20 tracked trades 51 jurisdictions Dataset vintage 2026-06-27

Trade coverage across state licensing records

This ranking counts the jurisdictions in this record set that mark each trade as requiring a state-level license. It does not determine the requirements for a particular project.

Find a state record All rankings

Highest coverage in the record set

Jurisdictions marked as requiring a state-level license

  1. 1
    Electrician 51 of 51
    100% of jurisdictions
  2. 2
    Pest Control 51 of 51
    100% of jurisdictions
  3. 3
    Plumber 47 of 51
    92% of jurisdictions
  4. 4
    HVAC Technician 40 of 51
    78% of jurisdictions
  5. 5
    Carpenter 36 of 51
    71% of jurisdictions

What this shows Electrician requires a license in 51 of 51 jurisdictions in this record set, the broadest coverage tracked. The fifth-ranked trade shown here still clears 36 jurisdictions.

Source PlainHireCheck state licensing-board record set · 2026-06-27

The State Licensing Board records summarized here cover 50 states plus Washington, DC, across 20 tracked trade categories. This Trade Coverage Ranking is a count of state-level flags only; each linked record carries its own board context and dataset vintage.

The bar to make this list

Where the top-5 cutoff (Carpenter at 36 of 51) sits against every tracked trade's own coverage count.

Trade coverage distribution

Jurisdictions requiring a state-level license, all 20 tracked trades

36 Top 80% higher than 20% of 20 tracked trades

Top-5 cutoff 25 52 every tracked trade, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more tracked trades. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source PlainHireCheck state licensing-board record set · 2026-06-27

Read the count carefully. A high coverage count means more state-level records are marked as requiring a license for that trade. It is not a quality, safety, enforcement, insurance, or local-permitting rating. Open the linked trade and state records, then verify the current rule with the relevant authority.

Highest state-level coverage

45+ jurisdictions
# Trade States Requiring License
1 Electrician Installs and maintains electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures 51 of 51
2 Pest Control Eliminates and prevents infestations of insects, rodents, and other pests using chemicals 51 of 51
3 Plumber Installs and repairs water, gas, and drainage systems 47 of 51

Broad state-level coverage

30–44 jurisdictions
# Trade States Requiring License
4 HVAC Technician Installs and services heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems 40 of 51
5 Carpenter Builds and repairs structures, fixtures, and furniture using wood and other materials 36 of 51
6 Demolition Safely tears down or removes structures, buildings, or hazardous materials 36 of 51
7 Elevator Mechanic Installs, maintains, and repairs elevators, escalators, and lifts 36 of 51
8 Excavation Performs earthmoving, grading, trenching, and site preparation work 36 of 51
9 Flooring Installer Installs hardwood, carpet, tile, vinyl, and other floor coverings 36 of 51
10 General Contractor Oversees all aspects of construction projects, coordinates subcontractors 36 of 51
11 Glazier Installs glass in windows, storefronts, curtain walls, and other structures 36 of 51
12 Insulation Installer Installs thermal and acoustic insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors 36 of 51
13 Landscaper Designs, installs, and maintains outdoor spaces, gardens, and lawns 36 of 51
14 Mason Constructs structures from brick, concrete, stone, and similar materials 36 of 51
15 Painter Applies paint, stain, and other finishes to interior and exterior surfaces 36 of 51
16 Tile Setter Sets tile in floors, walls, and countertops for residential and commercial projects 36 of 51
17 Fire Protection Installs sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and suppression equipment 32 of 51

Lower state-level coverage

Under 30 jurisdictions
# Trade States Requiring License
18 Roofer Installs and repairs roofs using shingles, metal, or other materials 28 of 51
19 Pool Contractor Builds, repairs, and maintains swimming pools and spas 25 of 51
20 Solar Installer Installs photovoltaic systems, solar panels, and related electrical equipment 25 of 51

Source: PlainHireCheck state licensing-board record set Trade coverage by state-level licensing flag · 2026-06-27 The 51 jurisdictions include Washington, DC. Requirements can change and local rules may still apply; verify with the relevant authority.

According to state licensing boards, NCSL, and NASCLA, contractor-licensing rules are published by public authorities. Every figure on PlainHireCheck is rebuilt from those board-sourced tables; no number is typed in by an editor. This page summarizes trade coverage in the site record set; open linked records for their listed board context. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.