« Back to store
Choose a state

Construction Work Regulated?

Who Regulates Construction?

Requirements?

Reciprocal Agreements

National Exams
National Exams

Construction Work Regulated?

Electrical, plumbing, asbestos abatement, and lead abatement contractors are regulated at the state level.

Contractors seeking to perform public works or highway construction projects must complete the applicable prequalification process before bidding or performing work.

Who Regulates Construction?

Prequalification applications may be obtained from:

New Hampshire Department of Transportation
Attn: Prequalification Administrator
John 0. Morton Building, Room 131
7 Hazen Drive
Post Office Box 483
Concord, NH 03302-0483
(603) 271-3402 Fax (603) 271-1558
https://www.dot.nh.gov/

Asbestos abatement contractors may obtain licensing information from:

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Air Resources Division Asbestos Management and Control Program
Attn: Asbestos Licensing
29 Hazen Drive
Post Office Box 95
Concord, NH 03302-0095
(603) 271-4609 Fax (603) 271-1381
https://www.des.nh.gov/waste/asbestos/license-and-certifications

Lead abatement contractors may obtain licensing information from:

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health Services Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
29 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301-6504
(603) 271-4507 Fax (603) 271-3991
https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/environmenta1-hea1th-and-you/1eadpoisoning-prevention-program/1ead-abatement

Plumbing and Gas contractors may obtain licensing information from:

New Hampshire Mechanical Licensing and Safety Board
7 Eagle Square
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-2152
https://www.oplc.nh.gov/applications-mechanical-safety-and-licensing

Electrical contractors may obtain licensing information from:

New Hampshire Electricians Board
NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification
7 Eagle Square
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-2152 Fax (603) 271-7928
https://www.oplc.nh.gov/find-board/electricians-board

Requirements?

Highway and Public Works Requirements

Prequalification

Contractors seeking to perform public works or highway construction projects must complete the state's prequalification process. Applicants are required to submit documentation of their experience, a list of completed projects, an inventory of equipment, proof of bonding capacity, and financial statements.

The level of financial statement required depends on the size of the projects:

Compiled financial statements for projects up to $1,000,000
Reviewed financial statements for projects up to $5,000,000
Audited financial statements for projects exceeding $5,000,000

Prequalification is valid for 15 months from the date of the financial statements. Applications are typically processed within two to four weeks, and there is no fee to apply.

To encourage broader competition, prequalification is not required for projects that are simple in scope and commonly performed within the construction industry, such as basic carpentry, painting, and similar work.

Bonding Requirements

Public works contracts require:

A 100% performance bond
A 100% payment bond
A 5% bid guaranty
Plumber Licensing Requirements

Applicants for a plumbing license must pass the applicable trade examination with a minimum score of 70% for a Journeyman license or 75% for a Master license and provide documentation verifying their work experience.

To qualify for a Master Plumber license, applicants must have held a Journeyman license for at least six months.

Applicants for a Journeyman Plumber license must complete 576 hours of approved classroom instruction and four years of apprenticeship experience.

Plumbing licenses must be renewed every two years, and license holders are required to complete continuing education to maintain their licenses.

License Type / License and Renewal Fee
Master $310 / $300
Journeyman $190 / $180
Apprentice $90 / $80

Electrician Licensing Requirements

Applicants for Journeyman and Master Electrician licenses must pass an open-book electrical trade examination with a minimum passing score of 70%.

To qualify for a Master Electrician license, applicants must have 2,000 hours of experience working as a licensed journeyman under the supervision of a master electrician.

Applicants for a Journeyman Electrician license must complete 600 hours of approved electrical education and 8,000 hours of apprenticeship experience.

Master and Journeyman electricians are required to complete 15 hours of continuing education during the first year of each new three-year electrical code cycle.

Applicants seeking a High-Medium Voltage license must successfully complete a Board-approved certification program administered by a state agency, federal agency, or qualified employer.

License Type / Exam Fee / Application Fee / License Fees / Renewal Fee

Journeyman / N/A / $50 / $150 / $150*
Master / N/A / $50 / $270 / $270*
Apprentice ID / N/A / N/A / $30 / $30****
Corporation/Partnership / N/A / $50 / $120 / $125***
High-Medium Voltage Trainee / N/A / N/A / $30 / $30**
High-Medium Voltage Electrician / N/A / $50 / $270 / $270*

Please note: License Fees are pro-rated according to the birth month.

*Renewed every 3rd year of the last day of the birth month.
**Renewed every year by the last day of the birth month.
***Renewed every year by the last day of the month of May.
****Renewed every year by the last day of the ID expiration month.

Asbestos Abatement Licensing Requirements

Asbestos Abatement Contractor

Applicants must complete an approved Asbestos Abatement Contractor/Supervisor training course and provide documentation of completed asbestos abatement projects performed within the previous year. The business must also be registered and in good standing with the New Hampshire Secretary of State.

Asbestos Abatement Supervisor

Applicants must submit proof of completing an approved Asbestos Abatement Contractor/Supervisor training course and document at least one year of asbestos abatement work experience.

Asbestos Abatement Worker

Applicants must provide documentation showing successful completion of either an approved Asbestos Abatement Worker training course or an approved Asbestos Abatement Contractor/Supervisor training course.

Asbestos Disposal Site Contractor

Applicants must submit a completed application. In addition, at least one responsible individual within the company must hold certification as an Asbestos Disposal Site (ADS) Worker or ADS Worker-in-Training. The business must also be registered and in good standing with the New Hampshire Secretary of State.

Asbestos Disposal Site Worker / Worker-in-Training

Applicants must submit an application and successfully pass the New Hampshire Asbestos Disposal Site Examination. Individuals who document at least 40 hours of asbestos disposal site work experience may apply for certification as an experienced ADS Worker or upgrade from Worker-in-Training status. Applicants should contact the Asbestos Control Program to schedule the required examination.

License Type / License Fee / Renewal Fee
Contractor / $1,000 / $750
Supervisor / $200 / $200
Worker / $50 / $50
ADS Contractor / $250 / $250
ADS Worker / $50 / $50

Lead Abatement Licensing Requirements

All individuals performing lead hazard reduction activities in New Hampshire must be licensed or certified in accordance with state law.

Lead Abatement Worker

Must be at least 18 years old.
Complete a state-approved 24-hour training course with a minimum passing score of 70%.
Submit an annual application.
Complete an 8-hour refresher course every three years.

Lead Abatement Supervisor

Must be at least 18 years old.
Complete a state-approved 32-hour supervisor training course (70% minimum passing score).
Pass both the EPA and New Hampshire proficiency examinations.
Have at least 12 months of experience as a certified lead abatement worker and 12 additional months in environmental remediation or the building trades.
Renew annually and complete an 8-hour refresher course and both examinations every three years.

Lead Abatement Contractor

Must be at least 18 years old.
Complete a state-approved 32-hour contractor training course (70% minimum passing score).
Pass the required EPA and New Hampshire examinations.
Have at least two years of experience in asbestos, lead abatement, environmental remediation, or the building trades.
Renew annually, complete required refresher training and examinations every three years, and attend the department's annual licensed lead professionals meeting.

Lead Abatement Inspector

Must be at least 18 years old.
Complete an approved inspector training program and pass the required EPA and New Hampshire examinations.
Meet the state's education and experience requirements, including documented field inspections completed under the supervision of a licensed New Hampshire Risk Assessor.
Renew annually, complete refresher training and examinations every three years, and attend the department's annual licensed lead professionals meeting.

Lead Abatement Risk Assessor

Must be at least 18 years old.
Complete an approved Risk Assessor training program and pass the required examinations.
Hold a New Hampshire Lead Inspector license for at least one year and satisfy the state's education and experience requirements.
Complete supervised lead risk assessments before licensure.
Renew annually, complete refresher training and examinations every three years, and attend the department's annual licensed lead professionals meeting.

Initial and renewal license and certification fees vary by license type.

License Type / Application and Renewal Fee
Lead Abatement Worker / $75
Lead Abatement Supervisor / $125
Lead Abatement Contractor / $300
Lead Abatement Inspector / $100
Lead Abatement Risk Assessor / $250
Owner-Contractor with 4-6 Dwelling Units / $150
Duplicate License / $15

Other: Public works contracts require a 100% performance payment and bond, as well as 5% bid guaranty.

Reciprocal Agreements

Electrical

New Hampshire offers reciprocal licensing for Master and Journeyman Electricians with Alabama (Journeyman and Electrical Contractor), Connecticut (Journeyman and Electrical Contractor), Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma (Electrical Contractor and Journeyman), Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.

Reciprocity is available for Journeyman Electrician licenses only with Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Asbestos Abatement

New Hampshire grants reciprocity to certified asbestos abatement site supervisors, workers, inspectors, management planners, and project designers who are certified by another state or the EPA, provided the certification standards are substantially equivalent to New Hampshire's requirements.

Lead Abatement

Lead professionals currently licensed or certified by another state, Tribal Nation, or the EPA may qualify for reciprocity by submitting:

A completed application
A copy of their current license or certification
Proof of completing a refresher course
Documentation showing they have passed the required EPA proficiency examination and either the New Hampshire proficiency examination or the state's reciprocity educational program examination

Applicants may also be required to provide documentation of their home state's licensing and training requirements so the department can determine whether they are substantially equivalent to New Hampshire's standards.