General contractor · Local (city/county) licenses
Do you need a general contractor license in New Hampshire?
State law and licensing-board sources · Last reviewed October 11, 2026
Journeyman level Licensed by cities or counties, not the state What's a journeyman?
New Hampshire's Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) licenses electricians, plumbers and gas fitters, but its list of boards has no general contractor or home builder board. In July 2026 the legislature set up a committee to study whether to create a statewide registration system for residential builders, with a report due by November 1, 2026. For now, building permits come from cities, towns, counties and village districts under the state building code, and electrical, plumbing and gas work need state trade licenses. [1][2][3][4][5]
New to the trade?
Starting from zero in New Hampshire
You don't need a state card to start as a construction laborer or carpenter's helper in New Hampshire, because the state doesn't license general building work. Get hired by a builder, or apply to a registered carpentry apprenticeship such as the one sponsored by ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) NH/VT and the NH Home Builders Association. Electrical, plumbing and gas work are different: those need a state apprentice or trainee license before you start. [1][2][4][5][6]
Minimum age
No state minimum for general building work was found. ApprenticeshipNH takes applicants 16 and older. [7]
Classes while you work
ABC NH/VT's registered carpentry apprenticeship is 6,000 hours (3 years) of on-the-job training with an employer plus 455 hours of related instruction at Manchester Community College. You earn an OSHA 10-hour (a 10-hour job safety course from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's outreach program) card and a U.S. Department of Labor credential. [6]
Pay while you learn
In ABC NH/VT's program, apprentices are full employees of the company that trains them. [6]
Still in high school?
There's no state contractor license for high school hours to count toward. New Hampshire's Department of Education oversees 26 regional career and technical centers See its list of CTE centers. ApprenticeshipNH works with high school candidates on pre-apprenticeship and takes applicants 16 and older. [1][7][9][10]
Where to apply in New HampshireHow to get an apprenticeshipHelper jobs
New Hampshire contractor license at a glance
- State general contractor license
- None: OPLC's list of licensing boards has no general contractor or builder board [1]
- Building permits
- Issued by counties, towns, cities and village districts under the state building code [3]
- Electrical work
- State license from the Electricians' Board OPLC [4]
- Plumbing and gas work
- State licenses from the Mechanical Licensing Board OPLC [5]
On this page
The license pathway in New Hampshire
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1
Laborer or carpenter's helper
No state license for general building work. You learn on the job with a builder. [1]
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2
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3
No state license, but a study is under way
OPLC runs New Hampshire's professional licensing boards, and its list has no board for general contractors, home builders or remodelers.
In 2026 the legislature passed SB 523 (Chapter 258, signed July 2, 2026). It creates a committee to study a statewide registration system for residential builders and contractors, meaning businesses whose main income comes from building or substantially renovating homes of 4 or fewer units. The committee will look at eligibility, fees, complaints and which agency would run it, and must report by November 1, 2026. It doesn't create a registration requirement by itself. [1][2]
Building permits
All buildings in New Hampshire must comply with the state building code and state fire code. Issuing permits and collecting fees under the state building code is reserved for counties, towns, cities and village districts that have set up enforcement. The state fire marshal also has authority to enforce the state building code and may set permit fees for towns that have no building official. [3]
Trade work needs state licenses
- Electrical. Electrical installations for pay must be made by people licensed by OPLC, and apprentices must register. See the New Hampshire electrician license.
- Plumbing and gas. Plumbers and fuel gas fitters are licensed by the Mechanical Licensing Board. See the New Hampshire plumbing license and New Hampshire HVAC licensing.
How to start in construction here
Without a state license to aim for, experience is what counts. ABC NH/VT and the NH Home Builders Association sponsor a registered carpentry apprenticeship: 6,000 hours over 3 years with an employer and 455 hours of instruction at Manchester Community College.
ApprenticeshipNH offers pre-apprenticeship options such as WorkReadyNH, a tuition-free skills program through the Community College System of New Hampshire. See carpenter apprenticeships and how to get an apprenticeship. [6][7]
Steps to get licensed in New Hampshire
Get hired or join an apprenticeship
Start with a builder, or apply to a registered carpentry apprenticeship such as ABC NH/VT's program. [6]
Learn the permit process
Building permits are issued locally under the state building code. Check with the building official in each town where you work. [3]
Use licensed trades
Electrical, plumbing and gas work must be done by people licensed (or registered as apprentices or trainees) with OPLC. [4][5]
Watch for builder registration
A legislative study committee reports by November 1, 2026 on whether New Hampshire should register residential builders. [2]
Where to get the hours
Programs that train general contractors in or for New Hampshire, from their own official pages. Listed by type, not ranked.
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Open shop
ABC NH/VT Registered Carpentry Apprenticeship
Sponsored with the NH Home Builders Association: 6,000 hours (3 years) on the job and 455 hours of related instruction at Manchester Community College, using the NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) curriculum. [6]
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State program
The Community College System of New Hampshire's apprenticeship initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, connects career seekers and high school students with registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship training such as WorkReadyNH. [7]
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Other
Apprenticeship.gov Apprenticeship Finder
The U.S. Department of Labor's search tool for registered apprenticeship openings, including carpentry and construction programs in New Hampshire. [8]
Licensed in another state?
We didn't find a reciprocity agreement published by the licensing office for this license. Ask the office how it treats an out-of-state license or experience before you apply.
Questions people ask
Does New Hampshire require a general contractor license?
There's no state general contractor license: OPLC's list of licensing boards has no board for general contractors. A legislative committee created in 2026 is studying a registration system for residential builders and reports by November 1, 2026. [1][2]
Who issues building permits in New Hampshire?
Counties, towns, cities and village districts that have set up enforcement issue permits under the state building code. [3]
Sources (10)
- Find a Board, New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- SB 523-FN (2026), Chapter 258: establishing a committee to study the implementation of a residential builder registration system, New Hampshire General Court. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- RSA Chapter 155-A: New Hampshire Building Code, New Hampshire General Court. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- RSA Chapter 319-C: Electricians, New Hampshire General Court. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- RSA Chapter 153 (Mechanical Licensing, RSA 153:27-38), New Hampshire General Court. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- NH Carpentry Apprenticeship, Associated Builders and Contractors, New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- What is Pre-Apprenticeship?, ApprenticeshipNH, Community College System of New Hampshire. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Apprenticeship Finder, U.S. Department of Labor (Apprenticeship.gov). Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Bureau of Career Development: Office of Career & Technical Education, New Hampshire Department of Education. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- CTE Programs in New Hampshire: List of Career and Technical Education Centers in New Hampshire, New Hampshire Department of Education. Accessed October 11, 2026.