Quick answer: Delaware has no single statewide "contractor's license." Three trades are licensed at the state level by the Division of Professional Regulation (DPR): plumbers and HVACR technicians through the Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners (Title 24, Chapter 18), and electricians through the Board of Electrical Examiners (Title 24, Chapter 14). General contractors, roofers, painters, carpenters, landscapers, handymen and cleaners have no state trade license – but every person doing business in Delaware, including all contractors, must obtain a Delaware business license from the Division of Revenue, and out-of-state contractors must post a 6% surety bond on contracts of $20,000 or more.
The table below shows which of the common trades need a Delaware state license and which do not.
Which trades need a license in Delaware?
| Trade | State license required? | Licensing body |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | Yes | State license required – Master Plumber license from the DPR Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners (24 Del. C. Ch. 18). |
| Electrician | Yes | State license required – Master, Limited, Journeyperson or Residential electrician license from the DPR Board of Electrical Examiners (24 Del. C. Ch. 14). |
| HVAC | Yes | State license required – Master HVACR or Master HVACR Restricted license from the DPR Board of Plumbing, HVAC and Refrigeration Examiners (24 Del. C. Ch. 18). |
| General Contractor | No | No state trade license. Must hold a Delaware business license from the Division of Revenue and, if out-of-state, post a 6% nonresident contractor bond. |
| Roofer | No | No state trade license. Needs a Delaware Division of Revenue contractor business license; nonresident contractors post a 6% bond. |
| Painter | No | No state trade license. Needs a Delaware Division of Revenue business license; painting counts as contracting for gross receipts tax. |
| Carpenter | No | No state trade license. Needs a Delaware Division of Revenue business license; carpentry counts as contracting for gross receipts tax. |
| Landscaper | No | No state trade license for general landscaping or lawn care. Needs a Delaware Division of Revenue business license. |
| Handyman | No | No state trade license. Needs a Delaware Division of Revenue business license, and cannot perform licensed plumbing, HVACR or electrical work. |
| Cleaner | No | No state occupational or trade license for residential or commercial cleaning. A Delaware Division of Revenue business license is still required. |
"Yes" means a DPR-issued state trade license is required. Every contractor and business owner still needs a Delaware business license from the Division of Revenue, and unlicensed trades may not perform work reserved for a licensed plumber, HVACR technician or electrician.
Delaware has no general contractor license
Unlike many states, Delaware does not issue a general "contractor's license." No state board licenses general contractors, roofers, painters, carpenters, landscapers, handymen or cleaners as trades. Instead, Delaware regulates a short list of building trades where public safety is at stake, and it relies on a universal business license and gross receipts tax administered by the Division of Revenue for everyone else.
Three trades are licensed at the state level through the Division of Professional Regulation (DPR), part of the Delaware Department of State: plumbers, HVACR technicians and electricians. If your work falls outside those trades, you generally do not need an occupational license from the state – but you still must register as a business.
Plumbing and HVACR licensing (Title 24, Chapter 18)
The Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners licenses plumbing and HVACR work under 24 Del. C. Chapter 18. The board issues three master-level credentials: Master Plumber, Master HVACR and Master HVACR Restricted (limited to a single specialty such as heating, air conditioning or refrigeration).
State law makes it illegal to provide plumbing or HVACR services, or to hold yourself out as a licensee, without the proper license unless you are exempt – for example an apprentice or journeyperson working under a master licensee, or a homeowner working on their own home. Penalties for unlicensed HVACR work run from $1,500 to $3,000 for a first offense. To sit for the master exam an applicant generally needs a journeyperson certificate plus two years of experience, or seven years of experience without a certificate. Plumbing and HVACR licenses renew on October 31 of even-numbered years.
Electrical licensing (Title 24, Chapter 14)
The Board of Electrical Examiners licenses electricians under 24 Del. C. Chapter 14. It issues several license classes, including Master Electrician, Master Special, Limited, Limited Special, Journeyperson and Residential electrician, and it also licenses electrical inspection agencies. Master Special and Limited Special licenses restrict the holder to a defined specialty such as elevators or HVAC control wiring.
Anyone offering electrical work to the public must hold the appropriate license or work under the supervision of a licensee as an apprentice or journeyperson. Applicants qualify through a combination of documented experience and a passing examination score before receiving a master license.
The Delaware business license and gross receipts tax
Whether or not a trade is licensed by the DPR, every person engaged in contracting in Delaware must obtain a business license from the Division of Revenue (30 Del. C. Chapter 25). The contractor business license costs $75 and must be renewed annually by December 31. Delaware defines a "contractor" broadly to include anyone furnishing labor or materials for the construction, alteration, repair or improvement of real property – carpenters, painters, electricians, plumbers, landscapers and other building trades all qualify.
Contractors also owe a gross receipts tax of about 0.6537% on construction receipts, with the first $100,000 of gross receipts per month (or $300,000 per quarter) exempt. Note that the business license is not a regulatory license: issuing it does not attest to the holder's qualifications for the work described.
Nonresident contractors and local rules
Out-of-state (nonresident) contractors face an extra step: under 30 Del. C. § 375 they must file a surety or cash bond with the Division of Revenue equal to 6% of the total of all contracts when a single contract, or the aggregate of contracts in a calendar year, reaches $20,000 or more. The bond must be posted before construction begins, and the general contractor must report contracts awarded to nonresident subcontractors within 10 days.
Finally, the state business license does not replace local requirements. Many Delaware cities and counties require their own business license and building permits, so always confirm requirements with the local government where the work will be performed.
How to get licensed in Delaware
- Identify whether your trade is state-licensed: plumbing, HVACR and electrical work require a DPR license, while most other trades do not.
- If you need a DPR trade license, meet the experience requirements (for example, a journeyperson certificate plus two years, or seven years of experience for a master plumber) and pass the required board examination.
- Register your business and obtain a Delaware business license from the Division of Revenue through the One Stop portal, paying the $75 contractor license fee.
- If you are an out-of-state contractor, file the required 6% surety or cash bond with the Division of Revenue before starting any contract of $20,000 or more.
- Check with the city or county where you will work for any local business license or building permit rules, and renew on time (DPR plumbing and HVACR licenses renew October 31 of even years; business licenses renew each December 31).
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a general contractor license in Delaware?
No. Delaware does not issue a statewide general contractor's license, and there is no state board that licenses general contractors, roofers, painters or carpenters as trades. However, every contractor must still obtain a Delaware business license from the Division of Revenue and pay the contractor gross receipts tax, and out-of-state contractors must post a 6% bond on contracts of $20,000 or more.
Which trades need a state license in Delaware?
Only plumbers, HVACR technicians and electricians are licensed at the state level. Plumbing and HVACR are handled by the Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners under Title 24, Chapter 18, and electricians by the Board of Electrical Examiners under Title 24, Chapter 14. Both boards are part of the Division of Professional Regulation.
Does a handyman need a license in Delaware?
There is no state handyman or home-improvement trade license in Delaware. A handyman does, however, need a Delaware business license from the Division of Revenue to operate, and may need a local business license. A handyman may not perform work reserved for a licensed trade, such as plumbing, HVACR or electrical work.
Do out-of-state contractors need a bond to work in Delaware?
Yes. Under 30 Del. C. § 375, nonresident contractors must file a surety or cash bond with the Division of Revenue equal to 6% of the total value of all contracts once a single contract, or the aggregate of contracts in a calendar year, reaches $20,000 or more. The bond must be filed before construction begins in Delaware.
Sources: Delaware Division of Professional Regulation – Board of Electrical Examiners, Delaware Division of Professional Regulation – Board of Plumbing, HVAC & Refrigeration Examiners, Delaware Division of Revenue – Contractors (Resident and Non-Resident), Delaware Division of Revenue – Tax Tips for Contractors and Real Estate Developers, 24 Del. C. Chapter 18 – Board of Plumbing, HVAC and Refrigeration Examiners, 24 Del. C. Chapter 14 – Board of Electrical Examiners, 2025. Licensing rules change — always confirm current requirements with the relevant state board and your local city before you work.