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New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor License Requirements

Tags: Home Improvement, General Construction, Remodeling

Have you ever wondered what a home improvement contractor in New Jersey must go through for licensing?

In the state of New Jersey, a home improvement contractor must be issued a license by the state before accepting any major home improvement jobs. This includes those who are in the business of home material sales as well. The following is a list of home improvement jobs that fall under that category:

 Attached floor coverings
 Kitchens
 Bathrooms
 Wall to wall carpeting
 Doors
 Cabinets
 Aluminum siding
 Insulation installation
 Doors
 Solar heating or water systems
 Patios
 Fences
 Landscaping
 Porches
 Central heating and air conditioning equipment
 Water softeners
 Purifiers
 Windows
 Terraces
 Sidewalks
 Driveways
 Garages
 Swimming pools
 Fire protection devices

In the state of New Jersey, some other niche contractor licenses have different requirements.

PLUMBING CONTRACTOR’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

To obtain a plumbing contractor’s license issued by the Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers in the state of New Jersey, the applicant must be over the age of 21 and pass a plumber’s exam. He must also obtain one of the following degrees:
 One year of plumbing work that has been approved by the plumber’s board.
 A Bachelor’s degree in sanitary engineering, mechanical, or plumbing service.

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

To obtain an electrical contractor’s license in the state of New Jersey, the applicant must be able to pass an electrical contractor’s exam. To be eligible to take the exam, the applicant must be over the age of 21, have a high school diploma or a GED, and show proof of having completed one of the following requirements:
 A Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering combined with a minimum of two years of work experience in a plumbing business with a board-approved supervisor.
 A minimum of five years of experience in working to repair or install electrical wiring for power, heat, or light.
 A minimum of 8,000 hours of experience in working to repair or install wiring, and a minimum of 576 hours of an accredited plumbing class.
The state of New Jersey requires that all electrical contractors have their license renewed every three years. The New Jersey electrical contractor’s board requires that all licensed electricians carry a minimum of $300,000 bodily injury and property damage as well as $300,000 combined property damage and bodily injury insurance.

WELL DRILLER’S LICENSE

To obtain a well driller’s license in the state of New Jersey, the applicant must have a minimum of three years of well drilling experience be approved by the Department of Environmental Protection. The requirements are as follows:
Journeyman Well Driller
The applicant must pass a well driller practical exam that will cover the following topics:
 Geological formations
 Laws
 Well testing
 Health considerations
 Tools and equipment

Master Well Driller
To obtain a Master Well Driller’s license, the applicant must have completed all of the requirements of the Journeyman Well Driller’s license and have a minimum of two years of experience in a board approved well driller business.

Because a New Jersey contractor’s license requirements may differ from county to county, it is recommended the applicant also check for any municipal contractor’s license requirements that may be in effect.