Find the trade license you need—state by state

Compare licensing authorities, application routes, exams, experience, fees and reciprocity using information traced to official sources.

Free to use. No signup required. Always confirm final requirements with the licensing authority.

A clearer path to licensing

  • 01
    Choose a trade and stateStart with the jurisdiction where you plan to work.
  • 02
    Review verified requirementsSee the authority, application route and major conditions.
  • 03
    Continue at the official sourceUse direct government or licensing-board links.
33jurisdictions with available guides
10priority skilled trades
Officialsources shown on published records

Explore trade-license paths

View all trades →
Backflow Tester Backflow assembly tester credentials and renewal rules. Electrician Electrical contractor, journeyman and specialty-license paths. Fire Alarm Technician Fire-alarm installation, certification and registration paths. Home Inspector Home-inspector education, exam and application requirements. HVAC Contractor HVAC, refrigeration and mechanical-contractor requirements. Low-Voltage Installer Communications, security and low-voltage classifications. Plumbing Contractor Plumber, master plumber and plumbing-contractor routes. Septic Installer Onsite wastewater and septic-system installer requirements. Solar Contractor Solar installation and electrical-contractor classifications. Water-Well Driller Well drilling, pump installation and contractor credentials.

Start with your destination state

View all states →
CACalifornia TXTexas FLFlorida NYNew York PAPennsylvania ILIllinois OHOhio GAGeorgia NCNorth Carolina AZArizona WAWashington VAVirginia

Moving across state lines?

Check whether your license has a reciprocity or endorsement route. Agreements can be directional, classification-specific and subject to exams or experience verification.

Check license reciprocity

How Trade License Atlas researches requirements

Licensing rules are fragmented across state boards, agencies, statutes and local authorities. Each published record identifies the authority used, links to the official source and displays when that source was last checked.

Read our editorial policy →
Authority firstGovernment agencies and licensing boards take priority over commercial summaries.
Direction mattersReciprocity is recorded from one state to another instead of assumed to work both ways.
Dates stay visiblePublished records show the most recent official-source check.
Local rules are flaggedGuides distinguish statewide licensing from city or county requirements.

Start with these licensing guides

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