Pennsylvania Contractor License Classifications

Running a construction company, as anyone knows, has its ups and downs, and it requires a certain type of person to succeed. You will also need a sharp eye for detail and knowledge of the Pennsylvania constructor licensing standards.

This article will guide you through Pennsylvania contractor license classifications and standards, to help you get more information about the rules and regulations surrounding authorization needs.

A general worker in Pennsylvania may be required to register as a home improvement specialist with the Pennsylvania Attorney General. To conduct those services in your local place, you may need to register at the state level. Your Pennsylvania contractor’s license, like a plumber or an electrician, will be administered by the city.

Who needs a contractor license in Pennsylvania?

The “home improvement contractor” term in fact, applies to the vast majority of workers in PA. In contrast to plumbers and electricians, this refers to general workers, drywallers, carpenters, and all other conventional sub-trades on a normal residential project.

Because PA is a commonwealth, it has less regulation over constructor permits than other states.

Instead, the state likes to delegate home improvement specialist licensing to local governments and counties, of which there are several in Pennsylvania.

Indeed, crane operators, and asbestos and lead removal workers are the only two ones who require a state-issued accreditation.

Yet there are no formal licensing requirements for home improvement constructors in the state, most have to register with the Attorney General’s Office.

Pennsylvania contractor licenses by city

Some communities in PA have their constructor permit rules. We introduce you to a list of those in some of the most populous areas below.

Pittsburgh

General, sign, plumbing, and electrical contractors are among the ones who need to have permits from Pittsburgh. The Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections is in charge of those.

Overall constructors can construct and renovate both single-family and multi-family homes. Here is what you need:

• Valid driving license and photo ID
• Insurance proof
• Proof of worker’s compensation
• Compliance with tax law
• “Treasurer – City of Pittsburgh” should appear on any checks or money orders
• Applying online or with a paper copy

Ground signs, wall signs, projection signs, and other types of signs can all be erected, altered, repaired, or maintained by sign them. They have to satisfy the same requests as General Contractors and can apply either online or on paper.

Similarly, master plumber permits are required for plumbing constructors as well. Thus, they have to have worked as it for at least two years.

To work here, appliance constructors have to have an issued authorization. They have to also meet several other conditions, including:

• A valid driving license or photo ID
• Eight hours of continuing education proof
• Payment to the Pittsburgh via check or money order
• Application for a trade accreditation that has been completed
• Liability insurance proof
• Worker’s compensation proof
• Evidence of a passing grade on an electrical trade exam
• Online or on the paper appliance

Allentown

On the contrary, general constructor and home improvement licensing are not required in Allentown or Lehigh County. Instead, they rely on the registration of the Attorney General. Plumbing, electrical, and sheet metal workers, on the other hand, require issued papers.

Plumbing specialists must obtain accreditations from the city. Although the standards aren’t stated directly on its website, the application is available.

Electrical specialists have to additionally get issued accreditations, which have more specific requirements:

• You must be at least 21 years old and have a G.E.D. or a high school diploma.
• Master applicants must have a minimum of four years of experience in the field.
• In the end, you should complete the application.

Sheet metal specialists are also required to get a city-issued authorization, though the qualifications are a little hazy. That is to say, this is the right application for the job.

Philadelphia

In the same way, all home improvement specialists working in Philadelphia are required to have a city-issued accreditation. Applicants must submit evidence of insurance, complete the OSHA 30 safety course, and list all of their subcontractors.

To apply, go to the ECLIPSE website, make an account, and fill out the online application.

Electrical specialists, on the other hand, need to have a separate accreditation. They can apply through the same ECLIPSE portal. Here is the list of requirements:

• Follow the city’s tax laws
• Insurance proof
• Four years of electrical job experience
• Taking the Philadelphia Electrical Contractor Examination and passing it
• 8 hours minimum of continuing education courses
• Identification with a photograph

In addition, to operate in Philadelphia, plumbing specialists must have a master plumber’s permit issued by the place. They can apply through the ECLIPSE platform. Take a look at the requirements:

• Insurance proof
• Four years of registration as a Philadelphia Apprentice Plumber
• One year registered as a Philadelphia Journeyman Plumber
• Taking the Philadelphia Master Plumber Exam and passing it
• Bring photo identification
• Follow the place’s tax laws

Erie

In the meantime, there are no licensing needs for overall workers in either Erie City or Erie County. The city does require electricians, plumbers, and HVAC installers to have proper permits. So, to do that, they should contact the office for any licensing information.

Reading

In fact, you or someone on your crew must have a masters-level accreditation to operate a plumbing or appliance contracting firm in Reading. Here are the permit requirements:

Plumbing license:

• Two-year possession of a work permit issued by the City of Reading
  or
• Two-year work as a worker in another place

Applications are available through the office of the Building and Trades Division:

Building/Trades Division
815 Washington Street, RM 3-10
Reading, PA 19601-3690
(610) 655-6284

Electrical license:

• PA Apprenticeship and Training Council – Apprenticeship Agreement or Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship
• Proof of completing a four-year recognized apprenticeship program with at least 2000 hours of labor per year
• Confirmation of teaching by a recognized educational source in courses related to each trade throughout the four-year apprenticeship: Each Trade Board will have the final say on whether or not candidates can take their separate tests in April, before the end of the fourth year. At the start of their fourth year, candidates should inquire about the rules of each Board regarding early testing.
• Proof of at least 8 years of experience working for an accredited master plumber, electrician, or mechanical contractor

Thus, for any other authorization classifications or corresponding accreditations, information on testing, and license requirements, speak with the relevant trades inspector.

Penalties for unlicensed contracting in Pennsylvania

To sum up, we need to mention that cities are responsible for unauthorized work, which will vary from area to location. Working while not registered with the Attorney General’s Office, on the other hand, is a violation that can result in fines of $1,000 or more.