Contractor License from Nebraska to Pennsylvania: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-09-01 · source: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Contractor Registration (HICPA) ↗
Pennsylvania does not offer contractor reciprocity with any state. Expect a full application to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Contractor Registration (HICPA), including Pennsylvania's exams.
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Verdict
No reciprocity offered
Pennsylvania recognizes no state's contractor license, so coming from Nebraska changes nothing — it is a full application either way. The practical plan: identify which Pennsylvania license class matches your work, book the business/law and trade exams, and prepare the financial statement and bond early. Nothing about your Nebraska license is wasted, but none of it substitutes for Pennsylvania's process.
What changes, Nebraska → Pennsylvania
| Nebraska (current) | Pennsylvania (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $127.5–$555 (The range is the full amount a reciprocal applicant pays to reach an issued Nebraska licence: application fee plus licence fee, for the two licence types Nebraska actually reciprocates. Journeyman Electrician - $90.00 application fee plus a licence fee of $37.50 for a licence issued in an even-numbered year or $75.00 in an odd-numbered year, so $127.50 or $165.00. Electrical Contractor - $180.00 application fee plus a licence fee of $187.50 (even-numbered year) or $375.00 (odd-numbered year), so $367.50 or $555.00. The licence fee is charged for each year of the two-year licence period on both issuance and renewal, which is why an odd-year issuance costs double; current licences expire 2026-12-31. Licence fees for classes outside the reciprocity pathway (fees only, not totals): Class A Master, Class B Electrical Contractor and Class B Master $187.50 per year; Class B Journeyman, Residential Wireman, Fire Alarm Installer, Heating/AC/Refrigeration, Irrigation and Sign Installer $37.50 per year; Apprentice Registration $35. The board states that refunds will not be made for processed applications.) | $100 ($100 registration every two years (non-refundable); online card payment adds a $2 processing fee. There is no state contractor license fee; electrical/plumbing licensing is handled at the municipal/local level.) |
| Processing time | Not published; reciprocal applications are processed by mail. | 2–3 weeks (Registration certificate arrives by mail within 2 to 3 weeks unless the application is incomplete.) |
| Licensing authority | Nebraska State Electrical Division / State Electrical Board (no state general-contractor license) | Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Contractor Registration (HICPA) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Pennsylvania sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review Pennsylvania's initial-licensure requirements on the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Contractor Registration (HICPA) website (linked below).
- Expect to meet Pennsylvania's education/experience requirements and pass its required exams — prior out-of-state licensure may still count toward experience.
- Submit the standard (new applicant) application with fees ($100 ($100 registration every two years (non-refundable); online card payment adds a $2 processing fee. There is no state contractor license fee; electrical/plumbing licensing is handled at the municipal/local level.)).
- Allow 2–3 weeks (Registration certificate arrives by mail within 2 to 3 weeks unless the application is incomplete.).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Pennsylvania accept a Nebraska contractor license?
Pennsylvania does not offer contractor reciprocity with any state. Expect a full application to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Contractor Registration (HICPA), including Pennsylvania's exams.
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
Pennsylvania's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the Nebraska-to-Pennsylvania move cost and how long does it take?
$100 ($100 registration every two years (non-refundable); online card payment adds a $2 processing fee. There is no state contractor license fee; electrical/plumbing licensing is handled at the municipal/local level.); processing 2–3 weeks (Registration certificate arrives by mail within 2 to 3 weeks unless the application is incomplete.).
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
If you do commercial general-building work, possibly — about 15 states accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building exam toward licensure. Check whether Pennsylvania is one on the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Contractor Registration (HICPA) site.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-09-01.
- PA OAG — Home Improvement Contractor Registration System (fee, insurance, PA#, processing) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- PA OAG — Home Improvement Contractor FAQ ($5,000 threshold, out-of-state contractors must register) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Nebraska State Electrical Board - Reciprocal Information ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Nebraska State Electrical Division - 2025-2026 License and Registration Fees (per-year fees for each year of the two-year licence period) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-01)
- Nebraska State Electrical Division - Journeyman Electrician ($90.00 application fee; licence fee $37.50 even-numbered year / $75.00 odd-numbered year) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-01)
- Nebraska State Electrical Division - Electrical Contractor ($180.00 application fee; licence fee $187.50 even-numbered year / $375.00 odd-numbered year) ↗ (accessed 2026-09-01)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-09-01
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