Verify a Pro
Know before you hire

Guides & license lookups

How to check a credential, read a license number, and avoid the unlicensed trap — in plain English.

G-01Verify any license in five minutesEvery state portal, step by step. Confirm status, expiration, and any disciplinary action at the source.→ G-02The real cost of an unlicensed contractorNo bond, no permit, no recourse. What you’re exposed to — and how to steer clear.→ R-26The 2026 U.S. Licensing ReportWhere the newest contractors are, which trades are growing, how coverage varies by state.→

What license numbers & prefixes mean

Most states encode the trade in the license number. The exact codes vary by state, but the pattern is consistent — a couple of letters tell you what the pro is licensed to do. Common examples:

  • CGC / CBC / CRC — General, Building, and Residential Contractor (Florida DBPR)
  • CCC — Certified Roofing Contractor
  • CFC / CPC — Certified Plumbing Contractor
  • CAC / CMC — Certified Air-Conditioning / Mechanical Contractor
  • EC — Electrical Contractor
  • C-## (California CSLB) — specialty classifications, e.g. C-10 electrical, C-36 plumbing, C-20 HVAC, C-39 roofing, C-45 sign, C-27 landscaping.
Tip: on Verify a Pro, every listing shows the license number and a one-click link to the official state portal so you can read the full record yourself.

It’s the law — in most states

Trades like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, and general contracting legally require a state or local license in most of the country. Hiring an unlicensed person for licensed work can void your insurance, leave you without a permit at resale, and give you no board to complain to if the job goes wrong.

Why a license matters

A license isn’t a promise of great work — it’s a promise of accountability. A licensed pro has passed an exam, carries a bond or insurance, and sits on a public record a regulator can act on. That’s the floor you want before anyone touches your home. Then read reviews and get references for the ceiling.

How to hire safely

  • Confirm the license is active on the official portal — not expired, not revoked.
  • Match the name/business on the license to who’s bidding your job.
  • Check the classification covers your work (a roofer’s license isn’t a plumber’s).
  • Get the license number on the written contract and permit.