STATE LICENSE
NoneSee what applies
No New Hampshire statute licenses or registers general or home improvement contractors; the boards OPLC administers under RSA 310:2 cover electricians and the Mechanical Licensing Board's plumbers and gas fitters, not builders. What the state does impose is the building code: every building, component, and structure must comply with the state building code and fire code (RSA 155-A:2, I), now the 2024 International Building, Residential, and Existing Building codes with the 2018 IECC and 2023 NEC (RSA 155-A:1, IV), and the contractor — not the town — is responsible for meeting it (RSA 155-A:2, VII).
Before work begins the responsible person must obtain a permit (RSA 155-A:4), through the town's process where it has adopted an enforcement mechanism under RSA 155-A:3; in towns without one, the contractor must notify the state fire marshal of the type of construction, except for one- and two-family dwellings (RSA 155-A:2, VI). Any contract to build or improve a residence over $5,000 must carry the RSA 359-G:7 notice of the contractor's right to resolve defects before suit. Wiring, plumbing, and gas fitting must go to state-licensed tradespeople.
The state sets the license floor; the county or city permit office controls filing, inspections, and local rules wherever the job site sits.
New Hampshire licenses no general construction trades at the state level, so the working gate for this trade is the local building permit. All construction must comply with the state building code (RSA 155-A:2, I) — currently the 2024 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Swimming Pool and Spa codes, the 2018 IECC, and the 2023 NEC (RSA 155-A:1, IV). Towns that adopt an enforcement mechanism under RSA 155-A:3 issue permits and inspect; they may adopt administrative amendments but no technical amendments. Where no local enforcement exists, the contractor must notify the state fire marshal of the type of construction before starting, except for one- and two-family dwellings (RSA 155-A:2, VI), and the contractor — not the town — is responsible for meeting the code (RSA 155-A:2, VII).
The local offices section below names the exact permit desk for every New Hampshire county on file.
Each row names the issuing authority, cost, timeline, citation, and status behind the requirement — verified against the official source.
Published fees from the issuing authorities, as of October 2026. Local permit fees vary by project and jurisdiction — the basis is stated where a flat number does not exist.
New Hampshire has neither a license nor a registration for this trade — your state-level obligations are code compliance, contract notices, and employer law.
Any electrical installation for pay needs an OPLC electrician license (RSA 319-C:1); plumbing and fuel gas fitting need Mechanical Licensing Board licenses (Mec 302.01).
In towns without local code enforcement, notify the state fire marshal of the construction type before starting anything other than a one- or two-family dwelling (RSA 155-A:2, VI).
A practical sequence for a new general contracting contractor in New Hampshire. Actual agency processing times are noted in the ledger above.
Each item names the issuing authority, cycle, and citation.
Statutory consequences with their citations — not estimates, not “commonly cited” guesses.
Doing electrical installations without an OPLC license is a crime; plumbing or gas fitting without a license is unlawful practice.
A building official may sue to enjoin, abate, or remove construction that violates the building code or permit conditions.
Violating a local land-use ordinance or a permit condition issued under the planning-and-zoning title.
Inside city limits, the city office listed here issues the permit; the county office serves unincorporated areas. Every office links to its official page.
| County · City | Permit office | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough County Manchester (consolidated gov.) | City of Manchester Planning and Community Development Department — Building Regulations ↗ | — |
Every fact in this file was checked against these official sources on October 2026.
Pending verification: Whether any New Hampshire city or town requires its own contractor registration or business license (no statewide preemption clause was found for general construction trades; check the local building department) · How each town applies RSA 676:17 fines to building-permit violations — the section reaches ordinances and permits issued under the planning-and-zoning title (Title LXIV); some building-code enforcement may proceed instead under RSA 155-A:8 injunctive relief · Whether New Hampshire requires a separate state registration or prequalification for public works contractors (state public-works bidding rules were not reviewed)
General information, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements, deadlines, and forms with the issuing authority before filing or contracting.
Store licenses, permits, policies, and renewal dates in one place.