Georgia · State Licensing Board · PSI + NASCLA · Updated 2026

Georgia contractor license guide

Requirements, the two-exam structure, net worth rules — and the practice questions to pass.

Quick answer

To get a Georgia general contractor license you must be at least 21, meet education or experience requirements (e.g., a relevant degree plus experience, or four years under a licensed contractor), carry $500,000 of general liability insurance, meet the net worth requirement ($150,000 unlimited / $25,000 Limited Tier), and pass two open-book exams through PSI: the Georgia Business and Law exam and the NASCLA trade exam. A license is required for any job over $2,500.

What are the requirements for a Georgia contractor license?

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Education/experience: a relevant bachelor's degree plus supervised experience, equivalent post-secondary education plus experience, or four years under a licensed contractor
  • Pass the Georgia Business and Law exam (open book)
  • Pass the NASCLA Accredited Examination (the trade exam for general contractors)
  • General liability insurance of at least $500,000
  • Minimum net worth: $150,000 (unlimited) or $25,000 (Limited Tier)
  • Background check consent and Board application approval before you can sit the exams

How does the two-exam structure work?

Georgia approves your application first, then you schedule both exams with PSI within one year. Both are open book — approved references may be tabbed and highlighted — so the winning skill is fast lookup under time pressure, not memorisation. The NASCLA portion is the bigger study load (it draws on a large reference set), while the Business and Law exam is shorter but catches field-experienced candidates off guard with accounting, lien and employment questions.

Try our free Georgia practice test, and see the dedicated guide to the Georgia Business and Law exam.

Why the NASCLA exam is worth the effort

Passing NASCLA once lists you in a national database accepted by many states — including Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee — so a Georgia license can become the springboard for multi-state work. Each state still requires its own business/law exam, but you never re-sit the trade exam.

Practice for the Georgia exams

Our packs are written against the current PSI candidate bulletin and the NASCLA reference list, with explained answers and reference pointers so every drill trains the open-book lookup skill.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a contractor license in Georgia?

Yes. Georgia requires a license from the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors for construction work where labor and materials exceed $2,500. Unlicensed contractors generally cannot enforce their contracts or file liens.

What exams are required for a Georgia general contractor license?

Two: the Georgia Business and Law exam, and a trade exam — for general contractors this is the NASCLA Accredited Examination. Both are open book and scheduled through PSI after the Board approves your application.

Is the NASCLA exam accepted in other states?

Yes — passing NASCLA once places you in the national database accepted by a long list of states including Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Each state still requires its own business/law exam, but your trade exam travels with you.

What is the net worth requirement for a Georgia general contractor?

The unlimited General Contractor license requires a minimum net worth of $150,000; the Limited Tier requires $25,000 with a cap on contract size. Verify the current Limited Tier contract cap with the Board, as it has changed over time.

How old do you have to be to get a Georgia contractor license?

At least 21 for the general contractor license — older than the 18-year threshold many other states use. You also need qualifying education or experience and $500,000 of general liability insurance.

Sources: Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors; PSI candidate bulletin. Rules and fees change — verify current requirements with the Board before applying. The License Desk is an independent study resource, not affiliated with the Board, PSI or NASCLA.