How to get a contractor license in Alaska
The short version: 1) Bond and insurance 2) Residential endorsement. (source: CBPL Bond and Insurance Quick Facts (opens in a new tab), source: CBPL Construction Contractors (opens in a new tab))
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))
Checked against official Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Construction Contractors sources. See sources.
Step by step
- 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))
- 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))
The exam
No exam is required. Exams are run by PSI. (source: CBPL Construction Contractors (opens in a new tab))
- Residential endorsement exam (PSI)
- Only the residential endorsement needs an exam; results are valid for 1 year. (source: CBPL Construction Contractors (opens in a new tab))
Costs and fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application (general, mechanical, specialty) Nonrefundable. | $100 (source: 12 AAC 02.180 (Centralized Licensing Regulations) (opens in a new tab)) |
| Initial biennial registration Renewal $250. | $250 (source: 12 AAC 02.180 (Centralized Licensing Regulations) (opens in a new tab)) |
| Residential endorsement Plus $100 application. | $250 (source: 12 AAC 02.180 (Centralized Licensing Regulations) (opens in a new tab)) |
Fees are set by the board and can change. Check the official fee page before you pay.
Bonds and insurance
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))
- Workers' comp: As required by AS 23.30
- 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))
Sources and last verified
Last verified: . Next check due: . Every fact on this page links to one of these official pages.
- CBPL Construction Contractors (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- 12 AAC 02.180 (Centralized Licensing Regulations) (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- CBPL Bond and Insurance Quick Facts (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- CBPL Construction Contractors FAQs (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- AS 08.18 Contractor Statutes (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- CBPL license search (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
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