Moving to Georgia as a residential contractor: every state's rule

1. 1Application fee. Pay the application fee ($210). Non-refundable, non-transferable application fee of $210: a $200 application fee plus a $10 processing fee, as printed on the Board's fee schedule and examination application. Applications are filed and paid in the GOALS portal; confirm the current amount on the GOALS fee schedule at https://goals.sos.ga.gov/GASOSOneStop/s/fee-schedules before paying..
2. 2Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor exam, given by PSI after the Board approves you: 80 questions in 200 minutes, open book with the listed references (including the 2018 International Residential Code), 70% (56 correct) to pass..
3. 3Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($72). PSI fee for the Residential-Basic Contractor exam, paid to PSI when you schedule it..
4. 4Law / code exam. Pass a law, rules, or code exam. Georgia Business and Law exam, given by PSI: 50 questions in 120 minutes, open book with the Georgia-NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management (3rd edition), 70% (35 correct) to pass. Both exams must be passed within the one-year approval period..
5. 5Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($60). PSI fee for the Business and Law exam, paid to PSI when you schedule it..
6. 6Financial responsibility. Show financial responsibility of at least $25,000. Proof of financial responsibility, satisfied by any one of: an affirmed net worth of at least $25,000, a completed Bank Credit Reference Form, a $25,000 surety bond, a $25,000 line of credit letter or a $25,000 letter of credit. A qualifying agent shows it in the company's name, not their own..
7. 7Surety bond. Post a surety bond ($25,000) (if applicable). Optional way to meet the financial responsibility requirement instead of affirming net worth: a $25,000 surety bond with power of attorney..
8. 8Insurance. Carry the required insurance ($300,000). General liability insurance of at least $300,000 per occurrence, shown on a signed, current ACORD certificate of insurance naming the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217 as certificate holder. An individual applicant must be the named insured; for a qualifying agent the company is the insured. Workers' compensation insurance is also required once the business has three or more employees..
9. 9Business license. Obtain a business license. To contract through an LLC, corporation, partnership or other entity, the business must be registered and in good standing with the Georgia Corporations Division, and you apply as its qualifying agent with its letter or certificate of authority. An individual license cannot be used for work done by a company, even one you own..
10. 10Other. Character and identity disclosures: a Secure and Verifiable Document such as a driver's license or passport with the affidavit of lawful presence, answers on taxes, judgments, child support and any bankruptcy in the last 10 years, and disclosure of any arrest, charge, conviction, guilty or no-contest plea or First Offender treatment other than a minor traffic violation, with a letter of explanation and certified court documents. The Board reviews criminal history case by case; it does not require fingerprints..

Published fees on this path total $342, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.