How to Renew an Expired Georgia Contractor's License

  • Posted by Melanie Klag
Contractor at work in a structure | GA Contractor CE

To work as a contractor in Georgia, you’re required to have a valid contractor’s license and renew it every two years. The state issues five types of licenses, including Residential Basic, Residential Light Commercial, General Limited, General Unlimited, and Specialty Contractor. 

Georgia contractor’s licenses are renewed every two years before June 30th of even-numbered years. Before renewal, you’re required to complete continuing education (CE). Depending on the license type, you must complete three or six CE units every year (six or 12 total per renewal period).

If you miss your renewal date and fail to apply within the six-month late period, you will be required to apply for reinstatement of your license, requiring its own set of hoops to jump through. This article explains why it’s important to renew on time and what you need to do if your license needs to be reinstated.

Steps to Renew an Expired Contractor's License in Georgia

Whether you’re applying for license renewal or reinstatement, the process is essentially the same. It begins with checking the status of your license, completing CE requirements, and submitting your application for renewal (or reinstatement).

Step 1: Check Your License Status

Before renewing, visit the Georgia Online Licensing site to confirm your license expiration date and renewal eligibility. This ensures there are no duplicates in the system, which can slow down the renewal process.

Step 2. Fulfill Continuing Education Requirements

Depending on your timing, you will need to complete 6 or 12 hours of CE.

Those with a Residential Basic contractor license will need three hour of CE.

These hour need to cover:

  • Building and related codes
  • Functional fields of business
  • Building techniques and technology
  • Workplace safety and workers' compensation
  • Legal, legislative, or regulatory updates

If you hold a Georgia Residential License or Light Commercial license, you’re required to take 6 CE courses every two years. These topics need to cover the same topics as the Residential Basic contractor CE course.

If you do not complete your CE, your renewal will be denied. Additionally, you can face disciplinary action.

Approved Georgia contractor continuing education courses through Contractor Training Center help you stay on top of your CE.

Georgia requires that CE courses be related to building or other code requirements, such as finance, marketing, personal relations, business management, or organization, legal or legislative updates, workplace safety, worker’s compensation, or building techniques and technology.

Online and correspondence courses only count toward 50% of the CE hours required. The remaining 50% must be completed through live courses. The good news is that live webinars qualify as live classes.

In addition to completing your CE requirements, you must maintain records of completion, including:

  • The school or organization conducting the course
  • Location of the program
  • Title of the program or description of the content
  • Program outline
  • Dates attended
  • Hours completed
  • Evidence of satisfactory completion

Records must be kept for two years after your license is renewed.

Step 3. Submit Your Renewal or Reinstatement Application

You can begin by logging into the Georgia Online Licensing System to complete the renewal application. If you’re renewing within the renewal period, the fee is $100, payable online via credit card. You will be required to upload any supporting documents and CE certificates of completion.

Importantly, after your application is submitted, your status will show as "renewal pending", and you will be able to continuing working and contract with this status.

If you miss the June 30th deadline, you can renew between July 1st and December 31st using the renewal application. However, the fee for late renewal is $200.

If you miss the late renewal period, you will have to file for license reinstatement.

The application will include multiple yes or no questions regarding multiple factors:

  • Citizenship
  • Criminal offenses
  • Disciplinary actions
  • Financial condition
  • Judgments
  • Payment of taxes
  • Bankruptcy
  • Insurance coverage

You may be required to submit additional documents depending on your answers to these questions, and this could potentially result in a longer review process by the Board

Step 4. If Your License Has Been Lapsed for Too Long

If you fail to renew by December 31st of the renewal period, this will have the same effect as revocation. You must apply for reinstatement and pay the appropriate fees ($300 application fee and $10 processing fee). Additionally, you’ll need to show proof of completing your CE credits and verify financial responsibility and existence of current insurance. 

The licensing board may deny or approve reinstatement at its sole discretion. In addition, the licensing board may also require that you retake the examination or meet other requirements as they deem necessary.

Best Practices to Renew Your GA Contractor License 

All licenses are renewed even years by June 30th. Here are some best practices to ensure you meet the renewal deadlines to avoid any interruptions in licensure:

  • Make sure your contact information on file with the Georgia Online Licensing system is correct. Update any changes to your number, email, or other contact information immediately.
  • Complete your CE hours early to avoid last-minute stress. Leverage provider resources like Contractor Training Center for online or webinar-based CE options.
  • Keep your documents organized and ready for submission. You are required to demonstrate proof of CE completion with your renewal. Keep this information handy so it’s ready come June 30th of even years. It’s also advisable to keep copies or proof of other information, such as insurance documents and financial responsibility documents, in a license renewal file.
  • Set a calendar reminder for May 15th to begin the renewal process. There are no disadvantages to applying for renewal early. Begin the process well ahead of time to eliminate any last-minute chaos in locating paperwork or cramming in CE units.

Conclusion

The best practice is to stay on top of your contractor license renewal. Having to reinstate your license is time-consuming and costly. Additionally, you can face legal action or other financial losses for working without a license.

There’s no reason to let CE requirements hold up license renewal. At Contractor Training Center, you can take your required Georgia contractor CE courses and download your certificates of completion.

Georgia Contractor CE FAQs

Which license renewal records should I hold on to?

You and your school need to keep the following records for two years in case the Board wishes to review them:

  • Hours claimed
  • Dates attended
  • The school conducting the course
  • Course location
  • Course outline
  • Dates attended
  • Title and description of the course
  • Certificate of Completion

How long does it take to renew my license?

Your renewal application will usually take up to 20 days to process once it's received. You can check the status  through your account with the Georgia Online Application & Licensing System.

How do I complete my contractor CE in Georgia?

Those with a basic residential contractor license will need three hours of CE every year, while residential light commercial contractors need six hours of CE per year. The year is defined as July1 to June 30.

What happens if I fail to complete my continuing education?

If you fail to complete your required hours, your license renewal application could be denied and you may also face disciplinary action.

How can I prove I fulfilled the CE requirements?

You will be able to affirm under oath that all relevant continuing education requirements have been met as part of your online renewal.




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