How do I check a general contractor's license in New Jersey?
Search the general contractor's license number, business name, or personal name at New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (www.njconsumeraffairs.gov). Status must be Active. Look for the Home Improvement Contractor / New Home Builder class. A free public-records check on Groundcheck (earthmove.io/trust) cross-references this with court records, OSHA, and BBB.
To verify a general contractor in New Jersey, search the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs database. The lookup tool is at https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/.
What to enter: the contractor's license number is the fastest path. Most state boards also let you search by business name or personal name. Confirm the license shows the Home Improvement Contractor / New Home Builder class — that's the specific classification authorizing oversees construction projects across multiple trades, manages subcontractors, pulls permits, and is the primary licensee on residential and commercial builds.
What to look for: status must be "Active." Status of "Inactive," "Suspended," "Expired," or "Revoked" is a hard stop. Check the bond amount (most boards require contractor bonds), expiration date (renewals lapse if a contractor falls behind on continuing education), and any open complaints or disciplinary actions in the public record.
What the lookup does NOT show: liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage are typically separate from the state license database. Ask the general contractor for current Certificates of Insurance and verify directly with the insurer.
What Groundcheck adds: a general contractor can be currently licensed and still have unresolved court judgments, OSHA citations, or BBB complaints. Groundcheck (earthmove.io/trust) cross-references the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs record with Secretary of State filings, public court records, federal OSHA inspection history, and BBB complaint history into one sourced report. The contractor is never notified.
For the full New Jersey general contractor licensing rules including thresholds and license classes, see earthmove.io/trust/license/general-contractor/new-jersey.
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Free Groundcheck cross-references New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs licensing with court records, OSHA history, and BBB complaints. Under 90 seconds. The contractor is never notified.