InstaBidsHow do you check a contractor license in Georgia?
Consumer Ed, from the state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, sends homeowners to the Secretary of State's website, sos.ga.gov, where the Licensee Search sits under Licensing. Residential and general contractors need a license through the State Licensing Board, and sub-contractors such as plumbers are regulated by the Construction Industry Licensing Board. A lookup is an optional public-record step.
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
The license lookup is yours to run on the state's site.
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Key facts
- Consumer Ed says a homeowner can look up a general contractor or sub-contractor on the state Secretary of State's website, sos.ga.gov.
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
- Consumer Ed says residential and general contractors in Georgia need a license through the State Licensing Board.
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
- Consumer Ed says the state does not require a license for certain specialty occupations, such as roofers, painters, drywall contractors and repair handymen.
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
Where does Georgia send homeowners to look up a contractor license?
To the Secretary of State's website, sos.ga.gov. Consumer Ed's page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026, says you can check there that a general contractor or a sub-contractor has a valid license, by choosing Licensing from the main menu, then Licensee Search.
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
Which Georgia boards cover contractors and sub-contractors?
Consumer Ed names two boards: residential and general contractors need a license through the State Licensing Board, and sub-contractors, such as plumbers, electricians and heat and air conditioning contractors, are regulated by the Construction Industry Licensing Board.
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
Its home improvement page puts the first rule this way: "All residential and general contractors in the State of Georgia are required to be licensed through the State Licensing Board."
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
Which trades are not required to hold a Georgia state license?
Consumer Ed names some specialty occupations for which the state does not require a license, and it gives them as examples, not as a full list.
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
In its words: "Please note that certain specialty occupations such as roofers, painters, drywall contractors, and repair handymen are not required to be licensed by the state."
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
Should you also check with your Georgia county or city?
You can. Consumer Ed says you can also ask your county or city government about your contractor's licensing, and that you can report someone operating without a required local license there.
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
The home improvement page says: "You can also check with your county or city government to make sure your contractor has the proper licensing, or to report someone operating without the required local license."
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
How do you look up a Georgia contractor license, step by step?
Find out which kind of work the job is, run the Licensee Search on the Secretary of State's website, and, if you want, ask your county or city about local licensing. These are practical suggestions, not state rules.
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
- Ask the contractor whether the job is residential or general contracting, or sub-contracting such as plumbing, electrical or heat and air conditioning work.
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
- If the work is done by roofers, painters, drywall contractors or repair handymen, note that Consumer Ed says the state does not require these occupations to hold a license, and go on to step 5.
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
- For other work, go to the Secretary of State's website, sos.ga.gov, choose Licensing from the main menu, then Licensee Search.
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
- Look up the general contractor or the sub-contractor who will do the work.
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
- You can also ask your county or city government about your contractor's licensing.
Source: Consumer Ed (state Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division), page on home improvement, read 17 October 2026.
Who sees your contact details when you post a job on InstaBids?
One point about InstaBids follows. Contact details stay hidden until the homeowner picks a contractor and they confirm the connection.
Source: InstaBids process and privacy, live-page excerpts, read 17 October 2026.
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