License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing
Mason Contractor (General/Commercial)
Highlights
License required in 29 states16th most burdensome licensing requirements
29th most heavily regulated occupation
(Last updated April 24, 2012)
Definition
Mason contractors contract with clients to lay and bind building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block and terra-cotta block, with mortar and other substances to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers and other structures.Typically, only contractors require licenses, not masons who work for them. Licensing requirements differ based on the scope of the work. Those with a residential license may work only on residential properties, while those with a commercial license may work on commercial properties. In some states, work on commercial properties requires a general contractor's license that is not specific to masonry; the requirements are generally the same as a commercial license, and they are treated the same here.
Summary
Twenty-nine states require a general contractor or commercial license for masons, the 29th most widely and onerously licensed occupation of those studied. Though many states impose only a fee on would-be mason contractors, 10 states require two to five years of what amounts to an apprenticeship, and Florida requires a four-year degree, making the occupation the 16th most burdensome to enter.(Last updated May 2, 2012)
State Licensing Requirements
| Burden Rank | State | Fees | Education/Experience (Days) | Exams | Minimum Grade | Minimum Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkansas | $175 | 1,825 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $815 | 1,460 | 2 | 0 | 18 |
| 3 | Nevada | $1,030 | 1,460 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | California | $451 | 1,460 | 2 | 0 | 18 |
| 5 | Arizona | $765 | 1,460 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Florida | $421 | 1,460 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 7 | Oregon | $345 | 1,462 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 8 | Utah | $477 | 1,460 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Virginia | $175 | 731 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 10 | New Mexico | $168 | 730 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | South Carolina | $250 | 730 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Alabama | $592 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Louisiana | $340 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $200 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $163 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $75 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 17 | Mississippi | $325 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Tennessee | $294 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | North Carolina | $135 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Washington, D.C. | $262 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | Alaska | $250 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Connecticut | $160 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $115 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | Washington | $100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | Delaware | $75 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Montana | $53 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | Iowa | $50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | Nebraska | $40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | Idaho | $30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
(Last updated April 24, 2012)
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