Contractors working in Philadelphia need to have a valid license and follow operational requirements. This page outlines the regulations related to contractors and contracting work in Philadelphia.
Contractor Code of Conduct
All contractors operating in Philadelphia must follow the requirements laid out in the Contractor Code of Conduct.
OSHA training requirements
All contractors and their subcontractors need to have safety training. Training must be provided by an OSHA-approved training provider or approved alternative.
Workers
All workers on a construction or demolition site must complete a basic training course. The course must be OSHA 10 Construction or an approved alternative. Contractors must keep proof of training on the job site.
- This includes trades contractors and registered PA home improvement contractors.
- This requirement does not apply to:
- Delivery people.
- Design professionals and their staff.
- Special inspectors.
- Workers that aren’t doing permit-regulated construction or demolition.
Supervisors
Contractors must identify at least one supervisory employee who has completed an extended safety training course. This course must be OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health or an approved alternative. The contractor must submit proof of training with the license application or renewal. This does not apply to:
- Plumbing contractors.
- Electrical contractors.
- Fire suppression contractors.
- Registered PA home improvement contractors.
When renewing the license, the supervisor can take 30 hours of continuing education credits in construction or demolition safety instead of retaking the OSHA 30 course if the department has already accepted an OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health certificate from them.
The course must be completed in the 5 years before you apply for license renewal. The provider must be approved by the PA Department of Labor and Industry. Submit proof of completion with the license amendment or renewal application.
Site safety managers for major projects
A site safety manager must oversee any new construction, structural alteration, or demolition of a building that is:
- More than three stories tall
- 40 feet in height
- Or with a footprint larger than 10,000 square feet.
This course must be OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health or an approved alternative. The contractor must submit any site safety managers to the building inspector before work starts.
Disclosing subcontractors
Philadelphia contractors and trade licensees must provide the department with the name of each subcontractor that is working under their permits within three days of the commencement of any work authorized by that permit.
Refer to the how-to guide for step-by-step instructions to do this in eCLIPSE.
Insurance certificates
All contractors named on a construction permit must have current insurance on file with L&I. This must include the minimum coverage determined by the Law Department and the risk manager for:
- Workers compensation
- Comprehensive general liability
- Motor vehicle liability
Tools
The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) offers a number of tools to help contractors do business in the City.
- Contractor lookup tool: Search permits by contractor
- Permit lookup tool: Find permit applications and review their status.
- eCLIPSE: Apply for licenses online.
- Atlas: Find property-based information.
- Tax compliance tool: Find out if you are up-to-date on your City taxes.