The short version: Georgia has a real state-level general contractor license — search the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (SLBRGC) at verify.sos.ga.gov. Three residential tiers by job size: RB (≤$2,500), RL (≤$50,000), RG (unlimited residential). Verify the tier covers your project. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC are state-licensed separately. Atlanta adds a city business license; counties may add local registration. Georgia’s Elder Abuse Reporting Act enhances penalties for fraud against people 65+.
Georgia: real state GC license + tier-by-job-size
Unlike Texas or Ohio, Georgia issues a state-level residential general contractor license through the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (SLBRGC).2 That’s good news for seniors — there is a central, authoritative verification at sos.ga.gov.
The wrinkle: the residential license comes in three tiers by maximum allowable job value. Pick the right tier or pay an unqualified contractor.
This is the Georgia-specific companion to our national state contractor license lookup guide. For the broader pre-hire workflow, see How to Find a Senior-Friendly Contractor.
Georgia’s three residential tiers
| Tier | Max job value | Typical senior project |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Basic (RB) | $2,500 | Single grab bar, small repair |
| Residential Light Commercial (RL) | $50,000 | Most bathroom, kitchen, accessibility remodels |
| Residential General (RG) | Unlimited residential | Large multi-room remodels |
For most senior aging-in-place projects ($5K-$30K), RL or RG is appropriate. RB does not legally cover a $14,000 walk-in tub install. Match the tier to your project value before hiring.
For larger commercial work or projects above $500K, Georgia also issues a separate General Contractor (GC) license — typically not needed for residential.
How to verify: verify.sos.ga.gov
Go to verify.sos.ga.gov → search by license number, name, or business.1
What to check:
- Status Active (not expired, suspended, revoked)
- License type — RB / RL / RG; tier covers project value
- Business name matches the contractor’s quote
- Disciplinary history — board actions, complaints
Trade licenses are separate
The SLBRGC residential license does NOT cover state-licensed trade work. For a senior project involving any of these, verify each separately at sos.ga.gov:
- Electrical — State Board of Construction Industry Electrical Contractors
- Plumbing — State Board of Plumbing
- HVAC — Conditioned Air Contractors Board
- Low Voltage — Low Voltage Contractors
For a heat pump install, you need both the residential GC (if the project includes any non-HVAC work like vent re-routing) AND the HVAC Conditioned Air Contractor license. See NATE certification for the competence credential above the state baseline.
Atlanta and county add-ons
- Atlanta — state SLBRGC license + city business license. Permits through Department of City Planning.
- Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb counties — building permit processes; state license typically sufficient for contractor qualification but verify locally.
- Coastal cities (Savannah, Brunswick) — local building department adds permit requirements; verify any local registration.
The verification rule: call the local building department after confirming the state license. Ask: “What local registration or permits are required in addition to the SLBRGC license at [my address]?”
Georgia senior scam patterns
- Coastal hurricane chasers — Savannah, Brunswick, and the coastal corridor see post-hurricane storm-chaser activity. Never sign over insurance proceeds; never hire a door-to-door contractor after a storm.
- Metro Atlanta tornado season — March-May, post-tornado door-to-door roofers in senior neighborhoods.
- Spring/summer traveling crews — driveway sealing, pine straw, “free roof inspection” pitches target senior neighborhoods. Refuse door-to-door.
- Georgia Elder Abuse Reporting Act — enhances penalties for fraud against people 65+. AG Consumer Protection prioritizes elder cases.3
If something goes wrong
- SLBRGC violations or unlicensed contracting: file at sos.ga.gov. The board can fine, suspend, or revoke.
- Consumer fraud generally: Georgia AG Consumer Protection Division at consumer.georgia.gov.
- Elder financial abuse: contact your Area Agency on Aging in addition to AG complaint; Elder Abuse Reporting Act provides enhanced criminal penalties.
- Verify at verify.sos.ga.gov — SLBRGC license search
- Tier matters: RB (≤$2.5K), RL (≤$50K), RG (unlimited) — match to project value
- Electrical / plumbing / HVAC licensed separately at state level
- Atlanta + city/county add local registration; call local building dept
- Coastal hurricanes + metro tornadoes drive post-storm scams; never door-to-door
- Problems → SLBRGC (license issues), Georgia AG (consumer fraud), AAA (elder abuse)
Related coverage
- State Contractor License Lookup: All 50 States — national hub
- California Contractor License Lookup (CSLB)
- Florida Contractor License Lookup (DBPR)
- Texas Contractor License Lookup (TDLR)
- New York Contractor License Lookup (HIC/DCWP)
- Pennsylvania Contractor Registration (HICPA)
- Illinois Contractor License Lookup (IDFPR + Chicago)
- Ohio Contractor License Lookup (OCILB)
- How to Find a Senior-Friendly Contractor — master pillar
- NATE Certification for HVAC Hires — competence credential above the state baseline
- Georgia Heat Pump Rebates 2026
Citations
- Professional Licensing Boards License Verification. Georgia Secretary of State, retrieved June 1, 2026. verify.sos.ga.gov.
- State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors. Georgia Secretary of State, retrieved June 1, 2026. sos.ga.gov/slbrgc.
- Georgia Consumer Protection Division. Office of the Georgia Attorney General, retrieved June 1, 2026. consumer.georgia.gov.
- Home Improvement Scams Targeting Older Adults. AARP Fraud Watch Network, June 2024. aarp.org/fraud-watch.