Registration, not a license, and no exam or competency demonstration. "Per 26 V.S.A. 5501(b), any residential contractor who performs residential construction where the estimated value is $10,000 or more, inclusive of labor and materials" must register. "Residential Contracting is defined as to build, demolish, or alter a residential dwelling unit, or a building or premises with four or fewer residential dwelling units", including interior and exterior construction, renovation and repair. Registration has been required since April 1, 2023. Exemptions include employees of a registered residential contracting business, tradespeople licensed by the Department of Public Safety working within their scope, licensed engineers and architects, and "A person working on a structure that is not attached to a residential building." Subcontractors hired by another contractor rather than by the homeowner directly are not required to register: "If at any time, you directly enter into a contract with the homeowner where the estimated valued is at $10,000 or more, inclusive of labor and materials, you must register with OPR."
