General Contractor licenses are not obtained at the state-level in Colorado. Instead, licensing is handled on the local level. Before a contractor begins work on a construction project, they must first check with the local codes official to determine the licensing requirements in their area. Most cities and counties in the State of Colorado require General Contractors to pass a written examination and hold a license.
Although licensing is handled at the local-level, rather than the state-level in Colorado, there are a few things that are the same across the board. Most cities in Colorado offer three different licensing classifications for General Contractors:
- Class A License- allows contractors to remodel, repair or build any type of structure or addition, including commercial and residential properties.
- Class B License- allows contractors to work on commercial buildings and single, multi-unit residences under 3 stories in height.
- Class C License- allows contractors to work on residential buildings and properties, as long as the home is not taller than 2 stories.
*Most cities also offer additional license classifications for specialized building and construction trades, such as plumbing, roofing or electrical.
In order to hold one of these license classifications, contractors are also required to take and pass a written exam, in most cities:
- Class A License Exam- 4 hours long and composed of 90 questions covering International Building Code 2006
- Class B License Exam- 4 hours long and composed of 80 questions covering International Building Code 2006
- Class C License Exam- 4 hours long composed of 80 questions covering International Residential Code 2006
Most cities also use the same company to administer the exam. In most cases, the exam is given by the International Code Council Contractor Examination Service, also known as the ICC. To find out more about contractor licensing exams, visit the ICC website at:
OR
Call: (877)-783-3926
Below are the license requirements for some of the larger cities in the State of Colorado.
Denver, CO
In order to obtain the proper building permits for construction projects in the City of Denver, Colorado, contractors must obtain a license from Denver Community Planning and Development. However, before the contractor may apply for their license, they must first apply for a Construction Supervisor Certificate or hire someone who holds a certificate to supervise their projects.
In order to obtain a certificate, the applicant must meet the following work experience requirements:
- Class A Certificate Applicants- must have a minimum of 7 years of work experience in the field of building construction as a Field Engineer or General Superintendent. A degree in Architecture or Structural Engineering from and accredited college or university may count towards 3 years of the experience requirement. The certificate applicant must also provide notarized letters verifying their projects. For more information on the experience requirement for Class A Certificate applicants, please visit:
http://www.denvergov.org/buildingpermits/ContractorLicensing/GeneralContractorClassA/tabid/432666/Default.aspx - Class B Certificate Applicants- must have a minimum of 4 years work experience in the field of building construction as a Field Engineer or General Superintendent. Notarized letters proving the applicants work experience are required. Contractors applying for a Class B license also have the option of working under someone with a Class A Certificate. A degree in Architecture or Structural Engineering from an accredited college or university may count toward 2 years of the work experience requirement. For more information on the experience requirement for a Class B Certificate, please visit:
http://www.denvergov.org/buildingpermits/ContractorLicensing/BuildingContractorClassB/tabid/432750/Default.aspx - Class C Certificate Applicants- must have a minimum of 2 years work experience in the field of building construction as a Journeyman, Foreman or Carpenter. Notarized letters proving the applicants work experience are required. Class C license applicants also have the option of working under someone who holds either a Class A or Class B Certificate. One year of experience as a Designer or Draftsman may also count toward the work experience requirement. For more information on the experience requirement for a Class C Certificate, please visit:
http://www.denvergov.org/buildingpermits/ContractorLicensing/ResidentialContractorClassC/tabid/432751/Default.aspx
In addition to proving their level of work experience, Certificate applicants are also required to take and pass a written exam, administered by ICC. Contact ICC for more information.
Contractors may not apply for their license until their Construction Supervisor Certificate has been approved, or until they hire someone who is a certificate holder. For more information on applying for a Construction Supervisor Certificate in Denver, please visit:
For a copy of the Certificate Application, click the link below. There is a $60 Certificate fee:
Once the Construction Supervisor Certificate holder has passed the exam, and their certificate has been approved, the contractor may complete the Contractor License Application. Be sure to read and follow all directions. For a copy of the application, please visit:
http://www.denvergov.org/Portals/646/Documents/contractor_licenses/ContractorLicenseApplication.pdf
Some business types may also be required to register with the Colorado Secretary of State. For more information, please call: (303)-894-2200
OR
Visit: www.sos.state.co.us
License applications are to be submitted in-person at the Contractor Licensing Office on the 2nd floor. The office address is:
Wellington E Webb Municipal Building
201 W. Colfax Avenue
Dept. 205
Denver, CO 80202
There is a $250 license fee, which the applicant should bring to the office with their completed application. License applicants are also required to bring their Certificate Card.
*If the applicant is not also the certificate holder, the certificate holder must come with them to the Licensing Office at the time that they submit their application. They must also bring a letter printed on the company letterhead stating that they will be the “Supervisor of Record.”
For more information on applying for a General Contractor License in the City of Denver, please visit:
OR
Contact the Contractor Licensing Staff between the hours of 8am and 4pm, Monday through Friday at:
(720)-865-2770
Colorado Springs, CO
Before a contractor may bid on or begin any project requiring a permit in the City of Colorado Springs, CO, they must first hold a license. Licenses are issued by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD).
For a copy of the Building Contractor License Application, please click the link below:
http://www.pprbd.org/contfiles/LICS%20BLDG%20AP2014.1.pdf
Contractors have the option of choosing a Class A,B or C license in addition to other specialty trade classifications. They must also provide 3 references, such as a relative or PPRBD employee, who can verify the contractor’s past work experiences. Prior to submitting their license application, contractors are required to pass a written exam with a minimum score of 75%.
Exams are administered by both ICC and the PPRBD. The PPRBD administers exams Monday through Friday from 8am to 12pm, except on holidays. The cost to take the exam is $100. For more information on the examination, please visit:
http://www.pprbd.org//ICC_Test_Info_2012.pdf
The PPRBD recommends that contractors submit their license application 2 days before their scheduled test. Applications are reviewed when the Building Committee meets on the first Wednesday of the month. It is recommended that the license application and all required documents be submitted to the PPRBD 2 weeks before the Committee is scheduled to meet.
A completed license application includes the following:
- Application, fully filled out
- Copy of Driver’s License or Photo ID
- Exam Score
- Reference Form showing 3 references
- Reference Letter (only applies if the business has been in existence for more than 1 year)
- Affidavit (only if applying as a sole proprietor)
- Criminal Background Check
There is also a $50 application processing fee, which must be submitted along with the application.
Applications may be submitted by mail, in-person or by fax to the following:
Mail/ In Person:
Pikes Peak Regional Development Center
2880 International Circle
Ste. 100
Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Fax: (719)-327-2951
It takes between 4 and 6 weeks for the PPRBD to process the license application. At the time that the contractor is issued their license, they are required to pay the licensing fee, in the following amounts:
- Class A License- $200
- Class B License- $175
- Class C License- $150
Contractors will also be asked to prove that they hold general liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance (if they plan to employ workers) at the time that their license is issued.
For more information about obtaining a General Contractor License in the City of Colorado Springs, please visit:
http://www.pprbd.org/contfiles/ContLicensing.aspx
OR
Call the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department at: (719)-327-2880
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions, please click the link below:
http://www.pprbd.org/contfiles/FAQ_2012.1.pdf
Boulder, CO
The City of Boulder, Colorado regulates their construction industry by making sure that individuals and contracting businesses have the proper knowledge of International Building Code to complete work on construction projects. Except for an owner/builder, all contractors are required to hold a license from the City of Boulder Planning and Development Services before they begin work on a construction project.
In addition to providing information about their education and experience level, contractors must meet ONE of the following requirements:
- Hold an ICC-issued Class A, B or C contractor’s certificate
- Hold a certificate of completion from the City of Boulder showing that the applicant participated in an approved International Training Code workshop
Applicants are also required to pass a written exam, administered by ICC. For more information on the exam, contact ICC.
Applicants are required to prove that they hold the proper insurance, in the following amounts:
- Public Liability- minimum limit of $150,000
- Public Property Damage- minimum limit of $100,000
- Worker’s Compensation Insurance- if the company plans to employ workers
For a copy of the license application, please click the link below. Be sure to read all directions before submitting the application:
https://www-static.bouldercolorado.gov/docs/PDS/forms/324_contractor_lic.pdf
At the time that the contractor submits the application, they are required to pay the appropriate licensing fee, which are due in the following amounts:
- Class A License- $460
- Class B License- $307
- Class C License $197
Licenses are good for 1 year, and expire on the date that they were issued. At renewal time, contractors are required to pay the license fee again.
Applications may be submitted in-person, by mail or by fax to:
In Person:
1739 Broadway, Third Floor
By-Mail:
City of Boulder
Planning and Development Services
P.O. Box 791
Boulder, CO 80306
By-Fax: (303)-441-4241
For more information on General Contractor licensing in the City of Boulder, Colorado, please visit:
https://bouldercolorado.gov/plan-develop/contractor-licensing
OR
Call: (303)-441-1982
Fort Collins, CO
Individuals and General Contracting businesses in Fort Collins, CO are required to hold a license before beginning work on any construction project within the city. Licenses are required to obtain the proper building permits. Contractors must also hold a supervisor certificate and pass a written exam; or they must employ someone who holds the certificate and has passed the ICC exam.
For more information about the exam, contact ICC.
For a copy of the General Contractor Application Form, please visit:
http://www.fcgov.com/building/pdf/general-cont-app.pdf
The application asks the contractor to specify the license classification that they wish to obtain, such as a Class A, B or C license. It also asks if the applicant is applying for a license, license and certificate or certificate only. If the person acting as the supervisor is different from the license applicant, two separate applications are needed.
The contractor is required provide proof that they worked on, supervised and completed at least 3 separate construction projects. They must attach 3 separate General Contractor Project Verification Forms to their completed application.
For a copy of the Project Verification Forms, please visit:
http://www.fcgov.com/building/pdf/general-cont-proj.verif.pdf
*The person filling out the project verification must have direct knowledge of the applicants work and must prove that they were directly involved in the construction project.
The applicant must also include the following at the time they submit their completed application:
- Non-refundable $75 application fee
- Employee Affidavit
- Proof of education/training/work experience
- 3 Project Verification Forms
- Sales/Use Tax License Application
- Copy of Driver’s License/Photo ID
For more information on the application process, please visit:
http://www.fcgov.com/building/app-procedures.php
Applications are submitted to
Contractor Licensing
281 N College Ave
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80526
At the time that they receive their license, contractors are required to pay a $200 activation fee. This fee is submitted again at renewal time, every 2 years. To activate their license, contractors are also required to prove that they hold general liability insurance, and worker’s compensation insurance if they plan to hold employees.
For more information on obtaining a General Contractor License in the City of Fort Collins, Colorado, please visit:
http://www.fcgov.com/building/contractor.php
OR
Call: (970)-416-2740
Pueblo, CO
General Contractors in the City of Pueblo, Colorado are required to obtain a license from the Pueblo Regional Building Department. In order to be eligible for a license, contractors must designate a qualifying person within their company to take and pass the ICC exam. The qualifying person must also provide 3 valid references.
For more information on the examination, contract ICC. To schedule the exam, contact Pearson VUE at: 1-877-234-6082
For a copy of the Contractor Licensing Packet, please visit:
http://www.prbd.com/pubs/licensing/ContractorLicenseApplication14.pdf
Depending on the license classification chosen, the contractor must meet the following work experience requirements:
- Class A License- must have 5 years work experience as a Foreman or Superintendent. If the contractor has 3 years of experience as a Designer, Estimator or Draftsman, it may count toward the work experience requirement. A degree in Architecture or Engineering may also count towards the experience requirement.
- Class B License- must have 4 years of work experience as a Foreman or Superintendent. If the contractor has 2 years of experience as an Estimator, Designer or Draftsman; or if the contractor has a degree in Architecture or Engineering, it may count towards the work experience requirement
- Class C License- must have 2 year of work experience as a Foreman or Superintendent. One year of work as an Estimator, Designer or Draftsman may count toward the requirement or if the contractor has built 2 or more houses with an owner-generated permit.
In addition to filling out the licensing application, contractors are required to provide the following information:
- Provide Employee Identification Number (EIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Service
- Proof of registration with the Colorado Secretary of State if the contractor is doing business under a name other than their legal name. For more information, please visit www.sos.state.co.us
- Proof of general liability insurance, and worker’s compensation insurance if the contractor plans to employ workers.
Additionally, there is a $95 application fee, which is due at the time the application is submitted. Cash payments are not accepted by mail.
The Pueblo Regional Building Department accepts applications in-person, by-mail and by fax:
In-Person/ By Mail:
Regional Building Department
830 N. Main Street
Suite 100
Pueblo, CO 81003
By Fax: (719)-543-0062
For more information on obtaining a General Contractor License in the City of Pueblo, Colorado, please call: (719)-543-0002
OR
Visit: www.prbd.com