- Licensed in MD, PA, VA, OH and FL
- Electronic bond delivery when available
If a state, county, or city licensing board told you to get a contractor license bond, send us the requirement. We’ll identify the bond, check the amount and form, and tell you what the surety needs for a quote.
A contractor license bond is a surety bond that some states, counties, and cities require before they will issue or renew a contractor license. It guarantees that the contractor will follow the licensing laws and rules the bond covers.
It depends on the state, county, city, and trade. Some licensing boards require a bond for every contractor license, some only for certain trades or license classes, and some require none.
Check the requirement with your licensing board or send us the paperwork. We would rather read the actual requirement than guess.
A lapse can put your license at risk. What happens next depends on the board, the law, and the wording of the bond.
Watch for renewal and cancellation notices, and do not assume the license stays active while the bond is lapsed.
No. A license bond guarantees that you will meet certain licensing obligations. Insurance, such as general liability or workers’ compensation, protects against covered losses.
Having the bond does not satisfy your insurance requirements, and the reverse is also true. Many licenses need both, and we can help you sort out which is which.
You normally pay a premium for the bond, not the full bond amount. A $25,000 bond does not normally cost $25,000.
For contractor license bonds, the price usually depends on the bond amount set by the board, your credit, and your experience and financial history. Different surety companies can view the same applicant differently.
It depends on the bond and the surety company. Many contractor license bonds are written with credit-based underwriting, and a credit problem does not automatically mean you cannot get bonded.
If credit is an issue, tell us up front. We can look at the markets available for your bond.
Send whatever the licensing board gave you. The most useful items are:
It depends on the bond. Straightforward contractor license bonds can often be issued quickly when the bond form and applicant information are complete. Larger bond amounts, credit issues, or unusual forms can take longer.
If your license application has a deadline, tell us when you apply.
If this is not the bond you were asked for, these pages may help.
Yes. Bond amounts, license classes, forms, and filing rules vary by state, and cities and counties can have their own requirements. Do not assume a bond from one jurisdiction satisfies another.
Tell us what you’re applying for or send us the paperwork from the licensing board. We’ll take it from there.
The Bond Agent | 3655A Old Court Rd, Suite 13 | Baltimore, MD 21208
