Pennsylvania Masonry Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Pennsylvania does not license masonry as a trade. Masonry contractors performing residential work over $500 must register as Home Improvement Contractors (HIC) with the Pennsylvania Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Protection under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA, 73 P.S. §517.1 et seq.). Registration is administrative — no exam — but requires $50,000 / $50,000 minimum GL (per occurrence / aggregate) and written contracts compliant with HICPA. Philadelphia maintains an additional Department of Licenses and Inspections contractor license. Pittsburgh requires no separate registration but enforces the City Building Code. This page documents the verified path including the HICPA contract requirements, Philadelphia L&I, OSHA silica enforcement, and TMS 402 / IBC Chapter 21 compliance.

Regulatory Body Profile

Authority over this credential rests with Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Bureau of Consumer Protection, Home Improvement Contractor Registration (PA OAG HIC), which issues and polices it under Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, 73 P.S. §517.1 et seq. (Act 132 of 2008). The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General administers the statewide Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration program under HICPA. Pennsylvania does NOT issue a statewide general contractor, electrician, plumber, or HVAC license — all trade licensing happens at the municipal level. HIC registration is a consumer-protection filing, not a competency license: there is no exam, no experience requirement, and no trade testing. It is mandatory for any contractor performing residential home improvement work totaling more than $5,000 in a calendar year.

Official portal: https://hic.attorneygeneral.gov/
Address: Strawberry Square, 14th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: (717) 772-2425

The Eligibility Audit

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No Pennsylvania residency requirement; out-of-state entities must register with the PA Department of State Bureau of Corporations.

Good moral character

PA AG reviews prior license discipline and HICPA judgments. Felony convictions for fraud bar issuance under 73 P.S. §517.3.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the HIC application; PA AG runs Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) check.

Experience and Education Standards

Rather than a set number of years, the cited materials define eligibility through No state experience requirement for HIC registration. Insurance carriers and prime contractors require demonstrated journey-level masonry experience by contract..

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

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

The Exam Syllabus

No written state trade examination is mandated for this credential in the cited materials. Instead, the operative process is: No exam required by PA AG

Examination fee: No exam fee — Pennsylvania HIC registration is administrative.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

There is no statewide surety bond tied to this credential in the cited record. Bonding can still surface at the project level — permit, license, or public-works bonds — so check before you bid.

General liability

PA HICPA requires $50,000 per occurrence / $50,000 aggregate minimum GL on the HIC application. Most owners require $1,000,000 per occurrence GL.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory under 77 P.S. §501 for any Pennsylvania employer with one or more employees. Masonry NCCI 5022 carries one of the highest manual rates in Pennsylvania.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$50
Initial license	$50
Renewal (every 2 years)	$50

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) — Attorney General runs on a 2 years renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $50. PA HIC registration renews every two years. Late renewal incurs penalty plus possible registration suspension.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, Pennsylvania does not recognize the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

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

Pennsylvania HIC is not reciprocal with any other state. NJ, NY, OH, WV, DE, and MD 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.

The Application Roadmap

Form a Pennsylvania or foreign entity. Register your LLC or corporation with the PA Department of State Bureau of Corporations and obtain an EIN.
Bind GL and workers compensation. Bind GL meeting the $50K/$50K HICPA minimum (most policies are $1M+) and workers comp for any employees.
Submit PA AG HIC registration. File the Home Improvement Contractor registration with $50 fee and proof of insurance.
Use HICPA-compliant contract form. 73 P.S. §517.7 requires written contracts on residential masonry work over $500 with three-day right of rescission, total price, completion date, contractor HIC number, and notice of HICPA.
Receive HIC registration number (PA #). PA AG issues the HIC number; it must appear on every contract, ad, vehicle, and bid per 73 P.S. §517.4.
Philadelphia: obtain L&I contractor license. Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections requires a separate contractor license under Phila. Code §9-1003 in addition to PA HIC.
Pull project permits at the AHJ. Local code officials issue permits per the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC, based on IBC); each masonry project on a permitted structure requires a permit.
Implement OSHA silica program. Federal OSHA enforces 29 CFR 1926.1153 in Pennsylvania private sector; PA L&I covers public sector. Written exposure control plan and Table 1 controls are mandatory.

Where Applications Stall

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a Pennsylvania Masonry application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Non-compliant contract form

73 P.S. §517.7 contracts without three-day rescission, total price, completion date, HIC number, and HICPA notice cannot be enforced. Contractors lose payment disputes in PA court.

Philadelphia L&I license missed

Working in Philadelphia with only PA HIC and no Philadelphia L&I license triggers stop-work orders and double permit fees.

PA HIC number not displayed

73 P.S. §517.4 requires the HIC number on every contract, ad, vehicle, and bid. Omission triggers PA AG civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation.

Severe freeze-thaw veneer failure

Pennsylvania freeze-thaw cycles cause spalling; Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Erie inspectors fail jobs without proper flashing and weeps.

Silica plan absent

OSHA targets Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown masonry sites; missing 29 CFR 1926.1153(g) plans draw immediate citations.

Pre-Application Checklist

Ahead of submission to PA OAG HIC, confirm every item on this short list:

☐ PA Department of State Bureau of Corporations entity registration
☐ PA Department of Revenue tax accounts
☐ GL insurance certificate ($50K/$50K HICPA minimum)
☐ Workers compensation certificate
☐ PA AG HIC registration with $50 fee
☐ 73 P.S. §517.7 compliant contract template
☐ Philadelphia L&I contractor license (if applicable)
☐ OSHA silica written exposure control plan

Recommended Study Materials

These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (73 P.S. §517.1) — Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 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.
Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa. Code §§401-405 — IBC adoption) — PA Department of Labor and Industry. PA UCC adopts IBC including Chapter 21 masonry provisions.

Other Pennsylvania Trade Licenses

Looking at a different trade? CLR also publishes these Pennsylvania licensing guides:

Common Questions

Does Pennsylvania license masonry as a trade?

No. PA HIC registration is administrative — no exam, but $50K/$50K GL minimum and strict HICPA contract requirements.

What is the GL minimum?

Pennsylvania HICPA requires $50,000 per occurrence / $50,000 aggregate minimum GL. Most insurers offer $1M policies for similar premium.

Is there a contract form requirement?

Yes. 73 P.S. §517.7 mandates a written contract on every residential masonry job over $500 with three-day right of rescission, total price, completion date, HIC number, and HICPA notice. Non-compliant contracts cannot be enforced.

Do I need a Philadelphia license too?

Yes. Philadelphia L&I requires a separate contractor license under Phila. Code §9-1003 in addition to PA HIC.

Does Pennsylvania enforce OSHA silica?

Federal OSHA enforces 29 CFR 1926.1153 in Pennsylvania private sector. PA L&I covers public sector. 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 2026-04-15 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-14