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Bond cost index

Contractor License Bond Cost

A contractor license bond is the license bond a state or local government requires to issue a contractor license. It guarantees that the contractor will follow the licensing law and the building code, and it is separate from the project performance bonds a contractor posts on individual jobs.

How much does a contractor license bond cost?

A contractor license bond amount typically ranges from $10,000 to $25,000 depending on the state. Premium runs about 1% to 15% of the bond amount per year, set by underwriting based on credit and financials. Standard credit lands near the low end.

Data as of 2026-06-17. Methodology v1.

Bond amount and premium by state

StateBond amountPremium rate bandEstimated annual premium
AlabamaNot required1% to 15%Not required
Alaska$10,0001% to 15%$100 to $1,500/yr
Arizona$321% to 15%$100 to $100/yr
Arkansas$10,0001% to 15%$100 to $1,500/yr
California$25,0001% to 15%$250 to $3,750/yr
ColoradoNot required1% to 15%Not required
ConnecticutNot required1% to 15%Not required
Delaware$301% to 15%$100 to $100/yr
District of Columbia$471% to 15%$100 to $100/yr
Florida$611% to 15%$100 to $100/yr
GeorgiaNot required1% to 15%Not required
HawaiiVaries by license class1% to 15%Varies
IdahoNot required1% to 15%Not required
IllinoisNot required1% to 15%Not required
IndianaNot required1% to 15%Not required
Iowa$911% to 15%$100 to $100/yr
Kansas$791% to 15%$100 to $100/yr
KentuckyNot required1% to 15%Not required
LouisianaNot required1% to 15%Not required
MaineNot required1% to 15%Not required
MarylandNot required1% to 15%Not required
MassachusettsNot required1% to 15%Not required
MichiganNot required1% to 15%Not required
Minnesota$3261% to 15%$100 to $100/yr
MississippiNot required1% to 15%Not required
MissouriNot required1% to 15%Not required
MontanaNot required1% to 15%Not required
NebraskaNot required1% to 15%Not required
Nevada$6241% to 15%$100 to $100/yr
New HampshireNot required1% to 15%Not required
New JerseyNot required1% to 15%Not required
New MexicoNot required1% to 15%Not required
New YorkNot required1% to 15%Not required
North CarolinaNot required1% to 15%Not required
North DakotaNot required1% to 15%Not required
OhioNot required1% to 15%Not required
OklahomaVaries by license class1% to 15%Varies
Oregon$7011% to 15%$100 to $105/yr
PennsylvaniaNot required1% to 15%Not required
Rhode IslandNot required1% to 15%Not required
South Carolina$401% to 15%$100 to $100/yr
South DakotaNot required1% to 15%Not required
TennesseeNot required1% to 15%Not required
TexasNot required1% to 15%Not required
Utah$1561% to 15%$100 to $100/yr
VermontNot required1% to 15%Not required
VirginiaNot required1% to 15%Not required
Washington$15,0001% to 15%$150 to $2,250/yr
West Virginia$211% to 15%$100 to $100/yr
Wisconsin$25,0001% to 15%$250 to $3,750/yr
WyomingNot required1% to 15%Not required

These are estimated ranges, not quotes. Final premium is set by underwriting and depends on the bond amount, your credit and financials, the bond class, and the obligee. A firm number takes a short application.