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Construction Work Regulated?

Who Regulates Construction?

Requirements?

Reciprocal Agreements

Building Construction Exams
State Electrical Exams
State Plumbing Exams
State Mechanical Exams
National Exams
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Construction Work Regulated?

Plumbing and electrical contractors are regulated at the state level and may also be subject to additional local licensing requirements. General contractors are typically regulated by the cities, counties, or municipalities in which they perform work, with requirements varying by jurisdiction.

Who Regulates Construction?

Online registration and information for prequalification for highway work, bridge and
road projects are filed with:

Colorado Department of Transportation
2829 West Howard Place, Suite 300
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 757-9418
E-Mail: [email protected]
https://www.codot.gov/

Please see the bidding website for instructions on electronic application for
prequalification and bidding rules:

https://www.codot.gov/business/bidding

Applications and licensing information for electrical licenses can be obtained from:

Colorado State Electrical Board
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 894-7800 Fax (303) 894-2310
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/Electrical

Applications and information for plumbing licenses can be obtained from:

Colorado Examining Board of Plumbers
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 894-7800 Fax (303) 894-2310
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/Plumbing

Requirements?

Highway Contractor Prequalification: Bidding limits are established based on the contractor's financial statements and bonding capacity. Financial statements may be submitted in compiled, reviewed, or audited form, depending on the level of qualification sought.

Prequalification must be renewed annually, and new applications are typically processed within 15 days. Contractors awarded road, bridge, or repair construction projects through the State Department of Transportation are required to provide both performance and payment bonds.

Bidding limits are determined by the type of financial statement submitted and are subject to the following prequalification requirements:

Level of Prequalification / Requirements
$0 - $3,000,000 / A Compiled Financial Statement and Documentation
of their Boding Capacity
$3,000,000 - $5,000,000 / A Reviewed Financial Statement with Documentation
of their Bonding Capacity
$5,000,000 and Over / An Audited Financial Statement with Documentation
of their Bonding Capacity

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) utilizes a vendor self-service portal for contractor registration and prequalification. Businesses wishing to work with CDOT must first create an account through the portal and complete the required Prequalification Questionnaire, along with submitting all supporting documentation.

Additional information, registration instructions, and prequalification requirements are available through CDOT's procurement and bidding resources.

Road and bridge construction projects continue to be solicited electronically through the Bid Express platform. However, procurement solicitations for commodities and personal services are administered through CDOT's vendor portal.

Alternative project delivery methods, including Design-Build, Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC), and Best Value projects, are exempt from the mandatory electronic bidding requirements.

Electricians: Applicants seeking a Master Electrician license must document at least five years of qualifying experience and training. Of those five years, four must involve electrical construction wiring for light, heat, and power systems, including a minimum of two years in commercial and/or industrial installations. The remaining year must include experience in planning, layout, supervision, and the installation of electrical wiring, equipment, and systems. Applicants must also successfully pass the Master Electrician examination.

Journeyman Electrician applicants must demonstrate four years of qualifying electrical experience, while Residential Wireman applicants must document at least two years of residential wiring experience.

Electrical contractors must either hold a Master Electrician license or employ a full-time Master Electrician registered with the State Board. Contractor applicants are also required to provide proof of compliance with state workers' compensation and unemployment insurance laws.

Plumbers: Applicants for Master, Residential, and Journeyman Plumber licenses must meet both experience and examination requirements. Qualifying experience requirements are as follows:

Master Plumber: Five years (8,500 hours) of plumbing experience.
Residential Plumber: Two years (3,400 hours) of plumbing experience.
Journeyman Plumber: Four years (6,800 hours) of plumbing experience.

Applicants must also successfully complete the applicable licensing examination for their respective classification.

Reciprocal Agreements

Reciprocity: Colorado maintains reciprocal licensing agreements for the Journeyman Electrician license with Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

Plumbing License Endorsement: In certain circumstances, plumbing licenses may be obtained through endorsement rather than examination. Applicants seeking endorsement should contact the licensing board directly for eligibility requirements and application procedures.