Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 553 - RULES OF STATE LICENSING BOARD FOR RESIDENTIAL AND GENERAL CONTRACTORS
Chapter 553-4 - QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE - GENERAL CONTRACTOR DIVISION
Rule 553-4-.05 - Licensure Requirements for an Individual to Practice as a General Contractor in the Individual's Own Name or Doing Business as an Individual in a Trade Name or as a Sole Proprietorship - General Contractor Limited Tier
Current through Rules and Regulations filed through December 18, 2024
(1) An individual person seeking issuance of a Georgia license in his or her own name for purposes of engaging in the profession of general contracting at the general contracting limited tier in his or her own name or doing business as an individual in a trade name as a sole proprietorship shall file an application on a form provided by the general contractor division, accompanied by an application fee as provided by the board.
(2) Additionally, such applicants must submit to and successfully pass an examination approved by the general contractor division unless exempted from examination pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 43-41-8.
(3) A person shall be eligible for licensure as a general contractor limited tier by the general contractor division if the person:
(4) Before being entitled to take an examination or otherwise qualify for issuance of a license, an applicant must show to the satisfaction of the general contractor division from the application and proofs furnished that the applicant is possessed of a good character and is otherwise qualified as to competency, ability, integrity, and financial responsibility. Much proof of this will come as detailed in (3)(d) above. Additionally, the application shall include a list of all persons, entities, and business organizations that the applicant will be affiliated with as a licensed general contractor, whether by way of employment, ownership, serving as an owner or director, partnership, or membership or by serving as a qualifying agent under this chapter. Additionally, all applicants shall provide satisfactory proof of general liability insurance in an amount not less than $500,000 and of workers´ compensation insurance as required by the laws of this state in their name. All applicants shall also provide their social security numbers. Applicants shall also provide suitable verification of tax payments in a form and manner and for the duration prescribed by the general contractor division. Such proof of verification shall be submitted by the applicant as directed by the application for licensure and any form(s) that might accompany the application. The decision of the general contractor division as to the qualifications of applicants shall be conclusive. A certificate by the insurer or other appropriate evidence of such coverages shall be maintained with the general contractor division and shall be a condition of renewal. A licensee, on his or her own behalf, must notify the general contractor division in writing within 30 days of any changes in the information required to be on file with such division, including, but not limited to, the licensee's current mailing address, insurance coverages, and affiliated entities.
(5) The general contractor division shall cause to be conducted an examination of all qualified applicants, except those exempted from the examination requirement pursuant to Code Section 43-41-8.
(6) Any otherwise qualified applicant failing this examination may be reexamined at any regularly scheduled examination within one year of the date of original application upon payment of a reexamination fee, in an amount to be set by the board, without need to resubmit an application, unless any information set forth in the previously submitted application is no longer accurate or complete. Anyone requesting to take the examination a third or subsequent time shall wait at least one calendar year after the taking of the last examination and shall submit an application with the appropriate examination fees.
(7) Upon the payment of fees prescribed by the board, a limited tier general contractor license shall be issued to an applicant who successfully completes the requirements for licensure.
(8) There is established a limited tier general contractor license type that is limited as to any contract of no more than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00).
(9) In order to move from the General Contractor Limited tier to the General Contractor tier, a contractor must submit an application for the General Contractor license and meet the financial requirements and other requirements for that license type.
(10) Any Change Orders as defined in O.C.G.A. § 36-91-2 may not exceed the maximum amount allowed per contract for a project to be completed.
O.C.G.A. § 43-41-5.