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Contractor License in Alaska

State license

Alaska requires a statewide construction contractor registration for anyone performing construction work; it is issued by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED), Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing under AS 08.18. Instead of a single 'general contractor license,' the state issues a contractor registration with a specific endorsement type. Individual trades (electrical, mechanical/plumbing) also carry separate requirements.

Quick facts

When a license is neededRegistration is required for construction work; handyman work is capped at projects of $10,000 or less (a handyman endorsement covers small jobs, while larger work requires a general or specialty endorsement).
ExamThere is no general trade exam to register as a base general contractor. However, obtaining the Residential Contractor Endorsement requires completing a 16-hour cold-climate residential construction course and passing a residential contractor endorsement exam (administered by PSI). Mechanical and electrical trades have their own separate certification requirements.
BondYes, a surety bond is required and the amount varies by endorsement: General Contractor $25,000; General Contractor performing residential work only $20,000; Specialty Contractor $10,000; Handyman $5,000.
InsuranceYes. Public liability and property damage insurance is required under AS 08.18.101, with minimums of $20,000 per occurrence for property damage and $50,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, or a combined single limit of $100,000. Workers' compensation is required under AS 23.30 for any contractor with one or more employees.
FeesA non-refundable fingerprint/background processing fee (commonly cited at $75) applies. Exact initial license and biennial renewal fee amounts vary by endorsement and are set by the Division; they were not confirmed from the official board page and are left unconfirmed here.
RenewalLicenses renew on a biennial (2-year) cycle. There is no continuing education requirement for the base general contractor endorsement, but the Residential Contractor Endorsement requires continuing education at renewal: 16 hours each biennial cycle (8 hours for the first renewal if licensed more than one year).
Main agencyAlaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
Official sitehttps://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/professionallicensing/constructioncontractors.aspx
Requirements, thresholds, and fees change, and local rules can be stricter than the state. Always confirm directly with the board and your local building department before you bid or pull a permit. This page is a starting point, not legal advice.
Apply / official Alaska board →

License classifications

How to get licensed in Alaska

  1. Choose the correct endorsement (General Contractor with or without Residential Endorsement, Specialty, Mechanical, or Handyman)
  2. If seeking the Residential Contractor Endorsement, complete the 16-hour cold-climate residential construction course and pass the residential contractor endorsement exam (PSI)
  3. Obtain the required surety bond for your endorsement type ($25,000 general, $20,000 residential-only general, $10,000 specialty, $5,000 handyman)
  4. Obtain the required public liability and property damage insurance (minimum $20,000 property / $50,000 bodily injury, or $100,000 combined single limit) and workers' compensation if you have employees
  5. Complete the construction contractor registration application from the DCCED Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing and submit fingerprints for the background check with the processing fee
  6. Submit the application with the required fees to the Division and, once approved, maintain the license on the biennial renewal cycle

Frequently asked questions

Does Alaska issue a single general contractor license?

No. Alaska issues a construction contractor registration with a specific endorsement: General Contractor with or without a Residential Contractor Endorsement, Specialty, Mechanical, or Handyman. You register under AS 08.18 through the DCCED Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing.

What bond do I need in Alaska?

The bond amount depends on your endorsement: $25,000 for a general contractor, $20,000 for a general contractor doing residential work only, $10,000 for a specialty contractor, and $5,000 for a handyman.

What insurance is required?

Under AS 08.18.101 you must carry public liability and property damage insurance of at least $20,000 per occurrence for property damage and $50,000 for bodily injury, or a $100,000 combined single limit. Workers' compensation is required if you have one or more employees.

What is the Residential Contractor Endorsement?

It authorizes residential construction and requires completing a 16-hour cold-climate residential construction course and passing an endorsement exam. At renewal it requires 16 hours of continuing education each two-year cycle (8 hours for the first renewal if licensed more than a year).

How often do I renew?

Construction contractor registrations renew on a biennial (two-year) cycle. The base general contractor endorsement has no continuing education requirement; the residential endorsement does.

Sources

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Guide compiled from official Alaska licensing-board sources. Verify current details with the board before acting; licensing rules change.