Oregon to New Jersey: residential contractor license reciprocity

1. 1Application fee. Pay the application fee ($110). Non-refundable application fee for initial registration as a Home Improvement Contractor Business (N.J.A.C. 13:45A-17.14). Renewal is $90 if filed by March 31 each year, $115 between April 1 and April 30, and $140 after April 30. A replacement or duplicate registration certificate is $20..
2. 2Insurance. Carry the required insurance. Commercial general liability insurance of at least $500,000 for each occurrence, naming the applicant business, plus workers' compensation insurance unless the business is exempt under N.J.S.A. 34:15-1 et seq. The certificate must show the policy number, issuance date, effective and expiration dates and an authorized signature, and the insured name and address must match the application. Home elevation contractor businesses carry $1,000,000 per occurrence instead..
3. 3Surety bond. Post a surety bond ($10,000). "Additional security" required of every registered business by N.J.S.A. 56:8-142, in the form of a compliance bond from a surety authorized in New Jersey, an irrevocable letter of credit from a bank, or securities, moneys or other acceptable security. The minimum principal is $10,000 for contracts under $10,000 or under $150,000 in the previous 12 months, $25,000 between $10,000 and $120,000 or $150,000 to $750,000 in the previous 12 months, and $50,000 above $120,000 or above $750,000 in the previous 12 months. One security covers the whole business rather than each contract or town, the obligee is the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, and it must be replenished when a claim is paid..
4. 4Business license. Obtain a business license. The registration is held by the business, so the entity must exist and be documented before it can register: a Trade Name Certificate for a sole proprietor, partnership documents, a Certificate of Incorporation or a Certificate of Formation as applicable, plus Form C-150G where an alternate name is used. A business formed outside New Jersey must file a New Jersey Certificate of Authority, Certificate of Registration or out-of-state sole proprietor business registration. The business address on the application must be a physical street address..
5. 5Other. Building new homes instead: register as a New Home Builder with the Department of Community Affairs, Bureau of Homeowner Protection, before construction starts. The fee is $200, non-refundable, and the registration lasts two years and renews on the same form and fee. The application includes consent to a criminal history records check for each officer, principal, partner, member, director and holder of ten percent or more of the business, and the builder must enroll each home in the State warranty plan or an approved private plan. Allow at least 20 working days for processing. A builder registered for new home construction is exempt from home improvement contractor registration for that new-home work only ($200) (if applicable).

Published fees on this path total $110, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.