Colorado uses a split model. At the state level, the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), through the Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), licenses individual electricians and plumbers and registers the firms those individuals work for. Colorado does not issue a statewide general contractor, HVAC, or mechanical license. At the local level, cities and counties license general, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical contractors and require project permits. Source: Colorado DPO (https://dpo.colorado.gov/). State-licensed trades. - Electrician. The State Electrical Board issues Residential Wireman, Journeyman Electrician, and Master Electrician licenses under CRS Title 12 Article 115 (https://leg.colorado.gov/). Firms performing electrical contracting must register with the board as an Electrical Contractor and designate a Master Electrician of record. - Plumber. The State Plumbing Board issues Residential Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, and Master Plumber licenses under CRS Title 12 Article 155. Firms performing plumbing contracting must register as a Plumbing Contractor and designate a Master Plumber of record. Trades not state-licensed. - HVAC / mechanical. Licensed at the municipal level only. Denver, Colorado Springs (via Pikes Peak Regional Building Department), Aurora, Boulder, Fort Collins, and other cities each run their own mechanical contractor license with separate exam, insurance, and bond requirements. - General construction. Licensed at the municipal level only. Cities commonly tier general contractor licenses by project value (Class A, B, C, D). Denver Building Contractor classes are one example; PPRBD contractor classes in the Colorado Springs region are another. Verify current classes and requirements directly with the issuing city. License classes and experience (state trades). - Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours of practical experience, limited scope to one- and two-family dwellings. - Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours of practical experience plus passing exam, full-scope individual license. - Master Electrician: 2,000 hours as a Journeyman plus passing Master exam, authorized to supervise. - Residential Plumber: limited scope to one- and two-family dwellings. - Journeyman Plumber: 6,800 hours of practical experience plus passing exam. - Master Plumber: additional practical experience as a Journeyman plus passing Master exam. Bonding and insurance. No statewide license bond applies to individual electricians or plumbers. Municipal contractor registration typically requires a surety bond (amount set by city) plus commercial general liability insurance. Workers' compensation is required for virtually all employers under Colorado law; see the insurance article for details. Unlicensed contracting. Performing electrical or plumbing work requiring a state license, without holding the appropriate DORA license, is a violation under CRS 12-115 and 12-155 and can result in cease-and-desist orders, administrative fines, and referral to local district attorneys for criminal charges in serious cases. Working outside your classification is separately actionable. Municipal unlicensed-contractor enforcement operates in parallel through city licensing and building departments.
CO · Contractor licensing
Contractor licensing in Colorado
State contractor license requirements, bond, and insurance minimums.
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