CheckLicensed Blog
Guides and research on verifying contractors before you hire.
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April 2026 · 5 min read
Iowa has no statewide residential contractor license, but flooring contractors must register locally in many cities and carry workers' compensation. Learn how to verify credentials before you hire.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
We audited the top 10 general contractors on Yelp in Los Angeles against California's CSLB database. Two couldn't be found. One had an expired license. Here's what that means for homeowners.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Exact-match search, no mobile support, and confusing status labels. State licensing databases have the data — they just make it nearly impossible to use.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Five-star reviews measure satisfaction, not compliance. Here's what Yelp and Google reviews actually tell you — and the one thing they can't.
Read more →April 2026 · 7 min read
A contractor background check is more than a criminal record search. Here are the 5 things to verify, how to check each one for free, and the red flags that should stop you from hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 7 min read
Lost deposits, voided insurance claims, and zero legal protection. Here's what actually happens when you skip the license check — and what to do if you already did.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
The CSLB website is hard to use. Here's exactly how to search it, what the results mean, and what to do if you can't find your contractor.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Florida's DBPR database makes contractor verification easy — if you know where to look. Here's how to search MyFloridaLicense.com, what Certified vs. Registered means, and what to watch for.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
New York has no statewide contractor license. NYC, Westchester, and Long Island each have their own systems. Here's how to navigate all of them.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Pennsylvania uses registration, not licensing — and Philadelphia has its own system entirely. Here's how to verify your contractor in PA.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Texas contractor licensing is handled differently than most states. Here's how to verify your contractor through the TDLR and what to watch for.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Illinois has no statewide general contractor license, but roofing, electrical, plumbing, and other specialty trades require state licenses. Here's how to verify any contractor in IL.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Ohio requires state licenses for specialty trades and has a separate registration for residential contractors. Here's how to verify any contractor in Ohio.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Georgia requires a state license for residential and commercial contractors. Here's how to use the Georgia Secretary of State's licensing portal to verify any contractor.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
North Carolina requires state licensing for general contractors on projects over $30,000. Here's how to verify through the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Michigan requires residential builders and maintenance/alteration contractors to be licensed. Here's how to verify through the Michigan LARA database.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
New Jersey requires Home Improvement Contractors to register with the state. Here's how to verify through the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs and what the registration means.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Virginia requires contractors to be licensed by the DPOR. Here's how to search the Virginia license database, what Class A, B, and C licenses mean, and what to verify.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Washington requires contractors to be registered with L&I. Here's how to verify a Washington contractor's registration, what bonding requirements apply, and what UBI numbers mean.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Arizona's Registrar of Contractors maintains a comprehensive license database. Here's how to search it, what license types mean, and what the complaint history tells you.
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