Delaware to Vermont: residential contractor license reciprocity

1. 1Application fee. Pay the application fee ($75). Registration fee, payable at initial application and at each biennial renewal: $75.00 for an individual registration, which is the registration for a self-employed contractor with no employees, or $250.00 for a business organization registration, which is the one for a contractor with employees. You hold one or the other, not both. The fee is non-refundable. A voluntary state certification, once the Office establishes the scheme by rule, will cost $75.00 for a first certification and $25.00 for each additional one..
2. 2Insurance. Carry the required insurance ($1,000,000). Liability insurance of at least $1,000,000.00 per occurrence and $2,000,000.00 aggregate, maintained for as long as the registration is held. A copy of the certificate of insurance is uploaded with the initial application and again at each biennial renewal, and evidence of coverage may be required as a precondition of issuance or renewal. Failing to maintain liability or workers' compensation insurance as required by law is unprofessional conduct under 26 V.S.A. § 5510(c)(2)..
3. 3Business license. Obtain a business license. Registration of the business with the Vermont Secretary of State's Corporations and Business Services Division, in active status, with documentation of the registered name uploaded to the OPR application. This is a separate filing from the OPR registration, and the Office is explicit that being registered as a Vermont business does not satisfy the contractor registration requirement. Every corporate name and DBA used on a contract must appear on both registrations..
4. 4Other. A written contract, executed before any deposit is taken or work begins where the estimated value of labor and materials exceeds $10,000. It must state the price in one of three permitted forms - a maximum price for all work and materials, time and materials not to exceed a maximum, or time and materials with no maximum - plus estimated start and completion dates, a description of the services and the materials, and a description of how and when amendments may be approved and documented; every amendment must be in a signed writing. The applicant attests on the application that a written contract will be used. OPR does not review contracts for compliance; that is the contractor's responsibility, and the Office publishes a Sample Residential Contractor Agreement as a starting point..
5. 5Other. A down payment within the statutory cap. Where the contract states a maximum price, or time and materials not to exceed a maximum, the contract may require a down payment of up to one half of the cost of labor to the consumer or one half of the price of materials, whichever is greater. Where the contract is time and materials with no maximum price, the down payment is as the parties negotiate..
6. 6Other. Separate trade licensing where the work calls for it. Registration as a residential contractor does not authorize plumbing or electrical work, which the Vermont Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety licenses under its own rules; a tradesperson licensed, registered or certified by the Department acting within the scope of that credential is exempt from contractor registration, as are licensed architects and professional engineers within their scope. Well drilling, wastewater and water system design, and property inspection are separately regulated professions in their own right. (if applicable).

Published fees on this path total $75, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.