Construction / Residential Contractor Continuing Education / Georgia
- Georgia
- Residential Contractor CE
- Residential Basic & Light Commercial
- Updated Oct 2026
Georgia Residential Contractor Continuing Education: Hours, Deadline and Approved Courses
Georgia residential basic contractors need 3 hours of CE each year and residential-light commercial contractors need 6, and licenses expire on June 30 of even years.
Last updated October 28, 2026 from State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors requirements
Hours per cycle
3 or 6 hrs a year
3 for residential basic, 6 for residential-light commercial
Cycle
2 years
CE is done each year; licenses renew every two years
Deadline
June 30, even years
When Georgia residential contractor licenses expire
Online allowed?
Up to 50%
Online or correspondence can’t exceed half your required hours
Who needs CE
Who needs continuing education for a Georgia residential contractor license?
Georgia residential basic and residential-light commercial contractors need CE to renew. Renewal is handled by the state through the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors, not your city or county. Commercial general contractors don’t need CE.
CE applies to
- Residential Basic Contractors
- Residential-Light Commercial Contractors
Exemptions
- Commercial general contractors (no CE required)
- Relief for individual hardship or health, at the Residential Division’s discretion
Georgia residential contractor CE at a glance
Georgia residential contractor renewal, one box
| Renewed with | State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors |
| CE required? | Yes, for residential basic and residential-light commercial |
| Hours per cycle | 3 hrs a year (basic), 6 hrs a year (light commercial) |
| Cycle | 2 years |
| Required topics | Codes, business, legal updates, safety, workers’ comp, building techniques |
| Online allowed? | Yes, up to 50% of required hours |
| Deadline | June 30, even years |
| Who reports | Licensee, in CE Broker |
| Carryover | Not stated |
| Grace period | Late renewal July 1–31, even years |
| Renewal fee | $100 |
| Last updated | October 28, 2026 |
Hours
How many CE hours does a Georgia residential contractor license need?
Residential basic contractors need 3 hours each year. Residential-light commercial contractors need 6 hours each year. A year runs July 1 through June 30. Online and correspondence courses can’t exceed 50% of the hours you need. Both classes draw from the same topic list.
| Class | Total | Required topics | Electives | Delivery limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Basic Contractor | 3 hrs a year | From: building codes, business fields, legal or regulatory updates, workplace safety, workers’ comp, building techniques and technology | Not stated | Online or correspondence no more than 50% of required hours |
| Residential-Light Commercial Contractor | 6 hrs a year | From: building codes, business fields, legal or regulatory updates, workplace safety, workers’ comp, building techniques and technology | Not stated | Online or correspondence no more than 50% (3 of 6 hrs); the rest in a classroom |
Licenses renew every two years, so plan on 6 hours (basic) or 12 hours (light commercial) across each renewal period. Hours are counted in half-hour increments.
Deadline
When is the Georgia residential contractor license renewal deadline?
Georgia residential contractor licenses expire on June 30 of even years. CE is due each year, so don’t save it all for the renewal year.
| Deadline rule | June 30 of even years |
| Cycle | 2 years (CE completed each year) |
| Next deadlines | June 30, 2028 |
| Grace period | Late renewal July 1 to July 31 of even years (the board set July 1 to August 15 for 2026) |
| Late penalty | $100 late renewal fee |
| CE completion deadline | Each year, before you renew |
Steps
How to renew a Georgia residential contractor license, step by step
- Take approved CEEach year
Complete your approved hours each year: 3 for residential basic or 6 for residential-light commercial, with no more than half online or by correspondence. - Get your certificateSame day
Save the certificate of completion you get when you finish each course. - Confirm it’s reportedBefore you renew
Since January 1, 2026, residential contractors must record their CE in CE Broker. Load each course and certificate as you finish it; providers also send the division a roster. - Pay the renewal fee$100 fee
Renew online in your GOALS account by June 30 and pay the $100 renewal fee, confirming under oath that your CE is complete. Renewing late adds a $100 late fee. - Check your license statusAfter renewal
Look up your license in GOALS to confirm your new expiration date.
Providers
Approved Georgia residential contractor license CE providers
We haven’t compared CE providers for this license yet. Use the board’s approved provider list to confirm a course counts before you pay. Courses must be approved by the state board to count.
Approval
How to check a Georgia residential contractor CE course is approved
Only board-approved courses count toward Georgia residential contractor CE. Approved courses cover topics such as building codes, business, legal updates, safety, workers’ compensation and building techniques.
- Confirm the course is approved by the state board before you pay.
- Check whether it’s classroom or online, and keep online and correspondence hours to no more than half of what you need.
- Make sure you finish the hours for each year, not just the renewal year.
Reporting
How Georgia residential contractor CE is reported, and what happens in an audit
You report your own CE. As of January 1, 2026, residential contractors must register with CE Broker and record all CE taken for renewal there, and you affirm under oath when you renew that your CE is complete. Providers also send the division an electronic roster of who finished each course.
- Upload every certificate of completion to CE Broker.
- Keep your records for two years after the end of the renewal period.
- The board checks a sample of renewals and may give you extra time to cure a shortfall.
- Missing CE Broker hours make an audit more likely.
Cost
How much does Georgia residential contractor license renewal cost?
| Item | Fee | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| License renewal fee | $100 | State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors |
| Late renewal fee | $100 | State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors |
| Reinstatement fee | $300 | State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors |
| Inactive status / reactivation | $25 / $200 | State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors |
| CE courses | Varies by provider | CE provider |
Fees from the Georgia Secretary of State GOALS fee schedule, checked October 2026; the same fees apply to residential basic and residential-light commercial. Applications also carry a $10 processing fee.
Late or lapsed
Late, expired or inactive Georgia residential contractor license
If you miss June 30, you can still renew during the late period with a $100 late fee. Under board rules, not renewing by December 31 of the renewal year has the same effect as revocation, and you’d need to apply for reinstatement.
Grace period
Late renewal runs July 1 to July 31 of even years (July 1 to August 15 for 2026), with a $100 late fee.
Reinstatement
Apply for reinstatement in GOALS with the $300 fee and proof of the required CE for each renewal period your license was lapsed. The board may require the exam again.
Inactive status
You can place your license on inactive status ($25) and later apply for reactivation ($200).
Makeup CE
Hours you use to renew during the late period can’t be used again in the next cycle.
Who controls
Who controls Georgia residential contractor license renewal?
Renewal authority
State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors
Georgia Professional Licensing Boards Division, 3920 Arkwright Rd, Suite 195, Macon, GA 31210
Phone: 404-424-9966
Responsibilities
- Issues and renews Georgia residential contractor licenses
- Sets CE hours, topics and delivery rules
- Tracks CE through CE Broker and audits renewals
Getting licensed
Getting a Georgia residential contractor license
Need the license first? Our Georgia guide covers who needs a license, the classes, exams, fees and the steps to apply.
FAQ
Georgia residential contractor license CE FAQs
How many CE hours does a Georgia residential contractor need?
Residential basic contractors need 3 hours each year. Residential-light commercial contractors need 6 hours each year.
When is the deadline?
Licenses expire on June 30 of even years, but CE is due every year.
Can I take CE online?
Yes, but online and correspondence courses can’t make up more than 50% of your required hours. The rest must be classroom courses.
What topics count?
Building and related codes, functional fields of business, legal or regulatory updates, workplace safety, workers’ compensation, and building techniques and technology.
Do hours carry over?
Board rules don’t mention carrying extra hours forward. Hours you use to renew during the late period can’t be counted again in the next cycle.
Who reports my hours?
You do. Record your CE in CE Broker and confirm it’s complete when you renew in GOALS.
Sources
Official sources for Georgia residential contractor CE rules
- Georgia residential contractor continuing education requirements
- State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors
- Residential and Commercial General Contractors FAQ
- How To Guide: Residential Contractors
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 553-12
- Georgia Secretary of State fee schedules by board (GOALS)
Last updated October 28, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors.