Contractor License from California to New Hampshire: Does It Transfer? (2026)
There is no New Hampshire state license to transfer into: New Hampshire issues no statewide general contractor license. Any licensing for this work is handled below the state level (a city, county or contractor-level authority), so check with the authority where you will work.
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
No state license to transfer
There is nothing at state level to transfer your California license into: New Hampshire issues no statewide general contractor license. Identify the local authority that governs your jobsite and work from its rules; your California license and experience may help there, but no state agreement applies to general contracting.
What changes, California → New Hampshire
| California (current) | New Hampshire (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $650–$800 (Original license application (exam or waiver, one classification) $450 + initial license fee $200 sole owner / $350 non-sole owner. The $25,000 bond premium and Live Scan fingerprint fees are additional.) | General contractor fee: none at state level — general contractor licensing is local, so the city or county sets any fee |
| Processing time | CSLB does not publish a firm reciprocity processing range | None at state level — set by the local authority |
| Licensing authority | California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) | General contracting: licensed locally (city or county); trade licenses: New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians Board (no state general-contractor license) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — New Hampshire sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- New Hampshire issues no statewide general contractor license, so there is no state license to transfer: confirm with the authority linked on this page who licenses the work where you will practice.
- Contact that city, county or contractor-level authority for its own requirements, exams and fees.
- Keep records of your current license, exams and documented experience — a local authority may credit them, but nothing transfers at state level.
- General building contractors are not licensed at the state level in New Hampshire.
- General contractor fee: none at state level — general contractor licensing is local, so the city or county sets any fee.
- Electrical work is licensed statewide in New Hampshire and handled separately: use the checker with your trade selected.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does New Hampshire accept a California contractor license?
There is no New Hampshire state license to transfer into: New Hampshire issues no statewide general contractor license. Any licensing for this work is handled below the state level (a city, county or contractor-level authority), so check with the authority where you will work.
What applies in New Hampshire without a state general contractor license?
The rules of the local authority that governs your jobsite — New Hampshire issues no statewide general contractor license or exam. Trade licenses New Hampshire does issue are a separate question for the checker.
What fees apply in New Hampshire, and how long does processing take?
New Hampshire issues no state general contractor license, so there is no state license fee: general contracting is licensed locally, and the city or county sets any fee and timeline.
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
Not for general contracting: New Hampshire issues no state general contractor license, so there is no state GC exam for NASCLA to replace.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- NH OPLC - Reciprocity Licensing (HB 594) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NH OPLC - Applications for Electricians ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California CSLB — Reciprocity (program states: Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California CSLB — Reciprocal Classifications List (AZ full incl. C-10/C-36/C-20; NV incl. C-20; LA/MS/NC = B only) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California CSLB — Reciprocity Requirements (active license in good standing for the previous 5 years; NASCLA 'B' waiver) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California CSLB — List of All Fees ($450 application; $200 sole / $350 non-sole initial license) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]