General Contractor License in New Hampshire - License Required

What the New Hampshire General Contractor Record Shows

New Hampshire requires general contractor contractors to hold a Home Improvement Contractor Registration before performing licensed work. Of 36 US states that license general contractor work, New Hampshire's regime applies a partial screen, combining some but not all of the exam, bond, and insurance requirements seen in peer states. Licensing is administered through the New Hampshire Division of Licensing and Regulation, which issues the credential, maintains the public license roster, and adjudicates consumer complaints.

The specific entry requirements for general contractor contractors in New Hampshire are: no exam mandate, no minimum experience floor, no surety bond, liability insurance with at least $300K in coverage, and no continuing-education mandate. License fees in this classification run $50-$100. Additional notes from the licensing board: Registration-based. No exam. Insurance required.

For homeowners in New Hampshire, verification is straightforward: use New Hampshire Division of Licensing and Regulation's official license lookup to confirm the license number is active, matches the contractor's legal business name, and has no disciplinary history attached. Ask for a copy of the license and the certificate of insurance before signing a contract, and request the surety bond provider if bonding is required. If defective work or non-performance occurs, the state complaint process is the formal path to recovery, file promptly, document everything, and retain copies of contracts, invoices, and correspondence.