While most states have laws and regulations concerning general contractors and required licensing, Maine is different: General construction contractors are not regulated by the state but on the local level through cities, counties, and municipalities, instead.
Maine only licenses plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and asbestos abatement contractors, as well as other building trades like architects and engineers. A full list can be found on the State of Maine’s Professional & Financial Regulation page.
Although general contractors don’t need to be licensed, a business license is still required to operate within the borders of the state. Furthermore, general liability insurance is still encouraged to mitigate risk, and surety bonds may still be required depending on the project.
For all home construction and home improvement projects over $3,000, Maine law requires a written contract with a specific provision that prohibits payment upfront of more than one-third of the contract price.
Maine General Contractor License Requirements
In Maine, general contractors are not licensed or regulated by the state.
Who Needs a Contractors License?
Despite the fact that general contractors don’t need a license to build in Maine, there are certain professions and occupations which are regulated by the state. Among certain others, those occupations that are related to construction and require licenses are: Architects, engineers, plumbers, electricians, oil burner technicians, manufacturers, dealers and installers of mobile and modular homes
A full list can be found on the State of Maine’s Professional & Financial Regulation page.
What Do You Need To Become a General Contractor in Maine?
To become a general contractor in Maine, according to the Office of the Maine Attorney General, one must simply apply for and obtain a business license, as well as include a written contract for all construction and home improvement projects over $3,000.
General licenses to operate a business in Maine are usually managed at the town/city level, so you’ll have to contact a local town office for more information on business licensing. Check out the Maine Business Licensing page for more options, where you can send your information in and receive personalized instruction on how to get a business license in your profession.
Acquisition of a certificate of insurance can be a huge boon to general contractors who want to reduce risk. And those who need to secure a surety bond for individual projects should seek out an appropriate bonding company.
More information on the written contracts for projects can be found in Chapter 18 of the Maine Attorney General’s Consumer Law Guide.
Licensing and Registration Fee Summary
Maine does not require that general contractors register or obtain licenses to operate at the state level. Individuals, counties, cities, and towns may require different levels of licensing and/or registration.
Elective precautions such as surety bonds and other forms of insurance will merit additional expenses.
Maine Contractors Exam
Maine does not require general contractors to pass any kind of exam to operate at the state level. This may differ by county, city, or municipality.
Maine Contractors License Application
Despite the fact that general contractors in Maine don’t require licensing, other professions in Maine do. To apply for an exam or license in one of these fields, you’ll need to visit the specific examination board’s page, fill out the contact forms, and wait for information to be emailed to you.
- Visit the Plumbers’ Examining Board here.
- Visit the Electricians’ Examining Board here.
- Visit the Board of Licensure for Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers here.
- Visit the Door-to-Door Home Repair Sellers page here.
Maine Contractor Registration and Permitting Requirements
Because the state doesn’t actually regulate general contractor licenses, many local cities, towns, and municipalities will have their own contractor registration and permitting requirements.
There isn’t a single resource that concatenates these local requirements, so contact your local Maine county or city government for more information.
Maine State Business Licenses and Registration
If you’re becoming a limited partnership or an LLC in Maine, you will need to register your entity with the Bureau of Corporations at the Office of the Secretary of State. If you form a sole proprietorship or a general partnership, on the other hand, you do not need to register your business entity with the state. Do your due diligence, because there may be state, city, or town permits or licenses that are required to operate your business.
Maine Business Registration
Maine has an online Business Answers service that provides free information about doing business in the state. It will lead you through a series of questions about the type of business you are trying to start, and provide a list of licenses, permits or qualifications you need.
Visit the state government’s website for more information on starting a business in Maine.
Maine Tax Identification Numbers and Registration
All information on business taxes in Maine is available through the state taxation portal, and all Maine Revenue Service forms, including general and sales use tax forms, can be found on their Department of Administrative & Financial Services website.
Maine Workers’ Compensation Insurance Requirements and Forms
Maine law requires almost all public and private employers to have workers’ compensation coverage. Those that do not may see penalties imposed upon them by The Workers’ Compensation Board.
Maine Contractor License Lookup and Verification
The Maine.gov state government website provides a searchable online licensee database, though general contractors may not be found through that portal because they aren’t required to have a license in Maine; only specialty trades licensed by the state will be visible.
See General Contractor Licensing Information in Nearby States
- New Hampshire contractors license
- Vermont contractors license
- Contractor license MA
- General contractor license NY
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become a General Contractor in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in Maine, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements: