Do you need a contractor license in Pennsylvania?
Contractors who do at least $5,000 of home improvements a year must register with the Attorney General. (source: PA Attorney General: Home Improvement Contractor Registration (opens in a new tab), source: Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Act 132 of 2008) (opens in a new tab))
Check a license on the PA Attorney General website (official site, opens in a new tab)
How: Enter the contractor's Registration Number (PA#) for an exact result, or use the other search filters. (source: PA Attorney General: HIC registration search (opens in a new tab))
Checked against official Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Home Improvement Contractor Registration sources. See sources.
When do you need a license?
Contractors who do at least $5,000 of home improvements a year must register with the Attorney General. (source: PA Attorney General: Home Improvement Contractor Registration (opens in a new tab), source: Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Act 132 of 2008) (opens in a new tab))
- Large home improvement retailers (net worth over $50 million) are exempt, but their subcontractors still register. (source: Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Act 132 of 2008) (opens in a new tab))
- Local governments can't require their own home improvement registration, but can require building permits. Existing local electrician and plumber licensing still applies. (source: Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Act 132 of 2008) (opens in a new tab))
- Home improvement contracts over $500 must be in writing. (source: Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Act 132 of 2008) (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.
- PA Attorney General: Home Improvement Contractor Registration (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- PA Home Improvement Contractor Registration System (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- PA Attorney General: HIC registration search (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Act 132 of 2008) (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
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