Understanding the Different Types of Contractors
Contractor Licensing and Regulations in Alaska
General Contractor
Role: Oversee the entire construction process, including new home construction, commercial projects, and residential remodeling. They are the main point of contact for the client.
Licensing: Need a general contractor’s license for projects over $10,000.
Residential Endorsement: If performing new home construction or residential work exceeding 25% of the structure’s value, a residential contractor endorsement is required in addition to the general contractor license. This requires completing a cold climate course and passing an exam.
Insurance & Bonding: Require a $25,000 bond and proof of general liability insurance with specific minimum coverage levels ($20,000 for property damage, $50,000 for injury/death to one person, $100,000 for injury/death to more than one person).
Subcontractor
Role: Specialized individuals or firms hired by general contractors to perform specific tasks within a project. They work under the direction of the general contractor.
Licensing: If their work involves more than three trades, they may need to obtain a general contractor license.
Residential Contractor
Role: Residential Contractors are contractors who have a Residential Contractor Endorsement or have assigned to them an individual(s) who has a residential contractor endorsement.
Licensing: Residential Contractors may undertake construction of a privately owned residential structure of one to four units and residential work greater than 25% the value of the structure being altered.
Residential Contractor Endorsement
This endorsement may be obtained after an individual has completed a 16-hour cold climate course and passed the residential contractors endorsement exam. A holder of a residential contractor endorsement is not permitted to perform work under this license unless they are assigned to a Residential Contractor or hold a Residential Contractor’s license themselves in addition to this endorsement.
Electrical Contractor
Role: Electrical contractors are licensed Specialty Contractors who have Electrical Contractor or Communications Contractor listed as one of their trades.
License: In order to qualify as an electrical contractor an Electrical Administrator license must be assigned to the Specialty Contractor as an additional license, or an individual who holds an electrical administrator license must be assigned to the specialty contractor.
Electrical Administrator License
The Electrical Administrator license is required for at least one employee of a valid Alaskan Contractor that performs work that is covered by the National Electric (NEC) or National Electric Safety (NESC) codes. It is a supervisory license only and does not allow the license holder to perform work covered by the NEC or the NESC.
Mechanical Contractor
Role: Mechanical contractors may perform any of the mechanical disciplines for which their Mechanical Administrator license allows (plumbing, heating, sheet metal, or refrigeration).
License: A mechanical administrator license is required in addition to the Mechanical Contractors license in order to perform work. A Mechanical Contractor may hold the mechanical administrator license themselves as an additional license or have an individual(s) assigned to their license who holds the Mechanical Administrator license. Please note a mechanical contractor may only perform mechanical work; the installation of mechanical controls requires both an Electrical Administrators license and a Mechanical Administrators license.
Insurance & Bonding: Requires a $10,000 bond and the standard general liability insurance coverage.
Mechanical Inspection
Role: Mechanical Inspection oversees installations of a variety of mechanical work to ensure public safety. The programs administered include electrical and plumbing installations, boilers and pressure vessels, elevators, amusement rides, ski lifts, and tramways. In addition, Mechanical Inspection investigates complaints about the Contractor Licensing and the Mechanical and Electrical Administrator programs statewide.
Handyman Contractors
Role: Handle smaller projects with an aggregate contract price of $10,000 or less. This includes both labor and materials.
Licensing: Requires a “General Contractor – Handyman” license.
Insurance & Bonding: Requires a $5,000 bond and the same general liability insurance coverage as general contractors.
Independent Contractor
The Alaska State Legislature introduced Senate Bill 35 in April 2025, aiming to clarify the definition of independent contractors and establish specific criteria to prevent worker misclassification.
Specialty Contractors
Specialty contractors may perform work that requires the use of not more than three trades. If work falls under more than three trades, a license as a General or Residential Contractor is required.
The following accordion identifies the scope of work that each Specialty Contractor is able to perform:
Access Flooring Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install |
|
Access Flooring Contractor (12 AAC 21.210) |
An access flooring contractor installs elevated floor panels used in computer facilities, including access flooring that contains air conditioning ducts, electrical conduit, communication conduit, or similar material | An access flooring contractor may not install (1) subflooring; (2) flexible, sheet, or woven-back floor-covering material; (3) duct work, conduit, electrical lines, cable, or wiring, regardless of voltage carried, that is independent of the access flooring; or (4) construct or make alterations to an existing structure or the structure that houses the access flooring. |
Acoustical and Insulation Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install |
|
Acoustical and Insulation Contractor (12 AAC 21.220) |
An acoustical and insulation contractor installs (1) all types of insulation media to walls, roofs, decks, perimeter of foundations, and under concrete slabs, including vapor retarders; (2) special coatings and materials to provide fire resistance and fireproofing to building components; acoustical tiles and panels, sound absorbing wall and ceiling units, acoustical wall systems, and sound barrier boards and blankets; (3) ceiling suspension systems; (4) insulation of mechanical heating and cooling systems to pipes; (5) insulation of sheet metal ducts. |
Asbestos Abatement Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Asbestos Abatement Contractor (12 AAC 21.230) |
An asbestos abatement contractor requires additional certification by the Department of Labor under 8 AAC 61.600. |
Carpentry Contractor, Finish
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
| Carpentry Contractor, Finish (12 AAC 21.240) | A finish carpenter is a specialty contractor who works on anything made of wood, or wood-like materials, attached to the interior of a structure and which is visible, including: interior wooden trim; cabinets; built-in shelving; interior stairs and banisters; cornices; laminated countertops; doors, door hardware, locks, and latches; windows and sills; wooden or plastic laminated wall paneling; moldings; chalkboards and tackboards; motorized window louvers, blinds, shades, or drapery hardware; hardwood flooring and floor refinishing; or installation of tubing for air systems, pneumatic conveyor systems, and central vacuum systems for conveying material and vacuum cleaning in residential, commercial, and industrial structures. | Finish carpentry is either performed by the contractor or subcontracted to another similarly registered contractor. |
Carpentry Contractor, Rough
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Carpentry Contractor, Rough (12 AAC 21.250) |
A rough carpenter is a specialty contractor who provides services in the following areas: framing and lay-up work; concrete form work; trusses, beams, and columns; structural work, (e.g., wood placed for purposes of structural integrity); partition studs of metal or wood; siding; roof shingles; exterior wall sheathing; roof sheathing; subflooring; wooden walkways, rails, treads, and risers; decks; docks, dock planking, and bull rails; pilings driven for purposes of foundation for dwellings, warehouses, or similar fixed structures (not pilings for piers, docks, or floats); heavy timber; wooden fencing; metal doors and frames; metal joists and structural metal framing; metal or plastic windows; operable partitions; overhead door installation; or scaffold erection. | Rough carpentry is either performed by the contractor or subcontracted to another similarly registered contractor. |
Communications Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Communications Contractor (12 AAC 21.260) |
A communications contractor installs communications [TELEPHONE] wiring and equipment; radio communications devices and equipment; audiovisual equipment; or navigation equipment. | Unless specifically exempted under AS 08.40.190, all communications contractor work is done under the supervision of an electrical administrator. |
Concrete and Paving Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Concrete and Paving Contractor (12 AAC 21.270) |
A concrete and paving contractor performs work in the following areas: cast-in-place concrete; concrete form work; concrete pumping; concrete restoration and cleaning; curbs and sidewalks; asphalt paving, surfacing, and repair; concrete finishing, except painting; aggregate coatings; pavement markings, including tactile warning lines and striping on roads, parking lots, and curbs; or asphalt- and concrete-mounted safety reflectors and speed bumps. |
Demolition Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Demolition Contractor (12 AAC 21.280) |
A demolition contractor performs work in the following areas: (1) demolition of fixed structures and parts of structures; (2) removal and capping of existing utilities; or (3) removal and abatement of hazardous materials, except for asbestos. | No removal of asbestos | A demolition contractor might use explosives and heavy equipment to effect demolition. Explosive users might be required to obtain a certificate of fitness from the Department of Labor, under 8 AAC 62.030, to engage in that activity. |
Drilling Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Drilling Contractor (12 AAC 21.290) |
A drilling contractor performs work in the following areas: (1) exploratory core drilling and boring, for the purpose of gathering geotechnical data and ground water monitoring; (2) water well drilling, including the installation of well casings; or (3) horizontal drilling and tunneling for the purpose of soil stabilization, grouting, dewatering and drainage, mining, and the installation of underground cables and piping. |
Drywall Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Drywall Contractor (12 AAC 21.300) |
A drywall contractor performs work in the following areas: (1) installation of gypsum board or other drywall materials; (2) taping; or (3) joint preparation. |
Electrical Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Electrical Contractor (12 AAC 21.310) |
An electrical contractor, unless specifically exempted in AS 08.40.190, must be registered as, or employ, an electrical administrator licensed under AS 08.40, and may only submit bids for, or work on, projects for which it has a licensed electrical administrator. A worker doing work covered by the National Electrical Code or the National Electrical Safety Code established in AS 18.60.580 is subject to certificate of fitness requirements of the Department of Labor under 8 AAC 90. |
Elevator and Conveying System Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Elevator and Conveying System Contractor (12 AAC 21.320) |
An elevator and conveying system contractor installs and maintains manual, electric, and hydraulic conveying systems, including all related machinery, hardware, accessories, safety equipment, and controls. Conveying systems include (1) dumbwaiters; (2) passenger and freight elevators of all types, including cars, entrances, and hoist way equipment; (3) escalators, moving walks, ramps, and other passenger conveying systems composed of moving belts or treads installs in horizontal and inclined positions; (4) people, platform, stage and orchestra, sidewalk, wheelchair, and vehicle lifts. (5) material handling systems, including freight handling equipment, prefabricated chutes, conveyors, gravity rollers, powered rollers, powered belts, and other devices for transfer of bulk and packaged materials; and (6) structural turntables, including movable areas for restaurants, stages, exhibits, displays, and turntables for vehicular and industrial uses. | The elevator safety standards adopted in AS 18.60.800 apply to work described in this section. |
Excavation Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Excavation Contractor (12 AAC 21.330) |
An excavation contractor performs work in the following areas: (1) haul and spread sand, gravel, topsoil, fill, or other construction materials; (2) dig and back-fill trenches, holes, and ditches; (3) drilling; (4) blasting; (5) land clearing, ground leveling, grading, filling, and shaping; (6) staking; (7) culverts; (8) railroad track grade and fill; or (9) tunneling. |
Fence & Guardrail Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Fence & Guardrail Contractor (12 AAC 21.340) |
A fence and guardrail contractor erects and installs (1) metal or wood fences including gates, posts, and hardware; (2) metal or wood guardrails; or (3) prefabricated concrete, metal, or wood barricades or parking barriers, including bull rails. |
Floor Covering Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Floor Covering Contractor (12 AAC 21.350) |
A floor covering contractor installs (1) carpet; (2) flexible or resilient tile; or (3) flexible or resilient sheet flooring. |
Glazing Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Glazing Contractor (12 AAC 21.360) |
A glazing contractor installs (1) windows, frames, and sashes of metal or wood; (2) glass doors, frames, and hardware; or (3) stained glass windows, doors, and ceiling panels, but does not cut openings for skylights or install roof bubbles. |
Landscaping Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Landscaping Contractor (12 AAC 21.370) |
A landscape contractor (1) grades, fills, and levels ground; (2) hauls fill, gravel, topsoil, sand, and similar construction materials; (3) constructs water drainage systems, dewatering, and ponds; (4) performs hydro-seeding; or (5) installs grass, shrubbery, trees, or other ornamental or decorative plants. |
Liquid or Gas Storage Tank Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Liquid or Gas Storage Tank Contractor (12 AAC 21.380) |
A liquid or gas storage tank contractor connects or installs non-Uniform Plumbing Code plumbing incidental to installation of storage tanks | Does not (1) perform any work covered by the Uniform Plumbing Code adopted under AS 18.60.705; (2) construct or alter the pad, base, footings, or structure housing the installed tank. |
Low Voltage Alarm or Signaling Device Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Low Voltage Alarm or Signaling Device Contractor (12 AAC 21.390) |
A low voltage alarm or signaling device contractor installs (1) fire sensing and signaling devices; (2) intrusion or proximity detection and signaling devices; or (3) automatic fire protection systems, except sprinkler systems. | A low voltage alarm or signaling device contractor does not perform any work covered by the National Electrical Code cited in AS 18.60.580, unless the work is specifically exempted under AS 08.40.190. |
Marine Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Marine Contractor (12 AAC 21.400) |
A marine contractor performs work in the following areas: (1) pilings driven for the construction of piers, docks, and other marine facilities; (2) construction of caissons, seawalls, and jetties; (3) dredging; or (4) underwater construction. |
Masonry Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Masonry Contractor (12 AAC 21.410) |
A masonry contractor installs: (1) chimneys of stone, brick, or block; (2) stone or brick flooring; (3) stone, brick, or block masonry fences and walls; (4) refractories; (5) fireplaces, attached or remote; or (6) brick, stone and block mortaring. |
Painting Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Painting Contractor (12 AAC 21.430) |
A painting contractor uses brush, roller, or spray application techniques on all types of interior and exterior surfaces to (1) perform surface preparation, including drywall taping, patching, filling, sanding, sand blasting, stripping, and masking; (2) apply paints, stains, oils, coatings, sealants, epoxies, and similar products, including weatherproofing and waterproofing materials; (3) apply texturing and acoustical spray-ons or paints; (4) perform electrostatic applications; or (5) striping on roads, parking lots, and curbs. | A painting contractor who performs “hazardous painting,” as defined in AS 18.63.100, is also subject to the certification requirements of AS 18.63. |
Plaster Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Plaster Contractor (12 AAC 21.440) |
A plaster contractor: (1) installs wood or metal lath; or (2) applies plaster and plaster-like materials. |
Road Construction Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Road Construction Contractor (12 AAC 21.450) |
A road construction contractor performs the following services: (1) grading, filling, and leveling; (2) drilling; (3) blasting; (4) sand, gravel, rock, and water hauling and dispersing; (5) compaction; (6) staking; (7) wooden bridges; or (8) culverts. |
Roofing Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Roofing Contractor (12 AAC 21.460) |
A roofing contractor performs the following services on all types of roofs using all types of roofing material: (1) installation of roof sheathing; (2) installation or application of roof weatherproofing and insulation; (3) repair of structural damage of roof support system, (4) extension of roof penetrations, vents, and drains on an existing structure, except electrical penetrations; or (5) installation of skylights. | Does not construct or install a new roof support system. |
Security Systems Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Security Systems Contractor (12 AAC 21.470) |
A security systems contractor installs security systems that become a permanent part of a structure, including (1) vaults and related hardware; or (2) mechanical and electronic locking devices and related hardware and controls. | Installation of some security and vault equipment might also require a steel erection specialty contractor registration or an electrical contractor registration. A locksmith who sells or installs locks and related door hardware that do not become a permanent part of the structure, is exempt from registration as a security systems contractor under AS 08.18.161. |
Sheet Metal Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Sheet Metal Contractor (12 AAC 21.480) |
A sheet metal contractor performs work in the following areas: manufacture, fabrication, assembly, installation, and alteration of all ferrous or nonferrous metal work; lagging over insulation and duct lining; preparation of drawings taken from architectural and engineering plans required for fabrication and erections of sheet metal work; exterior wall sheathing and siding; metal roofing, flashing, and decking; ornamental sheet metal work, including cornices; metal venting, chimneys, and breaching; skylight installation; lavatory partitions; sheet metal shelving; louvers; commercial or industrial food service equipment; or demolition of sheet metal. | This specialty contractor category does not include sheet metal work subject to building codes identified in AS 08.18.171(7), including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ducting and equipment. Work subject to those codes is done by a mechanical or general contractor under the supervision of a mechanical administrator licensed under AS 08.40. |
Sign Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Sign Contractor (12 AAC 21.490) |
A sign contractor fabricates and installs wooden, plastic, laminated, or metal signs, including those electrically operated. | A sign contractor does not (1) install or apply materials that commonly require specialized installation techniques, such as carpet or wallpaper; or (2) perform any work covered by the National Electrical Code adopted under AS 18.60.580 unless specifically exempted in AS 08.40.190. |
Solid Fuel Appliance Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Solid Fuel Appliance Contractor (12 AAC 21.500) |
A solid fuel appliance contractor is a specialty contractor who installs chimney-connected solid fuel heating appliances, including: (1) solid fuel room heaters; (2) fireplace stoves; (3) fireplace inserts; (4) masonry and factory-built fireplaces; (5) all chimney components, connectors, and accessories necessary for the installation of solid fuel appliances, including roof flashings; or (6) noncombustible wall protection materials including masonry and ventilated sheet metal panels. | In this section, “solid fuel” means (1) wood in its various forms, including chunk wood, pressed logs, wood pellets, wood chips, and paper; and (2) coal in its various forms, including processed coals, coke, peat, and charcoal. |
Steel Erection Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Steel Erection Contractor (12 AAC 21.510) |
A steel erection contractor installs (1) ornamental metal; (2) structural steel; (3) steel towers and pylons; (4) jail or detention bars, gates and hardware; (5) reinforcing steel for concrete; (6) corrugated floor steel; or (7) welding, soldering, or brazing necessary for installation but incidental to the structure. | A steel erection contractor does not perform electrical code work related to jails, barriers, detention systems, or vaults. |
Tile and Terrazzo Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Tile and Terrazzo Contractor (12 AAC 21.520) |
A tile and terrazzo contractor installs, and uses materials required to secure, wood or metal lath and tile or terrazzo on floors, walls, or manufactured surfaces such as tables, cabinets, and shelves. |
Wallcovering Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Wallcovering Contractor (12 AAC 21.530) |
A wallcovering contractor installs paper, fabric, and woven-backed material. | Does not paint or install wood or plastic laminated paneling. |
Water and Sewer Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Water and Sewer Contractor (12 AAC 21.540) |
A water and sewer contractor installs water lines, septic tanks, and sanitary, storm, or drain sewer lines more than five feet from a building. | A mechanical contractor registration under AS 08.18.028 is required before a person may install water lines, septic tanks, or sanitary, storm, or drain sewer lines five feet or less from a building, or perform work covered by a plumbing or mechanical code identified in AS 08.18.171. |
Water System Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Water System Contractor (12 AAC 21.550) |
A water system contractor drills and constructs water wells and performs the work necessary for the installation, repair, or maintenance of water well system equipment. A water system contractor uses (1) the equipment needed to plumb the water system from a submersible pump to the discharge side of the pressure tank; (2) the equipment needed to wire the electrical system from the submersible pump to and including the well pump system controls terminating at the first point of connection before the circuit breaker panel. |
Welding Contractor
| Trade Name and SOA Statutes Associated with Trade | Licensed to Install | NOT Licensed to Install | Additional Info |
|
Welding Contractor (12 AAC 21.560) |
A welding contractor (1) cuts, welds, solders, and brazes any metals; (2) fabricates steel; (3) performs welding inspections; or (4) uses industrial radiologic techniques and materials. | Nothing in this section prohibits cutting, welding, soldering, and brazing by mechanical contractors or other specialty contractors when that work is a necessary and integral part of that mechanical or specialty trade. |