. CLR earns nothing from listing them.

N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16 Home Improvement Practices — New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Required reading for the HIC contract form requirements.
TMS 402/602 Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures — The Masonry Society. Adopted by reference under IBC Chapter 21.
New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23 — IBC with NJ amendments) — NJ DCA Division of Codes and Standards. New Jersey amendments to IBC Chapter 21 masonry.

Common Filing Mistakes

Drawn from the board instructions and sources cited on this page, the pitfalls below are the ones most likely to slow down or sink a New Jersey Masonry application.

Non-compliant contract form

N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16 contracts without three-day rescission, total price, completion date, and HIC number cannot be enforced. Contractors lose payment disputes in NJ court routinely.

GL below $500K

NJ DCA strictly rejects HIC applications with GL below $500,000. Standard $300K policies are insufficient.

HIC vs New Home Warranty confusion

New construction is NOT covered by HIC. Builders performing new home masonry must register as New Home Warranty Builders separately.

Anchored veneer ties wrong gauge

New Jersey freeze-thaw and coastal wind require corrosion-resistant ties at TMS 402 spacing; Newark, Jersey City, and shore communities enforce strictly.

Silica plan absent

OSHA targets Newark, Jersey City, and Trenton masonry sites; missing 29 CFR 1926.1153(g) plans draw immediate citations.

Pre-Submission Checklist

The most critical documents or confirmations the applicant should have in hand before filing with NJDCA:

☐ New Jersey Division of Revenue entity registration
☐ New Jersey sales tax registration
☐ GL insurance certificate ($500,000 NJ DCA minimum)
☐ Workers compensation certificate
☐ NJ DCA HIC registration with $110 fee
☐ N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16 compliant contract template
☐ New Home Warranty Builder registration (if new construction)
☐ OSHA silica written exposure control plan

Other New Jersey Trade Licenses

Should the Masonry path not apply, these other New Jersey trade guides from CLR may help:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does New Jersey require a masonry trade exam?

No. New Jersey HIC registration is administrative — no exam, but $500,000 GL minimum and strict contract requirements.

What is the GL minimum?

New Jersey requires $500,000 minimum commercial general liability for HIC registration — strict enforcement. Most insurers offer $1M policies for similar premium.

Is there a contract form requirement?

Yes. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16 mandates a written contract on every residential masonry job over $500 with three-day right of rescission, total price, completion date, and HIC number. Non-compliant contracts cannot be enforced.

Do I need HIC for new construction?

No. New home construction is exempt from HIC and requires New Home Warranty Builder registration instead.

Does New Jersey enforce OSHA silica?

Federal OSHA enforces 29 CFR 1926.1153 in New Jersey private sector. NJ PEOSH covers public sector only. Written exposure control plan is mandatory.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-04-18 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-17