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Pennsylvania Home improvement

Pennsylvania home improvement contractor registration guide

Pennsylvania does not use one statewide general contractor license for most construction contractors, but most home improvement contractors must register with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General under HICPA.

The short answer

Pennsylvania home improvement contractors who perform at least $5,000 of home improvements per year must register with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Registration is not an endorsement of skill, so contractors should also confirm local permits, trade rules, insurance, and contract requirements before selling work.

Who this applies to

  • Contractors performing at least $5,000 per year in Pennsylvania home improvements should review the Attorney General's HICPA registration rules.
  • Home improvement registration is different from a state skill license or a local trade license.
  • Contractors doing plumbing, electrical, or other locally regulated trade work should also check municipal requirements.

Requirement snapshot

Authority Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection
Registration trigger The Attorney General states that contractors who perform at least $5,000 worth of home improvements per year must register.
Fee The official HIC registration portal lists a $100 registration fee every two years as of the last check date.
Insurance proof The HIC portal lists proof of commercial general liability insurance with at least $50,000 personal injury coverage and $50,000 property damage coverage.
Registration number The HIC portal says new contractors receive a PA contractor number and that the number must appear on ads, contracts, estimates, and proposals.
Statewide contractor licensing note Pennsylvania DLI says the Commonwealth has no licensure or certification requirements for most construction contractors, while HICPA registration still applies to most home improvement contractors.

Practical application path

  1. Confirm whether your work falls under Pennsylvania home improvement registration rules.
  2. Create or access the HIC registration portal account and choose a new registration, renewal, or update path.
  3. Prepare proof of insurance before submitting the application.
  4. After approval, add the PA registration number to advertising, estimates, proposals, and contracts where required.
  5. Check local municipality rules for trade licensing, permits, and inspections before taking jobs.

Watchouts before you sell the work

  • Pennsylvania registration under HICPA is not a state endorsement or proof of workmanship quality.
  • Do not confuse statewide home improvement registration with local plumbing, electrical, or municipal contractor requirements.
  • If the online portal, paper application, or grace-period rules change, use the current Attorney General instructions rather than old saved forms.

Official source links

PA Office of Attorney General HIC registration https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/resources/home-improvement-contractor-registration/ Pennsylvania HIC registration portal https://hic.attorneygeneral.gov/ Pennsylvania HIC search https://hicsearch.attorneygeneral.gov/ PA DLI contractor licensing overview https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dli/programs-services/labor-management-relations/bureau-of-occupational-and-industrial-safety/uniform-construction-code-home/contractor-licensing

FAQ

Does Pennsylvania have a statewide general contractor license?

Pennsylvania DLI says the Commonwealth has no licensure or certification requirements for most construction contractors, but most home improvement contractors must register with the Attorney General under HICPA.

How much is Pennsylvania home improvement contractor registration?

The official HIC portal lists a $100 registration fee every two years as of the last check date. Contractors should confirm the current fee before applying.