Can You Use Your License in Another State?
Reciprocity Explained

Published on December 15, 2025 by Nate Bortz

Skilled professionals in the construction industry generally have to complete several steps to become licensed, and for good reason. Prerequisite education and experience requirements exist to help make sure residential and commercial construction workers are qualified and understand all relevant building codes.

But, if someone is licensed in one state and wants to perform professional work in another, do they need to complete the entire application process all over again? Not necessarily.

What Is Reciprocity?

A reciprocity agreement is when a state's licensing board recognizes an equivalent license classification from another jurisdiction and adjusts its prelicense requirements.

These agreements typically happen when one government authority reviews the licensing requirements of another and determines that they are similar to its own.

It's important to understand, however, that a license is never automatically valid in multiple states. Reciprocal agreements are mainly used to make it quicker and easier for a contractor to get licensed in multiple jurisdictions.

This process is not available to everyone. Select a state using the map below to learn more about its reciprocity agreements, if applicable.

What About NASCLA?

The National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) is a nonprofit organization that created an accredited examination program to help unify licensing requirements across the country.

Passing the NASCLA exam effectively replaces the trade portion of the examination for over a dozen states.

Contractor License Recognition Across the U.S.

Select your state from the list below to start check if your state has reciprocity

State	Reciprocity	Details
Alabama	AK, MS, LA, TN, NC	Trade exam waived, business and law section still required. Application has a 30-day waiting period. Accepts NASCLA accreditation.
Alaska	None	Everyone must complete the full application.
Arizona	Depends on Approval	Include the Out-of-State Waiver Form (RC-L-200G) to skip the trade exam. Completing the AZ Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam is still required. NASCLA exam is accepted.
Arkansas	TN, MS, AL, LA, NC	Waives the Business and Law exam requirement for licensees with at least one year of experience View the reciprocal form for more details. NASCLA accreditation accepted.
California	AZ, LA, NV, NC	Trade exam waived if applying for a similar license classification. Applicants must have held an active license in good standing for the past five years. NASCLA accreditation is accepted.
Colorado	None	No statewide license is available. Regulations are handled at the local level.
Connecticut	None	Full applications required. Find the license type you need and apply online using the Department of Consumer Protection website.
Delaware	None	Non-resident contractors must register with the Division of Revenue.
Florida	LA, NC, MS Endorsement: CA	The Construction Industry Licensing Board waives the trade exam if certain license type-specific requirements are met. Reciprocity applicants must still pass the FL Business and Finance and Building Code exams. Endorsement applications waive the state certification exam but are rarely approved. NASCLA accreditation is accepted for both methods.
Georgia	Commercial: LA, MS, NC, TN Residential: LA, MS, SC	Applies to commercial and residential applicants who have held active licenses for at least three years and passed an exam. Include this form with the application. NASCLA accreditation is also accepted.
Hawaii	None	Applicants must meet all licensing and exam requirements.
Idaho	None	Contractors are registered, not licensed. Anyone who works on a job that costs $2,000 or more must register unless exempt.
Illinois	None	General contractors are regulated at the municipal level.
Indiana	None	No statewide licensing. Check county-level requirements to learn more.
Iowa	None	All construction contractors must register with the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.
Kansas	None	No statewide licensing. View the city and county list on this page to find local requirements.
Kentucky	None	No statewide licensing. Check if the area you want to work in has local requirements (like Louisville).
Louisiana	Any State with an Exam	The licensing board will waive the required trade exam for any contractor who passed a test in their home state. All other application requirements still apply. NASCLA accepted.
Maine	Depends on Approval	Licensees in good standing with comparable classification may have the trade exam waived. The business law exam and all other licensing requirements are not waived.
Maryland	None	All Home Improvement Contractor applicants must pass an exam.
Massachusetts	None	Construction Supervisor License applicants need to schedule and pass an exam based on the State Building Code.
Michigan	None	The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs maintains a strict 60-hour prelicense course and exam requirement for all applicants.
Minnesota	None	Every Residential Contractor License applicant must pass a written exam administered by the Department of Labor and Industry.
Mississippi	AL, AK, FL, GA, LA, NC, OH, SC, TN	The trade exam is waived under certain conditions. Contractors must have at least passed their state's exam. Taking the Business and Law exam is still required. NASCLA accreditation is accepted.
Missouri	None	Statewide licenses are not administered. Check local requirements (i.e., Kansas City).
Montana	None	All construction business owners with employees must register to comply with the Workers' Compensation Act.
Nebraska	None	Contractors and subcontractors who work in Nebraska need to register with the Department of Labor.
Nevada	AL, AZ, CA, FL, HI, LA, NM, NC, SC, TN, WV	The trade exam and experience certification requirements may be waived for applicants who qualify for licensure by endorsement. NASCLA accreditation is accepted.
New Hampshire	None	NH uses local permitting (i.e., Concord) instead of statewide licenses.
New Jersey	None	Apply for a home repair contractor license through the Licensing Services Bureau.
New Mexico	None	NASLA is accepted in place of the trade exam for the GB98 License.
New York	None	No statewide license requirement. Some cities, like NYC, require registration.
North Carolina	SC, TN, LA, GA, MS, AL, FL	An Exam Waiver form is required with a standard application. NASCLA accreditation is accepted.
North Dakota	None	All applicants, including nonresidents, must follow the same licensing process.
Ohio	None	Statewide construction-related licenses are not available. Check with local municipalities (i.e., Cincinnati) for more information.
Oklahoma	None	No statewide license required. Some local areas (like Oklahoma City) may have their own requirements.
Oregon	None	All applicants must complete prelicense education and pass an exam. NASCLA accreditation is accepted.
Pennsylvania	None	PA has no statewide licensure requirements for most construction contractors.
Rhode Island	None	Completing a full application is required. Out-of-state applicants must obtain an Agent of Service registered in RI.
South Carolina	LA, MS, NC, TN, UT	The technical exam may be waived for applications from the listed states. Passing the Commercial Contractors Business, Law and Project Management exam is still required. NASCLA accepted.
South Dakota	None	Statewide licensing is not required. Check your local municipality for more information.
Tennessee	AL, AK, LA, MS, NC, SC, WV	A trade exam waiver form may be included with a standard application. All other requirements must still be met, including passing the Business and Law exam. NASCLA accreditation is accepted.
Texas	None	No statewide construction contractor licenses are available.
Utah	AK, CA, OR, NV, AZ, NM, MN, MI, AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, NC, FL, VA, WV, TN, MA, RI	Qualified applicants seeking endorsement must be in good standing and have held their license for at least one year. NASCLA accreditation satisfies the experience requirement.
Vermont	None	Residential contractors who work on projects valued over $10,000 must register with the Office of Professional Regulation.
Virginia	NC, OH	Some exam exemptions are available for qualified applicants. NASCLA accreditation is accepted.
Washington	None	Contractors must register with the Department of Labor & Industries.
West Virginia	TN	The Contractor Licensing Board will reciprocate a TN General Building Classification license. NASCLA accreditation is also accepted. Other applicants must complete the standard application, which includes passing an exam.
Wisconsin	None	Dwelling contractors must complete prelicense education and submit the appropriate applications.
Wyoming	None	WY does not license contractors at the state level. Check local requirements for more information.

Benefits

Most states with agreements modify or remove parts of their initial licensing application requirements to help applicants save time and potentially some money.

The modification that states use in most cases is letting qualified licensees skip the general contractor trade exam (and its associated costs).

Additionally, an individual living near a border may utilize reciprocity to pursue more opportunities to perform work in other states. Construction business managers can also use agreements to allow their staff to pursue bids in multiple areas.

Considerations

You must almost always apply for licensure within the desired jurisdiction, even if it offers reciprocity to your state.

In addition to specific business laws, many states adopt their own versions of national building codes. You can understand the rules for one jurisdiction, but your knowledge may not always be applicable to others.

That's why it is illegal in most areas to perform professional construction work with only a license from another state. Disciplinary action varies, but hefty fines and criminal charges are typical.

Details for each reciprocity agreement also vary depending on the licensing board or regulating body. Some, as you can see from our state-by-state chart, only apply to specific license types. Others may require a certain amount of work experience.

Before you consider moving to a new state to work, for example, make sure you meet all reciprocity requirements in addition to any other application prerequisites.

How to Apply for Reciprocity

This is a general guide that describes the application steps for most areas.

1. Confirm Your Eligibility

Use the chart above, along with the state's general application requirements, to see if you meet all of the prerequisites for your desired license.

Our dedicated state pages also include FAQs that provide instructions on how to apply.

2. Gather the Necessary Application Documentation

Most licensing authorities require applicants to submit proof of experience, current licensure, exam completion, workers' compensation insurance or bonds (for businesses), as well as a clean criminal record.

3. Prepare for and Take any Required Exams

We offer a wide selection of exam prep courses and code books for applicants who must take a business and law exam or want NASCLA accreditation. Our detailed lessons review exam topics and provide study tips to help you avoid any surprises on test day.

4. Maintain Your Licenses

Need to complete continuing education (CE) to renew your original and reciprocated licenses? You can find everything you need right here!

All of our CE courses are state-approved and fulfill relevant renewal requirements. Start and stop whenever you like to complete your training at your own pace.

Can You Use Your License in Another State?Reciprocity Explained