Home Improvement Contractor Registration (HICPA)
HIC · State registration · Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General - Home Improvement Contractor Registration (HICPA)
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Continuing education
- Not required
- Deadline rule
- Registrations are valid for two years and must be renewed every two years. The expiration date is stated in the approval email and on the registration certificate; renew in the online system (PA-HICRS) before that date.
Show fees, grace period, bond and insuranceHide fees, grace period, bond and insurance
- Grace period
- No ongoing grace period. A temporary grace period for registrations affected by the August 2025 system outage ended June 8, 2026.
Fees, approximate
- Renewal fee
- About $100
- Late fee
Show the details (amounts are approximate)
No late fee is published. The about $100 fee applies to every new and renewal application (online card payments add about $2; ACH has no fee). Updating registration information is free.- Reinstatement
Show the details (amounts are approximate)
A contractor without a current registration may not offer or perform home improvements. File a renewal or new registration online; unregistered contractors face legal action including civil penalties of about $1,000 or more. Incomplete applications are 'pended' and must be corrected within 30 days or they are terminated.
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
- Commercial general liability with at least $50,000 for bodily harm (personal injury) and at least $50,000 for property damage, in the registered business name; a self-insurance certificate and attestation is an alternative. Any change in insurance (including policy renewals with new expiration dates) must be reported within 30 days.
- Reciprocity
- None. Philadelphia accepts the state HIC registration in place of a Philadelphia contractor license for one- and two-family home improvement work (electrical, plumbing, fire suppression and excavation work excepted).
Notes
Pennsylvania has no statewide general contractor license. The Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act requires registration of anyone who owns or runs a home improvement business or performs, offers or agrees to perform home improvements at private residences (up to two units), unless they perform less than $5,000 of home improvements in a calendar year or are a large retailer (net worth over $50 million). New home construction is not a home improvement. Subcontractors must register. The PA contractor number must appear on all ads, contracts, estimates and proposals. Contractors must report changes in address, structure, principals or insurance within 30 days. Commercial-only contractors have no state requirement. Mail-in applications: Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 349 Walnut Street, 15th Floor, Strawberry Square, Harrisburg PA 17120. Paper applications take about 4 weeks; certificates are issued in 2-3 weeks online.
Sources (4)
- https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/resources/home-improvement-contractor-registration/
- https://hic.attorneygeneral.gov/
- https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HIC-Application-Instructions.021826.FINAL_.pdf
- https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/apply-for-a-permit/submit-as-a-pa-home-improvement-contractor-to-get-construction-permits/