Are subcontractors required to be licensed?

Some subcontractors are required to obtain a contractor's license. Contractors bidding to any contractor are considered subcontractors. The only subcontractors required to obtain a license as a contractor are those performing work when the total cost on the project is $25,000 or more for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, and effective January 1, 2014, roofing.  Also, effective July 1, 2010, a masonry subcontractor is also required to be licensed if the masonry portion is $100,000 or more (including material and labor). In addition, any subcontractors contracting with another subcontractor that is required to be licensed, they must also be licensed as a contractor to be a "sub to a sub to a sub" on the project.

Other "subcontractors", such as flooring, landscaping, fencing, concrete, are not required to be licensed unless they bid directly to the owner. Those bidding directly to the owner are considered “prime” contractors and required to obtain a license for projects $25,000 and more. This includes those bidding directly to a homeowner who are overseeing the building of their own house and obtained the permit.