Delaware Trade Licenses Guide: Electrician ($203 Master), Plumber and HVACR ($173 Master), Contractors and the Master-Only Rule

Delaware's trade licensing system is direct and specific. There is no state general contractor license in Delaware. Instead, if you hire workers or run a contracting business, you obtain a contractor license from the Division of Revenue, paired with specific trade licenses for electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians. Understanding the difference between these layers, the fees involved, and the master-only requirement for certain trades will save you time and money when launching a contracting business in Delaware.

Delaware Has No General Contractor License

This is the first and most important fact: Delaware does not issue a general contractor exam license or general contractor trade license at the state level. Many other states do. Delaware does not.

If you are a general contractor who hires subcontractors and manages projects, you must instead obtain a contractor license from the Division of Revenue. This is not a trade license in the traditional sense. It is a business license issued by Delaware's tax authority and paired with workers' compensation insurance and labor notification requirements. It costs $75 annually plus a gross receipts tax of 0.6472%, filed to the Division of Revenue through the Delaware One Stop portal.

The Division of Revenue Contractor License: Three Hard Requirements

To obtain a Delaware contractor license, you must meet three conditions before or when signing a construction contract:

1. Hold an active Division of Revenue business license. This is the $75 annual contractor license, applied for through Delaware One Stop.
2. File a Department of Labor certificate of notice. This notifies the state that you are engaging in construction work and will employ workers.
3. Provide proof of workers' compensation insurance. Delaware requires this to verify you can cover employee injuries on the job.

For competitively bid contracts over $50,000, your application must be filed and approved before you bid on the project. For other contracts, the license must be held before or when you sign the contract.

County and municipal variations exist. New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties, as well as the cities of Wilmington, Dover, and Newark, may impose their own contractor registration or licensing requirements. Check with your county government and city government for any additional local contractor registration or licensing fees before starting work.

Electrician Licenses: Master ($203), Journeyperson, and Residential Options

Delaware electricians are regulated by the Board of Electrical Examiners under 24 Del. C. Chapter 14. The state issues several license types at different skill and responsibility levels.

Application Fees (as of 2026)

• Master Electrician: $203
• Master Special Electrician: $200
• Limited Electrician: $127
• Journeyperson Electrician: $105
• Residential Electrician: $105
• Apprentice: $100
• Homeowner Permit: $42

The master electrician license at $203 is the highest tier and allows you to own an electrical contracting business, supervise journeypeople and apprentices, and perform any electrical work. A journeyperson must work under a master's supervision; a residential electrician holds a separate residential license with its own exam.

License Renewal

Most electrician licenses (master, journeyperson, residential, limited, and master special) renew every two years. To renew, you must provide proof of general liability insurance and evidence of continuing education hours as required by regulation. Apprentice licenses issued on or after July 1, 2026, expire after five years instead of two.

Unlicensed Electrical Work

Performing electrical work without a valid Delaware electrician license is a misdemeanor. Fines start at $500 to $1,500 for the first offense and increase to $1,500 to $2,300 for subsequent violations. These penalties apply even to small jobs, and there is no handyman exception in Delaware for minor electrical work.

Plumber Licenses: Master-Only Rule ($173)

Delaware plumbing is regulated by the Board of Plumbers under 24 Del. C. Chapter 18. Unlike electricians, Delaware has only one plumber license type at the state level: Master Plumber.

Master License Fee

The master plumber license application fee is $173. There is no separate journeyperson or limited license tier. Instead, journeymen and apprentices must work under a master plumber who is either their employer or a full-time colleague at the same entity.

The Master-Only Employment Model

If you are a plumber in Delaware, you cannot be independently licensed as a journeyperson or apprentice. You must work for a licensed master, or the master must be your full-time colleague at the same business. This creates a clear responsibility structure: the master is liable for the work performed by any plumber under their supervision.

Unlicensed Plumbing Work

Unlicensed plumbing work carries a fine of $1,500 to $3,000. A second or subsequent violation increases the fine to $3,000 to $6,000. As with electrical work, there is no handyman exception. Homeowners may work on their own home under narrow rules, but hiring someone else to do plumbing work requires a licensed master.

HVAC and Refrigeration (HVACR): Master-Only and EPA Certification ($173)

HVAC and refrigeration technicians in Delaware are regulated under 24 Del. C. Chapter 18, the same chapter as plumbers. The licensing structure is identical: only a master license exists, and journeymen work under a master.

Master HVACR License Fee

The master HVACR license application fee is $173, the same as plumbing.

EPA CFC Certification Required

To obtain a Delaware master HVACR license, you must be certified at the appropriate level for handling chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) by a testing organization approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (24 Del. C. 1821(a)(3)). Obtain this certification before applying for your Delaware license.

Unlicensed HVACR Work

Like plumbing, unlicensed HVACR work is a significant violation. Fines are $1,500 to $3,000 for a first offense and $3,000 to $6,000 for subsequent offenses. There is no exception for small jobs without a license.

The Handyman Gap: No Small-Job Exception in Delaware

Many states allow unlicensed handypeople to perform small electrical or plumbing jobs below a certain dollar threshold, or only for single-family homes. Delaware does not. If you perform any electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work for someone else in Delaware, you must hold the appropriate trade license.

Homeowners may perform work on their own home under narrow circumstances, but as soon as you accept payment for a trade service or work on someone else's property, you need a license. This applies to electricians, plumbers, and HVACR technicians, and contractors need the Division of Revenue contractor license. Plan your licensing accordingly, and budget the application fees into your startup costs.

The State Business License Layer

All of the above is the trade layer. Separately, any person or entity conducting a trade or business in Delaware must obtain a Delaware business license from the Division of Revenue through the Delaware One Stop portal. The annual contractor license fee is $75. This is distinct from your electrician, plumber, or HVACR license. You hold both.

In addition to the $75 annual fee, you owe a gross receipts tax of 0.6472% on your gross receipts from contracting work, filed monthly or quarterly. There is no sales tax in Delaware and no seller's permit. The Division of Revenue collects gross receipts tax instead.

County and Municipal Licensing: Check Local Requirements

Delaware has three counties: New Castle, Kent, and Sussex. While the state issues trade and contractor licenses, county and municipal governments may impose their own contractor registration, licensing, or inspection requirements.

The cities of Wilmington, Dover, and Newark may have their own contractor licensing or registration requirements, so check with each city. For example, some municipalities require a separate municipal contractor permit, a project permit before work begins, or compliance with local building codes enforced by a city inspector.

Before you sign a contract or bid on a job in any Delaware city or county, contact that jurisdiction's building or planning department to ask whether a local contractor license, registration, or permit is required. Fees and application procedures vary widely.

Getting Started: The Licensing Path

Here is the order to follow:

1. Obtain your trade license first. Apply to the Board of Electrical Examiners (master electrician $203), the Board of Plumbers (master $173), or both. If HVACR, obtain your EPA CFC certification and apply for master HVACR ($173).
2. File proof with the Department of Labor. Obtain your workers' compensation insurance policy, then file a Department of Labor certificate of notice with the state.
3. Apply for your Division of Revenue contractor license. Apply through Delaware One Stop for your business license ($75 annually) and gross receipts tax account.
4. Check local requirements. Contact your county government and any city where you will work to determine whether a local contractor license, registration, or permit is required.
5. Register a trade name (DBA) if needed. If you operate under a name other than your legal name, register it as a trade name with the Division of Revenue through Delaware One Stop ($25, one-time fee). A DBA requires an active business license.

Disclaimer

This content is informational and is not legal, tax, or licensing advice. Trade licensing requirements, fees, and regulations change, and municipal requirements vary by jurisdiction. Before applying for any license or beginning work, consult the official state agencies: the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation for electrician, plumber, and HVACR licenses; the Delaware Division of Revenue for business licenses and gross receipts tax; the Delaware Department of Labor for workers' compensation and certificate of notice requirements; and your local county and city government for any additional local licensing or registration requirements. If your situation is complex, consult a Delaware-licensed attorney or a business formation advisor.