Georgia Residential-Light Commercial Contractor License Information
“Residential-light commercial contractor" means and encompasses a person who performs any contractor work or activity performed by a residential-basic contractor and, additionally, shall include such contractor work or activity related to multifamily and multiuse light commercial buildings and structures, and their related accessory buildings and structures, which are less than four stories in height; less than 25,000 square feet in aggregate interior floor space and are constructed of wood or light gauge metal frame, brick veneer, prefabricated, or manufactured type of construction; or are preengineered steel buildings not exceeding 50,000 square feet of interior floor space; provided that such buildings or structures are not of the type of building or structure that would constitute a special hazard to property or to life and safety of persons.
Requirements:
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Licensure will be required for the practice of contracting in Georgia for any job over $2,500.
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Pre-approval from the state is required to sit for the examination.
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The Georgia Business and Law exam is also required to be passed to obtain your contractor’s license.
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Please note that you must show accounts under which you have operated your contracting business for at least 24 months preceding the date application. If you cannot show that you have had a bank account or accounts under which you operate your business for at least 24 months, you must submit to the Division a $25,000.00 line of credit or submit proof of a$25,000.00 bond. However, if you are unable to provide a line of credit or bond, you may submit an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $25,000.
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Must provide copy of an insurance certificate showing proof of workers compensation insurance as required by Georgia law and liability insurance in a minimum amount of $500,000. If applicant is applying as an individual, such proof shall be on behalf of the individual. If applicant is applying as a qualifying agent, such proof shall relate to the business organization.
Applications: To apply, contact the state of Georgia at 1-478-207-2440 or download the application at http://sos.georgia.gov/plb/contractors/ . A nonrefundable fee of $200.00 must be submitted with application.
Georgia Board for Residential and General Contractors Testing Process:
1. Candidates seeking licensure may download the examination application at www.sos.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/plbforms.asp?board=49. The requirements for licensure can be found in the applications.
2. Candidates must complete the appropriate examination application and submit it to the Board office along with a fee and supporting documents.
3. Board office notifies PSI of the candidates eligible for testing while also notifying individual applicants of eligibility.
5. Once approved for examination eligibility, the candidate will register with PSI.
6. Candidates may take their test at any of the three existing PSI testing locations found in Atlanta, Macon or Tifton or any other location that PSI has established in neighboring states.
7. Information regarding the examination itself can be found by visiting PSI’s website at www.psiexams.com or calling PSI at 1-800-733-9267.
8. Board office will notify candidates of exam results.
About the Exam
The Georgia General Contractor Exam has 100 questions and a time limit of 260 minutes. A 70% is required to pass. Topics on the exam include sitework, footings, and foundation; concrete and concrete reinforcement; masonry; carpentry; metals; roofing; associated trades; general code and construction knowledge; and OSHA safety.
PSI (1-800-733-9267) is the test administrator. You can schedule your exam only after you have obtained your pre-approval from the board. Please download the Candidate Information Bulletin for current information on where exams are being held and for important details and rules on taking the exam.
Reference Books
The following reference books are permitted to be taken into the exam.
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2006 International Building Code
- 2006 International Residential Code
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OSHA Code of Federal Regulations Part 1926
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Carpentry and Building Construction
- The Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses
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Contractors Guide to Quality Concrete Construction
- Modern Masonry
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Pipe and Excavation Contracting
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Gypsum Construction Handbook
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Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders
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Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
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2006 International Energy Conservation Code
- Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 1st Edition, Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors
These books are available for purchase from our partners at Construction Book Express by clicking here: Contractor Bookstore
The following references are also needed for the exam and can be downloaded free of charge.
Exam Preparation Study Course
We offer an easy-to-use, in-depth review for the Georgia Residential-Light Commercial Contractor Exam through a home study and online course format. The program takes you through each one of the reference books that the exam is based on showing you what to highlight and stressing important points from the books. This is accomplished with the following unique components: Audio CD’s to listen to when in the vehicle, online narrated and animated presentations/highlighting sessions, and with a study guide (that can be printed or viewed online). After your review of the materials, you can take as many practice exams as you would like with our software. There are hundreds of questions drawn from the reference books that are randomly generated to create each practice exam, mirroring the format of the actual state exam. The tests are timed and graded, and you can go back and review your results and study more on the areas you may have missed. Our program INCLUDES a review of the business & project management portion of the exam, complete with its own highlighting session and practice tests.
Our study course covers the major trades books and includes the business, law & project management material. To purchase the study course, please click here: GA Residential Light Commercial Contractor Exam Prep Course
