Renovation permits and contractor licences in New Hampshire

Trades that need a licence in New Hampshire

• Electrical work

  If you are paying for it, the electrical work must be done by someone licensed by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification: the statute says no electrician installation shall be made for compensation unless made by a licensed electrician. Ask whether the person on site is a master, a journeyman or a registered apprentice, because an apprentice works under supervision.

  Sources:NH RSA 319-C – Electricians⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Plumbing

  Plumbing is licensed through the Mechanical Licensing Board at journeyman and master level, not through a separate plumbers' board — the old plumbing chapters in the statutes were repealed. Ask which licence the plumber holds and who issued it.

  Sources:NH RSA 153:27-a – Mechanical Licensing Board⁠(opens in a new tab)NH RSA chapter 153 – Contents, including mechanical licensing⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Gas and fuel-burning appliances

  Fuel gas fitting and heating equipment installation and service are licensed by the same Mechanical Licensing Board. If a job touches a gas line, a boiler or a furnace, that is the licence to ask about.

  Sources:NH RSA 153:27-a – Mechanical Licensing Board⁠(opens in a new tab)

• General contracting and renovation

  There is no state general contractor licence in New Hampshire to check, so the checks that remain are the trade licences the job needs, references, proof of insurance and the permit itself. The work still has to meet the state building code, whoever does it.

  Sources:NH RSA 155-A – State Building Code⁠(opens in a new tab)NH RSA 319-C – Electricians⁠(opens in a new tab)

• New-home building and warranty

  The state building code adopts named editions of the international codes and the National Electrical Code, and a building permit may be approved only where the work complies with it. Where a municipality has appointed a local enforcement agency, that agency enforces the code; where none exists, the state fire marshal or the marshal's designee may enforce it.

  Sources:NH RSA 155-A – State Building Code⁠(opens in a new tab)

Before you hire a contractor in New Hampshire

Practical checks you can do yourself, using official tools where they exist.

1. 1

   For any paid electrical work, check the electrician's state licence — the statute allows no unlicensed installation for compensation.

   Official lookup: NH RSA 319-C – Electricians⁠(opens in a new tab)

2. 2

   For plumbing, gas fitting or heating work, ask which Mechanical Licensing Board licence the installer holds.

   Official lookup: NH RSA 153:27-a – Mechanical Licensing Board⁠(opens in a new tab)

3. 3

   There is no state general contractor licence, so ask instead for references, proof of insurance and the trade licences the job needs.

   Official lookup: NH RSA 155-A – State Building Code⁠(opens in a new tab)

4. 4

   Ask your town, city or county who the building official is and which permits your project needs before work starts.

   Official lookup: Nashua – Department of Building Safety⁠(opens in a new tab)

5. 5

   Confirm the contractor's licence and insurance with your state or county government, and get the work, materials and price in writing.

   Official lookup: FTC – How to avoid a home improvement scam⁠(opens in a new tab)