Georgia General Contractor License Renewal: Deadlines, Fees and CE

Georgia has 4 General contractor license classes. Most renew every 2 years. The renewal fee is about $100. Fees change, so check the official site for the exact amount. Continuing education ranges from 6 to 12 hours. The details for each class are below.

Full rule details

Verified dataLast checked Oct 17, 2026, next review due July 2027

Informational: verify with the issuing board.

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General Contractor - Limited Tier

GC-LT · State license · State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (GA Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division)

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site (404) 424-9966

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: Not required
Deadline rule: Expires June 30 of even-numbered years. Renew online in GOALS by June 30 (2026 renewals opened April 6). Next deadline: June 30, 2028.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: No grace period to keep working after June 30. The board allows late renewal with the late fee, July 1 to July 31 in 2026. Board rules (Rule 553-12) describe a penalty period running to December 31 and treat a license not renewed by December 31 as revoked; the board's own renewal notice is the controlling date for each cycle.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $100
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Late renewal costs about $200 instead of about $100 on the board's published fee schedule (revised June 2022). For 2026 the late renewal period was July 1 to July 31. Check the current fee with the board.
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
After the late period the license must be reinstated: reinstatement application (about $300 plus about $10 processing on the board's fee schedule), at the board's discretion, and it may require retaking the exam. Inactive status (about $25 plus about $10) and reactivation (about $200 plus about $10) are also available.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: General liability: $500,000 per occurrence. Workers' compensation only if 3 or more employees (Board FAQ). Certificate of insurance on file is a condition of renewal. Minimum net worth: $25,000 (affirmed at application; financial-responsibility documents may include a surety bond with power of attorney or line of credit as an alternative to net worth for some applicants - no standalone license bond required for renewal).
Reciprocity: No reciprocity listed for Limited Tier.

Notes

Renewal fee $100 on the board's published fee schedule (revised June 2022); the board now also posts fees in GOALS, so check the current fee with the board before paying. Renewal attestations: answer insurance/financial questions; Board may audit supporting documents (Rule 553-12-.01(4)-(5)). Limited to contracts of no more than $1,000,000 per project.

MediumLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (8)

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General Contractor (Commercial, Unlimited)

GC · State license · State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (GA Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division)

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site (404) 424-9966

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: Not required
Deadline rule: Expires June 30 of even-numbered years. Renew online in GOALS by June 30 (2026 renewals opened April 6). Next deadline: June 30, 2028.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: No grace period to keep working after June 30. The board allows late renewal with the late fee, July 1 to July 31 in 2026. Board rules (Rule 553-12) describe a penalty period running to December 31 and treat a license not renewed by December 31 as revoked; the board's own renewal notice is the controlling date for each cycle.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $100
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Late renewal costs about $200 instead of about $100 on the board's published fee schedule (revised June 2022). For 2026 the late renewal period was July 1 to July 31. Check the current fee with the board.
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
After the late period the license must be reinstated: reinstatement application (about $300 plus about $10 processing on the board's fee schedule), at the board's discretion, and it may require retaking the exam. Inactive status (about $25 plus about $10) and reactivation (about $200 plus about $10) are also available.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: General liability: $500,000 per occurrence. Workers' compensation only if 3 or more employees (Board FAQ). Certificate of insurance on file is a condition of renewal. Minimum net worth: $150,000 (affirmed at application; financial-responsibility documents may include a surety bond with power of attorney or line of credit as an alternative to net worth for some applicants - no standalone license bond required for renewal).
Reciprocity: Reciprocity for Unlimited Commercial General Contractors with Louisiana and Mississippi; requirements: license obtained by exam, resident of or business chartered in that state, active 3+ years with no disciplinary actions (Board FAQ).

Notes

MediumLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (8)

Residential Contractor - Residential-Basic

RB · State license · State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (GA Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division)

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site (404) 424-9966

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: 6 hours
Show CE rules
Residential: 3 hours per year (Residential-Basic) / 6 hours per year (Residential-Light Commercial), year = July 1-June 30 (Rule 553-12-.02), i.e. 6 / 12 hours per biennium. Acceptable topics: building codes, business, legal/regulatory updates, workplace safety, workers' compensation, building techniques; online/correspondence courses limited to 50% of hours; attest under oath at renewal; keep records 2 years after the biennium; CE hours earned during the penalty period cannot be reused next cycle. Since Jan 1, 2026 CE must be registered/recorded in CE Broker. Board may waive for hardship/health.
Deadline rule: Expires June 30 of even-numbered years. Renew online in GOALS by June 30 (2026 renewals opened April 6). Next deadline: June 30, 2028.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: No grace period to keep working after June 30. The board allows late renewal with the late fee, July 1 to July 31 in 2026. Board rules (Rule 553-12) describe a penalty period running to December 31 and treat a license not renewed by December 31 as revoked; the board's own renewal notice is the controlling date for each cycle.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $100
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Late renewal costs about $200 instead of about $100 on the board's published fee schedule (revised June 2022). For 2026 the late renewal period was July 1 to July 31. Check the current fee with the board.
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
After the late period the license must be reinstated: reinstatement application (about $300 plus about $10 processing on the board's fee schedule), at the board's discretion, and it may require retaking the exam. Residential licensees must show the CE for each year since the last renewal (3 hours per year for Residential-Basic, 6 for Residential-Light Commercial). Inactive status (about $25 plus about $10) and reactivation (about $200 plus about $10) are also available.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: General liability: $300,000 per occurrence. Workers' compensation only if 3 or more employees (Board FAQ). Certificate of insurance on file is a condition of renewal. Minimum net worth: $25,000 (affirmed at application; financial-responsibility documents may include a surety bond with power of attorney or line of credit as an alternative to net worth for some applicants - no standalone license bond required for renewal).
Reciprocity: Reciprocity for Residential-Basic with Louisiana and Mississippi for a current, equivalent license obtained by exam.

Notes

Renewal fee $100 on the board's published fee schedule (revised June 2022); the board now also posts fees in GOALS, so check the current fee with the board before paying. Renewal attestations: answer insurance/financial questions; Board may audit supporting documents (Rule 553-12-.01(4)-(5)). Project scope: residential (one/two-family) construction.

MediumLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (8)

Residential Contractor - Residential-Light Commercial

RLC · State license · State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (GA Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division)

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site (404) 424-9966

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: 12 hours
Show CE rules
Residential: 3 hours per year (Residential-Basic) / 6 hours per year (Residential-Light Commercial), year = July 1-June 30 (Rule 553-12-.02), i.e. 6 / 12 hours per biennium. Acceptable topics: building codes, business, legal/regulatory updates, workplace safety, workers' compensation, building techniques; online/correspondence courses limited to 50% of hours; attest under oath at renewal; keep records 2 years after the biennium; CE hours earned during the penalty period cannot be reused next cycle. Since Jan 1, 2026 CE must be registered/recorded in CE Broker. Board may waive for hardship/health.
Deadline rule: Expires June 30 of even-numbered years. Renew online in GOALS by June 30 (2026 renewals opened April 6). Next deadline: June 30, 2028.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: No grace period to keep working after June 30. The board allows late renewal with the late fee, July 1 to July 31 in 2026. Board rules (Rule 553-12) describe a penalty period running to December 31 and treat a license not renewed by December 31 as revoked; the board's own renewal notice is the controlling date for each cycle.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $100
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Late renewal costs about $200 instead of about $100 on the board's published fee schedule (revised June 2022). For 2026 the late renewal period was July 1 to July 31. Check the current fee with the board.
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
After the late period the license must be reinstated: reinstatement application (about $300 plus about $10 processing on the board's fee schedule), at the board's discretion, and it may require retaking the exam. Residential licensees must show the CE for each year since the last renewal (3 hours per year for Residential-Basic, 6 for Residential-Light Commercial). Inactive status (about $25 plus about $10) and reactivation (about $200 plus about $10) are also available.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: General liability: $500,000 per occurrence. Workers' compensation only if 3 or more employees (Board FAQ). Certificate of insurance on file is a condition of renewal. Minimum net worth: $25,000 (affirmed at application; financial-responsibility documents may include a surety bond with power of attorney or line of credit as an alternative to net worth for some applicants - no standalone license bond required for renewal).
Reciprocity: No reciprocity listed for Residential-Light Commercial (reciprocity listed only for Residential-Basic and Unlimited Commercial General).

Notes

MediumLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (8)

The hours, required topics, approved providers and reporting rules for each license are on the Georgia General contractor continuing education page.

How to renew

1Check your General Contractor - Limited Tier deadline: Expires June 30 of even-numbered years. Renew online in GOALS by June 30 (2026 renewals opened April 6). Next deadline: June 30, 2028.
2Confirm your insurance meet the board requirements and are not expiring.
3Renew online at https://goals.sos.ga.gov/
4Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $100, but fees change.
5If you miss the deadline: Late renewal costs about $200 instead of about $100 on the board's published fee schedule (revised June 2022). For 2026 the late renewal period was July 1 to July 31. Check the current fee with the board.
6Check your General Contractor (Commercial, Unlimited) deadline: Expires June 30 of even-numbered years. Renew online in GOALS by June 30 (2026 renewals opened April 6). Next deadline: June 30, 2028.
7Check your Residential Contractor - Residential-Basic deadline: Expires June 30 of even-numbered years. Renew online in GOALS by June 30 (2026 renewals opened April 6). Next deadline: June 30, 2028.
8Complete 6 continuing education hours before renewing. Residential: 3 hours per year (Residential-Basic) / 6 hours per year (Residential-Light Commercial), year = July 1-June 30 (Rule 553-12-.02), i.e. 6 / 12 hours per biennium. Acceptable topics: building codes, business, legal/regulatory updates, workplace safety, workers' compensation, building techniques; online/correspondence courses limited to 50% of hours; attest under oath at renewal; keep records 2 years after the biennium; CE hours earned during the penalty period cannot be reused next cycle. Since Jan 1, 2026 CE must be registered/recorded in CE Broker. Board may waive for hardship/health.
9Check your Residential Contractor - Residential-Light Commercial deadline: Expires June 30 of even-numbered years. Renew online in GOALS by June 30 (2026 renewals opened April 6). Next deadline: June 30, 2028.
10Complete 12 continuing education hours before renewing. Residential: 3 hours per year (Residential-Basic) / 6 hours per year (Residential-Light Commercial), year = July 1-June 30 (Rule 553-12-.02), i.e. 6 / 12 hours per biennium. Acceptable topics: building codes, business, legal/regulatory updates, workplace safety, workers' compensation, building techniques; online/correspondence courses limited to 50% of hours; attest under oath at renewal; keep records 2 years after the biennium; CE hours earned during the penalty period cannot be reused next cycle. Since Jan 1, 2026 CE must be registered/recorded in CE Broker. Board may waive for hardship/health.

Georgia General contractor renewal questions

Answers come from the records above. Informational: verify with the issuing board.

When does a Georgia general contractor license expire?

General Contractor - Limited Tier: renews every 2 years. Expires June 30 of even-numbered years. Renew online in GOALS by June 30 (2026 renewals opened April 6). Next deadline: June 30, 2028. General Contractor (Commercial, Unlimited): renews every 2 years. Expires June 30 of even-numbered years. Renew online in GOALS by June 30 (2026 renewals opened April 6). Next deadline: June 30, 2028. Residential Contractor - Residential-Basic: renews every 2 years. Expires June 30 of even-numbered years. Renew online in GOALS by June 30 (2026 renewals opened April 6). Next deadline: June 30, 2028. Check with State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (GA Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division) before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does a Georgia general contractor license need?

General Contractor - Limited Tier: no CE required. General Contractor (Commercial, Unlimited): no CE required. Residential Contractor - Residential-Basic: 6 hours per renewal. Check with State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (GA Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division) before you rely on it.

Is there a grace period for a Georgia general contractor license?

No grace period to keep working after June 30. The board allows late renewal with the late fee, July 1 to July 31 in 2026. Board rules (Rule 553-12) describe a penalty period running to December 31 and treat a license not renewed by December 31 as revoked; the board's own renewal notice is the controlling date for each cycle. Check with State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (GA Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division) before you rely on it.

How much does it cost to renew a Georgia general contractor license?

General Contractor - Limited Tier: About $100. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

What happens if a Georgia general contractor license expires?

Late renewal costs about $200 instead of about $100 on the board's published fee schedule (revised June 2022). For 2026 the late renewal period was July 1 to July 31. Check the current fee with the board. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Does Georgia accept general contractor licenses from other states?

No reciprocity listed for Limited Tier. Check with State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (GA Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division) before you rely on it.

Sources

Spot something out of date?

Informational only. Check it with the issuing board. Licensing rules, deadlines and CE requirements change, fee amounts are approximate, and this page can be out of date. It is not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any state board. Read the disclaimer.

This information is here to help you plan, not to replace the board. Fee amounts are approximate and may be out of date. Deadlines and continuing education rules change too, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm with your licensing board and its official site before you rely on a date or an amount. This is not legal advice.

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