pa attorney general contractor registration how longn

Do you have to register as a contractor in PA?

Effective October 22, 2014, HICPA was amended to require that contractors update the information supplied in their application for registration within thirty (30) days of any change. Any changes should be reported to the Bureau, including, but not limited to, changes in: address and telephone numbers.

Is a contractor registered with the Attorney General’s office?

Please note: Registration under HICPA is not an endorsement, recommendation or approval by the Office of Attorney General of the contractor’s competency or skill. Consumers or businesses can call our Home Improvement Registration Hotline, at 1-888-520-6680, to report unregistered contractors operating in their communities.

What are the laws for Home Improvement Contractors in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Bureau of Consumer Protection. 15th Floor, Strawberry Square. Harrisburg, PA 17120. ATTN : Home Improvement Contractor Registration. A non-refundable fee of $50.00 must accompany each application. The processing fee does NOT need to be included if you submit the paper application through the mail.

How do I register or re-register with the Office of Attorney General?

HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS (Registration): On July 1, 2009, the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Senate Bill 100) took effect. This law requires most home improvement contractors to register with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

How long does a PA contractor license last?

one yearThe non-refundable application fee is $20, applied toward the license (if approved). The license fee is $100 and is valid for one year. You will need to reapply each year.Sep 30, 2021

What is a PA HIC number?

Consumers or businesses can call our Home Improvement Registration Hotline, at 1-888-520-6680, to report unregistered contractors operating in their communities. Complaints about unregistered contractors can also be emailed to our office at: [email protected].

How much can a contractor ask for up front in PA?

Contractors can legally only ask for 1/3 of the contract price up front. It's considered fraud if a substantial portion of the work is not performed in the time requested, or more than 45 days go by without work being done.Apr 19, 2011

Can I be my own general contractor in Pennsylvania?

General contractors can register for a home improvement contractor license on the Pennsylvania Attorney General official website. The registration process requires the use of a credit card to pay the application fee of $50.00. There is an additional processing fee of $1.28.

How do I get a PA HIC number?

Registration may be completed online or by mailing an application to our office. We encourage you to complete your registration online, as you will receive your registration number and a printable temporary registration certificate instantaneously.

How do I verify a contractor in PA?

You can find a licensed contractor using L&I's online tool. You can find a registered Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor by searching the PA Attorney General's database or calling 1-888-520-6680. You can also look up which contractors have had their licenses revoked or suspended.May 18, 2021

Should I pay a contractor half up front?

A: It's not uncommon for contractors to ask for a down payment up front to secure your spot on their schedule or purchase some of the job materials in advance. Asking for more than half of the project cost up front, though, is a big red flag. ... I recommend tying payments to progress made during the job.Jun 29, 2012

Does a handyman need a license in PA?

You do not need a state license to work as a handyman in Pennsylvania. However, if you do more than $5,000 worth of home improvement work per year, you must register with the Attorney General's Office.

How long does a contractor have to warranty his work in Pennsylvania?

Under Pennsylvania law, the statute of limitations is 12 years from the date of construction to file a claim for construction defects.Apr 26, 2018

What type of work can a handyman do legally in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, a "home improvement" is any "repair, replacement, remodeling, demolition, removal, renovation, installation, alteration, conversion, modernization, improvement, rehabilitation or sandblasting done in connection with a private residence." This includes the construction, replacement, installation or ...Sep 26, 2017

Do painters need a license in Pennsylvania?

Any contractors, including painters, who work with lead removal must be licensed by the state from the PA Department of Labor and Industry.Feb 12, 2018

What licenses are needed to start a construction business?

The most popular documents that are required for Construction Tenders and Contracts include:COID Registration and Letter of Good Standing. ... VAT Registration. ... B-BBEE Affidavit or BEE Certificate. ... CIDB (Construction Industry Development Board) ... NHBRC Registration. ... MBSA Membership.

How often do you have to renew your contractor's license in Pennsylvania?

Home improvement contractor registrations are valid for two years, and must be renewed biennially.

What is PA HIC license?

Anyone who owns or operates a home improvement business or who offers, performs, or agrees to perform. home improvements in Pennsylvania must register with the Office of Attorney General unless they are. specifically exempted. 1 under Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (“HICPA”). Any.

Do contractors need to be licensed in Pennsylvania?

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania currently has no licensure or certification requirements for most construction contractors (or their employees).

How do I verify a contractor's license in PA?

Official confirmation of the current status of a licensee can be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs: 2601 North 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

How long does a contractor have to warranty his work in Pennsylvania?

Under Pennsylvania law, the statute of limitations is 12 years from the date of construction to file a claim for construction defects.Apr 26, 2018

How much can a contractor ask for up front in PA?

Contractors can legally only ask for 1/3 of the contract price up front. It's considered fraud if a substantial portion of the work is not performed in the time requested, or more than 45 days go by without work being done.Apr 19, 2011

How do I get a PA HIC number?

Registration may be completed online or by mailing an application to our office. We encourage you to complete your registration online, as you will receive your registration number and a printable temporary registration certificate instantaneously.

How do you become a licensed general contractor?

In order to obtain a license you are required to:Show proof of insurance.Show proof of a Surety Bond.Provide financial statements.Show proof of 4 years of work experience within the last 10 years in a related field.Pass trade, business, and law exams.

Does a handyman need a license in PA?

You do not need a state license to work as a handyman in Pennsylvania. However, if you do more than $5,000 worth of home improvement work per year, you must register with the Attorney General's Office.

How much is a PA contractors license?

General contractors can register for a home improvement contractor license on the Pennsylvania Attorney General official website. The registration process requires the use of a credit card to pay the application fee of $50.00. There is an additional processing fee of $1.28.

Who is the attorney general for Pennsylvania?

Josh Shapiro (Democratic Party)Pennsylvania / Attorney generalJoshua David Shapiro is an American lawyer and politician serving as the attorney general of Pennsylvania. He previously served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and as chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Wikipedia

Do you need a license to be an electrician in PA?

Pennsylvania requires all electricians to have a license to perform commercial and residential electrical work.

How do I report an unlicensed contractor in PA?

You may request a Statement of Complaint Form by mail, by calling the Professional Compliance Office Hotline at 1-800-822-2113 (if you are calling from within Pennsylvania) or at 1-717-783-4854 (if you are calling from outside Pennsylvania).

Is PA a compact state?

Gov. Tom Wolf signed the NLC into law in the state of Pennsylvania on July 1, 2021. Pennsylvania is the 37th jurisdiction to have enacted the NLC. ... Joining the compact is going to benefit Pennsylvania nurses, hospitals and health systems, physicians, nursing homes, home health care services and – above all – patients.”Jul 19, 2021

How do I file a claim against a contractor in PA?

Pennsylvanians who believe they have been the victim of a home improvement contractor or disreputable business practices should contact the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection at 1-800-441-2555 or by email at [email protected] or visit www.attorneygeneral.gov to file a complaint.Apr 11, 2019

What happens if a contractor is not registered?

Any home improvement contractor who is not registered is prohibited from offering or performing home improvements. The failure to register is a violation of the law and unregistered contractors face legal action, including civil penalties of $1,000 or more.

What is a home improvement contractor?

Under the law, a home improvement contractor is defined as: Any person who owns and operates a home improvement business or who undertakes, offers to undertake or agrees to perform any home improvement. The term includes a subcontractor or independent contractor who has contracted with a home improvement retailer, ...

When was the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act passed?

The Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (“HICPA”) was adopted by Pennsylvania’s General Assembly in October, 2008, and signed by the Governor as Act 132 of 2008. The law establishes a mandatory registration program for contractors who offer or perform home improvements in Pennsylvania. The statute also establishes minimum insurance ...

Do you need to include extra zeros in PA registration?

You must include the abbreviation “PA” and the number assigned to you (example: PA123456). You do not need to include extra zeroes which come before your number but you must have these letters and your actual registration number. For instance, if you were assigned PA000372, you may list your number that way, or simply use PA372.

Do landscapers need to register in Pennsylvania?

Landscapers whose work is limited to services performed under Pennsylvania’s Plant Pest Act do not need to register. However, landscapers who perform other work at private residences including, but not limited to: the placement of retaining walls, fountains or drainage systems, or the construction, replacement, installation or improvement of buildings, driveways, swimming pools, porches, garages, roofs, siding, insulation, solar energy systems, security systems, flooring, patios, non-decorative fences, doors, lighting systems, concrete walkways and windows must register and comply with the act.

What is the number to report unregistered contractors?

Consumers or businesses can call our Home Improvement Registration Hotline, at 1-888-520-6680, to report unregistered contractors operating in their communities.

Do contractors have to register with the Attorney General?

While the law requires contractors to register with the Attorney General’s office, this registration is not an endorsement of their honesty or quality of work. For this reason, in addition to seeing whether a contractor is registered with the Attorney General’s office, you should also: Thoroughly check your contractor’s references.

What is the Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Improvement Act?

The Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Improvement Act (Act 158 of 2004) requires that all manufactured homes installed in the Commonwealth be subject to certain provisions of the law and regulations that are intended to assure proper installation of every manufactured home.

What is the phone number for asbestos certification?

If you have questions about asbestos or lead certification, please call 717-772-3396, email [email protected], or click on one of the following links for web-based information: Asbestos Certification. Lead Certification.

Does Pennsylvania require a construction license?

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania currently has no licensure or certification requirements for most construction contractors (or their employees). Please note the following regarding state and local requirements pertaining to certain contractors (and their employees).

SCAM ALERTS

Protecting consumers and combating scams is a top priority of the Office of Attorney General. It’s important for Pennsylvanians to know what schemes are out there – so they can avoid getting scammed and help our Office protect other consumers.

EDUCATION & OUTREACH

The Office of Public Engagement offers a number of free educational programs to help school personnel, students, parents and the community empower Pennsylvanians with knowledge to keep them safe and to make good decisions.

ONLINE PROGRAMMING

We would love to joing your online classroom and give a presentation today. Here are a few examples of our available presentations.

Do I Have to Register?

To find out if your company has to register under HIC, just answer the questions below and follow the directions under each question.

HIC Model Contract for Fixed Price Work

PLNA's legal counsel has developed a model contact for use by PLNA members that complies with HIC requirements. This contract is in a Word format a for your company's use for fixed-price contracts. PLNA members who are signed into the site may download the contract below.

New Rules for Time and Materials Contracts

An amendment passed in 2014 to the HIC law requires that if you are working on a time and materials basis, you must provide an initial cost estimate in writing to the homeowner before any work begins.

Update Your Registration

The new 2014 amendment also requires that contractors update their registration information with the attorney general within thirty days if any of it changes.