Knowing whether you need to apply for a Wyoming handyman license can be tricky. The state leaves most decisions about contractor licensing up to city governments. That means that some areas have no requirements at all while others have regulations for all businesses performing residential work.
Overall, Wyoming is a friendly state for handyman businesses and contractors. One of the best features is that you can often qualify for licenses based on past work experience alone (and passing the exam), even if you’ve never had formal training. In other words, if you’ve worked for your family in construction for several years, you may already have the work hours to get a contractor license right away.
This guide can help you know how to get a handyman license in Wyoming and where you may need it.
Disclaimer: This article is not legal advice. You should consult your local regulations and a qualified attorney for legal advice.
Do You Need a License to be a Handyman in Wyoming?
There are no handyman license requirements in Wyoming. Even general contractors, commercial construction companies, home remodelers, HVAC technicians, and plumbers aren’t required to be licensed. Only electricians need to have the appropriate state license.
That said, before you go out and start offering handyman services, there’s a catch. Even though you don’t need to meet state requirements, you may need to adhere to local regulations in the city you’re in.
Many of the larger cities throughout Wyoming have licensing requirements for building trades, including Cheyenne, Casper, Cody, and Rock Springs. Check with your local courthouse for information on handyman work and activities that require a license.
Is There a Specific Handyman License in Wyoming?
Handymen aren’t required to hold a state license for most work in Wyoming. The exception is electrical work. If you want to perform any type of job-related work to electrical installation, repairs, or system design, you must have the appropriate apprentice license, journeyman electrician license, or master electrician license.
It’s important to check local regulations for a Wyoming handyman license in your city. The laws can vary significantly depending on the city you’re working in.
For example, in Cheyenne, handymen must meet specific hour requirements for experience and education to obtain the appropriate license. In places such as Rock Springs, licensing is closer to a simple registration with proof of insurance.
Wyoming Handyman License Requirements
In the city of Cheyenne, WY, if you want to open a handyman business, first you need to obtain a license that fits the type of services you plan to offer. Here are several license options for handyman businesses in the city:
- Class A (general contractor license): This license allows you to handle any type of residential or commercial building work, including construction, remodeling, repairs, expansion, and other jobs. Plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and refrigeration work isn’t allowed except for hiring licensed subcontractors.
- Class R (residential building contractor): This license lets you build, remodel, modify, repair, or expand any single-family homes up to three stories high. You can’t do electrical, HVAC, plumbing, or refrigeration, but everything else is open, including roofing and siding.
- Class C (limited specialty license): This license is for businesses that only focus on one type of construction work, such as roofing, fireplace installation, brickwork, or drywall.
- Class D (general handyman license): This license is helpful if you want to perform general repair, home improvement, and installation services. With a class D license, you can handle painting, window installation, floor coverings, stucco and siding, and many other projects. You’re still limited to one specialty. You can apply for multiple licenses, though.
Many handyman businesses prefer to obtain a class R license so they can work in many different residential jobs without restrictions. If you only focus on flooring, roofing, or a few specialty areas, a class C or D license may be sufficient.
Each license has different experience requirements in Cheyenne. For a class A license, you need seven years of work experience and 14,000 hours of education or on-the-job training. Class R licenses require 10,000 hours of training or education with five years of experience. To get a class D license, you only need 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and one year of work experience.
Most licenses require passing an exam. For more information about the process of obtaining a general contractor license in Wyoming, check out this helpful guide to state licensing.
Insurance Requirements
All employers in Wyoming must register for workers’ compensation insurance with the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. This department then informs you if workers’ comp is obligatory or optional for your industry. Generally speaking, employers involved in building trades and other hazardous work are required by law to carry workers’ comp insurance. If your handyman business has employees, there’s a good chance you’ll need to get workers’ compensation insurance.
The state of Wyoming doesn’t require contractors or handymen to carry liability insurance, but many cities in the state do. In Cody, you have to show insurance that covers bodily injury for $1,000,000 per occurrence and property damage for $1,000,000 per occurrence.
In Cheyenne, the amount of coverage needed depends on the license. If you have a class R license, you need general liability coverage of $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 total. For class D subcontractors, the amounts are $300,000 and $600,000 respectively.
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Wyoming Handyman Licensing and Registration Fees
The registration fee for handyman businesses and contractors in Rock Springs is $125. In Cody, the application for a contractor license costs $200.
In Cheyenne, WY, the cost to obtain a class R residential builder’s license is $450. A class D license costs $250 per work specialization. General contractor license fees (class A) are $650. If the license requires passing an International Code Council test, there may be other costs as well.
All of these fees are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Handyman Training and Certification Programs
Wyoming doesn’t offer any specific handyman certification, but there are several trade schools and universities that offer education related to construction work, welding, electrical systems, and business management. Places such as Sheridan College and Casper College offer courses that can give you the skills needed for a handyman business.
If you want to pursue any type of electrical work as part of your handyman business, it’s necessary to obtain the appropriate license. Wyoming divides electrician licenses into several categories, including low voltage work for communications, HVAC, alarm systems, light fixtures, and similar jobs. The requirements revolve around work experience in the industry, ranging from 500 hours to 4,000 hours.
Wyoming also has a reciprocal license agreement for electricians with several states, which may make working toward a full electrician license more attractive. Getting a journeyman electrician license allows you to work in Montana, Nebraska, Texas, Oregon, Minnesota, and other states. Master electrician certification is valid in Iowa, Idaho, and South Dakota.
Specific certifications or memberships, such as obtaining a home inspector certificate or joining The Association of Certified Handyman Professionals, can lend credibility to your business. It is also essential to understand fundamental business principles, which you can gain through an online training program.
Handyman License Wyoming FAQ
This resource is designed to help you find the answers to common questions about Wyoming handyman license requirements.
1. What Happens If I Do Not Have the Right License?
The state of Wyoming leaves the enforcement of license violations up to local jurisdictions. Performing work without the appropriate license can result in fines, problems obtaining a license in the future, and loss of money from work performed. Not all handyman jobs require a license in different cities, though, so you’ll want to check local requirements.
2. How Long Is My Wyoming Handyman License Valid?
Licensing depends on the city where your business is located. In many Wyoming cities, contractor licenses must be renewed once a year.
3. Who Can I Contact If I Have Questions?
In Wyoming, it’s important to contact local jurisdictions for most questions about handyman licenses and requirements. Check out this helpful list of local government contacts to find phone numbers and email addresses for most cities, including Casper, Evanston, and Fort Laramie.
In Cheyenne, you can contact the office of Building Permitting & Licensing for assistance. Call (307) 637-6265 or email building@cheyennecity.org.
Working as a handyman in Wyoming can provide many benefits. You can make money while gathering valuable work experience that may let you specialize down the road. If you’re a person who enjoys home improvement and construction work, a Wyoming handyman license lets you do what you love and get paid at the same time.
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become a Handyman in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in Wyoming, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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