Pennsylvania contractor license renewal rules

Pennsylvania licenses electrical contractors and electricians only at the local level. Example, City of Philadelphia Electrical Contractor License: renewal fee $202 (license fee $262); renewals more than 60 days late are charged 1.5% of the license fee for each month since expiration; at least 8 hours of NFPA 70 coursework (approved by PA Dept of Labor and Industry) within the 12 months before application; renewal and application through the eCLIPSE portal. Electricians doing residential home improvement work of $5,000 or more per year must also hold state HIC registration. Under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, municipalities cannot separately license or register home improvement contractors (exception: trade licensing in effect on July 1, 2009 that depends on testing or specific training, such as electricians and plumbers). Example, City of Pittsburgh: mechanical/HVAC and electrical trade licenses are issued to individuals by the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections, expire 365 days after issuance and need 8 hours of continuing education in the 12 months before renewal; a late fee applies from day 31 after expiration and the license lapses on day 61 (then all new-license requirements apply). Permits in Pittsburgh also need general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate naming the City, plus workers' compensation or a notarized no-employee statement. Apply and renew through OneStopPGH.

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.

Pennsylvania has no statewide license or certification for HVAC contractors or technicians; some of the 2,500+ municipalities set their own requirements and the state keeps no record of them, so track local rules for each city or township you work in. Installation of central heating and air conditioning at a private residence counts as home improvement and triggers state HIC registration. Under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, municipalities cannot separately license or register home improvement contractors (exception: trade licensing in effect on July 1, 2009 that depends on testing or specific training, such as electricians and plumbers). Federal EPA Section 608 certification applies to refrigerant handling. Example, City of Pittsburgh: mechanical/HVAC and electrical trade licenses are issued to individuals by the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections, expire 365 days after issuance and need 8 hours of continuing education in the 12 months before renewal; a late fee applies from day 31 after expiration and the license lapses on day 61 (then all new-license requirements apply). Permits in Pittsburgh also need general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate naming the City, plus workers' compensation or a notarized no-employee statement. Apply and renew through OneStopPGH.

Exam fees are $50 for the core exam and $10 per category (paper sessions); computer-based testing at select centers costs $110 for core and $70 per category. No annual fee is charged when initial certification requires an examination. Applicators must be employed by a business with a pesticide business license. Contact: PDA Pesticide Certification Team, 717-772-5231, [email protected].

Vehicles used in the pesticide application part of the business must display the license number in figures at least 3 inches high on both sides. Notify PDA in writing within 15 days of any change in application information. Business license inquiries: 717-772-5201. PDA issues renewal instructions and the renewal application on request.

Technicians must be 16 or older. The employing business must employ a certified applicator who has held certification for at least one year. Public technicians pay $20 per year.

Pennsylvania licenses plumbers only at the local level. Example, City of Philadelphia Master Plumber's License: renewal fee $253 (license fee $303); renewals more than 60 days late are charged 1.5% of the license fee for each month since expiration; renewals through the eCLIPSE portal; no continuing education requirement listed on the city's page. Master plumbers doing residential home improvement work of $5,000 or more per year must also hold state HIC registration. Under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, municipalities cannot separately license or register home improvement contractors (exception: trade licensing in effect on July 1, 2009 that depends on testing or specific training, such as electricians and plumbers). Example, Allegheny County (includes Pittsburgh): the Allegheny County Health Department Plumbing Program licenses master plumbers, renewed annually on the plumber's date of birth for $375 (journeyman $125).

Pennsylvania has no roofing license. Roofing at a private residence (single-family, or multifamily with no more than two units) is a home improvement; contractors doing $5,000 or more of home improvements in a calendar year must register with the Attorney General, display their PA number in ads, contracts and estimates, and use written contracts for work over $500. Commercial roofing has no state requirement (local rules may apply). Out-of-state contractors must also register. HelpLine 1-888-520-6680; [email protected].