Building Contractor Licensing Information

Effective September 1, 2009, building contractors are required to be licensed to do work in unincorporated Larimer County. The Contractor Licensing Program is created to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of unincorporated Larimer County.

The licensing process requires that building contractors demonstrate they are competent in the general construction trades or practices in which they are engaged, and that they maintain current insurance coverage.

License Application Forms

License Fees and Liability Insurance

Type of LicenseLicense FeeMinimum Single Limit Insurance
Class A

$150

$1,000,000

Class B

$125

$1,000,000

Class C

$100

$1,000,000

Special Single Trade

$75

$300,000

Roofers

$75

$300,000

Mechanical

$75

$300,000

Electrical

exempt

Elevator/Conveyance

exempt

Mobile Home Installer

exempt

Plumbing

exempt

License Issuance

Within seven (7) business days after a complete license application is submitted, the Building Official will issue a license, a provisional license, or a written statement of license denial.

License Term

Licenses are effective for twenty-four (24) calendar months after the date of issuance.

 

Get a printable copy of this handout.

 

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License application requirements:

  1. Visit https://larimer.gov/building/contractor-licensing to apply online!
  2. Complete license application form.
  3. Provide valid proof of US citizenship accompanied by a valid form of photo ID.
  4. Certify that you will employ only building subcontractors and workers who have demonstrated to the company a lawful presence in the US.
  5. Provide a valid and current license issued by another county or municipality in the state of Colorado that was obtained by receiving a passing grade on a nationally recognized examination approved by the International Code Council commonly used and accepted by the industry or
  6. Achieve a passing grade on the International Code Council (ICC) exam related to the type of license being applied for (or its nationally recognized equivalent as determined and approved by the Building Official).  No exam is required for Special Trades only.
  7. Provide proof of three (3) successfully completed projects or proof of two (2) years’ experience in your specific field.
  8. Provide proof of current insurance coverage
  • Workers' Compensation Insurance as required by the State of Colorado (or if self-employed …)
  • General Liability Insurance provided on ISO Form 1998.  Proof of insurance shall be accompanied by Certificate of Insurance listing Larimer County Building Division as a Certificate Holder requiring ten (10) days’ notice for ‘NON-PAYMENT OF PREMIUM’ and 30 days advance written notice of policy changes or cancellation.

In the event the required insurance is revoked or cancelled the contractor license is revoked upon receipt of notice.

  1. Pay application fee.

Three months prior to license expiration courtesy emails will be sent as a reminder to verify you don’t have outstanding permits and instructions to renew online. Contractors holding licenses may apply for a new license within three (3) calendar months prior to the expiration of the license.  

Unresolved Building Code Violations
Contractors holding a valid County license who apply for a new license must resolve any sign code or building code violations older than 90 days.
 

Class A – This license entitles the holder to contract for the construction, alteration, tenant finish or repair of any type of structure permitted by the International Building Code or the International Residential Code.  ICC Exam #G11

Class B – This license entitles the holder to contract for construction, alteration, tenant finish or repair of commercial buildings and single-family or multi-family dwelling buildings, not exceeding three stories in height as permitted by the International Building Code or the International Residential Code. 
ICC Exam #G12

Class C – This license entitles the holder to contract for construction, alteration, or repair of one- and two-family dwellings and accessory buildings, as permitted by the International Building Code or the International Residential Code.  ICC Exam #G13

Mechanical – This license entitles the holder to provide any work in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning fields as permitted by the International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code or the International Residential Code.

ICC Exam – Commercial #G29   Residential #F32

Gas Pipers – This license entitles the holder to perform any gas piping work as permitted by the International Fuel Gas Code or the International Residential Code. ICC Exam –#G33

Roofers– This license entitles the holder to perform any work in the roofing, re-roofing, roof insulation, and roof drainage fields as permitted by the international building code, international residential code, and international plumbing code. ICC Exam #G14

Special Trade – This license entitles the holder to perform work in one or more specialized trade such as bridges, decks/fences/sunrooms, demolition, detached structures (barns, garages, gazebos, greenhouses, sheds) fireplace/woodstove, manufactured home setup, pools/spas, siding, signs, solar, tower/wind generator as permitted by the International Building Code, the International Residential Code or Larimer County Land Use Code.

ICC International Code Council Contractor/Trades Licensing

ICC Reservation Center: 1-800-275-8301

For paper-and-pencil testing, you may obtain an application by contacting ICC.

Phone:  1-888-422-7233

Web: https://iccsafe.org/contractor

Pearson Vue Exam Schedule

For computer-based testing, contact Pearson VUE. To schedule an exam, you will need the 3-digit exam number (shown on the inside front cover under Types of Contractor Licenses).

To Schedule Exam: 1-877-234-6082

Register online: pearsonvue.com/icc

[Prepayment is required for all examinations]

Testing Locations

Colorado Springs VUE
1045 Garden of Gods Rd Unit F
Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Denver VUE
5340 S. Quebec St., Suite 115 N
Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Greeley VUE
5754 West 11th Street #203
Greeley, CO 80634

Wheat Ridge VUE
4251 Kipling Street, Suite 100
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033


FAQs

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  1. Who is required to be licensed?

    If you are doing work on a building which requires a building permit and you are not a homeowner doing work on your own home, then you need be to be licensed by the County or the State.  A county license is not required if you’re an elevator installer or manufactured home installer.

  2. How long does it take to process my application and get a license?

    Within seven (7) business days after a complete license application is submitted, the Building Official will issue a license, a provisional license, or a written statement of license denial.

  3. Do I need a contractor license to build or remodel a house on my own property in unincorporated Larimer County?

    No, a person who acts as the contractor for the construction of a new residential dwelling on their own property (no more than once within any 24-month period), or for additions or alterations to their own home does not require a contractor’s license.

  4. I’m a master plumber/electrician, do I need a Contractor License from Larimer County?

    No, these are licensed by the state of Colorado and plumbing/electrical work on most projects will be covered by the general contractor’s license. You are required to submit a copy of your current and active DORA registration, as well as a completed Larimer County Electrical/Plumbing Registration Form.

  5. I work for a flooring company, do I need a contractor license to install flooring?

    If you are doing work such as, painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work, there is no building permit required and therefore, no contractor license required.