Licensing Guides
State Contractor License: How to Become a General Contractor in Maine
Contractor, ME
Table of Contents
Why Do You Need a Contractor License in Maine?
How Can You Get a Contractor License in Maine?
Types of Contractor Licenses in Maine
What Are the Requirements of a Maine Contractor License?
How Long Does It Take to Get a Contractor License in Maine?
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Contractor License in Maine?
Maine Contractor License Training Programs and Schools
Does Maine Reciprocate Contractor Licenses?
Do I Need to Renew my Contractor License in Maine?
Are There Any Penalties for Contracting Without a License in Maine?
We all need a place to live and work, and those buildings require upkeep and repair. They are often the biggest investments we make in our lives, and keeping them in good condition is essential. We count on professionals to know how to fix damage to or wear and tear on our homes and businesses. General contractors are typically the experts we rely on to help us with these repairs, and we need these men and women to know what they’re doing.
Many states require contractors to be licensed. Others simply require solid insurance to back up the essential work they perform. There are 520,900 construction managers and 1,599,800 construction laborers and helpers nationwide according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Maine employs 1,500 managers and 3,130 laborers and helpers. The national number for managers is projected to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033 and 8% for laborers and helpers. According to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate for laborers and managers in Maine is lower at -1%. If you’re thinking about becoming a contractor or you want a job in the field, you need to know the licensing requirements in your state or local jurisdiction. This guide will help you determine what you need before you get started.
Why Do You Need a Contractor License in Maine?
Maine is one of the few states that doesn’t license or regulate general contractors at the state level, and most municipalities in the state of Maine have few, if any, licensing requirements. Maine also lacks uniform building codes across the state.
However, you are required to obtain a business license in the municipality where you plan to work, and you must provide a contract with specific information for any construction projects or remodeling work valued over $3,000.
According to the Maine Attorney General’s website, “For all home construction and improvement projects over $3,000 in value, Maine law requires a written contract with specific provisions. These provisions include, among other things, a warranty statement, language limiting deposits to no more than 1/3 the total contract price, estimated start and substantial completion dates, and that all change orders must be in writing and signed by both parties.”
Further, the website states customers may agree to waive these statutory requirements, but only if the contractor specifically informs them about their rights, and the customer agrees in writing to waive those rights.
Maine does license plumbers, electricians, and asbestos remediators at the state level via the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, an agency within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.
How Can You Get a Contractor License in Maine?
The process for working as a contractor in Maine is fairly simple, as there are no work experience or education requirements. Most municipalities simply require you to obtain a local business license and/or building permits in order to perform home improvement and commercial work.
You must be at least 18 years of age. You must have either a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number.
You must apply for a business license in the city or town where you intend to work.
You must obtain workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees or use subcontractors.
Provide a written contract for any construction projects or remodeling work valued over $3,000
Complete the business license application and pay all required fees.
Types of Contractor Licenses in Maine
To recap, Maine doesn’t offer a general contractor license at the state level, and most cities and towns have only minimal requirements.
Portland, Maine: Business License
Bangor, Maine: Business License
A Portland business license issued by the City Business License Administrator is required to operate any type of business in the city.
A Bangor business license from the City Clerk is required to operate any type of business in the city. License holders can legally obtain building permits from the City’s Department of Code Enforcement.
Check in the jurisdictions you plan to serve to make sure you know and meet any requirements.
Getting a general contractor license
The bottom line is that you need to be a licensed business to do any kind of residential or commercial construction, repair, or maintenance in the state of Maine. Additionally, any business entity performing home construction and improvement projects over $3,000 in value must provide a written contract with specific terms. Here’s how you go about getting licensed.
APPLY FOR LICENSE: The first step is to apply for a business license. For Portland, you can apply online via the City’s Citizen Self Service Portal. For Bangor, you can fill out the application form online using easy-fill, or print it out and mail it to the City Clerk at 73 Harlow St., Bangor, Maine, 04401.
PAY APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE: In Portland, all new business licenses require a $45 processing fee. In Bangor, there’s no license fee, but you must pay for a permit for every job you perform.
COMPLETE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK: In Portland, you must gain approval from the Department of Permitting and Inspections, the Zoning Administration, and pass a background check with the police department.
PROVIDE PROOF OF INSURANCE: All applicants in Portland and Bangor must file evidence of workers' compensation insurance.
Getting a specialty trade license
Maine does issue state licenses for electricians and plumbers, and both trades require much more stringent prerequisite licensing requirements, including acquiring job experience and classroom training.
The Electricians’ Examining Board licenses all levels of electricians, including apprentices, journeyman, and master electricians. To become eligible for a journeyman license, you must acquire 8,000 hours (four years of experience) as an apprentice or helper electrician, as well as 576 hours of approved coursework from the Electricians Examining Board. You must work another two years as a journeyman to qualify for a master electrician license.
The Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation in Maine oversees the Plumbers’ Examining Board, which issues licenses for trainee plumbers, journeyman plumbers, and master plumbers. To qualify for a journeyman license, you must pass an examination and demonstrate at least two years of work in the field of plumbing installations as a licensed trainee plumber under the supervision of a licensed master plumber. To be eligible for a master license, you must have a minimum of one year of work in the field of plumbing installations as a licensed journeyman plumber or a minimum of at least four years in the field of plumbing installations as a licensed trainee plumber under the supervision of a licensed master plumber.
For more, consult our guides to getting your HVAC license, plumbing license, or electrical license in Maine.
What Are the Requirements of a Maine Contractor License?
Most cities only require you to obtain a local business license to work as a home contractor or commercial contractor.
Typically be at least 18 years of age to meet employer requirements.
You must have either a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number.
Apply for a local business license.
Pass a criminal background check, when applicable.
Pay all fees.
File evidence of workers' compensation insurance if you have one or more employees.
Utilize a home improvement contract for work valued over $3,000.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Contractor License in Maine?
Because Maine doesn’t require examinations, job experience, or classroom training, you will likely receive your business license within a matter of weeks.
What Business Owners Need to Know
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How Much Does It Cost to Get a Contractor License in Maine?
Obtaining a new business license in Portland incurs a $45 processing fee. In Bangor, the city requires a permit for each job.
Maine Contractor License Training Programs and Schools
There are no specific educational or course requirements to get a Maine contractor license. However, there are training programs throughout the state that can help you prepare for a career in construction.
One option is to complete an apprenticeship via the Maine Apprenticeship Program. Apprenticeships allow you to earn money (and not accumulate debt) while you gain valuable job skills and experience. According to the program’s website, companies who participate see a 90% retention rate and participating apprentices earn $300,000 more over their lifetimes versus peers who don’t complete an apprenticeship. The average wage of apprentices who complete the program is $27.44 per hour.
If you choose to start your career path at a college or university, you can pursue a degree in construction management or construction engineering. There are limited higher education options throughout the Bay State that offer these types of programs. The following school offers a Construction Engineering Bachelor of Science degree.
There are also many Maine Community Colleges throughout the state that offer Construction Management programs and associate degree and certificate options.
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Does Maine Reciprocate Contractor Licenses?
No. Because Maine issues business licenses at the local level—and doesn’t offer a general contractor license—the state doesn’t permit license reciprocity with other states.
Do I Need to Renew my Contractor License in Maine?
To keep your Portland business license active, you must renew it annually and pay the $35 renewal fee. In Bangor, business licenses must also be renewed each year. There is no renewal fee, because Bangor requires contractors to pay for building permits for each job.
Are There Any Penalties for Contracting Without a License in Maine?
Yes. There are fines, misdemeanor charges, and even possible jail time for contracting without a business license or not providing homeowners with a contract for jobs over $3,000. According to the Maine Attorney General, “the State has successfully sued and/or obtained civil judgments against” hundreds of contractors.
You can contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division by submitting an inquiry online or calling 1-800-436-2131 to find out if a particular contractor has been the subject of a consumer complaint. The Better Business Bureau may also have information about a particular contractor.
National Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. There are many professional organizations that offer certification. These certifications are not required but can add to your marketability and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money.
Some of the top construction certifications are:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Safety Certificate
Construction Management Association of America Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP) Certified Safety Manager (CSM) certification
National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER)
Continuing Education
Though Maine does not require continuing education to renew your license, you will want to stay informed about emerging technology in the industry. There are many ways to keep yourself current in regard to the technology put to use in construction, roofing, energy and environmental designs, efficiency standards and more. For example, distributors want you to know about their company’s latest offerings and will often hold training sessions about new and changing equipment and parts. Another option is the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) which provides continuing education courses.
Resources
You can stay up to date on contracting industry news several ways:
Check top blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your business.
Listen to top podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
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