Painting Contractor License Requirements by State
Performs interior and exterior painting and coatings work. This page currently compares 48 of 51 jurisdictions published jurisdictions for painting contractor while the remaining states are still being researched and drafted. Every row links to the verified state page with statute citations, fees, exam scope, insurance, and renewal rules.
- Published guides
- 48
- Require trade exam
- 20
- Require surety bond
- 11
- Local / municipal
- 21
- Avg published experience
- 3.1 yr
Comparison table — 48 of 51 jurisdictions
Scroll horizontally on smaller screens. Use the sort control to compare low-fee states, high-bond states, or the jurisdictions with the heaviest published experience requirements. Click any state to open the verified license page.
21 of these published jurisdictions rely on local or municipal licensing instead of a single statewide credential.
| State | License | Exam | Experience | Bond | Initial fee | Renewal | NASCLA | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Local / municipal | Alabama — Threshold Licensing (HBLB Residential / AGCB Commercial $50K) + EPA Lead RRP | Yes | 3 yr | — | $300 | 1 yr | Accepted | 60 – 120 days from complete application to license issuance |
| Alaska | Alaska Specialty Contractor Registration (Painting Scope) — AS 08.18 | No | — | $5,000 | $0 | 2 yr | — | 2 – 6 weeks from application |
| Arizona | Arizona ROC C-34 (Residential Painting) / CR-34 (Commercial Painting) Contractor License | Yes | 4 yr | $4,250 | $580 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days from complete application to license issuance |
| Arkansas Local / municipal | Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board — Painting (Specialty) or Residential Remodeler | Yes | — | $10,000 | $200 | 1 yr | Accepted | 30 – 90 days from application |
| California | California C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor License | Yes | 4 yr | $25,000 | $200 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 180 days from application to license issuance |
| Colorado Local / municipal | Colorado — No State Painting License (Local Registration + EPA Lead RRP) | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 1 – 30 days for local registration; 1 – 2 weeks for EPA RRP |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration — Painting Scope | No | — | — | $0 | 2 yr | — | 2 – 6 weeks from application |
| Delaware | Delaware Contractor Business License (Division of Revenue) — Painting Scope | No | — | $20,000 | $0 | 1 yr | — | 1 – 4 weeks |
| District of Columbia | DC Basic Business License (Home Improvement Contractor) — Painting Scope | No | — | $25,000 | $0 | 2 yr | — | 45 – 90 days from application |
| Georgia Local / municipal | Georgia — No State Painting License (Local Registration + EPA Lead RRP) | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 1 – 30 days |
| Hawaii | Hawaii C-52 Painting and Decorating Specialty Contractor License | Yes | 4 yr | — | $360 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 180 days from application to wallet card |
| Idaho | Idaho Contractor Registration (Painting Scope) — Idaho Code §54-52 | Yes | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 2 – 4 weeks |
| Indiana Local / municipal | Indiana — No State Painting License (Local Registration + EPA Lead RRP) | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 1 – 30 days |
| Iowa | Iowa Contractor Registration (Painting Scope) — Iowa Code §91C | No | — | $25,000 | $0 | 1 yr | — | 2 – 4 weeks |
| Kansas Local / municipal | Kansas — No State Painting License (Local Registration + EPA Lead RRP) | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 1 – 30 days |
| Kentucky Local / municipal | Kentucky — No State Painting License (Local Registration + EPA Lead RRP) | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 1 – 30 days |
| Louisiana Local / municipal | Louisiana LSLBC Commercial Specialty — Painting and Wall Covering (Classification 7-65) | Yes | — | — | $100 | 1 yr | Accepted | 60 – 120 days |
| Maine | Maine — No State Painting License (Home Construction Contract Act + Maine Lead Program + EPA RRP) | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 1 – 30 days |
| Maryland | Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) License — Painting Scope | Yes | 2 yr | — | $370 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 150 days |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration — Painting Scope | No | — | — | $0 | 2 yr | — | 2 – 6 weeks |
| Michigan | Michigan Residential Maintenance and Alteration Contractor (Painting and Decorating) — LARA | Yes | — | — | $195 | 3 yr | — | 90 – 150 days |
| Minnesota Local / municipal | Minnesota — No State Painting License (Residential Building Contractor exemption) + EPA Lead RRP | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 1 – 30 days |
| Mississippi Local / municipal | Mississippi State Board of Contractors — Commercial Painting (Over $50,000) / Residential Builder (Over $50,000) | Yes | — | — | $200 | 1 yr | Accepted | 60 – 120 days |
| Missouri Local / municipal | Missouri — No State Painting License (Municipal Registration + EPA Lead RRP) | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 1 – 30 days |
| Montana | Montana Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate or Construction Contractor Registration — Painting Scope | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 2 – 4 weeks |
| Nebraska Local / municipal | Nebraska Contractor Registration (Department of Labor) — Painting Scope | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 1 – 30 days |
| Nevada Local / municipal | Nevada NSCB C-12 Painting and Decorating Contractor License | Yes | 4 yr | $5,000 | $600 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 180 days |
| New Hampshire Local / municipal | New Hampshire — No State Painting License (NH Lead Abatement Rules + EPA Lead RRP) | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 1 – 30 days |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration — Painting Scope | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 4 – 8 weeks |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Construction Industries Division — GS-3 (Specialty: Painting) | Yes | 2 yr | $10,000 | $180 | 1 yr | — | 60 – 120 days |
| New York Local / municipal | New York — No State License, County/City Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Required | Yes | — | — | $0 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days for NYC; 30 – 60 days for counties |
| North Carolina Local / municipal | North Carolina — No State Painting License Below $40,000 (NCLBGC General Contractor Above) + EPA Lead RRP | Yes | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | Accepted | 1 – 30 days for local; 60 – 120 days for NCLBGC GC license |
| North Dakota | North Dakota Contractor License (Secretary of State) — Painting Scope | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 2 – 4 weeks |
| Ohio Local / municipal | Ohio — No State Painting License (Local Registration + Ohio Lead Program + EPA RRP) | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 1 – 30 days |
| Oklahoma Local / municipal | Oklahoma — No State Painting License (Local Registration + EPA Lead RRP) | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 1 – 30 days |
| Oregon | Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) License — Residential or Commercial Endorsement (Painting) | Yes | — | $20,000 | $0 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days |
| Pennsylvania Local / municipal | Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration — Painting Scope | No | — | — | $0 | 2 yr | — | 2 – 6 weeks |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRB) Registration — Painting Scope | No | — | — | $0 | 2 yr | — | 4 – 8 weeks |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Residential Specialty Contractor / Commercial Specialty (Painting and Wall Covering — PWC) | Yes | — | — | $0 | 2 yr | Accepted | 30 – 90 days |
| South Dakota Local / municipal | South Dakota — No State Painting License (Sales Tax License + Local + EPA RRP) | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 1 – 14 days |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Contractor License — BC-A (Painting Subclassification) / Home Improvement Registration | Yes | — | — | $0 | 2 yr | Accepted | 60 – 120 days |
| Texas Local / municipal | Texas — No State Painting License (Local Registration + EPA Lead RRP) | No | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 1 – 30 days |
| Utah | Utah Painting and Coating Contractor License (S330) | Yes | — | — | $0 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days |
| Vermont | Vermont Residential Contractor Registration (Painting Scope) — VT OPR + VT EMP Lead Program | No | — | — | $0 | 2 yr | — | 2 – 6 weeks |
| Virginia | Virginia Class A/B/C Contractor License — Painting and Wallcovering Specialty (PTC) | Yes | 2 yr | — | $0 | 2 yr | Accepted | 60 – 120 days |
| Washington | Washington Specialty Contractor Registration (Painting) — L&I | No | — | $6,000 | $0 | 2 yr | — | 2 – 6 weeks |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Contractor License — Painting Specialty Classification | Yes | — | — | $0 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 90 days |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Certification — Painting Scope (DSPS) + Wisconsin Lead-Safe Renovator | No | — | — | $25 | 2 yr | — | 4 – 8 weeks |
National picture for painting contractor
Of the 48 jurisdictions currently published in this dataset, 20 require a trade examination administered by PSI, Prometric, NASCLA, Pearson VUE, ICC, or the state board directly. 11 require an explicit surety bond filed with the regulator before the license issues, and 8 accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination as a path toward reciprocal licensure for this line of work. Where the regulator publishes a numeric threshold, the average documented experience requirement is 3.1 years.
The comparison above is generated at build time directly from the state license entries on this site. Every value is traceable to the regulator's published rule. If you spot a discrepancy, the state page is the source of truth and will be re-verified against the official source set.
Choosing where to license first
- Lowest barrier to entry: sort by initial fee and look closely at rows where Exam = No or the state is marked Local / municipal.
- Strongest reciprocity downstream: states marked NASCLA Accepted, because the same exam can unlock multiple jurisdictions later.
- Lowest upfront cost: focus on combinations with the smallest initial fee and no bond requirement.
- Fastest path to wallet card: compare the Time column, but remember that municipal programs can still involve multiple city registrations.
Related reading
Original cross-state analyses from our dataset that add context to the painting contractor table above — who runs the exams, where the burden is heaviest, and what a criminal record means for eligibility.
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The Contractor Licensing Atlas
What mapping 586 licenses revealed about exam providers, bonds, and where a trade needs no state license at all.
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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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Licensing with a criminal record
A 50-state look at background checks and which convictions actually block a license.
All data verified from the issuing state board's published rules. Last full pass: 2026-Q2.