State License Decoder.
Find your state’s licensing board, the lookup URL, and what they actually require. Every state is different. Most of the websites look like it’s 2003. We found the right ones.
Alabama
Alabama is a right-to-work state. Trade licensing is split across several boards: the Electrical Contractors Board for electricians, the Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board for plumbing, and the Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors for HVAC. The Licensing Board for General Contractors handles larger commercial work.
Licensing Boards & Lookup URLs
Journeyman vs. contractor licensing are two different things.
A journeyman license lets YOU work the trade. A contractor license lets a company pull permits. You usually need one before the other. Don’t confuse them — it’s a different exam, different board, and often different experience requirements.
Municipal licensing exists on top of state licensing.
Some cities require their own license on top of the state one. New York City, Chicago, Houston, and others all have city-specific exams or registrations. Confirm with your local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) before you start working.
License reciprocity is not automatic.
Got a license in Texas? Doesn’t mean Florida will accept it. Reciprocity agreements exist between some states but they’re not universal and the terms change. Always verify before you travel for work.
License requirements change. Board URLs change. This is a starting point, not legal advice. Verify current requirements directly with the board before sitting an exam or pulling a permit.