Colorado electrical license

1. Who needs a license

Electricians and plumbers need a DORA license. General contractors and roofers have no state license; check with your city or county before hiring. (source: DORA: Home & Repair (opens in a new tab), source: DPO: Electrical (opens in a new tab), source: DPO: Plumbing (opens in a new tab))

• Example: Denver licenses contractors and requires a supervisor certificate (or a Colorado electrical or plumbing license) first. (source: Denver: Contractor Licensing (opens in a new tab))

2. Electrical license classes

3. Fees, exam, bond and insurance

Fees

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

Experience and steps

1. Electricians and plumbers Get a license from DORA's State Electrical Board or State Plumbing Board. (source: DPO: Electrical (opens in a new tab), source: DPO: Plumbing (opens in a new tab))
2. Other contractors Ask your city or county what license is needed. In Denver, get a supervisor certificate or employ a holder, then apply for a contractor license. (source: DORA: Home & Repair (opens in a new tab), source: Denver: Contractor Licensing (opens in a new tab))

Exam

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

Bond

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

Insurance

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

Renewal

Electricians: 24 hours of CE every 3-year license period. Plumbers: 8 hours of CE each year of the 2-year license period. (source: DPO: Electrical (opens in a new tab), source: DPO: Plumbing (opens in a new tab))

4. How to look up a contractor

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

How: For electricians and plumbers, use DORA's license lookup linked from this page. For general contractors and roofers, check your city or county. (source: DORA: Home & Repair (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: DORA website (opens in a new tab).

Use the reciprocity checker

6. Red flags when hiring

• An electrician or plumber who isn't in DORA's lookup. (source: DORA: Home & Repair (opens in a new tab))
• In Denver, a contractor citing another city's or state's license; Denver doesn't accept them. (source: Denver: Contractor Licensing (opens in a new tab))

7. How to complain

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