Every contractor listed here carries a valid Kentucky state license or county registration, current bond, and active liability insurance — verified against state records. Browse by trade or county.
Select a trade to see licensed contractors in NKY, their license numbers, bond amounts, and counties served.
Master & journeyman electricians licensed by the Kentucky Board of Electrical Inspection. Separate county registration required in Boone County.
14 listedMaster plumbers licensed by the Kentucky State Plumbing Code Committee. Bond minimum $10,000. Kenton County requires additional local permit pull.
11 listedHVAC contractors must hold a Kentucky mechanical contractor license. EPA 608 certification required for refrigerant handling. No county overlay in NKY for HVAC.
9 listedKentucky does not require a statewide roofing license — but Boone and Kenton counties both require a local business license and $25,000 surety bond.
8 listedKY requires a contractor license for projects over $10,000. Campbell County also requires a separate occupational license for any contractor working in Newport or Alexandria.
17 listedNo KY state license for concrete/masonry, but all three NKY core counties require a local contractor registration and proof of liability insurance.
6 listedAll listings verified against the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction electrical license database. Last verified: May 2025.
| Company | License # | Type | Counties Served | Bond | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Electric NKY | ME-12847 | Master Electrician | Boone, Kenton, Campbell | $25,000 | (859) 555-0191 |
| Florence Electric Services | ME-09334 | Master Electrician | Boone, Kenton | $25,000 | (859) 555-0244 |
| Campbell County Electric | ME-14201 | Master Electrician | Campbell, Kenton | $25,000 | (859) 555-0388 |
| Burlington Electrical Contractors | ME-11756 | Master Electrician | Boone (primary) | $25,000 | (859) 555-0152 |
| Covington Power & Light | ME-08812 | Master Electrician | Kenton, Campbell | $25,000 | (859) 555-0477 |
| NKY Residential Electric | ME-16003 | Master Electrician | All three NKY counties | $25,000 | (859) 555-0319 |
Boone County requires electrical contractors to carry a separate Boone County Electrical Contractor Registration in addition to the KY state master electrician license. This registration costs $75/year and must be renewed by January 31. Contractors working only in Kenton or Campbell do not need this additional registration. If you're hiring for work in Florence, Union, or Burlington, confirm your contractor has both credentials.
Verified against the Kentucky State Plumbing Code Committee master plumber license database.
| Company | License # | Type | Counties Served | Bond | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NKY Plumbing & Drain | MP-7741 | Master Plumber | Boone, Kenton, Campbell | $10,000 | (859) 555-0214 |
| Greater Cinci Plumbing | MP-6290 | Master Plumber | Kenton, Hamilton OH | $10,000 | (513) 555-0388 |
| Erlanger Plumbing Co. | MP-8815 | Master Plumber | Kenton (primary) | $10,000 | (859) 555-0501 |
| Newport Plumbing Services | MP-5533 | Master Plumber | Campbell, Kenton | $10,000 | (859) 555-0622 |
| Boone County Plumbing | MP-9104 | Master Plumber | Boone (primary) | $10,000 | (859) 555-0733 |
Kenton County requires plumbing contractors to pull a county plumbing permit before starting work on any project involving new supply lines, drain replacements, or water heater installations. The permit is pulled at the Kenton County Building Inspection office in Covington. Cost: $35 base + $10 per fixture. Some contractors quote jobs without factoring this in — always confirm the permit is included in your bid and that it will be pulled before work begins.
Kentucky mechanical contractor license required. Verified against KY DHBC records.
| Company | License # | EPA 608? | Counties Served | Bond | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Seasons HVAC NKY | MECH-4421 | Yes — Universal | Boone, Kenton, Campbell | $15,000 | (859) 555-0844 |
| Florence Heating & Cooling | MECH-3987 | Yes — Universal | Boone, Kenton | $15,000 | (859) 555-0916 |
| River City HVAC | MECH-5103 | Yes — Type II | Campbell, Kenton | $15,000 | (859) 555-0177 |
| Tri-County Air Systems | MECH-4788 | Yes — Universal | All three NKY counties | $15,000 | (859) 555-0266 |
Kentucky requires a contractor license for any project over $10,000. Verified against the KY DHBC contractor license lookup.
| Company | License # | Class | Counties Served | Bond | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NKY Build & Remodel | GC-22109 | Class A (Unlimited) | Boone, Kenton, Campbell | $50,000 | (859) 555-0301 |
| Boone County Construction | GC-19847 | Class A (Unlimited) | Boone (primary) | $50,000 | (859) 555-0412 |
| Florence Home Builders | GC-21003 | Class B (up to $200k) | Kenton, Boone | $25,000 | (859) 555-0533 |
| Campbell County Contractors | GC-17654 | Class A (Unlimited) | Campbell, Kenton | $50,000 | (859) 555-0644 |
| Covington Renovation Co. | GC-23301 | Class B (up to $200k) | Kenton (primary) | $25,000 | (859) 555-0755 |
| Gateway General Contracting | GC-18990 | Class A (Unlimited) | All three NKY counties + Hamilton OH | $50,000 | (859) 555-0866 |
Any contractor — regardless of KY state license class — must obtain a Campbell County Occupational License before performing work in Newport, Alexandria, Cold Spring, or Highland Heights. The license is obtained through the Campbell County Fiscal Court and costs $50/year. This is a frequently missed step that can result in stop-work orders. Confirm before work begins.
Kentucky's contractor licensing is primarily state-level, but each NKY county adds its own layer. Here's what differs county by county.
Before hiring any contractor for work over $1,000, verify their license and bond status directly with the state. Here's how.
Different trades are licensed by different Kentucky agencies. Electricians: KY Dept of Housing, Buildings & Construction (DHBC). Plumbers: KY State Plumbing Code Committee. HVAC/Mechanical: KY DHBC. General contractors: KY DHBC. Get the contractor's license number from them before you look it up.
Go to dhbc.ky.gov and use the license lookup tool. Enter the license number or company name. Confirm: (a) license is Active, not Expired or Suspended; (b) license class matches the scope of your project; (c) expiration date is current.
A license and a bond are different things. A bond is an insurance policy that protects you if the contractor fails to complete the job or causes damage. Ask for the bonding company name and policy number. Call the bonding company directly to confirm the policy is active and covers the scope of your project.
If your project is in Boone County, ask for the Boone County Electrical Registration (for electrical work). If in Campbell County, ask for the Campbell County Occupational License. These are separate from the state license and are easy to overlook.
Ask for a COI (Certificate of Insurance) showing general liability coverage and workers' comp. The COI should name you as an "Additional Insured" for the duration of the project. If a contractor refuses to provide a COI, do not hire them.
What the state requires to be licensed in each trade — useful whether you're hiring or getting licensed yourself.
| Trade | License Required? | Issuing Agency | Exam Required? | Min. Bond | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician (Master) | Yes — statewide | KY DHBC | Yes — KY Master Electrician exam | $25,000 | Annual |
| Electrician (Journeyman) | Yes — statewide | KY DHBC | Yes — KY Journeyman exam | N/A (works under master) | Annual |
| Plumber (Master) | Yes — statewide | KY Plumbing Code Committee | Yes — KY Master Plumber exam | $10,000 | Annual |
| HVAC/Mechanical | Yes — statewide | KY DHBC | Yes — KY Mechanical Contractor exam | $15,000 | Annual |
| General Contractor (Class A) | Yes — projects over $10k | KY DHBC | Yes — KY Contractor exam | $50,000 | Annual |
| General Contractor (Class B) | Yes — projects over $10k | KY DHBC | Yes — KY Contractor exam | $25,000 | Annual |
| Roofer | No statewide license | N/A | No | County-specific (see above) | County business license |
| Concrete / Masonry | No statewide license | N/A | No | County-specific | County registration |
Contractors who work both sides of the river need separate credentials in each state. A Kentucky master electrician license does not transfer to Ohio — contractors working in Hamilton County OH need an Ohio electrical contractor license issued by the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB). The same applies to plumbers and HVAC contractors. If you're hiring a contractor who claims their KY license covers Ohio work, that's a red flag.
Surety bond premiums are typically 1–3% of the bond amount per year, depending on credit score. Use this calculator to estimate annual bond cost for any NKY contractor license requirement.
Estimates only. Actual premiums vary by bonding company. NKY contractors frequently use Merchants Bonding, SurePath, and Western Surety for trade contractor bonds.
No. Kentucky requires a state license for electricians, plumbers, HVAC/mechanical contractors, and general contractors on projects over $10,000. Roofers, concrete workers, and painters have no statewide license requirement — but NKY counties (Boone, Kenton, Campbell) all require a local business license and, for roofing, a surety bond.
A license means the contractor passed a state exam and meets education/experience requirements. A bond is a separate financial instrument — essentially insurance that pays you if the contractor doesn't complete the job or causes damage. In NKY, most trade contractors are required to have both. You should verify both independently before signing a contract.
No — not legally, without obtaining an Ohio license. Kentucky and Ohio do not have reciprocity for contractor licenses. A Kentucky master electrician needs an Ohio electrical contractor license from the OCILB to perform work in Hamilton County or anywhere else in Ohio. Always ask if a contractor is licensed in the state where the work is being done.
Don't hire them. Any legitimate licensed contractor in Kentucky will have their license number readily available — it's typically on their vehicle, business cards, and contracts. You can also look it up yourself at dhbc.ky.gov without the contractor's involvement. If they're evasive about licensing, that's a serious red flag regardless of how good the price is.
Report to the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction at (502) 573-4167 or via their online complaint form at dhbc.ky.gov. For county-specific violations (e.g., working in Boone County without local registration), you can also contact the relevant county building inspection office directly. Reports can be made anonymously.
No. In Kentucky, homeowners can pull their own permits for work on their primary residence — but that does not make them a licensed contractor. If you're hiring someone to do the work, that person must hold the appropriate license. A contractor who asks you to pull the permit in your own name (so they don't have to) is a major red flag and potentially illegal.
Class A is unlimited — the contractor can bid on projects of any size. Class B is limited to projects up to $200,000. For most residential remodels and additions in NKY, either class is sufficient. For new home construction or large commercial projects, confirm you're hiring a Class A contractor.
