Service overview
A Contractor License is required for any business doing work that:
- Involves construction, demolition, or repair.
- Does not require a specialized company license.
Some work requires a specialized license, including:
You don’t need this license if your business only does work on existing one-or-two-family dwellings and does not do work that requires a special trade license. Instead, the company must submit as a Home Improvement Contractor after registering with the State.
The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) issues this license.
Who
Business owners and their agents can apply for this license.
Requirements
Other licenses and registrations
Insurance
You must provide a Certificate of Insurance that includes these minimum amounts:
- General liability: $500,000 per occurrence
- Automobile liability insurance: $300,000
- Worker’s compensation:
- $100,000 per accident
- $100,000 per employee
- $500,000 policy limit
Safety training
You must identify the supervisors responsible for construction projects. A supervisor can only be employed by one company. They must also show proof of completion of an approved OSHA 30 safety training course taken within five years of application date.
Tax compliance
The contractor must be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes.
Operating requirements
The contractor must follow the contractor requirements.
Where and when
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Cost
A non-refundable application fee of $20 is applied to the license fee. The balance of the license fee is due upon application approval.
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How
You can apply for this license online using eCLIPSE or in person at the Permit and License Center.
Online
Applications are reviewed within five business days.
If the application isn’t approved, you will receive an email stating what is missing or required.
In person
L&I can review most applications while you wait.
Renewal requirements
This license must be renewed annually. You can renew online through eCLIPSE or in person at the Permit and License Center.
To renew your license, you must:
- Be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes and fines.
- Have proof of an active insurance policy.
- Have eligible supervisor information on file with L&I.
- The supervisor must maintain a current OSHA 30 safety training certificate. If L&I has already accepted an OSHA 30 Construction and Safety certificate from the supervisor, they can take 30 hours of continuing education credits in construction or demolition safety instead of retaking the OSHA 30 course.