Construction Work Regulated:

Prequalification is required for public works and highway work. Electrical, plumbing, asbestos abatement and lead abatement work is regulated at the state level.

License Requirements

Highway and Public Works Pre-Qualification:

• Contractors must submit experience documentation and financial statements for pre qualification. Financial statements categories are compiled for projects to $200,000, reviewed for projects to $1,000,000 and audited above $1,000,000. The pre qualification expires 15 months after the date of the financial statements.
• Processing time on applications takes two to four weeks. As of October 1995, there were 306 pre qualified contractors.
• For projects less than $50,000 prequalification may be waived by the Commissioner in the absence of other pre qualified bidders, the ability of the bidder and time constraints.

Plumbing Contractors:

• Applicants must pass a trade examination with a score of 70% and submit documentation on their experience. Licenses are renewed annually.

Electrical Contractors:

• Applicants for Journeyman & Master must pass a two part, open book trade examination with a 70% score on each part.
• The Master license requires one year experience as a journeyman. The journeyman requires 576 hours of electrical schooling and four years experience as an apprentice. The examination fee is $25 and the license and annual renewal fees are $60 for the master and $20 for the journeyman. Fifteen hours of continuing education on each new code edition is required every three years of master and journeyman licenses.

Asbestos Abatement Contractors:

• Applicants must submit documentation of completion of an approved asbestos contractor/supervisor course and a list of projects within the past years.
• There is an annual renewal fee of $500. There were 50 licensees as of October 1994.

Lead Abatement Contractors:

• Applicants must pass a trade examination with a score of 70% and provide building trade experience of one year for supervisors and two years for contractors.
• The lead abatement program became effective January 1, 1995.

Other:

• Public works contracts require a 100% performance and payment bond as well as a 5 % bid guaranty.

Reciprocal Agreements

There is an electrical reciprocity agreement for master & journeyman with the states of Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine. Plumbing reciprocity is extended to licensees of Maine and Vermont (residents only).

License Types

Electrical Contractors:

• Apprentice (Registration)
• Journeyman
• Master

Plumbing Contractors:

• Journeyman
• Master

Asbestos Contractors:

• Entity license
• Supervisor
• Worker
• Inspector
• Management Planner
• Project Designer

Every contractor is required to pass the OSHA exam.