Trust & Safety

Understanding Your Contractor's License

What a license number actually tells you, and how to verify one yourself.

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  • A valid license confirms a company met your state's minimum experience, exam, and insurance requirements.
  • Always verify a license number directly on your state's licensing board website, not just by asking the company.
  • License verification also lets you check for disciplinary history or complaints.
  • A license confirms minimum qualifications — it doesn't replace checking reviews and references.

Why the license number matters

Every company listed on HomePolo has a license number shown on their profile. A valid, active license means the company has met your state's minimum experience, exam, and insurance requirements for their trade, and it's often a legal requirement to perform certain categories of work at all.

How to verify it yourself

Don't just take a company's word for it — look their license number up directly on your state's contractor licensing board website. This also lets you check for any disciplinary history, complaints, or lapsed status before you hire, which is information a company obviously won't volunteer on their own.

What a license does not guarantee

A license confirms minimum qualifications, not that a specific company is the right fit for your project. Still use the other checks — reviews, references, and clear communication — alongside license verification for a complete picture.

💡 Pro Tip: If a company can't or won't provide a license number, treat that as a serious red flag, not an oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a license the same as insurance?
No, they're separate. A license confirms qualification requirements were met; insurance (liability and workers' comp) is a separate protection you should also confirm independently.
What if a company's license shows as expired?
Treat this seriously — ask them to explain directly, and consider it a strong reason to get quotes from other, currently-licensed companies instead.
Do all home service trades require a license?
It varies by state and by trade — some smaller handyman-type tasks may not require one, while electrical, plumbing, and larger construction projects typically do.

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