Georgia

Congratulations! You have chosen to make an excellent career move by getting your contractor’s license.

Georgia is receiving a lot of positive publicity regarding its beauty and affordability, and most of all the number of people moving into the state continues to increase. Retirees find Georgia to be a very desirable place to relocate. With the number of baby boomers moving into the state, the housing and home improvement markets are expecting record growth. It’s time to get licensed and reap the benefits. The related article expresses the current and anticipated growth in the state of Georgia.

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Do I need a license?

According to the Georgia State Licensing Board, a license will be required to practice contracting in Georgia effective July 1, 2008. A contractors license issued by the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors will be required for the following types of work:

• Residential-Basic Contractor - This license will allow you to build detached one-family and two-family residences and one-family townhouses not over three stories in height.
• Residential-Light Commercial Contractor - This license allows you to perform the same work as the Residential-Basic Contractor, plus multifamily and multiuse light commercial buildings and structures.
• General Contractor - This license permits the holder to conduct any type of Residential or Commercial construction, except for work which falls under the licensing requirements of Chapter 14 of the Georgia State Code. Work that falls under Chapter 14 requires specific licensing in that area.

Work costing less than $2,500 or building your own personal residence does not require a state license.

Obtaining your Georgia Contractor License will enable you to charge customers and be compensated for your work.

How to acquire your Georgia Contractors License

The following are the requirements to obtain your Georgia Contractors license:

1. Submit a completed application for licensure and non-refundable fee, along with all the supporting documents as indicated by the application, and submit to and pass an examination required for the particular license.
2. To obtain a Contractors License application click here or applications can be obtained from:

   State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors
   237 Coliseum Drive 
   Macon, GA 31217-3858 
   (478) 207-2440
   Fax: (478) 207-1454  
   http://www.sos.georgia.gov/plb/contractors/

3. Applicants for licensure must show proof of workers compensation insurance, as required by law, and general liability insurance in the following amounts:
   • Residential-Basic: $300,000
   • Residential-Light Commercial: $500,000
   • General Contractor: $500,000
4. Successfully complete the contractors exam that measures your knowledge of the profession.

The Best Test Prep Software for the Georgia Contractor Exam

One of the most important steps in obtaining your Georgia Contractor License is preparing to take the contractors test. Our contractors exam preparation software will help you accomplish this task in the most efficient way possible. By practicing all of the possible questions in the software, you will be prepared for any combination of questions that you may be given on your builders exam. In addition, studying our software helps you become familiar with computer generated tests and greatly reduces your anxiety on the day of your builder exam since you prepared using a computer based testing (CBT) format.

1. Internet - Log onto www.psiexams.com and complete the online test registration form. Once you complete the form you will be given a list of available dates to schedule your contractors license exam.
2. Fax - Completely fill out the PSI Registration Form and fax to PSI at (702) 932-2666. When faxing registration materials, please wait 4 days before calling to schedule your examination.
3. Standard Mail - Complete the Examination Registration Form in the Candidate Information Bulletin. Return the completed original form to PSI with the appropriate examination fee.
4. Telephone - Call PSI at (800) 733-9267, 24 hours a day and schedule using the Automated Registration System or between 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. ET to schedule an appointment for the contractors license test with a registrar.

Builders license exams are given at the following locations:

• Atlanta, GA
• Macon, GA
• Tifton, GA

Included with the software is the Candidate Information Bulletin which outlines the topics covered on the General Contractors Exam. Complete instructions for taking the contractors license exam and directions to the testing centers are also provided.

Taking the Contractors License Exam

You have studied diligently and are ready to take the contractors license exam. You can arrive with confidence knowing that you are prepared for the questions on the test. It is recommended that you arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled testing time. You must present two (2) valid forms of identification when you arrive at the testing center. One of the ID's must have a photograph and your signature. A driver's license will satisfy this requirement. The name on the application must exactly match the name on the photo ID used to check in for the builders test. In addition, you should bring a non-programmable calculator. Our various software packages will prepare you for the following 4 exams:

After you have completed the builder test, your score will immediately be displayed on the computer screen and a printed copy of your results will be given to you.

Obtaining Your Contractors License

Once you have successfully passed the builders license exam, your test results will be sent to the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors. The Board will then issue your license to practice as a general contractor in the State of Georgia.

Traps to avoid

It is a common misconception that since the construction exam is open book, it is not difficult to pass. In actuality the contractor license exam is more difficult to pass than similar closed book exams due to the fact that you have books available as a resource during the contractor test. You are permitted to bring certain reference materials into the builder exam. The reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, or indexed to assist you in finding information quickly. The books may not be written in and may not contain any additional papers. (Do not use sticky notes or Post Its to index your books because they are not permitted and you will be asked to remove them at the test center.) You are required to bring your own reference materials because they are not available at the testing center. We recommend purchasing the following references and using them together with our software to give you the greatest chance of passing the builders license test the first time. The following books and references are allowed into the contractors license exam:

If you forget the answer to a question during the contractor license test, having these reference books will allow you to quickly find the answer and complete the contractor exam within the time allowed. Going into the builder exam with your toolbox filled with all of the resources available will give you the greatest chance of success. In construction the saying, “Do it right the first time” is often heard. We believe it also applies to getting your contractor license.

Order Your Copy of the Contractors License Software Today!