Alaska general contractor license

1. Who needs a license

General, mechanical, specialty and handyman contractors must register with CBPL. Building homes needs a Residential Contractor Endorsement. (source: CBPL Construction Contractors (opens in a new tab), source: CBPL Construction Contractors FAQs (opens in a new tab))

• Handyman registration only covers projects with an aggregate contract of $10,000 or less. (source: CBPL Construction Contractors FAQs (opens in a new tab))

2. General contractor license classes

3. Fees, exam, bond and insurance

Fees

Fees are set by the board and can change. Check the official fee page before you pay.

Experience and steps

1. Bond and insurance Get the bond for your class (or a cash deposit), liability insurance and workers' comp. (source: CBPL Bond and Insurance Quick Facts (opens in a new tab))
2. Residential endorsement For home building, take a 16-hour cold climate course (within 2 years) and pass the PSI exam. (source: CBPL Construction Contractors (opens in a new tab))

Exam

No exam is required. Exams are run by PSI. (source: CBPL Construction Contractors (opens in a new tab))

• Residential endorsement exam (PSI) (source: CBPL Construction Contractors (opens in a new tab))

• Only the residential endorsement needs an exam; results are valid for 1 year. (source: CBPL Construction Contractors (opens in a new tab))

Bond

$25,000 bond required. General $25,000; with residential endorsement $20,000; mechanical or specialty $10,000; handyman $5,000. Must stay in effect 3 years. (source: CBPL Bond and Insurance Quick Facts (opens in a new tab), source: AS 08.18 Contractor Statutes (opens in a new tab))

• A cash deposit can replace the bond. (source: CBPL Bond and Insurance Quick Facts (opens in a new tab))

Insurance

• Workers' comp: As required by AS 23.30 (source: CBPL Bond and Insurance Quick Facts (opens in a new tab), source: AS 08.18 Contractor Statutes (opens in a new tab))
• General liability: $20,000 property damage, $50,000 one person, $100,000 more than one person (source: CBPL Bond and Insurance Quick Facts (opens in a new tab), source: AS 08.18 Contractor Statutes (opens in a new tab))

Renewal

• Renew every 2 years. (source: CBPL Construction Contractors (opens in a new tab), source: 12 AAC 02.180 (Centralized Licensing Regulations) (opens in a new tab))
• Renewal fee: $250. (source: CBPL Construction Contractors (opens in a new tab), source: 12 AAC 02.180 (Centralized Licensing Regulations) (opens in a new tab))

Registrations expire 30 September of even-numbered years. (source: CBPL Construction Contractors (opens in a new tab), source: 12 AAC 02.180 (Centralized Licensing Regulations) (opens in a new tab))

4. How to look up a contractor

Check a license on the CBPL website ↗ (official site, opens in a new tab)

How: Search CBPL's license database for the contractor. Check the type (general, residential endorsement, handyman) fits your job. (source: CBPL license search (opens in a new tab))

Full checklist: how to check a contractor

5. Reciprocity (license transfer)

We're still verifying this, check the official board: CBPL website (opens in a new tab).

Use the reciprocity checker

6. Red flags when hiring

• A handyman taking a project over $10,000. (source: CBPL Construction Contractors FAQs (opens in a new tab))
• Building a home without a residential endorsement. (source: CBPL Construction Contractors (opens in a new tab))

7. How to complain

We're still verifying this, check the official board: CBPL website (opens in a new tab).