Pennsylvania requires Home Improvement Contractor registration with the Attorney General for anyone doing over $5,000/yr of residential work — a registration, not a competency license. Verify a PA HIC number on the AG's free public search; building codes are enforced locally.
1. Get the license number + legal business name
Ask the contractor for their Pennsylvania license or registration number and the exact legal name it's held under. A real contractor gives this without hesitation — it's on their truck, estimates, and contract.
2. Look it up at the Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Contractor registration
Use the official Pennsylvania authority directly — not a third-party aggregator — so you're reading the source of truth. Pennsylvania requires Home Improvement Contractor registration with the Attorney General for anyone doing over $5,000/yr of residential work — a registration, not a competency license. Verify a PA HIC number on the AG's free public search; building codes are enforced locally.
3. Confirm the status is ACTIVE
Only an active (or current) status means they're licensed today. Expired, suspended, or revoked is a hard stop — and a contractor who let it lapse is telling you something.
4. Check the classification matches your job
Licenses are scoped to specific trades. Confirm the classification covers the work you're hiring for, and that the name on the license matches the name on your contract.
5. Check bond, insurance, and complaints where shown
Many boards also show bond amount, workers' compensation, and complaint or disciplinary history. A bond and active workers' comp protect you; an open complaint is worth a direct conversation before you sign.
Pennsylvania contractor-license FAQ
How do I check if a contractor is licensed in Pennsylvania?
Get the contractor's license number and legal business name, then look it up at the Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Contractor registration — the free official public lookup, not a third-party site. Confirm the status is ACTIVE, the classification covers the work you're hiring for, and the name matches your contract. Pennsylvania requires Home Improvement Contractor registration with the Attorney General for anyone doing over $5,000/yr of residential work — a registration, not a competency license. Verify a PA HIC number on the AG's free public search; building codes are enforced locally.
Who licenses contractors in Pennsylvania?
The Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Contractor registration is the official Pennsylvania authority. Pennsylvania requires Home Improvement Contractor registration with the Attorney General for anyone doing over $5,000/yr of residential work — a registration, not a competency license. Verify a PA HIC number on the AG's free public search; building codes are enforced locally.
Does ProFix verify Pennsylvania contractor licenses?
We link the official Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Contractor registration lookup on every Pennsylvania contractor's profile so you can confirm the license at the source. We never invent or imply a credential a contractor doesn't hold.
Couldn't verify them — or want a vetted second option?
The Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Contractor registration is always the system of record — confirm status there first. If a contractor won't share a license number, the status comes back inactive, or you just want another quote, get matched with license-checked Pennsylvania pros.
Find a verified Pennsylvania contractor
Browse Pennsylvania home-services pros — many with a board-verified license you can confirm in one click.