Delaware regulates trade contractors through the Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) for electrical, plumbing, and HVACR work, with separate business licensing through the Division of Revenue. There is no statewide general contractor license for non-trade work.
Trade-specific state licenses through Delaware DPR.
- Electricians: Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners issues Master, Master Special, Limited, Limited Special, Journeyperson, and Residential Electrician credentials under 24 Del. C. Chapter 14. Source: Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners (https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/electrician/).
- Plumbers: Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Examiners issues Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, and related credentials under 24 Del. C. Chapter 18. Source: Delaware Board FAQ (https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/plumbers/faqs/).
- HVACR: Same Board issues Master HVACR and Master HVACR Restricted credentials. Source: Delaware Master HVACR Licensure (https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/plumbers/hvacrlicensure/).
- EPA 608: federal certification applies to refrigerant work (https://www.epa.gov/section608).
Delaware Business License. Under 30 Del. C. Chapter 23, every person conducting business in Delaware must obtain a Delaware Business License from the Division of Revenue. Contractor-specific business licenses include General Contractor, Mechanical/Electrical Contractor, and related categories, each with its own annual fee. The Business License is separate from the DPR trade license and is required in addition to it. Source: Delaware Division of Revenue, One Stop Business Registration (https://firststeps.delaware.gov/).
Local building permits. Delaware's three counties (New Castle, Kent, Sussex) and its incorporated municipalities administer building and mechanical permits through their departments of land use or code enforcement. Permits are issued locally; the state trade license is a prerequisite. Source: Delaware One Stop (https://firststeps.delaware.gov/).
To operate as a trade contractor in Delaware you generally need: the applicable state trade license (Master Electrician, Master Plumber, Master HVACR as applicable), a Delaware Business License through the Division of Revenue, formation documents filed with the Delaware Secretary of State if operating as an LLC or corporation (https://corp.delaware.gov/howtoform/), a federal EIN from the IRS, and whatever county or municipal registration the local code office requires. Verify each requirement against current statutes and local rules before you assume you are compliant.