Current official-source index
Start with the state rule, not the contractor's sales pitch.
There is no single United States contractor-license database or universal storm-deposit rule. These guides isolate the current public records, contract rules, business checks, and payment questions that materially differ in the seven states covered so far.
Texas
No general statewide license does not mean no rules
Texas uses trade-specific licenses, local requirements, a disaster-remediation payment rule with a local-address exception, and a strict insurance-deductible rule. The useful check starts by identifying the exact work and jurisdiction.
Current source set: Business Permit Office, Chapter 58, TDLR, plumbing board, Comptroller, Attorney General, Department of Insurance.
Check Texas licenses and disaster payment rulesConnecticut
The registration and written contract carry specific details
Connecticut includes storm restoration in home improvement work and gives homeowners concrete records and contract terms to inspect, including the HIC registration, four dates, cancellation notice, business identity, and payment schedule.
Current source set: eLicense, Home Improvement Act, DCP, business registry, Attorney General, Insurance Department.
Check Connecticut registration and contract requirementsMichigan
Match the builder or trade-limited credential to the repair
Michigan generally requires a license for residential projects totaling $600 or more, subject to exemptions. The check must distinguish a Residential Builder from a trade-limited Maintenance & Alteration contractor and reconcile company and qualifying-officer records.
Current source set: LARA and Accela, MiBusiness Registry, Attorney General, DIFS, state disaster recovery sources.
Check Michigan builder and M&A license routesIllinois
No single general-contractor license means the scope controls the search
Illinois licenses roofers, plumbers, and public adjusters through different state systems while general contractors may face local requirements. The check must identify the exact work, local jurisdiction, legal business, claim role, and storm-repair contract terms.
Current source set: Attorney General, General Assembly, IDFPR, IDPH, Secretary of State, Department of Insurance.
Check Illinois trade licenses, local rules, and contract rightsOhio
No statewide home-improvement license means the address controls the route
Ohio generally leaves home-improvement contractor licensing to local jurisdictions while certain specialty trades use state credentials. The check must start with the project address, then reconcile local registration, any trade license, the legal business, complaint and enforcement records, the contract, and the requested payee.
Current source set: Ohio Attorney General, Secretary of State, OCILB lookup, Youngstown code, Mahoning County permit inquiry.
Check Ohio local registration, complaints, and contract rightsGeorgia
The license holder, qualifying agent, and company must line up
Georgia licenses residential and commercial general contractors while certain specialty work follows different rules. A storm-repair check must reconcile the credential, qualifying-agent relationship, legal business, permit, insurance terms, disaster-contract notice, and requested payee.
Current source set: Georgia Attorney General, Secretary of State license and business systems, SB 201, Atlanta permit tracker.
Check Georgia licensing and post-disaster contract rulesMinnesota
The company license and qualifying person are different records
Minnesota licenses residential building contractors, remodelers, and roofers while separate trades can follow distinct routes. A storm-repair check must reconcile the licensed company, qualifying person, legal business, local permit, insurance evidence, deductible promise, cancellation terms, and requested payee.
Current source set: Minnesota DLI license and insurance systems, Secretary of State business filings, storm-contract and deductible guidance.
Check Minnesota licensing and storm-contract rulesThis index is deliberately incomplete. It covers only states with a source-checked guide published by Prove the Pro. State and local requirements depend on the work, property, contract, credential type, and current law. Last reviewed July 22, 2026.