New Hampshire contractor license requirements

Licenses and registrations

Electrician licenses (Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, High/Medium Voltage, business entities)

Electricians and electrical businesses (corporations, LLCs and partnerships).

• Good to know: Issued by the Electricians' Board within OPLC. A homeowner may do electrical work in a single-family home they own and live in (RSA 319-C:15).

Plumber, fuel gas fitter and heating equipment credentials

Plumbers, fuel gas fitters and heating equipment installers or service people.

• Good to know: The Mechanical Licensing Board, a unit within OPLC, includes licensed plumbers, a licensed fuel gas fitter and a certified heating equipment installer (RSA 153:27-a).

Contracts and homeowner protections

Under RSA 359-G, a homeowner with a construction defect claim against a contractor (including contractors who modify or repair existing homes) must give written notice at least 60 days before suing. The contractor has 30 days to respond in writing by offering to settle or repair, proposing an inspection, or rejecting the claim. After an inspection, the contractor has 15 days to make a repair or money offer, and the homeowner has up to 30 days to accept.

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work

Electricians are licensed by the Electricians' Board. Plumbers, fuel gas fitters and heating equipment installers fall under the Mechanical Licensing Board. Both are within the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification.

Working without a license

Unlicensed electrical work is a misdemeanor for an individual and a felony for any other person, such as a business (RSA 319-C:15). Penalties for unlicensed general contracting were not found.

What to confirm with the state

We couldn't confirm these on an official page when we checked. Ask the licensing office before you rely on them:

• An official page confirming whether New Hampshire has any statewide license or registration for general or home improvement contractors. We found none.
• Statewide written contract or deposit rules for home improvement work
• Local (city/town) contractor licensing and building permit rules
• Mechanical Licensing Board license requirements, fees and CE
• Any statewide HVAC license beyond heating equipment installer certification

Sources

1. Electricians' Board (NH OPLC)
2. RSA 319-C Electricians, table of contents
3. RSA 319-C:4 Board
4. RSA 319-C:15 Violations; Penalty; Homeowner's Exception
5. RSA 153:27-a Mechanical Licensing Board
6. RSA Title XXXI Trade and Commerce, table of contents
7. RSA 359-G Residential Construction Defects; Dispute Resolution, table of contents
8. RSA 359-G:2 Definitions
9. RSA 359-G:4 Notice and Opportunity to Repair