How much does a General Contractor license cost in Georgia?
The Georgia General Contractor license fee is $210, paid to GA SOS — State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors. Exam fees, the bond premium and insurance are charged separately.
What the state charges
| License fee | $210 |
|---|---|
| Paid to | GA SOS — State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors |
| Exam | GC & GC Limited Tier: NASCLA Commercial General Building exam + GA Business & Law exam; Residential Basic: state exam + Business & Law (PSI) |
| Bond | Not required |
| Renewal | Every 2 year(s) |
Fee breakdown and fine print
GA Code §43-41 — separate board from CILB (§43-14). Fee = $200 examination application + $10 processing (GOALS fee schedule; Residential Basic same). Net worth: Residential Basic/Light Commercial/Limited $25k, Commercial GC $150k; GL insurance $300k–$500k/occurrence; $25k surety bond is one optional financial-responsibility path (Residential Basic). Renewal by Jun 30 of even years.
What else you pay before the first job
The licence fee is the smallest line item for most people starting out. These are charged by private providers, not by GA SOS — State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors, and prices vary — so we link the options rather than quote a number we cannot source.
General liability insurance
Required by most licensing boards and by nearly every general contractor who hires you.
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- How much does a General Contractor license cost in Georgia?
- The state license fee is $210, paid to GA SOS — State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors. GA Code §43-41 — separate board from CILB (§43-14). Fee = $200 examination application + $10 processing (GOALS fee schedule; Residential Basic same). Net worth: Residential Basic/Light Commercial/Limited $25k, Commercial GC $150k; GL insurance $300k–$500k/occurrence; $25k surety bond is one optional financial-responsibility path (Residential Basic). Renewal by Jun 30 of even years.
- What other costs are there beyond the license fee?
- Beyond the state fee you should budget for the exam, general liability insurance, forming your business entity, and the truck and tools you need to take the first job. Those are billed by separate providers, not the licensing board.
Related
Full Georgia General Contractor license requirements →
Georgia General Contractor license reciprocity →
Every figure is sourced to the official state board and may change — confirm before acting. Information to help you launch, not legal advice.