Contractor License Reciprocity
License reciprocity allows contractors licensed in one state to more easily obtain a license in another. This typically means the trade exam is waived, but you'll still need to meet other state requirements.
NASCLA Accredited States
The NASCLA (National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies) Accredited Examination is accepted in 17 states for commercial general building contractors.
State Reciprocity Agreements
States with active reciprocity agreements, sorted by number of partner states.
Alaska, California, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Minnesota, Michigan, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Rhode Island
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia
Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee
South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida
Alabama, Alaska, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia
Alaska, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, North Carolina
Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina
Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina
Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Utah
California, Louisiana, Nevada, North Carolina
Arizona, Louisiana, Nevada, North Carolina
Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee
Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi
North Carolina, Ohio
Tennessee
How Reciprocity Works
What reciprocity means: If your home state has a reciprocity agreement with another state, you may be able to skip that state's trade exam. However, you'll typically still need to pass the business and law exam, meet insurance requirements, and pay application fees.
NASCLA exam: The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is designed to be a single exam recognized across multiple states. Passing it can significantly streamline the licensing process in participating states.
Always verify: Reciprocity agreements can change. Always contact the target state's licensing board directly to confirm current requirements before applying.