Georgia Contractor License Bond$25,000 Required Under OCGA 43-41

To get a Georgia contractor license and bond: (1) Determine your classification -- General, Residential Basic, Residential Light Commercial, Utility, Electrical, or Conditioned Air. (2) Pass both the Business & Law exam and your trade-specific exam through PSI testing. (3) Document 2-4 years of experience. (4) Obtain a $25,000 surety bond (or demonstrate $25,000 net worth). (5) Submit your application to the Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217. Fees are $100-$300 and processing takes 30-45 days.

The Georgia $25,000 contractor license bond costs $250-$1,250 annually depending on credit. Excellent credit (750+): $250-$375 (1-1.5%). Good credit (680-749): $375-$625 (1.5-2.5%). Fair credit (620-679): $625-$1,250 (2.5-5%). Bad credit applicants can still be approved at higher rates of 5-15%, or $1,250-$3,750 annually.

Yes. Under OCGA 43-41, Georgia allows contractors to demonstrate $25,000 in net worth (total equity) as an alternative to purchasing a surety bond. This must be documented through financial statements. However, most contractors find the surety bond more practical since it does not tie up capital -- a $25,000 bond typically costs only $250-$1,250 per year.

The $25,000 surety bond is required for General Contractors (GC), Residential Basic Contractors (RB), and Residential Light Commercial Contractors (RLC) licensed through the Secretary of State. Specialty trades -- Utility, Electrical, and Conditioned Air contractors -- are regulated by separate state boards and do not require the state-level $25,000 bond, though local jurisdictions often impose their own bonding requirements.

All applicants must pass the Business & Law exam covering Georgia construction law, contract requirements, and business practices. Additionally, you must pass a trade-specific exam for your classification (General Contracting, Residential, RLC, Utility, etc.). Exams are administered through PSI testing centers statewide.

Yes. Georgia participates in NASCLA (National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies), enabling reciprocal licensing in other member states. This simplifies multi-state expansion and can reduce exam requirements for Georgia contractors expanding into neighboring states like Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina. To understand the fundamental differences between bonds and insurance, visit our guide at /bond-vs-insurance/.

Experience requirements vary by classification: General Contractors need 4 years, Residential Basic needs 2 years, Residential Light Commercial needs 3 years, and Utility Contractors need 4 years. Electrical contractors need a master electrician certification, and Conditioned Air contractors need HVAC certification. Experience must be documented through employer verification, W-2s, or business tax returns.

Georgia contractor license bonds must be filed with the Office of Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Boards Division, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217. The bond must be from a surety company authorized to do business in Georgia. We handle the filing process for you when you purchase your bond through our system.