Pennsylvania contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
Pennsylvania contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection (Home Improvement Contractor registration)), how to check one online, the license types, and 5,932 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in Pennsylvania?
| Who licenses them | Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection (Home Improvement Contractor registration) |
|---|---|
| License types | Home Improvement Contractor Registration (PAHIC number) |
| When a license is required | Registration required for contractors doing $5,000 or more in home improvements per year; written, signed contract required for jobs over $500; deposit capped at one-third of the price (plus special-order materials) on contracts over $5,000; 3-business-day right to cancel |
Under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act this is a registration, not a competency license; the registration number must appear on contracts and ads, and contractors must carry at least $50,000 personal-injury and $50,000 property-damage liability insurance. Philadelphia additionally requires a city Contractor License for most non-residential and larger work.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in Pennsylvania?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Pennsylvania contractor license lookup run by Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection (Home Improvement Contractor registration).
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection (Home Improvement Contractor registration).
What contractor licenses does Pennsylvania issue?
- Home Improvement Contractor Registration (PAHIC number)
How do you get a contractor license in Pennsylvania?
Licenses are issued by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection (Home Improvement Contractor registration). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection (Home Improvement Contractor registration) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Pennsylvania city is the job in?
How many home improvement contractors are there in Pennsylvania?
The Census Bureau counted 5,932 residential remodelers with employees in Pennsylvania in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Bucks County | 625 |
|---|---|
| Allegheny County | 582 |
| Montgomery County | 525 |
| Philadelphia County | 522 |
| Lancaster County | 373 |
| Chester County | 343 |
| Delaware County | 288 |
| Westmoreland County | 166 |
What do Pennsylvania homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in Pennsylvania was built in 1965, 31% of households rent and 76% of homes are single-family houses. 51% of homes heat with utility gas and 25% with electricity, and 15% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in Pennsylvania?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: Pennsylvania licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.