Posted by mel on 30. August 2010 14:33
Looking to hire a contractor can be a daughting task--I know. I work with the companies and had to find these resources myself. A big part of that task is finding the information you need to know. (Please do NOT assume you know, that is how people get into trouble.) A step-by-step process is available in my book, Hiring a Contractor which is available on Amazon. Links to finding your local information are listed here. The information is listed by state, click on the link that corresponds to your state.
Good luck and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
If you find other information that needs to be included / updated please contact Mel DePaoli at mel [at] omicle.com. Thanks for your help and good luck!
Last updated: August 2010
General Resources:
Angie’s List: www.AngiesList.com
Contractor’s License Reference Site: http://contractors-license.org/
EPA’s Requirements: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=715&genericContentID=121061
Federal Trade Commission’s Cooling-Off Rule: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro03.shtm
National Contractor License Service (State List): http://clsi.com/state_contractor_license_board.htm
Service Magic: http://www.servicemagic.com/
United States Department of Labor on Construction: http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs003.htm
What Is A Lien?: http://www.remodelingmyspace.com/legal-issues/contractor-laws/what-is-a-lien-and-are-you-at-risk.htm
States:
Maine
Department of Labor
54 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
Phone: (207) 623-7900
http://www.maine.gov/labor/
County List of Contractors Certified in Erosion Control Practices—Online
http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/training/ccec.htm
Attorney General
6 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
Phone: (207) 626-8800
http://www.maine.gov/ag/
Office of Licensing & Registration
76 Northern Avenue
Gardiner, Maine 04345
Phone: (207) 624-8603
Fax: (207) 624-8637
http://www.state.me.us/pfr/professionallicensing/index.shtml
Bureau of Land & Water Quality
17 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0017
http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/docstand/stormwater/construction.htm
Maryland
Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
500 North Calvert Street #401
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (410) 230-6001
http://www.dllr.state.md.us/
List of Local Government—Online
http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/01glance/html/county.html
Attorney General
200 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (410) 576-6300
http://www.oag.state.md.us/
License Search—Online
http://www.dllr.state.md.us/pq/
Massachusetts
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
1 Ashburton Place Suite 2112
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617)626-7122
http://www.mass.gov
Attorney General
1 Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-2200
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=cagohomepage&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Cago
Division of Occupational Safety—Online
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=elwdagencylanding&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Departments+and+Divisions+(EOLWD)&L3=Division+of+Occupational+Safety&sid=Elwd
Michigan
Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth
P.O. Box 30004
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: (517) 373-1820
Fax: (517) 373-2129
http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/
Attorney General
G. Mennen Williams Building, 7th Floor
525 W. Ottawa St.
P.O. Box 30212
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: (517) 373-1110
Fax: (517) 373-3042
http://www.michigan.gov/ag
Board of Residential Builders and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors
Phone: (517) 373-7353
Fax: (517) 373-2162
http://www.michigan.gov/builders
Online License Verification
http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/verify.htm
Minnesota
Department of Labor & Industry
443 Lafayette Road N.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 284-5005
http://www.dli.mn.gov/main.asp
Construction Codes and Licensing Division
P.O. Box 64217
St. Paul, MN 55164
Phone: (651) 284-5034
Fax: (651) 284-5743
http://www.dli.mn.gov/Main.asp
Attorney General
1400 Bremer Tower
445 Minnesota Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone: (651) 296-3353
http://www.ag.state.mn.us/
License Verification—Online
https://secure.doli.state.mn.us/licensing/licensing.aspx
Mississippi
Department of Employment Security
Office of the Governor
1235 Echelon Parkway
P.O. Box 1699
Jackson, MS 39215-1699
Phone: (601) 321-6000
http://mdes.ms.gov/Home/index.html
Home Corporation
P.O. Box 23369
Jackson, MS 39225-3369
Phone: (601) 718-4636
Fax: (601) 718-4643
http://www.mshomecorp.com/firstpage.htm
Attorney General
Walter Sillers Building
550 High Street, Suite 1200
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: (601)359-3680
http://www.ago.state.ms.us/
Contractors Board
2679 Crane Ridge Drive, Suite C
Jackson MS, 39216
Phone: (601) 354-6161
http://www.msboc.us/
License Verification
http://www.msboc.us/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseRequest.html
Missouri
Department of Labor
421 East Dunklin St. P.O. Box 504
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0504
Phone: (573) 751-4091
Fax: (573) 751-4135
http://www.labor.mo.gov/
County List—Online
http://dnr.mo.gov/shpo/mnrlist.htm
Attorney General
2860 Kage Road
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Phone: (573) 290-5679
http://ago.mo.gov/
Department of Natural Resources/Asbestos Information
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: (800) 361-4827
http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/apcp/Asbestos.htm
Montana
Department of Labor & Industry—Business Standards
301 South Park, Room 430
PO Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620-0517
Phone: (406) 841-2333
http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/
Attorney General
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 201401
Helena, MT 59620-1401
Phone: (406) 444-2026
Fax: (406) 444-3549
http://doj.mt.gov/
Licensee Lookup System—Online
https://app.mt.gov/lookup/
Construction Contractor / Workers’ Compensation Regulation Bureau
Employment Relations Division
PO Box 8011
Helena, MT 59604-8011
Phone: (406) 444-7734
http://erd.dli.mt.gov/mtcontractor/index.html
Choosing a Contractor—Online
http://doj.mt.gov/consumer/consumer/choosingcontractor.asp
Nebraska
Department of Labor
550 South 16th Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: (402) 471-9000
http://www.dol.nebraska.gov/
List of Local Counties—Online
http://www.nebraska.gov/nebraskacounties.html
Attorney General
2115 State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: (402) 471-2682
http://www.ago.state.ne.us/
Search Registered Contractors—Online
http://www.dol.nebraska.gov/nwd/center.cfm?PRICAT=2&SUBCAT=5H
Contractor Information and Resources
5723 F St, 2nd Floor
Omaha, NE 68117-2822
Phone: (402) 595-3095
http://www.dol.nebraska.gov/nwd/center.cfm?PRICAT=2&SUBCAT=5G
Department of Revenue for Construction
Nebraska State Office Building
1313 Farnam Street
Omaha, NE 68102-1871
Phone: (402) 595-2065
http://www.revenue.ne.gov/contractor_database.html
Board of Engineers and Architects
215 Centennial Mall South, Ste. 400
Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: (402) 471-2021
Fax: (402) 471-0787
http://www.ea.ne.gov/outside_links.html
Nevada
Labor Commissioner
555 E. Washington Ave. Suite 4100
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 486.2650
Fax: (702) 486.2660
http://www.laborcommissioner.com/
Attorney General
100 North Carson Street
Carson City, Nevada 89701-4717
Phone: (775) 684-1100
Fax: (775) 684-1108
http://www.ag.state.nv.us/
State Contractors Board / Information about Hiring a Contractor / License Verification
Southern Nevada
2310 Corporate Circle, Ste 200
Henderson, NV 89074
Phone: (702) 486-1100
Fax: (702) 486-1190
Northern Nevada
9670 Gateway Drive, Ste 100
Reno, NV 89521
Phone: (775) 688-1141
Fax: (775) 688-1271
http://www.nvcontractorsboard.com/
New Hampshire
Department of Labor
95 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-3176
http://www.labor.state.nh.us/
State Building Code Review Board
Commissioner’s Office
Department of Safety
33 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305
Phone: (603) 223-4289
http://www.nh.gov/safety/boardsandcommissions/bldgcode/bldgcontactus.html
Attorney General
33 Capitol Street
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-3658
Fax: (603) 271-2110
http://doj.nh.gov/index.html
List of Cities and Towns—Online
http://www.nh.gov/municipal/index.html
New Jersey
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
1 John Fitch Plaza, P.O. Box 110
Trenton, NJ 08625-0110
Phone: (609) 659-9045
http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/
Community Resources—Online
http://www.state.nj.us/nj/community/community/
Attorney General
P.O. Box 080
Trenton, NJ 08625-0080
Phone: (609) 292-4925
http://www.state.nj.us/lps/
Bureau of Homeowner Protection
New Home Warranty Program
P.O. Box 805
Trenton, NJ 08625-0805
Phone: (609) 530-8800
http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/codes/offices/homeownerprotection.html
New Mexico
Department of Workforce Solutions
http://www.dws.state.nm.us/
Attorney General
625 Silver Ave SW, STE 310
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 827-3789
http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/
Construction Industries Division—Online
http://www.rld.state.nm.us/CID/
Regulation & Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division
Toney Anaya Building
2550 Cerrillos Road, Third Floor
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
Phone: (505) 476-4700
Fax: (505) 476-4685
http://www.rld.state.nm.us/CID/index.htm
Working with a Contractor—Online
http://www.rld.state.nm.us/cid/wrkcontractor.htm
Online License Search
http://public.psiexams.com/index_login.jsp
New York
NYS Department of Labor
W. Averell Harriman State Office Campus, Building 12
Albany, NY 12240
Phone: (518) 457-9000
http://www.labor.ny.gov/home
County List—Online
http://www.nysegov.com/map-NY.cfm
Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
The Capitol
Albany, NY 12224-0341
Phone: (800) 771-7755
http://www.ag.ny.gov/
Know Your Contractor from the Attorney General—Online
http://www.nyknowyourcontractor.com/cfmqstaticdocs/
NY Ask the Home Improvement Expert—Online
http://www.nysconsumer.gov/ask_the_expert.htm
State Builders Association
One Commerce Plaza, Suite 704
Albany, NY 12210
Phone: (518) 465-2492
Fax: (518) 465-0635
http://www.nysba.com
Office of the Professions / Architecture
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12234
Phone: (518) 474-3817
http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/arch/archbroch.htm
License Verification—Online
http://www.op.nysed.gov/opsearches.htm
North Carolina
Department of Labor
1101 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1101
Phone: (919) 807-2796
http://www.nclabor.com/
County List—Online
http://www.sog.unc.edu/library/counties.html
Attorney General
9001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001
Phone: (919) 716-6400
Fax: (919) 716-6750
http://www.ncdoj.com/
North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors / Online Verification
3739 National Drive, Suite 225
Raleigh, NC 27612
PO Box 17187
Raleigh, NC 27619
Phone: (919) 571-4183
Fax: (919) 571-4703
http://www.nclbgc.org/
State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors / Online Verification
1109 Dresser Court
Raleigh, NC 27699
Phone: (919) 875-3612
Fax: (919) 875-3616
http://www.nclicensing.org/OnlineReg.htm
State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors—Online
http://lookup.ncbeec.org/
What to Know before Hiring a Contractor (Electrical Contractor site)—Online
http://www.ncbeec.org
North Dakota
Department of Commerce / Division of Workforce Development
P.O. Box 2057
Bismarck, ND 58502-2057
Phone: (701) 328-5345
Fax: (701) 328-5320
http://www.workforce.nd.gov/
County Map and List—Online
http://www.ndaco.org/?id=76
Attorney General
State Capitol
600 E. Boulevard Ave. Dept. 125
Bismarck, ND 58505
Phone: (701) 328-2210
http://www.ag.nd.gov/
Secretary of State, What is a Contractor?—Online
http://www.nd.gov/sos/licensing/
State Electrical Board
1929 N. Washington Street, Suite A-1
P.O. Box 7335
Bismarck, ND 58507-7335
Phone: (701) 328-9522
Fax: (701) 328-9524
https://www.ndseb.com/
Verify Electrical License—Online
https://www.ndseb.com/?id=70
Posted by mel on 20. August 2010 14:50
Looking to hire a contractor can be a daughting task--I know. I work with the companies and had to find these resources myself. A big part of that task is finding the information you need to know. (Please do NOT assume you know, that is how people get into trouble.) A step-by-step process is available in my book, Hiring a Contractor which is available on Amazon. Links to finding your local information are listed here. The information is listed by state, click on the link that corresponds to your state.
Good luck and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
If you find other information that needs to be included / updated please contact Mel DePaoli at mel [at] omicle.com. Thanks for your help and good luck!
Last updated: August 2010
General Resources:
Angie’s List: www.AngiesList.com
Contractor’s License Reference Site: http://contractors-license.org/
EPA’s Requirements: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=715&genericContentID=121061
Federal Trade Commission’s Cooling-Off Rule: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro03.shtm
National Contractor License Service (State List): http://clsi.com/state_contractor_license_board.htm
Service Magic: http://www.servicemagic.com/
United States Department of Labor on Construction: http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs003.htm
What Is A Lien?: http://www.remodelingmyspace.com/legal-issues/contractor-laws/what-is-a-lien-and-are-you-at-risk.htm
States:
Tennessee
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
220 French Landing Drive
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-6642
http://tennessee.gov/labor-wfd/lsques.html
City and County List—Online
http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/local/index.html
Attorney General
P.O. Box 20207
Nashville, TN 37202-0207
Phone: (615) 741-3491
Fax: (615) 741-2009
http://tn.gov/attorneygeneral/index.html
Board for Licensing Contractors
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243-1150
Phone: (615) 741-8307
Fax: (615) 532-2868
http://tn.gov/commerce/boards/contractors/index.shtml
License Verification—Online
http://verify.tn.gov/
Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners
500 James Robertson Pkwy
Nashville, TN 37243-1142
Phone: (615) 741-3221
Fax: (615) 532-9410
http://tn.gov/commerce/boards/ae/index.shtml
Texas
Texas Workforce Commission
101 E. 15th Street, Rm. 651
Austin, TX 78778-0001
Phone: (512) 463-2236
http://www.twc.state.tx.us/
City List—Online
http://proagency.tripod.com/ttxcities.html
Attorney General
PO Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
Phone: (512) 463-2100
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
P.O. Box 12157
Austin, Texas 78711
Phone: (512) 463-6599
Fax: (512) 475-2871
http://www.license.state.tx.us/
License Data Search—Online
http://www.license.state.tx.us/LicenseSearch/
Electrician Licensing
P.O. Box 13489
Austin, TX 78711
electricians@license.state.tx.us
http://www.license.state.tx.us/electricians/elec.htm
Residential Construction Commission
311 E. 14th Street
P.O. Box 13509
Austin, TX 78711-3509
Phone: (877) 651-8722
http://www.trcc.state.tx.us/default.asp
Utah
Department of Workforce Services
P.O. Box 45249
Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0249
Phone: (801) 526-9675
Fax: (801) 526-9211
http://jobs.utah.gov/
City & County Resources—Online
http://www.utah.gov/government/citycounty.html
Attorney General
Utah State Capitol Complex
350 North State Street Suite 230
SLC UT 84114-2320
Phone: (801) 366-0260
Fax: (801) 538-1121
http://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/my_mission.html
Licensee Lookup & Verification System—Online
https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html;jsessionid=91e7ce18aae9203c8bb8a7d209ad
Labor Commission—Online Workers’ CompCheck
http://www.laborcommission.utah.gov/IndustrialAccidents/POC.html
Vermont
Department of Labor
http://labor.vermont.gov/
Buildings and General Services
2 Governor Aiken Avenue
Montpelier, VT 05633-5801
Phone: (802) 828-3314
http://bgs.vermont.gov/
Attorney General
109 State Street
Montpelier VT 05609-1001
Phone: (802) 828-3171
http://www.atg.state.vt.us/
Electrical Licenses—Online Verification
http://www.dps.state.vt.us/fire/licensing/elicenses.htm
Housing, Utilities, and Property Resources—Online
http://www.vermont.gov/portal/residents/index.php?id=48
Verify Workers’ Compensation Insurance—Online
http://labor.vermont.gov/InfoCenter/WorkersCompensationInsuranceCoverageVerificat/tabid/1473/Default.aspx
Virginia
Department of Labor and Industry
13 South Thirteenth Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219-4101
Phone: (804) 371-2327
http://www.doli.virginia.gov/
Regions, Counties, Cities & Towns—Online
http://www.virginia.gov/cmsportal3/mapping_virginia_4096/index.html
Attorney General
900 East Main Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 786-2071
http://www.oag.state.va.us/
Board for Contractors
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400
Richmond, Virginia 23233-1463
Phone: (804) 367-8511
http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/con_main.cfm
License Lookup and Disciplinary Actions—Online
http://www.dpor.state.va.us/regulantlookup/selection_input.cfm?CFID=2034906&CFTOKEN=40284639
Consumer Information—Online
http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/servicesconsumers.cfm
Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects (APELSCIDLA Board)
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400
Richmond, Virginia 23233-1463
Phone: (804) 367-8506
http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/ape_main.cfm
Washington
Labor & Industries/Check that your contractor is registered—Online
PO Box 44450
Olympia, WA 98504-4450
Phone: (360) 902-5226
Fax: (360) 902-5812
http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Contractors/HireCon/default.asp
Verify Workers’ Compensation—Online
http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Contractors/HireCon/Uninsured/default.asp
Before You Hire a Contractor—Online
http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Contractors/HireCon/Checklist/before1.asp
Report Fraudulent Contractors—Online
http://www.lni.wa.gov/Main/Fraud/
List of Local Building Departments—Online
http://www.bookmarki.com/Articles.asp?ID=201
WA State Attorney General
1125 Washington Street SE
PO Box 40100
Olympia, WA 98504-0100
Phone: (360) 753-6200
http://www.atg.wa.gov/SafeguardingConsumers/default.aspx
Electrical Board
http://lni.wa.gov/Main/ContactInfo/TradesLicensing/Electrical.asp
West Virginia
Division of Labor
749 B Building 6, Capitol Complex
Charleston, WV 25305
Phone: (304) 558-7890
http://wvlabor.com/newwebsite/pages/index.html
Attorney General
State Capitol Complex, Bldg. 1, Room E-26
Charleston, WV 25305
Phone: (304) 558-2021
Fax: (304) 558-0140
http://www.wvago.gov/consumers.cfm
Contractor Licensing Verification—Online
http://www.wvlabor.com/newwebsite/Pages/contractor_searchNEW.cfm
Consumer Information About Contractors—Online
http://www.wvlabor.com/newwebsite/Pages/Contractor_licensing_consumer_info.html
WorkForce WV Labor Market
Research, Information and Analysis
112 California Avenue
Charleston, WV 25305-0112
Phone: (304) 558-2660
Fax: (304) 558-1343
http://workforcewv.org/lmi/
County List—Online
http://www.wv.gov/local/Pages/default.aspx
Home Improvement Tips—Online
http://www.wvago.gov/faqs.cfm?fx=view&id=129
Wisconsin
Labor and Industry Review Commission
PO. Box 8126
Madison WI 53708-8126
Phone: (608) 266-9850
Fax: (608) 267-4409
http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/lirc/
County List—Online
http://www.wisconsin.gov/state/core/wisconsin_counties.html
Attorney General
P.O. Box 7857
Madison, WI 53707-7857
Phone: (608) 266-1221
Fax: (608) 267-2779
http://www.doj.state.wi.us/
Department of Workforce Development
201 East Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Phone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/
Wyoming
Department of Employment
Phone: (307) 777-5476
Fax: (307) 777-6552
http://doe.wyo.gov/Pages/default.aspx
County List Contact Information—Online
http://soswy.state.wy.us/Elections/CountyClerks.aspx
Attorney General
123 Capitol Building
200 W. 24th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 777-7841
Fax: (307) 777-6869
http://attorneygeneral.state.wy.us/
Professional Licensing Boards
1800 Carey Avenue, 4th Floor
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Fax: (307) 777-3508
http://governor.wy.gov/boards-and-commissions.html
Verify Architects and Landscape Architects License—Online
http://searcharchitects.state.wy.us/
Department of Fire Prevention & Electrical Safety
Herschler 1 West
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 777-7288
Fax: (307) 777-7119
http://wyofire.state.wy.us/
Posted by mel on 20. August 2010 14:43
Looking to hire a contractor can be a daughting task--I know. I work with the companies and had to find these resources myself. A big part of that task is finding the information you need to know. (Please do NOT assume you know, that is how people get into trouble.) A step-by-step process is available in my book, Hiring a Contractor which is available on Amazon. Links to finding your local information are listed here. The information is listed by state, click on the link that corresponds to your state.
Good luck and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
If you find other information that needs to be included / updated please contact Mel DePaoli at mel [at] omicle.com. Thanks for your help and good luck!
Last updated: August 2010
General Resources:
Angie’s List: www.AngiesList.com
Contractor’s License Reference Site: http://contractors-license.org/
EPA’s Requirements: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=715&genericContentID=121061
Federal Trade Commission’s Cooling-Off Rule: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro03.shtm
National Contractor License Service (State List): http://clsi.com/state_contractor_license_board.htm
Service Magic: http://www.servicemagic.com/
United States Department of Labor on Construction: http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs003.htm
What Is A Lien?: http://www.remodelingmyspace.com/legal-issues/contractor-laws/what-is-a-lien-and-are-you-at-risk.htm
States:
Ohio
Commerce Bureau of Labor & Worker Safety
6606 Tussing Rd.
PO Box 4009
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-9009
Phone: (614) 644-2450
Fax: (614)728-8639
http://www.com.ohio.gov/laws/
County List—Online
http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/NACo_FindACounty.aspx
Attorney General
30 E. Broad St., 17th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (800) 282-0515
http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/
Construction Industry Licensing Board
6606 Tussing Road
Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068
Phone: (800) 248-4040
Fax: (614)728-1200
http://com.ohio.gov/dico/OCILB.aspx
Construction License Verification—Online
https://www.comapps.ohio.gov/dic/dico_apps/lics/coemp_lookup/default.aspx
Architects Board
77 S. High Street, 16th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-6108
Phone: (614) 466-2316
Fax: (614) 644-9048
http://www.arc.ohio.gov/
Architecture License Verification—Online
https://license.ohio.gov/lookup/default.asp?division=89
Oklahoma
Department of Labor
3017 N. Stiles, Suite 100
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Phone: (405) 521-6100
Fax: (405)521-6018
http://www.ok.gov/odol/
Local Resources—Online
http://www.ok.gov/genthree/maps.php
Attorney General
313 NE 21st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Phone: (405) 521-3921
Fax: (918) 581-2885
http://www.oag.state.ok.us/
Construction Industries Board
2401 NW 23rd Street #5
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
Phone: (405) 271-5217
Fax: (877) 484-4424
http://www.ok.gov/cib/index.html
Construction Verification—Online
http://cibverify.ok.gov/
Oregon
Bureau of Labor and Industries
800 NE Oregon St., Suite 1045
Portland, OR 97232
Phone: (971) 673-0761
Fax: (971) 673-0762
http://www.oregon.gov/BOLI/
Local Government Resources—Online
http://www.oregon.gov/localgovt.shtml
Attorney General
Oregon Department of Justice
1162 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97301-4096
Phone: (503) 378-4400
http://www.doj.state.or.us/
Construction Contractors Board
700 Summer St. NE, Suite 300
PO Box 14140
Salem, OR 97309-5052
Phone: (503) 378-4621
Fax: (503) 373-2007
http://www.ccb.state.or.us/
Verify a Contractor’s License—Online
http://www.ccb.state.or.us/CCB/online_services.shtml
Pennsylvania
Labor & Industries
Phone: (717)787-3354
http://www.dli.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/l_i_home/5278
County Resources—Online
http://www.pa.gov/portal/server.pt/community/quick_government_resources/3070
Attorney General
16th Floor, Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: (717) 787-3391
Fax: (717) 787-8242
http://www.dli.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/l_i_home/5278
Home Improvement Consumer Information—Online / Contractor Verification
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/hiccon.aspx?id=4502
Rhode Island
Department of Labor & Training
http://www.dlt.ri.gov/
Attorney General
150 South Main St.
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 274-4400
http://www.riag.ri.gov
Contractor’s Registration Board
One Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908-5859
Phone: (401) 222-1268
http://www.crb.state.ri.us/
Professional Regulation / License Verification—Online
http://www.dlt.ri.gov/profregsonline/PROLentree.aspx
Housing Resources—Online
http://www.hrc.ri.gov/links/index.php
South Carolina
Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Synergy Business Park, Kingstree Building
110 Centerview Dr.
Columbia, SC 29210
Phone: (803) 896-4300
http://www.llr.state.sc.us/
County Resources—Online
http://www.sccounties.org/counties/default.aspx
Attorney General
Rembert Dennis Building
1000 Assembly Street, Room 519
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803)734-3970
http://www.scattorneygeneral.com/
License Verification—Online
http://verify.llronline.com/LicLookup/LookupMain.aspx
South Dakota
Department of Labor
700 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501-2291
Phone: (605) 773-3101
Fax: (605) 773-6184
http://dol.sd.gov/
County List—Online
http://www.sdcounties.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=28
Attorney General
1302 E Hwy 14, Suite 1
Pierre SD 57501-8501
Phone: (605) 773-3215
Fax: (605) 773-4106
http://atg.sd.gov/
State Government Phonebook—Online
http://apps.sd.gov/applications/dp51SWPB/DP51InternetSearch.asp
Posted by mel on 20. August 2010 14:09
Looking to hire a contractor can be a daughting task--I know. I work with the companies and had to find these resources myself. A big part of that task is finding the information you need to know. (Please do NOT assume you know, that is how people get into trouble.) A step-by-step process is available in my book, Hiring a Contractor which is available on Amazon. Links to finding your local information are listed here. The information is listed by state, click on the link that corresponds to your state.
Good luck and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
If you find other information that needs to be included / updated please contact Mel DePaoli at mel [at] omicle.com. Thanks for your help and good luck!
Last updated: August 2010
General Resources:
Angie’s List: www.AngiesList.com
Contractor’s License Reference Site: http://contractors-license.org/
EPA’s Requirements: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=715&genericContentID=121061
Federal Trade Commission’s Cooling-Off Rule: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro03.shtm
National Contractor License Service (State List): http://clsi.com/state_contractor_license_board.htm
Service Magic: http://www.servicemagic.com/
United States Department of Labor on Construction: http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs003.htm
What Is A Lien?: http://www.remodelingmyspace.com/legal-issues/contractor-laws/what-is-a-lien-and-are-you-at-risk.htm
States:
Georgia
Labor & Industries
http://www.georgia.gov/00/channel_title/0,2094,4802_4971,00.html
List of Local Government
http://www.georgia.gov/00/channel_title/0,2094,4802_5023,00.html
Attorney General
40 Capitol Square, SW
Atlanta, Ga 30334
Phone: (404) 656-3300
http://law.ga.gov/02/ago/home/0,2705,87670814,00.html
License Verification
214 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: (404) 656-2881
https://secure.sos.state.ga.us/myverification/
Board of Construction Industry
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217-3858
Phone: (478) 207-2440
http://sos.georgia.gov/plb/construct/
Hawaii*
Labor & Industrial Relations
830 Punchbowl St.
Honolulu, HI 96813
http://hawaii.gov/labor/
Attorney General
425 Queen Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 586-1500
http://hawaii.gov/ag
Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs—Business Searches
201 Merchant St, Suite 1805
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 695-4618
http://hbe.ehawaii.gov/documents/search.html
Contractors License Board
DCCA-PVL Att: CLB
P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96801
Phone: (808) 586-2700
http://hawaii.gov/dcca/pvl/boards/contractor
Hiring a Licensed Contractor
http://hawaii.gov/dcca/rico/licensedcontractor/
Idaho
Department of Labor
317 W. Main Street
Boise, ID 83735
Phone: (208) 332-3570
Fax: (208) 334-6430
http://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/idl/Home/tabid/617/Default.aspx
List of Local Building Departments
1090 E Watertower St.
Meridian Idaho, 83642
Phone: 1-800-955-3044
http://dbs.idaho.gov/
Attorney General
700 W. Jefferson Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0010
Phone: (208) 334-2400
http://www2.state.id.us/ag/
License Search
https://data.dbs.idaho.gov/etrakit2/Search.aspx?grp=aec
Division of Building Safety
1090 E Watertower St.
Meridian Idaho, 83642
Phone: 1-800-955-3044
https://data.dbs.idaho.gov/etrakit2/Index.aspx
Bureau of Occupational Licenses
700 West State Street, PO Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0063
Phone: (208)334-3233
Fax: (208)334-3945
https://secure.ibol.idaho.gov/eIBOLPublic/LPRBrowser.aspx
Contractors Board
https://secure.ibol.idaho.gov/IBOL/BoardPage.aspx?Bureau=CON
Illinois
Department of Labor
160 North LaSalle Street, 13th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Phone: (312) 793-2800
http://www.state.il.us/agency/idol/
Workforce Development
500 E Monroe
Springfield, IL 62701-1643
Phone: (217) 785-6006
http://www2.illinois.gov/employment/Pages/WorkforceDevelopment.aspx
Attorney General
100 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 814-3000
http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/
Contractors Board—Department of Professional Regulation
320 W. Washington Street
Springfield, IL 62786
Phone: (217) 782-0458
http://www.dpr.state.il.us
License Look-Up:
https://www.idfpr.com/dpr/licenselookup/default.asp
Division of Professional Regulation
320 W. Washington Street
Springfield, IL 62786
Phone: (217) 782-0458
http://www.idfpr.com/DPR/default.asp
Housing Development Authority
http://www.ihda.org/
Indiana
Department of Labor
402 West Washington St.
Room W195
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (319) 232-2655
http://www.in.gov/dol/
Attorney General
302 W. Washington St., 5th Floor
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 232.6201
Fax: (317) 232.7979
http://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/
Contractors Board—Professional Licensing Agency
Professional Licensing Agency
302 West Washington Street, Room E034
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2700
Phone: (317) 232-2980
http://www.IN.gov/pla/
Iowa
Division of Labor
1000 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: (515) 242-5871
http://www.iowaworkforce.org/labor/index.html
Attorney General
1305 E. Walnut Street
Des Moines IA 50319
Phone: (515) 281-5164
Fax: (515) 281-4209
http://www.iowaattorneygeneral.org/
Licensed In Iowa—License Search Online
https://eservices.iowa.gov/licensediniowa/index.php?pgname=pubsearch
Contractor Law, a Department within Workforce Development
1000 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0209
Phone: (515) 281-5387
http://ag.ky.gov/
Department for Local Government—County List
http://dlg.ky.gov/kentuckycounties.htm
Kentucky Landscape Architect Registration Board
163 West Short Street, Suite 351
Lexington, KY 40507
Phone: (859) 246-2753
Fax: (859) 246-2754
http://www.klarb.ky.gov/
Louisiana
Workforce Commission
1001 N. 23rd Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: (225) 342-3111
http://www.laworks.net/
Local Parish List—Online
http://www.louisiana.gov/
Attorney General
1885 N. Third Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
P.O. Box 94005
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Phone: (225) 326-6079
http://www.ag.state.la.us/
State Licensing Board for Contractors & Verification Search
P.O. Box 14419
Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4419
Phone: (225) 765-2301
Fax: (225) 765-2431
http://www.lslbc.louisiana.gov/findcontractor.asp
* State website has a live chat. Live chat allows you to chat with a person to help you find the information you are looking for.
Posted by mel on 20. August 2010 13:39
Looking to hire a contractor can be a daughting task--I know. I work with the companies and had to find these resources myself. A big part of that task is finding the information you need to know. (Please do NOT assume you know, that is how people get into trouble.) A step-by-step process is available in my book, Hiring a Contractor which is available on Amazon. Links to finding your local information are listed here. The information is listed by state, click on the link that corresponds to your state.
Good luck and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
If you find other information that needs to be included / updated please contact Mel DePaoli at mel [at] omicle.com. Thanks for your help and good luck!
Last updated: August 2010
General Resources:
Angie’s List: www.AngiesList.com
Contractor’s License Reference Site: http://contractors-license.org/
EPA’s Requirements: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=715&genericContentID=121061
Federal Trade Commission’s Cooling-Off Rule: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro03.shtm
National Contractor License Service (State List): http://clsi.com/state_contractor_license_board.htm
Service Magic: http://www.servicemagic.com/
United States Department of Labor on Construction: http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs003.htm
What Is A Lien?: http://www.remodelingmyspace.com/legal-issues/contractor-laws/what-is-a-lien-and-are-you-at-risk.htm
States:
Alabama*
Office of Work Force Development
RSA Union, 6th Floor
PO Box 303500
Montgomery, AL 36130-3500
Phone: 334-242-3460
http://www.alalabor.alabama.gov/
List of Local Building Departments—Online
http://www.bc.state.al.us/
Attorney General
500 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36130
Phone: (334) 242-7300
http://www.ago.state.al.us/
Housing & Property Resources—Online
http://www.alabama.gov/portal/secondary.jsp?id=housing
Home Builders Licensure Board
P. O. Box 303605
Montgomery, AL 36130-3605
445 Herron Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 242-2230
Fax: (334) 263-1397
http://www.hblb.alabama.gov/content/Consumers/consumers.aspx
Licensing Board for General Contractors
2525 Fairlane Drive Montgomery,
Alabama 36116
Phone: (334) 272-5030
Fax: (334) 395-5336
http://www.genconbd.state.al.us/
Electrical Contractors Board—Online Search
Phone: (334) 269-9990
http://www.aecb.state.al.us/Search.aspx
Heating & Air Conditioning Contractors (HVAC)—Online Search
100 N Union Street, Suite 630
Montgomery, AL 36130-5025
Phone: (334) 242-5550
Fax: (334) 353-7050
http://www.hvacboard.state.al.us/Lic_Search/searchform.asp
Plumbers & Gas Fitters Examining Board—Online Search
11 West Oxmoor Road, Suite 104
Birmingham, AL 35209
Phone: (205) 945-4857
Fax: (205) 945-9915
http://www.pgfb.state.al.us/Inquiry.aspx
Alaska
Department of Labor & Workforce Development
http://labor.alaska.gov/
List of Local Building Departments—Online
http://www.law.alaska.gov/department/civil/civil.html
Attorney General
P.O. Box 110300
Juneau, AK 99811-0300
Phone: (907) 465-2133
Fax: (907) 465-2075
http://www.law.alaska.gov/department/about.html
Verify Worker’s Compensation Insurance—Online
https://www.ewccv.com/cvs/
Regulation of Construction Contractors
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811-0806
333 Willoughby Avenue, 9th Floor
Juneau, AK 99801
http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/pcon.htm
Plumbing, Electrical, Asbestos, Abatement, Hazardous Paint, Explosives, or Boiler Contractor
3301 Eagle Street, Suite 302
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 269-4925
Fax: (907) 269-4932
http://labor.state.ak.us/lss/mihome.htm
Arizona
Workforce Development
http://www.azcommerce.com/Workforce/
Workforce Connection
1700 W. Washington Street, Ste. 600
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 771-1100
http://www.arizonaworkforceconnection.com/
Attorney General
Phoenix Office
1275 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 542-5025
Fax: (602) 542-4085
Tucson Office
400 West Congress
South Building, Suite 315
Tucson, AZ 85701-1367
Phone: (520) 628.6504
Fax: (520) 628.6530
http://www.azag.gov/
Registrar of Contractors—Online
http://www.azroc.gov/forms/contractorsearch.html
Hiring a Licensed Contractor—Online
http://www.azroc.gov/Consumer_menu.html
Helmets to Hardhats—for Military, Reservists, and guardsmen to transition from active duty to a career in the construction industry
Phone: 866-741-6210
http://www.helmetstohardhats.org/
Arkansas
Department of Labor
10421 West Markham
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
Phone: (501) 682-4500
Fax: (501) 682-4535
http://www.arkansas.gov/labor/
Attorney General
323 Center Street, Suite 200
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Phone: (501) 682-2007
http://www.arkansasag.gov/index.html
Building Authority
501 Woodlane Drive, Suite 101N
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 682-1833
Fax: (501) 682-5589
http://www.arkansasbuildingauthority.com/construction/
Contractors Licensing Board
4100 Richards Road
North Little Rock, AR 72117
Phone: (501) 372-4661
Fax: (501)372-2247
http://www.state.ar.us/clb/
Contractor Licenses—Online Search
http://www.state.ar.us/clb/search.html
Electrician Licenses –Online Search
https://www.ark.org/labor/electrician/roster_download/index.php
Asbestos Abatement License and Certifications—Online Search
http://www.adeq.state.ar.us/air/asb_lead/license/lic_asb_sql.asp
Landscape Architects—Online Search
http://www.arkansas.gov/asbla/find_landscape_architect.html
California
Labor & Workforce
801 K Street, Suite 2101
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 327-9064
http://www.labor.ca.gov/
Contractors State License Board
9821 Business Park Drive
Sacramento, CA 95827
Phone: (800) 321-2752
http://www.cslb.ca.gov
Attorney General
Attn: Public Inquiry Unit
P.O. Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
Phone: (916) 322-3360
http://ag.ca.gov
Diamond Certified Companies—Online search companies rated highest in quality
504 Redwood Blvd., Suite 210
Novato, CA 94947
Phone: (800) 738-1138
Fax: (800) 643-9963
http://www.diamondcertified.org/
Department of Consumer Affairs: Contractors State License Board—Online
https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx
Take Charge! Home – Building/Remodeling (Hiring contractors and architects)—Online
http://www.takechargeca.ca.gov/besmart/home_building.shtml
Verify a Contractor’s License—Online
http://www2.dca.ca.gov/pls/wllpub/wllquery$.startup
Colorado
Department of Labor & Employment
633 17th Street, Suite 201
Denver, CO 80202-3660
Phone: (303) 318-8000
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDLE-Main/CDLE/1240336821467
Department of Local Affairs
1313 Sherman Street, #500
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 866-2033
http://dola.colorado.gov/cdh/index.html
Attorney General
1525 Sherman St.
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: (303) 866-4500
Fax: (303) 866-5691
http://www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/
License Verification / Division of Registrations
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 894-7800
Fax: (303) 894-7693
https://www.doradls.state.co.us/alison.php
Office of Economic Development and International Trade
1625 Broadway, Ste. 2700
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 892-3840
Fax: (303) 892-3848
http://www.colorado.gov/oed/industry-license/32IndDetail.html
Examining Board of Plumbers
1560 Broadway Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303)892-2300
Fax: (303)894-2310
http://www.dora.state.co.us/plumbing/
State Electrical Board
1560 Broadway Suite 1500
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303)894-2300
Fax: (303)894-2310
http://www.dora.state.co.us/electrical/
Connecticut
Connecticut Department of Labor
200 Folly Brook Blvd.
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Phone: (860) 263-6000
http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/
Department of Consumer Protection
165 Capitol Avenue
Hartford CT 06106
Phone: 800-842-2649
http://www.ct.gov/dcp/site/default.asp
Attorney General
55 Elm Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06106
Phone: (860) 808-5318
http://www.ct.gov/ag/site/default.asp
eLicense Verification—Online
https://www.elicense.ct.gov/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx
Attorney General Guide to Home Improvement—Online
http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?A=2066&Q=292736
Delaware
Department of Labor
19 West Lea Boulevard
Wilmington, DE 19802
Phone: (302) 761-6598
http://www.delawareworks.com/default.shtml
Attorney General
Carvel State Office Bldg
820 N. French Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
http://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/
License Verification—Online
https://dpronline.delaware.gov/mylicense%20weblookup/Search.aspx?facility=Y
District of Columbia
Workforce Investment Council
64 New York Avenue, NE, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 671-1661
http://dcwic.dc.gov/dcwic/site/default.asp?dcwicNav_GID
Attorney General
441 4th Street, NW, Suite 1145S
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 727-3400
Fax: (202)347-8922
http://occ.dc.gov/occ/site/default.asp
Industrial Trade Board of Plumbers—Online Licensing Services
https://www.asisvcs.com/services/licensing/DCOPLA/search_page.asp?CPCAT=4909STATEREG
Industrial Trade Board of Electricians—Online Licensing Services
https://www.asisvcs.com/services/licensing/DCOPLA/search_page.asp?CPCAT=3609STATEREG
Industrial Trade Board of Refrigeration & Air Conditioning—Online Licensing Services
https://www.asisvcs.com/services/licensing/DCOPLA/search_page.asp?CPCAT=RA09STATEREG
List of Neighborhood Websites—Online
http://rrc.dc.gov/rrc/cwp/view,a,1193,q,445658,rrcNav_GID,1415.asp
Florida
Workforce Florida
1580 Waldo Palmer Lane, Suite 1
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: (850) 921-1119
Fax: (850) 921-1101
http://www.workforceflorida.com/
Attorney General
State of Florida
The Capitol PL-01
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050
Phone: (866) 966-7226
http://myfloridalegal.com/
Department of Business Professional Regulation—License Verification
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee FL 32399
Phone: (850) 487-1395
http://www.myfloridalicense.com/
Construction Industry Licensing Board
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee FL 32399
Phone: (850) 487-1395
http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/cilb/index.html
Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee FL 32399
Phone: (850) 487-1395
http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/elboard/index.html
Asbestos Licensing Unit
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee FL 32399
Phone: (850) 487-1395
http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/asbest/index.html
Helpful Construction Links from the Department of Community Affairs
Building Codes and Standards
2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100
Phone: (850) 487-1824
http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fbc/construction_links/1_construction.htm
* State website has a live chat. Live chat allows you to chat with a person to help you find the information you are looking for.