# Georgia contractor license lookup: GC and trade boards

> How to check a Georgia contractor license on the Secretary of State's GOALS search: residential vs commercial GC, trade divisions, insurance, and common traps.

Georgia licenses residential and commercial general contractors through the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors, part of the Secretary of State's Licensing Division. Electrical, plumbing, conditioned air, low voltage, and utility contractors are licensed separately by the State Construction Industry Licensing Board. You check all of them on the Secretary of State's [GOALS licensee search](https://goals.sos.ga.gov/GASOSOneStop/s/licensee-search).

## When a general contractor license is required

Under O.C.G.A. Chapter 43-41, a residential contractor license is required for residential-basic or residential-light commercial work when the value of the work, or the contractor's compensation, exceeds $2,500. General contracting on commercial work requires a general contractor license. The statute also says a contract with an unlicensed contractor for work that needs a license is unenforceable by that contractor, and a building permit applicant must give the inspector a license number.

Specialty trades are generally exempt from the general contractor license, and the board publishes lists of exempt specialty work. That exemption does not cover electrical, plumbing, conditioned air, low voltage, or utility work, which needs a trade license.

## License categories

| License | Scope | General liability minimum | Minimum net worth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential-basic | Residential work | $300,000 per occurrence | $25,000 |
| Residential-light commercial | Residential and light commercial work | $500,000 per occurrence | $25,000 |
| General contractor | Commercial work, no project size limit | $500,000 per occurrence | $150,000 |
| General contractor, limited tier | Commercial work up to $1 million per project | $500,000 per occurrence | $25,000 |

The board's FAQ says a commercial general contractor may also do residential work, and that the limited tier is the only category with a project size limit. Insurance is a condition of getting and keeping the license.

## The trade divisions

The State Construction Industry Licensing Board has five divisions: Conditioned Air Contractors, Electrical Contractors, Low Voltage Contractors, Master and Journeyman Plumbers, and Utility Contractors. The general contractor statute says trade work a GC takes on must be performed by someone licensed for that trade. Your GC license search will not tell you whether the electrician on the job is licensed; search the electrical license too.

## How to check a license

1. Open the [GOALS licensee search](https://goals.sos.ga.gov/GASOSOneStop/s/licensee-search). The older verify.sos.ga.gov lookup now covers only a few programs.
2. Choose Individual or Business/Facility, then the profession type and license type.
3. Enter the license number if you have it. The search needs at least two fields.
4. Record the holder's name, license type, number, status, and expiration date.
5. Repeat for each trade license on the job.

Only an active license authorizes the work. Read the status and the expiration date, not just whether a record exists.

## Qualifying agents

A business organization registered with the Georgia Corporations Division must have at least one licensed qualifying agent, an individual who holds the license on the company's behalf. When a qualifying agent leaves, the board must be told within 30 days, and the company then has 180 days to finish open contracts before the license number becomes inactive. Ask who the qualifying agent is and check that person's record.

## Insurance and workers' comp

The general liability minimums above apply to the license, not to your contract, so set your own limits. Georgia requires workers' compensation only for businesses with three or more employees, so a small sub may legitimately have none. Collect a certificate of insurance either way, and see [workers comp exemptions for sole proprietors](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/workers-comp-exemptions-sole-proprietors).

## What to ask a subcontractor for

- The license number, category, and exact name on the record
- The qualifying agent's name if the license is held through a company
- Trade license numbers for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, low voltage, or utility work
- A certificate of insurance in the same legal name
- The local business license or occupation tax certificate where the work is

## Common traps

- **Wrong board.** A GC search proves nothing about the electrician or plumber.
- **Limited tier over $1 million.** Check the contract value against the category.
- **Departed qualifying agent.** The company may be in its 180-day window.
- **Residential license on commercial work.** Residential-basic does not cover a commercial building.
- **Name mismatch.** The legal name on the license, certificate, and subcontract should match.

## Check the city and county too

Georgia cities and counties issue their own business licenses and permits, separate from the state license. Ask the building department where the project is. Rules change, so confirm current requirements with the Secretary of State. This is not legal advice.

For related reading, see [subcontractor prequalification](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/subcontractor-prequalification) and the [Florida](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/guides/florida-contractor-license-lookup) license guide.

## Check this automatically

ComplySub checks contractor license status for California, Colorado, Texas, and Florida. Georgia license tracking is not built in yet, so keep the Secretary of State record in the vendor file. For the insurance side, ComplySub checks a Georgia sub's certificates against the requirements you set once and flags gaps and expirations. Vendors upload through a link without an account, and reminders go out before dates lapse.

[Try ComplySub free](https://complysub.agntwrk.com/login)

_This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Insurance and licensing rules vary by state, carrier, and contract; confirm what applies to you with your insurance professional, attorney, or licensing board._