How to Verify a Contractor License in Georgia (SOS Lookup, 2026)
Georgia requires a state license for residential and general contracting work over $2,500 — verify any license free at verify.sos.ga.gov. Licensing runs through the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (under the Secretary of State). Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC (“conditioned air”) work are licensed separately by the Construction Industry Licensing Board — at any dollar amount, not just $2,500+.
Who Licenses What in Georgia?
| Trade / work | License required | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Residential contracting > $2,500 | Yes — Residential-Basic or Residential-Light Commercial | verify.sos.ga.gov |
| General contracting (larger/commercial) | Yes — General Contractor | verify.sos.ga.gov |
| Electrical | Yes — any amount (Class I/II) | verify.sos.ga.gov |
| Plumbing | Yes — any amount (journeyman/master) | verify.sos.ga.gov |
| HVAC (“conditioned air”) | Yes — any amount (Class I/II) | verify.sos.ga.gov |
| Handyman work ≤ $2,500 | No license needed | Insurance + references |
Key distinction: the $2,500 threshold applies to general/residential contracting — the trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) require licensure regardless of job size. A $300 electrical repair still legally requires a licensed electrician in Georgia.
How Do You Verify, Step by Step?
- Go to verify.sos.ga.gov — search by name, license number, or profession
- Confirm status: active, the right classification (Residential-Basic can’t take your commercial building; a plumber’s license doesn’t cover your panel), and an exact business-name match
- Check for public disciplinary records on the profile
- Ask for insurance certificates sent directly from the insurer — Georgia requires licensees to carry general liability
- Storm season caution: metro Atlanta’s tree canopy and thunderstorms produce roof and tree damage rushes — run the storm chaser checklist on anyone who knocks
What’s Georgia’s Sharpest Homeowner Protection?
An unlicensed contractor’s contract is unenforceable in Georgia. Under O.C.G.A. § 43-41-17, a contract for work that required a license — signed by someone without one — is null and void as a matter of public policy. Practical effect: an unlicensed contractor generally can’t sue you to collect, and can’t place an enforceable lien for that work. (You can still be sued by third parties for injuries — which is why their workers’ comp certificate matters either way.)
Other Georgia specifics worth using:
- Permits expose unlicensed work fast — counties check license numbers at permitting; a contractor dodging permits is dodging the license check
- Deposits: no statutory cap, so hold the 10–30% line yourself
- Complaints go to the State Licensing Board (via SOS) and the Georgia AG’s Consumer Protection Division; small claims (magistrate court) handles up to $15,000 — the sequence is in scammed by a contractor
- Price-check Atlanta-area quotes against our HVAC, electrician, and tree removal guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What requires a contractor license in Georgia? Residential or general contracting work over $2,500, plus all electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work at any price. Verify at verify.sos.ga.gov.
How do I check a contractor’s license in Georgia? Search verify.sos.ga.gov by name or license number. Confirm active status, the right classification for your project, and a business name that matches the contract.
Can an unlicensed contractor sue me in Georgia? Generally no — Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 43-41-17) makes contracts by unlicensed contractors unenforceable, including lien rights for that work. That’s leverage, but it doesn’t recover money you already paid — vet first.
Does a Georgia handyman need a license? Not for jobs of $2,500 or less — but the moment the work involves electrical, plumbing, or HVAC, a trade license is required regardless of price.
Where do I report a bad contractor in Georgia? The State Licensing Board (via the Secretary of State), the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, and magistrate court for claims up to $15,000. Full sequence: scammed by a contractor.
Last updated: June 10, 2026. Sources: Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (O.C.G.A. § 43-41); Construction Industry Licensing Board (O.C.G.A. § 43-14); verify.sos.ga.gov; Georgia magistrate court limits. This article is consumer information, not legal advice.