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Licenses are typically required for individuals and businesses that provide construction industry services.
This guide contains information about construction industry licensing in Kentucky.
Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction - Electrical Division
Notes:
Kentucky issues electrical contractor licenses to both individuals and businesses. Licenses issued to businesses remain with the company if their qualifying individual leaves, while individual contractor licenses can be used to qualify a business but do not remain with the business if the qualifier leaves.
Included an “ACORD” Certificate of Insurance from your insurance company showing coverage. The name of the liability insurance company, insurer providing errors and omissions, and the name of the worker’s compensation insurance company must agree with the information as it appears on the Kentucky Department of Insurance data base.
Include Department of Insurance NAIC# on the “ACORD” Certificate. Provider must be by an insure authorized to do business in this state or exported by a licensed surplus lines broker to an eligible carrier pursuant to KRS 304.10- 210.
The liability insurance must have Errors and Omissions included with the liability coverage and stated on the ACORD Certificate of Liability Insurance. Liability insurance minimums are met. $250,000 one person/maximum and $500,000 one accident/maximum. No limits on errors and omissions
The Certificate of Insurance - Fire Protection System Contractor form must signed by the agent if the carrier is an admitted carrier or by the broker if the insurer is a surplus lines carrier; the agent/broker Dept. of Insurance ID number must be included note their IRS or business license number Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Every employer with one or more employees is required to maintain coverage (KRS 342.630). Out-of-state employers doing any work in this state are required to have Kentucky workers’ compensation insurance. Phone 502-564-5550 for details.
Included an “ACORD” Certificate of Insurance from your insurance company showing coverage. The name of the liability insurance company, insurer providing errors and omissions, and the name of the worker’s compensation insurance company must agree with the information as it appears on the Kentucky Department of Insurance data base.
Include Department of Insurance NAIC# on the “ACORD” Certificate. Provider must be by an insure authorized to do business in this state or exported by a licensed surplus lines broker to an eligible carrier pursuant to KRS 304.10-210.
The liability insurance must have Errors and Omissions included with the liability coverage and stated on the ACORD Certificate of Liability Insurance.
Liability insurance minimums are met. $250,000 one person/maximum and $500,000 one accident/maximum. No limits on errors and omissions
The Certificate of Insurance - Fire Protection System Contractor form must signed by the agent if the carrier is an admitted carrier or by the broker if the insurer is a surplus lines carrier; the agent/broker Dept. of Insurance ID number must be included note their IRS or business license number
Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Every employer with one or more employees is required to maintain coverage (KRS 342.630). Out-of-state employers doing any work in this state are required to have Kentucky workers’ compensation insurance. Phone 502-564-5550 for details.
Included an “ACORD” Certificate of Insurance from your insurance company showing coverage. The name of the liability insurance company, insurer providing errors and omissions, and the name of the worker’s compensation insurance company must agree with the information as it appears on the Kentucky Department of Insurance data base.
Include Department of Insurance NAIC# on the “ACORD” Certificate. Provider must be by an insure authorized to do business in this state or exported by a licensed surplus lines broker to an eligible carrier pursuant to KRS 304.10- 210.
The liability insurance must have Errors and Omissions included with the liability coverage and stated on the ACORD Certificate of Liability Insurance. Liability insurance minimums are met. $250,000 one person/maximum and $500,000 one accident/maximum. No limits on errors and omissions
The Certificate of Insurance - Fire Protection System Contractor form must signed by the agent if the carrier is an admitted carrier or by the broker if the insurer is a surplus lines carrier; the agent/broker Dept. of Insurance ID number must be included note their IRS or business license number
Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Every employer with one or more employees is required to maintain coverage (KRS 342.630). Out-of-state employers doing any work in this state are required to have Kentucky workers’ compensation insurance. Phone 502-564-5550 for details.
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?
No
Qualifying Individual Requirements:
To become a certificate holder under KRS 198B.560, an applicant shall satisfactorily pass a current examination prescribed and administered by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies entitled Fire Protection Engineering Technology Automatic Sprinkler System Design Level III, or the equivalent thereof, approved by the commissioner.
A certificate holder shall not obtain a fire protection sprinkler contractor's license for more than one (1) fire protection sprinkler contractor at a time
An applicant for certificate of competency shall comply with the examination requirements in KRS 198B.570 for the type of system for which the applicant seeks certification.
Include a copy of the NICET Level III or IV certification letter valid for the current year or beyond with the certificate of competency application. NICET certified certificate holders must include specific subfield designations.
Forms are signed and sealed by a Notary Public. Notary signature and commission expiration date must be clear and not written over and be original signatures no copies.
KHEAA statement is initialed, signed, and dated by the Certificate of Competency applicant.
Forms are signed and sealed by a Notary Public. Notary signature and commission expiration date must be clear and not written over and be original signatures no copies.
Required Attachments:
Proof of insurance (Certificate of Insurance, Errors and Ommissions, Liability Insurance)
Fire Protection System Contractor form must signed by the agent if the carrier is an admitted carrie or by the broker if the insurer is a surplus lines carrier; the agent/broker Dept. of Insurance ID number must be included note their IRS or business license number
Include a copy of the NICET Level III or IV certification letter valid for the current year or beyond with the certificate of competency application. NICET certified certificate holders must include specific subfield designations.
$250 license fee + $125 Certificate of Competency fee
Due:
Annually by the last day of the certificate holder's birth month.
Notarization Required?:
Required
Notes:
Forms are signed and sealed by a Notary Public. Notary signature and commission expiration date must be clear and not written over and be original signatures no copies.
KHEAA statement is initialed, signed, and dated by the Certificate of Competency applicant.
Required Attachments:
Proof of insurance (Certificate of Insurance, Errors and Ommissions, Liability Insurance)
Fire Protection System Contractor form must signed by the agent if the carrier is an admitted carrie or by the broker if the insurer is a surplus lines carrier; the agent/broker Dept. of Insurance ID number must be included note their IRS or business license number
Include a copy of the NICET Level III or IV certification letter valid for the current year or beyond with the certificate of competency application. NICET certified certificate holders must include specific subfield designations.
Kentucky General Contractor License
Not required
General Contractor Company licensure is not required on the State level in Kentucky.
General Contractors are licensed at the county and city level. There is no state level license.
Kentucky Mechanical Contractor License
Not required
Mechanical/HVAC Contractor Company licensure is not required on the State level in Kentucky.
Kentucky does not issue mechanical contractor firm licenses, but a master HVAC contractor license is required in order to operate an HVAC business.
Kentucky Plumbing Contractor License
Not required
Plumbing Contractor Company licensure is not required on the State level in Kentucky.
Kentucky does not issue plumbing contractor licenses, but a master plumber license is required in order to operate a plumbing business.
Local Construction and Contracting Company Licenses
Liability Insurance in an amount not less than $250,000
The certificate holder should read Codes & Regulations - Office of Construction Review 444 S. 5th Street Louisville, KY 40202
Worker's Compensation & Unemployment Insurance or Affidavit(s)
Notes:
Applicants selecting a Building A-R (Residential), Building A-RC (Residential and Commercial), or Building B – Residential license will need to obtain 6 CEUs from an approved provider. For a pre-approved list of classes or additional information on CEU hours, visit Continuing Education for Contractors
Fee determined by number of sprinklers. See application for fee schedule.
Required Attachments:
A Fire Suppression Contractor license with State of Kentucky and Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government is required.
The Fire Suppression Drawing(s) shall bear two (2) Commonwealth of Kentucky Fire Suppression Seals (Contractor, Layout Technician) and be signed by the layout technician.
Provide a drawing or sketch showing the Hood location in the kitchen and the pull station wall with the relationship to the egress door and other areas.
The Fire Suppression manual actuation device shall be located at or near a means of egress from the cooking area not less than 10 feet and not more than 20 feet from the kitchen exhaust system
Bowling Green/Warren County General Contractor License
Agency:
Bowling Green/Warren County Contractors Licensing Board (KY)
Insurance Requirements:
Provide Certificate of Insurance listing the Contractors Licensing Board, PO Box 1268, Bowling Green, KY 42102 as Certificate Holder showing proof of a minimum of $100,000 General Liability and Workers Comp coverage (if there are no employees ask for an Affidavit of Exemption form)
Requirement Notes:
Please Note if working within the Bowling Green city limits, you are required to obtain a Bowling Green Occupational License. This may be obtained by contacting the Finance Department at the Bowling Green City Hall Annex or by phoning (270) 393-3000.
The minimum requirement for General Liability Insurance is $100,000 per occurrence.
If you have any employees, your Certificate of Insurance must indicate your Workers Compensation coverage.
If you do not have employees, contact the Contractors Licensing Board for an Affidavit of Exemption which must be signed and notarized.
If you plan on working within the Bowling Green city limits, you are required to obtain a Bowling Green Occupational License.
If you plan on working within Warren County, outside of corporate limits of Bowling Green, you are required to obtain a Warren County Occupational License.
Along with your application you must submit a copy of your most recent proof of training to the Division. Training must be from an EPA-approved provider
In Kentucky, your license expires when your proof of training expires.
Notes:
Along with your application you must submit a copy of your most recent proof of training to the Division. Training must be from an EPA-approved provider
Kentucky Boiler and Pressure Vessel Contractor License
Agency:
Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction - Licensing Branch
Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction - Electrical Division
Notes:
Kentucky issues electrical contractor licenses to both individuals and businesses. Licenses issued to businesses remain with the company if their qualifying individual leaves, while individual contractor licenses can be used to qualify a business but do not remain with the business if the qualifier leaves.
Applicant shall have had, within the five (5) years immediately preceding the date of the filing of this application, not less than one and one-half (1 ½ ) years experience in the installation, repair or testing in the particular classification for which the application is made
Forms are signed and sealed by a Notary Public. Notary signature and commission expiration date must be clear and not written over and be original signatures no copies
KHEAA statement is initialed, signed, and dated by the Certificate of Competency applicant
Required Attachments:
Included an “ACORD” Certificate of Insurance from your insurance company showing coverage. The name of the liability insurance company, insurer providing errors and omissions, and the name of the worker’s compensation insurance company must agree with the information as it appears on the Kentucky Department of Insurance data base. Include Department of Insurance NAIC# on the “ACORD” Certificate. Provider must be by an insure authorized to do business in this state or exported by a licensed surplus lines broker to an eligible carrier pursuant to KRS 304.10- 210.The liability insurance must have Errors and Omissions included with the liability coverage and stated on the ACORD Certificate of Liability Insurance. Liability insurance minimums are met. $250,000 one person/maximum and $500,000 one accident/maximum. No limits on errors and omissions Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Every employer with one or more employees is required to maintain coverage (KRS 342.630). Out-of-state employers doing any work in this state are required to have Kentucky workers’ compensation insurance. Phone 502-564-5550 for details.
Include a copy of the NICET Level III or IV certification letter valid for the current year or beyond with the certificate of competency application. NICET certified certificate holders must include specific subfield designations.
All certificates issued under KRS 198B.570 shall expire on the last day of the certificate holder's birth month in the following year
Before you Apply:
KHEAA statement is initialed, signed, and dated by the Certificate of Competency applicant
Forms are signed and sealed by a Notary Public. Notary signature and commission expiration date must be clear and not written over and be original signatures no copies.
Required Attachments:
Included an “ACORD” Certificate of Insurance from your insurance company showing coverage. The name of the liability insurance company, insurer providing errors and omissions, and the name of the worker’s compensation insurance company must agree with the information as it appears on the Kentucky Department of Insurance data base. Include Department of Insurance NAIC# on the “ACORD” Certificate. Provider must be by an insure authorized to do business in this state or exported by a licensed surplus lines broker to an eligible carrier pursuant to KRS 304.10- 210.
The liability insurance must have Errors and Omissions included with the liability coverage and stated on the ACORD Certificate of Liability Insurance.
Liability insurance minimums are met. $250,000 one person/maximum and $500,000 one accident/maximum. No limits on errors and omissions
Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Every employer with one or more employees is required to maintain coverage (KRS 342.630). Out-of-state employers doing any work in this state are required to have Kentucky workers’ compensation insurance. Phone 502-564-5550 for details.
Include a copy of the NICET Level III or IV certification letter valid for the current year or beyond with the certificate of competency application. NICET certified certificate holders must include specific subfield designations.
Kentucky Journeyman HVAC Mechanic License
Agency:
Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction - HVAC Division
$50; all HVAC application fees are prorated according to the applicant's birth month. The fee structure can be found on the last page of each license application.
all HVAC application fees are prorated according to the applicant's birth month. The fee structure can be found on the last page of each license application.
Annually by the end of the licensee's birth month.
Notes:
Renewal information is sent 1 month prior to expiration date.
Kentucky Sprinkler Systems Inspector Certification
Agency:
Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction - Licensing Branch
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:
No
Insurance Requirements:
If not employed by active KY sprinkler contractor, submit certificate of liability insurance. Errors and omissions must be included with liability insurance and stated on Certificate of Liability Insurance. Inspector’s name and address must be listed on Certificate of Liability Insurance
1. Pass test letter from Pearson Vue; OR 2. Current NICET Level II or higher certification testing and inspection of water-based systems 3. Affidavit is to be completed on company letterhead, signed by employer and notarized 4. If not employed by active KY sprinkler contractor, submit certificate of liability insurance. Errors and omissions must be included with liability insurance and stated on Certificate of Liability Insurance. Inspector’s name and address must be listed on Certificate of Liability Insurance 5. Send a clear passport quality color photo 5. Enclose prorated fee (fee schedule may be found at www.dhbc@ky.gov, Fire Protection Systems)
All certificates issued under KRS 198B.570 shall expire on the last day of the certificate holder's birth month in the following year.
Required Attachments:
1. Submit six (6) hours continued education for water-based systems; OR 2. Submit current NICET Level II or higher certification Inspection and Testing of water-based systems 3. Affidavit is to be completed on company letterhead, signed by employer and notarize 4. If not employed by active KY sprinkler contractor, submit certificate of liability insurance. Errors and omissions must be included with liability insurance and stated on Certificate of Liability Insurance. Inspector’s name and address must be listed on the Certificate of Liability Insurance 5. Send a clear, passport quality color photo 6. Enclose fee in the amount of $50.00 7. Make check or money order payable to: Kentucky State Treasurer
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