Contractor license class codes, explained

CSLB classifications

Issued by California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). You see these on California business profiles, in the brackets after the license number.

California issues one contractor license and stamps it with classifications. One license can carry several, and only a classification on the license authorizes that trade. The codes are printed exactly as CSLB publishes them, joined by a pipe when a license carries more than one.

• BGeneral Building Contractor

  Business and Professions Code section 7057 defines the class by scope rather than by trade: work on a structure requiring the use of at least two unrelated building trades. CSLB adds the limit in its own words: a general building contractor also may contract for specialty work, but must hold a specialty license for that work or actually have a specialty contractor do the work. The only exception is if the job requires more than two types of work on a building.

  Source: B&P Code 7057, and CSLB: What Type of Contractor Do I Need?

• C-36Plumbing

  Source: CSLB Licensing Classifications

• C-10Electrical

  Source: CSLB Licensing Classifications

• C-20Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning

  Source: CSLB Licensing Classifications

• C-39Roofing

  Source: CSLB Licensing Classifications

• C-27Landscaping Contractor

  A landscape contractor constructs, maintains, repairs, installs, or subcontracts the development of landscape systems and facilities for public and private gardens and other areas which are designed to aesthetically, architecturally, horticulturally, or functionally improve the grounds within or surrounding a structure or a tract or plot of land.

  Source: 16 CCR 832.27

• C-33Painting and Decorating Contractors

  A painting and decorating contractor prepares by scraping, sandblasting or other means and applies any of the following: paints, papers, textures, fabrics, pigments, oils, turpentines, japans, driers, thinners, varnishes, shellacs, stains, fillers, waxes, adhesives, water and any other vehicles, mediums and materials.

  Source: 16 CCR 832.33

• C-53Swimming Pool Contractor

  A swimming pool contractor constructs swimming pools, spas or hot tubs, including installation of solar heating equipment using those trades or skills necessary for such construction.

  Source: 16 CCR 832.53

• C-8Concrete Contractor

  A concrete contractor forms, pours, places, finishes and installs specified mass, pavement, flat and other concrete work; and places and sets screeds for pavements or flatwork. This class shall not include contractors whose sole contracting business is the application of plaster coatings or the placing and erecting of steel or bars for the reinforcing of mass, pavement, flat and other concrete work.

  Source: 16 CCR 832.08

• C-54Tile Contractors (Ceramic and Mosaic)

  A ceramic and mosaic tile contractor prepares surfaces as necessary and installs glazed wall, ceramic, mosaic, quarry, paver, faience, glass mosaic and stone tiles; thin tile that resembles full brick, natural or simulated stone slabs for bathtubs, showers and horizontal surfaces inside of buildings, or any tile units set in the traditional or innovative tile methods, excluding hollow or structural partition tile.

  Source: 16 CCR 832.54

• C-15Flooring and Floor Covering Contractors

  A flooring and floor covering contractor prepares any surface for the installation of flooring and floor coverings, and installs carpet, resilient sheet goods, resilient tile, wood floors and flooring (including the finishing and repairing thereof), and any other materials established as flooring and floor covering material, except ceramic tile.

  Source: 16 CCR 832.15

• C-9Drywall Contractor

  Source: 16 CCR 832.09

• C-17Glazing Contractor

  Source: 16 CCR 832.17

• C-29Masonry Contractor

  Source: 16 CCR 832.29

• C-13Fencing Contractor

  Source: 16 CCR 832.13

• D-28Doors, Gates and Activating Devices

  A limited specialty rather than a classification of its own: 16 CCR 832.61 defines class C-61 and hands the field list to the Registrar, so the authority for this one is CSLB's own classification page. California has no garage door classification, so a door and gate contractor should show D-28.

  Source: CSLB Licensing Classifications, under the C-61 limited specialty

• C-6Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry

  Source: 16 CCR 832.06

• C-12Earthwork and Paving

  Source: 16 CCR 832.12

• C-35Lathing and Plastering

  Source: 16 CCR 832.35

• C-2Insulation and Acoustical

  Source: 16 CCR 832.02

• C-46Solar Contractor

  Source: 16 CCR 832.46

• C-49Tree and Palm Contractor

  Operative from 2024, this class replaced the D-49 limited specialty below. CSLB says existing licenses convert, and the conversion is still working through the register, so a California tree contractor may legitimately show either code.

  Source: 16 CCR 832.49

• D-49Tree Service Contractor

  The older limited specialty that C-49 replaced. Still live on most California tree licenses while the renumbering completes.

  Source: CSLB Licensing Classifications, under the C-61 limited specialty

• C-7Low Voltage Systems

  Source: 16 CCR 832.07

• C-42Sanitation System

  Source: 16 CCR 832.42

• C-57Well Drilling

  Source: 16 CCR 832.57

Check a code against California Contractors State License Board (opens in a new window)

SPCB registration types

Issued by California Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB). You see these on California pest control business profiles.

Structural pest work is a different board from CSLB, so a CSLB search will not find a pest control company. SPCB names the registration in words. It also numbers company registrations and branch offices in separate series, so the same number can belong to two unrelated companies: match the name and the type as well.

• Pest ControlThe pest work this SPCB registration covers

  Source: California SPCB licensee export, registration type

• Termite ControlThe pest work this SPCB registration covers

  Source: California SPCB licensee export, registration type

• FumigationThe pest work this SPCB registration covers

  Source: California SPCB licensee export, registration type

• Pest & Termite ControlThe pest work this SPCB registration covers

  Source: California SPCB licensee export, registration type

• Fumigation & Pest ControlThe pest work this SPCB registration covers

  Source: California SPCB licensee export, registration type

• Fumigation & Termite ControlThe pest work this SPCB registration covers

  Source: California SPCB licensee export, registration type

• Fumigation-Pest & Termite ControlThe pest work this SPCB registration covers

  Source: California SPCB licensee export, registration type

Check a code against California Structural Pest Control Board (opens in a new window)

ROC license classes

Issued by Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). You see these on Arizona listing comparison tables and business profiles, as code and scope together.

Arizona prints the class code and its scope word, both of them the ROC's own. Scope is a legal boundary, not a size tier: a commercial-only license does not permit residential work, so for a house the scope has to read Residential or Dual. The class codes carry no dollar meaning, and the ROC publishes none.

• BGeneral Residential Contractor

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• KB-1Dual Building Contractor

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• KB-2Dual Residential and Small Commercial

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• B-3General Remodeling and Repair Contractor

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-37Plumbing

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-37RPlumbing

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-37Plumbing Including Solar

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-77Plumbing Including Solar

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-11Electrical

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-11Electrical

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-39Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, also published as Air Conditioning Refrigeration and Heating

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-39RAir Conditioning and Refrigeration

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-39Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Including Solar

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-79Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Including Solar

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-58Comfort Heating Ventilating and Evaporative Cooling

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-42Roofing

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-42Roofing

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-21Hardscaping and Irrigation Systems

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-21Hardscaping and Irrigation Systems

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-34Painting and Wall Covering

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-34Painting and Wall Covering

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• B-5General Swimming Pool Contractor

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• B-6General Swimming Pool Contractor Including Solar

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• B-5RFactory Fabricated Pools and Accessories

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• B-10Pre-Manufactured Spas and Hot Tubs

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• KA-5Dual Swimming Pool Contractor

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• KA-6Dual Swimming Pool Contractor Including Solar

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-6Swimming Pool Service and Repair

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-6Swimming Pool Service and Repair

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-9Concrete

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-9Concrete

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-48Ceramic Plastic and Metal Tile

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-48Ceramic Plastic and Metal Tile

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-8Floor Covering

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-8Floor Covering

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-10Drywall

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-10Drywall

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-65Glazing

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-65Glazing

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-31Masonry

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-31Masonry

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-14Fencing

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-14Fencing

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-60Finish Carpentry

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-60Finish Carpentry

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-36Plastering

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-36Plastering

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-40Insulation

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-40Insulation

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-69Asphalt Paving

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-13Asphalt Paving

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-67Low Voltage Communication Systems

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-67Low Voltage Communication Systems

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-41Septic Tanks and Systems

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-41Septic Tanks and Systems

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• CR-53Water Well Drilling

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

• R-53Drilling

  Source: Arizona ROC posting list, Class Detail column

Check a code against Arizona Registrar of Contractors (opens in a new window)

DPOR license classes

Issued by Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). You see these on Virginia listing comparison tables and business profiles, printed as Class A, B or C.

The Board for Contractors puts it this way: contractor licenses consist of two parts, the class of license (A, B, or C), which determines the monetary value of contracts/projects that may be performed, and the classification/specialty, which determines what type of work is allowed. The letter is a project-size tier, not a grade, so this site prints it and never ranks on it.

• Class AA monetary tier, not a trade

  Determines the monetary value of contracts or projects the firm may perform. The dollar limits are set by statute and are not published in DPOR's files, so this site shows the class as published and states no threshold.

  Source: Virginia Board for Contractors, quoted in the Virginia verification guide

• Class BA monetary tier, not a trade

  Determines the monetary value of contracts or projects the firm may perform. The dollar limits are set by statute and are not published in DPOR's files, so this site shows the class as published and states no threshold.

  Source: Virginia Board for Contractors, quoted in the Virginia verification guide

• Class CA monetary tier, not a trade

  Determines the monetary value of contracts or projects the firm may perform. The dollar limits are set by statute and are not published in DPOR's files, so this site shows the class as published and states no threshold.

  Source: Virginia Board for Contractors, quoted in the Virginia verification guide

Check a code against Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (opens in a new window)

DPOR specialty designations

Issued by Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). You see these on Virginia business profiles, after the class letter.

The specialty is the trade, and only the specialty authorizes the work. One license can carry several. Read them exactly: gas fitting is not plumbing, the electronic and communication service specialty is not electrical, the refrigeration specialty is defined to exclude HVAC work, and the recreational facilities specialty is not roofing, whatever its abbreviation resembles.

• PLBPlumbing

  Source: DPOR classifications and specialty services list

• ELEElectrical

  Source: DPOR classifications and specialty services list

• HVAHVAC

  Source: DPOR classifications and specialty services list

• ROCRoofing

  Read the three letters in context. In Virginia ROC is the roofing specialty; in Arizona the same three letters are the name of the whole agency, the Registrar of Contractors.

  Source: DPOR classifications and specialty services list

• GFCGas fitting

  Not plumbing. A firm holding GFC and not PLB is not licensed for the plumbing work this site lists Virginia plumbers for.

  Source: DPOR classifications and specialty services list

• LSCLandscape service contracting

  The service that provides for the alteration or improvement of a land area not related to any other classification or service activity by means of excavation, clearing, grading, construction of retaining walls for landscaping purposes, or placement of landscaping timbers.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• ISCLandscape irrigation contracting

  The service that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal of irrigation sprinkler systems or outdoor sprinkler systems.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• PTCPainting and wallcovering contracting

  The service that provides for the application of materials common to the painting and decorating industry for protective or decorative purposes, the installation of surface coverings such as vinyls, wall papers, and cloth fabrics.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• POLSwimming pool construction contracting

  The service that provides for the construction, repair, improvement, or removal of in-ground swimming pools. No trade related plumbing, electrical, backflow, or HVAC work is included in this specialty.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• CEMConcrete contracting

  The service that provides for all work in connection with the processing, proportioning, batching, mixing, conveying, and placing of concrete composed of materials common to the concrete industry.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• TMCTile, marble, ceramic, and terrazzo contracting

  The service that provides for the preparation, fabrication, construction, and installation of artificial marble, burned clay tile, ceramic, terrazzo, encaustic, faience, quarry, semi-vitreous, cementitious board, and other tile, excluding hollow or structural partition tile.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• FLRFlooring and floor covering contracting

  The service that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal of materials that are common in the flooring industry. This includes wood and wood composite flooring, vinyl and linoleum, ceramic, marble, stone, and all other types of tile.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• BRKMasonry contracting

  The service that includes the installation of brick, concrete block, stone, marble, slate, or other units and products common to the masonry industry, including mortarless type masonry products. This includes installation of grout, caulking, tuck pointing, sand blasting, mortar washing, parging, and cleaning and welding of reinforcement steel related to masonry construction.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• PAVAsphalt paving and sealcoating contracting

  The service that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal of asphalt paving or sealcoating, or both, on subdivision streets and adjacent intersections, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, running tracks, and play areas. Note the scope difference across states: Virginia's designation is asphalt-specific, while California's C-12 is Earthwork and Paving.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• ESCElectronic/communication service contracting

  The service that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal of electronic or communications systems annexed to real property including telephone wiring, computer cabling, sound systems, data links, data and network installation, television and cable TV wiring, antenna wiring, and fiber optic. This is the low-voltage trade, and it is not the electrical specialty.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• WWPWater well/pump contracting

  The service that provides for the installation of a water well system, including geothermal wells, which includes construction of a water well to reach groundwater, and the installation of the well pump and tank.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• RBCResidential building contracting

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• HICHome improvement contracting

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• CBCCommercial building contracting

  A commercial designation. This site lists contractors for homeowners, so a firm holding only commercial designations does not appear on its city pages.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• CICCommercial improvement contracting

  A commercial designation, and one of the generic catch-alls. This site never reads a catch-all as evidence of a specific trade.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• H/HHighway/heavy

  Grading and site work at highway scale, which is not landscaping.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• FASFire alarm systems contracting

  Its own designation for its own trade. Folding it into the low-voltage specialty would describe fire-alarm firms as data cablers.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• REFRefrigeration

  Defined to exclude HVAC work, so it is not evidence of an HVAC trade.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• EMCEquipment/machinery

  Excludes the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

• RFCRecreational facilities

  The near-miss that catches people twice: RFC is not roofing, which is ROC, and it is not the pool specialty, which is POL, whatever the letters suggest.

  Source: 18VAC50-22-30

Check a code against Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (opens in a new window)

VDACS pesticide categories

Issued by Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Office of Pesticide Services. You see these on Virginia pest control business profiles.

Nothing to do with DPOR: Virginia's building trades come from the board of contractors and pest control from the agriculture department. A pesticide business license covers whatever categories it lists, and most of them are not pest control. The 7 series is the pest one, and there is no bare 7 in the register, only sub-lettered codes.

• 7-AGeneral pest

  Source: VDACS licensed pesticide businesses report, CAT_CD column

• 7-BTermite and wood-destroying

  Source: VDACS licensed pesticide businesses report, CAT_CD column

• 7-CFumigation

  Source: VDACS licensed pesticide businesses report, CAT_CD column

• 7-DVertebrate

  Source: VDACS licensed pesticide businesses report, CAT_CD column

• 3-AOrnamental

  Lawn care rather than pest control. On its own it does not make a firm an exterminator.

  Source: VDACS licensed pesticide businesses report, CAT_CD column

• 3-BTurf

  Lawn care rather than pest control.

  Source: VDACS licensed pesticide businesses report, CAT_CD column

• 1-AAgricultural

  Source: VDACS licensed pesticide businesses report, CAT_CD column

• 2Forest

  Source: VDACS licensed pesticide businesses report, CAT_CD column

• 6Right-of-way

  Source: VDACS licensed pesticide businesses report, CAT_CD column

Check a code against Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (opens in a new window)

DBPR occupation codes

Issued by Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). You see these on Florida business profiles, and as the license scope on Florida listing comparison tables.

One code names the trade and says whether the license is statewide or local. Florida listings show that difference in words rather than in code, because it is the only comparison DBPR's extract supports: the file publishes no insurer, no bond and no phone.

• CFCCertified plumbing contractor

  Certified, which means the license is valid statewide.

  Source: DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board extract

• RFRegistered plumbing contractor

  Registered, which means competency was certified by one local jurisdiction and the license is valid there.

  Source: DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board extract

• CACCertified air conditioning contractor

  Certified, which means the license is valid statewide.

  Source: DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board extract

• RARegistered air conditioning contractor

  Registered, which means competency was certified by one local jurisdiction and the license is valid there.

  Source: DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board extract

• CMCCertified mechanical contractor

  Certified, which means the license is valid statewide.

  Source: DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board extract

• RMRegistered mechanical contractor

  Registered, which means competency was certified by one local jurisdiction and the license is valid there.

  Source: DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board extract

• CCCCertified roofing contractor

  Certified, which means the license is valid statewide.

  Source: DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board extract

• RCRegistered roofing contractor

  Registered, which means competency was certified by one local jurisdiction and the license is valid there.

  Source: DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board extract

• ECCertified electrical contractor

  Certified, which means the license is valid statewide. Do not confuse it with Texas's EC, which is that state's Electrical Contractor license subtype.

  Source: DBPR Electrical Contractors Licensing Board extract

• ERRegistered electrical contractor

  Registered, which means competency was certified by one local jurisdiction and the license is valid there.

  Source: DBPR Electrical Contractors Licensing Board extract

• CPCCertified pool/spa contractor

  Statewide. Florida's statute names three pool categories, and the commercial one is scoped to any swimming pool, or hot tub or spa, whether public, private, or otherwise, regardless of use, so no Florida pool category is commercial-only.

  Source: FS 489.105(3)(j) to (l), and the DBPR extract

• RPRegistered pool/spa contractor

  Registered, which means competency was certified by one local jurisdiction and the license is valid there.

  Source: FS 489.105(3)(j) to (l), and the DBPR extract

• CVCCertified solar contractor

  A contractor whose services consist of the installation, alteration, repair, maintenance, relocation, or replacement of solar panels for potable solar water heating systems, swimming pool solar heating systems, and photovoltaic systems and any appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection therewith, whether public, private, or otherwise, regardless of use. Note what that includes: solar water heating and pool heating as well as photovoltaic. Florida issues no registered counterpart to this code.

  Source: FS 489.105(3)(o), and the DBPR extract

Check a code against Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (opens in a new window)

DBPR class letters

Issued by Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). You see these on Florida air conditioning and pool listings, printed as DBPR class A, B or C.

DBPR publishes a class letter on two of its boards' licenses and defines the letters nowhere in the extract. This site prints the letter exactly as published and expands it into nothing. In particular it is not the Texas air conditioning class, which does carry a published tonnage limit.

Check a code against Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (opens in a new window)

FDACS pest control categories

Issued by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). You see these on Florida pest control business profiles.

Florida writes its categories out in words and lists every one the license carries, comma separated and in no fixed order. Nothing needs decoding here, but the same rule applies as in Texas and Virginia: a lawn category is not pest control.

• General Household Pest and Rodent ControlA category on a chapter 482 pest control business license

  Source: FDACS pest control business license report, categories column

• Termite and Other WDO ControlA category on a chapter 482 pest control business license

  Source: FDACS pest control business license report, categories column

• Lawn and OrnamentalA category on a chapter 482 pest control business license

  Source: FDACS pest control business license report, categories column

• Limited Lawn and OrnamentalA category on a chapter 482 pest control business license

  Source: FDACS pest control business license report, categories column

• FumigationA category on a chapter 482 pest control business license

  Source: FDACS pest control business license report, categories column

Check a code against Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (opens in a new window)

TDLR air conditioning license subtypes

Issued by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). You see these on Texas HVAC listing receipts, printed as the class followed by the raw subtype.

Read the subtype left to right. The first letter is the class: A is unlimited, B is limited to 25 tons cooling and 1.5 million BTU heating. The letters after it are endorsements: C combined, E environmental air, R commercial refrigeration.

• ACClass A, combined endorsement

  Class A is unlimited. The combined endorsement covers both environmental air and commercial refrigeration.

  Source: TDLR air conditioning and refrigeration contractor file, LICENSE SUBTYPE column

• AEClass A, environmental air endorsement

  Class A is unlimited.

  Source: TDLR air conditioning and refrigeration contractor file, LICENSE SUBTYPE column

• ARClass A, commercial refrigeration endorsement

  Class A is unlimited.

  Source: TDLR air conditioning and refrigeration contractor file, LICENSE SUBTYPE column

• BCClass B, combined endorsement

  Class B is limited to 25 tons cooling and 1.5 million BTU heating. The combined endorsement covers both environmental air and commercial refrigeration.

  Source: TDLR air conditioning and refrigeration contractor file, LICENSE SUBTYPE column

• BEClass B, environmental air endorsement

  Class B is limited to 25 tons cooling and 1.5 million BTU heating.

  Source: TDLR air conditioning and refrigeration contractor file, LICENSE SUBTYPE column

• BRClass B, commercial refrigeration endorsement

  Class B is limited to 25 tons cooling and 1.5 million BTU heating.

  Source: TDLR air conditioning and refrigeration contractor file, LICENSE SUBTYPE column

Check a code against Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (opens in a new window)

TDLR electrical license subtype

Issued by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). You see these on Texas electrical business profiles.

Texas requires an Electrical Contractor license for a business performing electrical work, and the register writes it as one subtype.

• ECElectrical Contractor

  Held by the business, not by an individual electrician. Do not confuse it with Florida's EC, which is that state's certified electrical contractor code.

  Source: TDLR electrical contractor file, LICENSE SUBTYPE column

Check a code against Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (opens in a new window)

TSBPE rank

Issued by Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). You see these on Texas plumbing business profiles.

The credential itself is named by the file this site reads, the Responsible Master Plumber list: only a Responsible Master Plumber may contract plumbing work to the public in Texas. The RANK column beside it is a single letter.

Check a code against Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (opens in a new window)

TDA pest control categories

Issued by Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), Structural Pest Control Service. You see these on Texas pest control business profiles.

One Texas structural pest control business license covers several categories, and the register writes them as one run of letters: PTLW is four categories, not one code. Read it letter by letter. The license is broader than pest control, so lawn and weed categories sit on the same string.

• PPest

  Source: Texas TDA structural pest control business file, category column

• TTermite

  Source: Texas TDA structural pest control business file, category column

• LLawn and ornamental

  Not pest control. A holder of only lawn and weed categories is not listed here as an exterminator.

  Source: Texas TDA structural pest control business file, category column

• WWeed

  Not pest control, for the same reason as L.

  Source: Texas TDA structural pest control business file, category column

Check a code against Texas Department of Agriculture (opens in a new window)

DCP credential types

Issued by Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). You see these on Connecticut listing receipts as the scope word, and in full on business profiles.

Connecticut names each credential in full, and the word UNLIMITED or LIMITED inside the name is the state's real scope tier. It is a legal boundary, not a grade, so this site shows it and never ranks on it. Read it as a whole word: UNLIMITED contains LIMITED.

• Plumbing & Piping Unlimited ContractorUnlimited scope

  DCP describes the P-1 holder as able to do all plumbing and piping work as defined in section 20-330 of the general statutes.

  Source: Connecticut DCP eLicense credential type, and DCP's plumbing license code list

• Plumbing & Piping Limited ContractorLimited scope

  A narrower plumbing and piping license than the unlimited P-1. Check which limited class the record names before assuming it covers your job.

  Source: Connecticut DCP eLicense credential type, and DCP's plumbing license code list

• Electrical Unlimited ContractorUnlimited scope

  DCP states that the E-1 holder shall be permitted to do all electrical work as defined in section 20-330 of the general statutes.

  Source: Connecticut DCP eLicense credential type, and DCP's electrical license code list

• Electrical Limited ContractorLimited scope

  Narrower than E-1. DCP describes the L-5 electrical contractor as able to perform only work limited to low voltage, alarm or signal work, audio and sound systems, so rewiring a kitchen is not within it.

  Source: Connecticut DCP eLicense credential type, and DCP's electrical license code list

• Electrical Limited Solar ContractorLimited scope, solar

  A limited electrical credential named for solar work. It is not the unlimited E-1 electrical license.

  Source: Connecticut DCP eLicense credential type

• Heating, Piping & Cooling Unlimited ContractorUnlimited scope

  DCP states that the S-1 holder may do all heating, piping and cooling work as defined in section 20-330.

  Source: Connecticut DCP eLicense credential type, and DCP's heating license code list

• Heating, Piping & Cooling Limited ContractorLimited scope

  A narrower heating, piping and cooling license than the unlimited S-1.

  Source: Connecticut DCP eLicense credential type, and DCP's heating license code list

Check a code against Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (opens in a new window)

CCB endorsement tiers

Issued by Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB). You see these on Oregon business profiles.

Oregon splits what other states keep in one registry. The Building Codes Division licenses the TRADE, and that license is what puts an Oregon company on a plumbing or electrical page here. The endorsement below comes from the other agency, the CCB, and it is a scope tier, never the trade: no endorsement text says plumbing or electrical.

• Residential General ContractorA CCB endorsement scope tier

  Says what class of work the CCB registration covers and for whom. It does not name a trade, so it is never read here as evidence that a company may do plumbing or electrical work.

  Source: Oregon CCB endorsement_text column

• Residential Specialty ContractorA CCB endorsement scope tier

  Says what class of work the CCB registration covers and for whom. It does not name a trade, so it is never read here as evidence that a company may do plumbing or electrical work.

  Source: Oregon CCB endorsement_text column

• Residential Limited ContractorA CCB endorsement scope tier

  Says what class of work the CCB registration covers and for whom. It does not name a trade, so it is never read here as evidence that a company may do plumbing or electrical work.

  Source: Oregon CCB endorsement_text column

• Commercial General Contractor Level 1A CCB endorsement scope tier

  Says what class of work the CCB registration covers and for whom. It does not name a trade, so it is never read here as evidence that a company may do plumbing or electrical work.

  Source: Oregon CCB endorsement_text column

• Commercial General Contractor Level 2A CCB endorsement scope tier

  Says what class of work the CCB registration covers and for whom. It does not name a trade, so it is never read here as evidence that a company may do plumbing or electrical work.

  Source: Oregon CCB endorsement_text column

• Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 1A CCB endorsement scope tier

  Says what class of work the CCB registration covers and for whom. It does not name a trade, so it is never read here as evidence that a company may do plumbing or electrical work.

  Source: Oregon CCB endorsement_text column

• Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 2A CCB endorsement scope tier

  Says what class of work the CCB registration covers and for whom. It does not name a trade, so it is never read here as evidence that a company may do plumbing or electrical work.

  Source: Oregon CCB endorsement_text column

• Lead Based Paint Renovation ContractorA CCB endorsement scope tier

  Says what class of work the CCB registration covers and for whom. It does not name a trade, so it is never read here as evidence that a company may do plumbing or electrical work.

  Source: Oregon CCB endorsement_text column

Check a code against Oregon Construction Contractors Board (opens in a new window)

DLI credential types

Issued by Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). You see these on Minnesota business profiles and comparison tables.

Minnesota names three different credentials, and one of them is not a license at all. Read the noun, not the row: the state issues no mechanical contractor license, it requires a bond, and no page here may imply otherwise.

• Plumbing ContractorA license

  Source: Minnesota DLI CCLD export, License_Subtype column

• Class A Electrical ContractorA license

  Source: Minnesota DLI CCLD export, License_Subtype column

• Mechanical Contractor BondA bond, not a license

  Minnesota does not license HVAC contractors. It requires a bond, and this is that bond, covering the gas, heating and related work. There is no mechanical contractor license to look for in Minnesota.

  Source: Minnesota DLI CCLD export, License_Subtype column

Check a code against Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (opens in a new window)

DCA credential types

Issued by New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA), Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. You see these on New Jersey comparison tables and business profiles.

One board issues two different credentials to businesses, and neither is called a license here because neither is one. The personal electrical contractor's license is a third, separate credential this site holds no data for.

• Electrical Business PermitA permit issued to the contracting business

  Held by the firm. It is not the personal electrical contractor's license, so a page naming it must not describe the firm as licensed electricians.

  Source: New Jersey DCA board roster, license_type_name column

• Telecom ContractorA registration for telecommunications wiring work

  A registration rather than a license or a permit.

  Source: New Jersey DCA board roster, license_type_name column

Check a code against New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (opens in a new window)

L&I specialty codes

Issued by Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). You see these on Washington business profiles.

Washington has no standalone HVAC license. What it has is a specialty code on a contractor registration, and L&I's own warning applies: a specialty registration is narrower than it sounds.

• Heating/Vent/Air-Conditioning and Refrig (HVAC/R)The HVAC/R specialty on a construction contractor registration

  Source: Washington L&I contractor registry, specialty code description

• HVAC/RFRGThe HVAC and refrigeration specialty on an electrical contractor license

  Source: Washington L&I contractor registry, specialty code description

Check a code against Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (opens in a new window)

WSDA pest control endorsements

Issued by Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). You see these on Washington pest control business profiles.

Washington licenses the person, with a company affiliation, so a pest control listing here is a business evidenced by its licensee's credential. All three endorsements below are Pest Control Operator endorsements, and all three authorize the trade.

• 21PCO General

  Source: WSDA endorsement option list

• 22PCO (Pest Control Operator) Structural

  Source: WSDA endorsement option list

• 61PCO (Pest Control Operator) General

  Source: WSDA endorsement option list

Check a code against Washington State Department of Agriculture (opens in a new window)