Step 1 — the license
Look it up at the official source, state by state
Every state handles contractor licensing differently. Some license general contractors statewide, some only register them, and some leave it to cities and counties — but electricians and plumbers are licensed at the state level almost everywhere. Find your state below and search the contractor’s name or license number in the official record. If they won’t give you a license number, that is your answer.
No match. Try the two-letter abbreviation, e.g. “FL”.
Accuracy note: links go to each state’s official licensing agency. Requirements, thresholds, and agency names change; the agency’s own site always controls. “Local” states still license trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) at the state level in most cases — and your city or county may license general contractors even when the state doesn’t.