A building permit is permission to begin construction – a legal document that provides a permanent construction record to certify a building project met the current building code requirements and, when necessary, conformed to approved plans and specifications.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania currently has no licensure or certification requirements for most construction contractors (or their employees). Please note the following regarding state and local requirements pertaining to certain contractors (and their employees).
The law exempts from the registration requirements contractors who perform less than $5,000 worth of home improvements in a calendar year.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania currently has no licensure or certification requirements for most construction contractors (or their employees).
Registration may be completed online or by mailing an application to our office. We encourage you to complete your registration online, as you will receive your registration number and a printable temporary registration certificate instantaneously.
All contractors, including self-employed contractors and sole proprietorships, subcontractors and independent contractors, and corporations, partnerships and all other types of business entities must be registered, unless they fall into the two exemptions above.
Find a registered Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor by searching the PA Attorney General's database or calling 1 (888) 520-6680.
Home improvement contractor registrations are valid for two years, and must be renewed biennially.