Contractor License from New Hampshire to Colorado: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations — State Electrical Board and State Plumbing Board ↗
A contractor license transfers from New Hampshire to Colorado by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations — State Electrical Board and State Plumbing Board, verify your New Hampshire license, and meet Colorado's endorsement requirements. NERA reciprocity waives the Colorado written exam for Journeyman Electrician applicants holding a qualifying journeyman or master license from one of the 14 agreement states; the separate endorsement path (electrical and plumbing) also waives the exam where the out-of-state license was state-issued and earned by a comparable state-administered exam on the currently adopted code.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Colorado does not have a trade agreement covering New Hampshire for the selected trade, so this move runs on Colorado's case-by-case endorsement process. If you do commercial general-building work, check whether Colorado accepts the NASCLA exam — passing it once can replace the trade exam here and in about fourteen other states. Electricians should check Colorado's NERA status.
What changes, New Hampshire → Colorado
| New Hampshire (current) | Colorado (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Electrician license fees are set by OPLC; not captured here to avoid an unverified figure. | $100–$140 (Plumbing application fee per the DPO Plumbing Licensing Guide: Residential $100, Journeyworker $120, Master $140. Electrical application fees are NOT published on the board's website or in the Electrical Licensing Guide — they are charged by credit card inside the DPO Online Services portal. All fees non-refundable and non-transferable. No state general contractor or HVAC fee exists.) |
| Processing time | Not published. | Neither the State Electrical Board nor the State Plumbing Board publishes a processing-time estimate; DPO only warns that an incomplete application will delay processing |
| Licensing authority | New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians Board (no state general-contractor license) | Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations — State Electrical Board and State Plumbing Board |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Colorado sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Colorado's current requirements on the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations — State Electrical Board and State Plumbing Board website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations — State Electrical Board and State Plumbing Board (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold an active license issued and regulated by a state board — city, county, or municipal licenses are not accepted.
- Electrical reciprocity: hold the journeyman or master electrician license for at least 1 year and have passed a state-administered exam (grandfathered licenses are refused).
- Plumbing endorsement: hold the state-issued license for at least 6 months and verify a comparable state plumbing exam based on the currently adopted Colorado code.
- Submit a Verification of Licensure form completed by the issuing state board.
- Document all practical experience on the board's Affidavit of Experience form, signed by the supervising contractor — applicants may not verify their own experience.
- Answer the criminal history screening questions and disclose any felony conviction.
- Pay the fees ($100–$140 (Plumbing application fee per the DPO Plumbing Licensing Guide: Residential $100, Journeyworker $120, Master $140. Electrical application fees are NOT published on the board's website or in the Electrical Licensing Guide — they are charged by credit card inside the DPO Online Services portal. All fees non-refundable and non-transferable. No state general contractor or HVAC fee exists.)) and allow Neither the State Electrical Board nor the State Plumbing Board publishes a processing-time estimate; DPO only warns that an incomplete application will delay processing.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Colorado accept a New Hampshire contractor license?
A contractor license transfers from New Hampshire to Colorado by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations — State Electrical Board and State Plumbing Board, verify your New Hampshire license, and meet Colorado's endorsement requirements. NERA reciprocity waives the Colorado written exam for Journeyman Electrician applicants holding a qualifying journeyman or master license from one of the 14 agreement states; the separate endorsement path (electrical and plumbing) also waives the exam where the out-of-state license was state-issued and earned by a comparable state-administered exam on the currently adopted code.
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
Colorado's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the New Hampshire-to-Colorado move cost and how long does it take?
$100–$140 (Plumbing application fee per the DPO Plumbing Licensing Guide: Residential $100, Journeyworker $120, Master $140. Electrical application fees are NOT published on the board's website or in the Electrical Licensing Guide — they are charged by credit card inside the DPO Online Services portal. All fees non-refundable and non-transferable. No state general contractor or HVAC fee exists.); processing Neither the State Electrical Board nor the State Plumbing Board publishes a processing-time estimate; DPO only warns that an incomplete application will delay processing.
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
If you do commercial general-building work, possibly — about 15 states accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building exam toward licensure. Check whether Colorado is one on the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations — State Electrical Board and State Plumbing Board site.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- Colorado State Electrical Board — Applications and Forms (License by Endorsement Method / License by Reciprocity Method, NERA state list) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- Colorado State Plumbing Board — Applications and Forms (License by Endorsement Method) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- Colorado DORA — Consumer Protection, Home & Repair ("Not all occupations are licensed, such as roofers and general contractors") ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- Colorado DPO — About (complete list of regulated Occupational Professions programs; no general contractor, HVAC/mechanical, or roofing program) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- NH OPLC - Reciprocity Licensing (HB 594) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NH OPLC - Applications for Electricians ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]