Reciprocity for Contractor State License

Contractor License Reciprocity, What is It?

 
Reciprocity [ res-uh-pros-i-tee ]
noun

1. a reciprocal state or relation.

2. reciprocation; mutual exchange.

3. the relation or policy in commercial dealings between countries by which corresponding advantages or privileges are granted by each country to the citizens of the other.

Reciprocity Agreements Between States

As a contractor, you may have heard that the license you currently hold will “get you reciprocity” in another state. But what does that mean? The meaning of reciprocity can vary from state-to-state, but generally it is the state’s willingness to waive the examination requirement by accepting proof of licensure from the reciprocating state. 

Reciprocity is normally limited to states that have “substantially” similar requirements. For contractors, this means that you can only obtain a license by reciprocity if the license you currently hold was obtained in a way that is similar enough to the process of licensure in the state you wished to be licensed in. Reciprocity does not allow you to simply register your business and begin working. You must still go through the application process and meet all the requirements. Moreover, although reciprocity waives the requirement of a trade exam, in many cases the specific states business and law exam is still required.  

Misconceptions About Reciprocity

A common misconception about reciprocity is the idea that once you are licensed in a certain state you will be able to “jump” states and obtain licenses in any state that has reciprocity. However, that is not how the process works. “Jumping” states is trying to obtain a license in another state with a license you received through any process other than examination. Whether that be by endorsement, transfer, or reciprocity. Jumping states is not allowed.

The truth is that in order to qualify for reciprocity you must have obtained your license by an examination that is substantially similar to the state in which your are attempting to reciprocate into. A license verification will be required and the means by which you obtained your current license will be listed on the verification.

Am I Eligible for Reciprocity?

If you are currently licensed and you obtained your license by examination, you may be eligible for reciprocity in certain states. This process can be confusing and the list of eligible states and requirements is constantly changing. The good news is that the experts here are Nationwide Contractor Licensing can help you through the entire process. Our team is experienced with the reciprocity process and can determine if you qualify for this route to licensure. 

Having NCL on your side can save you valuable time and money by ensuring that you apply the right way the first time. We know that time is your most valuable asset. Call today to see if you are eligible for licensure by reciprocity. 

CURRENT UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY AGREEMENTS

Reciprocating states and requirements are constantly being updated and changed. For most current information and to see if you are eligible for reciprocity, call (954) 233-0222 

ALABAMA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
GEORGIA, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, VIRGINIA

ARIZONA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
ALL STATES (ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS)

ARKANSAS

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
OREGON

CALIFORNIA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
ARIZONA, COLORADO, TEXAS

COLORADO

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
ALL STATES (ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS)

DELAWARE

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
MICHIGAN & WYOMING (SIMILAR), ALL OTHER STATES (ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS)

FLORIDA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
NORTH CAROLINA

GEORGIA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
ALABAMA, LOUISIANA, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE

IDAHO

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
UTAH, WYOMING (ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS)

IOWA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
NORTH DAKOTA, ARKANSAS OKLAHOMA, COLORADO, SOUTH DAKOTA, MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN, MONTANA, NEBRASKA

KENTUCKY

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
OHIO, LOUISIANA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA

LOUISIANA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
ALABAMA, GEORGIA, KENTUCKY MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, OHIO, TENNESSEE, TEXAS

MAINE

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT

MARYLAND

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
DELAWARE, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA

MASSACHUSETTS

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
NEW HAMPSHIRE

MINNESOTA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
IOWA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA

MISSISSIPPI

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
ALABAMA, NORTH CAROLINA, ARKANSAS, LOUISIANA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE

NEBRASKA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
MINNESOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA

NEVADA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, CONNECTICUT, LOUISIANA, NORTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE

NEW HAMPSHIRE

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, VERMONT

NORTH CAROLINA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA LOUISIANNA, MISSISSIPPI, OHIO, SOUTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, WEST VIRGINIA

NORTH DAKOTA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
MINNESOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA

OHIO

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
KENTUCKY, LOUISIANNA, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, WEST VIRGINIA

SOUTH CAROLINA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
ALABAMA, GEORGIA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, OHIO, READING, PA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, UTAH

SOUTH DAKOTA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, WYOMING

TENNESSEE

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
ALABAMA, GEORGIA, LOUISIANNA, NORTH CAROLINA, OHIO, MISSISSIPPI, SOUTH CAROLINA

TEXAS

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
LOUISIANNA, NORTH CAROLINA (ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS)

UTAH

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
IDAHO, OREGON, WYOMING

VERMONT

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

VIRGINIA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
ALABAMA, KENTUCKY, MARYLAND, NORTH CAROLINA, WEST VIRGINIA

WEST VIRGINIA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
KENTUCKY, OHIO, MARYLAND, NORTH CAROLINA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA

WISCONSIN

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
IOWA, NEW HAMPSHIRE

WYOMING

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
IDAHO, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH (ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS)

VIRGINIA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
ALABAMA, KENTUCKY, MARYLAND, NORTH CAROLINA, WEST VIRGINIA

WEST VIRGINIA

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
KENTUCKY, OHIO, MARYLAND, NORTH CAROLINA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA

WISCONSIN

UNLIMITED ELECTRICAL RECIPROCITY
IOWA, NEW HAMPSHIRE