Renovation permits and contractor licences in Pennsylvania

Trades that need a licence in Pennsylvania

• General contracting and renovation

  There is no state contractor licence to ask for in Pennsylvania: the Department of Labor and Industry says the Commonwealth has no licensure or certification requirement for most construction contractors or their employees. Some of the state's municipalities have their own licensing or certification rules, and the Commonwealth keeps no record of them, so ask your municipality directly what it requires.

  Sources:PA Department of Labor and Industry – Contractor licensing⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Consumer protection

  The registration that does apply is the home improvement contractor registration with the Office of Attorney General, required of anyone whose home improvement business reaches the threshold the Act sets. Under the Act a home improvement contract must be in writing, signed by both parties, and carry the contractor's registration number, the start and completion dates, a description of the work and materials, the price, any subcontractors, proof of liability insurance and your right to rescind.

  Sources:Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Act 132 of 2008)⁠(opens in a new tab)PA Business One-Stop Shop – Home improvement contractor registration⁠(opens in a new tab)

• New-home building and warranty

  Where a municipality has opted out of enforcing the Uniform Construction Code, residential code enforcement is done by certified third-party agencies hired by the property owner — which can mean you, not the builder. The Department of Labor and Industry publishes the list of which municipalities opted in or out, with the building code official's name and phone number, so check yours before you assume the town will inspect.

  Sources:PA Department of Labor and Industry – Municipal elections and contact information⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Electrical work

  In Philadelphia an electrical contractor needs a city electrical contractor licence, and fire suppression and complete demolition work need city licences too. Outside Philadelphia there is no statewide electrical licence, so ask your municipality what it requires before the work starts.

  Sources:Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections – Trade licences⁠(opens in a new tab)PA Department of Labor and Industry – Contractor licensing⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Plumbing

  Philadelphia issues plumbing licences at apprentice, journeyman and master level, and a plumber must hold the city licence to work there. A firm that only works on existing one- or two-family homes and does no electrical, plumbing, fire suppression or complete demolition work does not need the Philadelphia contractor licence, but it must register with the state as a home improvement contractor instead.

  Sources:Philadelphia – Get a contractor licence⁠(opens in a new tab)Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections – Trade licences⁠(opens in a new tab)

Before you hire a contractor in Pennsylvania

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

1. 1

   Ask for the contractor's Pennsylvania home improvement contractor registration number and check that your contract carries it.

   Official lookup: PA Business One-Stop Shop – Home improvement contractor registration⁠(opens in a new tab)

2. 2

   Read the contract against the Act's list: written, signed, dated, priced, with the work, the materials, the subcontractors and your right to rescind.

   Official lookup: Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Act 132 of 2008)⁠(opens in a new tab)

3. 3

   Ask your municipality whether it licenses contractors or trades of its own, because the state keeps no record of local rules.

   Official lookup: PA Department of Labor and Industry – Contractor licensing⁠(opens in a new tab)

4. 4

   Find out whether your municipality enforces the Uniform Construction Code itself or has opted out, because that changes who inspects your job.

   Official lookup: PA Department of Labor and Industry – Municipal elections and contact information⁠(opens in a new tab)

5. 5

   In Philadelphia, check the contractor holds the city licence the work needs before any permit is pulled.

   Official lookup: Philadelphia – Get a contractor licence⁠(opens in a new tab)

6. 6

   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)