⚠ These are bills, not law
As of October 5, 2026, the records we reviewed show no enactment of S2148 or A3899. Nothing here changes what you must do today. This guide is general information, not legal advice, and details may change as the bills are amended.
Where the Bills Stand
The proposal is the General Contractor Licensing Act, which would create a New Jersey State Board of General Contractors inside the Division of Consumer Affairs. It exists in two versions:
- A3899 (Assembly), sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, among others. It was reported by the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee with amendments on May 28, 2026, reported again by the Assembly State and Local Government Committee in June, and passed the full Assembly on June 30, 2026, per the NJ Legislature vote record. A bill tracker reports the vote as 63 to 14 (FastDemocracy).
- S2148 (Senate), sponsored by Sen. Paul Moriarty. The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee was scheduled to consider it on June 24, 2026 (legislative calendar), and the Office of Legislative Services issued a fiscal estimate on June 29, 2026.
We could not confirm a Senate floor vote or a governor's signature as of October 5, 2026. Both versions say the act takes effect on the 240th day after enactment, so even a signed bill would not apply overnight.
Who Would Need a License
The bills define a general contractor as an individual or business that is or can be classified in trades 006, 007, 008, or 009 by the Division of Property Management and Construction in the Department of the Treasury. Once the act is in effect, no one could practice, attempt to practice, or indicate an ability to practice general contracting without a license.
There is a supervision exception. A person working under the direction or supervision of a licensed general contractor would not need an individual license, and under A3899 would need to keep a copy of that contractor's license readily available (committee statement).
S2148 vs. A3899 at a Glance
| Item | S2148 (as introduced) | A3899 (as amended) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 | 18 |
| Education path | Construction or project management degree with at least 60 construction credits, plus 2 years of supervised field experience | Accredited construction or project management degree, plus field experience |
| Apprenticeship path | Approved building-trade apprenticeship, plus 4 years of supervised field experience | Approved building-trade apprenticeship, plus field experience |
| Exam | Board-prepared or board-approved exam | Certified Professional Constructor exam from the American Institute of Constructors, plus a supplemental board exam |
| Exam frequency | At least twice a year in New Jersey | At least twice a year in New Jersey |
| License term | 3 years, with continuing education to renew | 3 years, with continuing education to renew |
| Board | 9 members, 6 with 10+ years of general contracting practice | 9 members, 6 with 10+ years of general contracting practice |
| Business registration | Not described in the introduced text we reviewed | Annual registration with the Division of Consumer Affairs; must employ at least one licensed general contractor |
| Fees | Set by the board by regulation | Set by the board by regulation |
| Effective date | 240th day after enactment | 240th day after enactment |
The A3899 text we reviewed does not state how much field experience applies to the ordinary path. Check the current bill text before relying on any number.
Grandfathering and Exemptions
- 10-year experience exemption. Individuals with at least 10 years of general contracting experience before the effective date are exempt from the education and exam requirements, if during that time they did not declare bankruptcy or alter a business name to deceive others about ownership of a previous business.
- Closely allied professions. People licensed, certified, or registered in New Jersey in a closely allied profession, including commercial general contracting, are also exempt from the education and exam requirements.
- Five-year supervised pathway. An individual who shows five years of field experience before the effective date, under a general contractor with at least 10 years of experience, qualifies for licensure by passing the exam.
Under A3899, the committee amendments clarify that the board issues a license to an exempt individual. In other words, the exemption is from the education and exam steps, not from holding a license. S2148's text says five years for the supervised pathway while its accompanying statement says three, so the final wording may differ.
Penalties and Cost
For A3899, the Office of Legislative Services fiscal estimate says the bill provides civil penalties of up to $15,000 for a first violation and up to $25,000 for a second or subsequent violation of the business-registration requirement (fiscal estimate). Neither bill sets license fee amounts. The board would set them by regulation, and the fiscal estimates describe the costs and revenue as indeterminate.
A3899 also says business registration does not by itself allow a company to bid on public work. It would still need to register with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development as a public works contractor. Businesses that build or maintain transportation infrastructure, such as roads, highways, and bridges, would not need to register under the bill.
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What the Bills Do Not Say About Insurance
For an insurance-minded contractor, the most useful detail is an absence. The S2148 introduced text and the A3899 committee texts we reviewed do not state a general liability or bond requirement, and they do not describe how a general contractor license would relate to Home Improvement Contractor registration. Until the final text is known, treat your current NJ HIC registration requirements, including the GL minimum and compliance bond, as the rules that apply, and review NJ contractor bond requirements if you work on residential projects.
What to Do Now
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Document your experience
Keep contracts, invoices, tax filings, permits, and past certificates of insurance that show how long you have been doing general contracting work. A 10-year or five-year pathway would depend on proving it.
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Keep current registrations and coverage in order
Confirm your HIC registration, trade licenses, general liability, and workers' comp are active and match the work you actually do. If you have employees, read our GL cost guide and workers' comp guide to check your limits and classifications.
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Check your sub relationships
New Jersey's ABC test rules are already in effect. If you use 1099 subs, see our guide to the NJ independent contractor rules.
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Watch for Senate action
Track S2148 and A3899 on the NJ Legislature bill search. We update this guide when the status changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a general contractor license in New Jersey in 2026?
Not under S2148 or A3899, because as of October 5, 2026 they are bills and not enacted law in the records we reviewed. Existing requirements, such as Home Improvement Contractor registration for residential work and any trade licenses, still apply. If a general contractor licensing law is enacted, it would take effect on the 240th day after enactment.
Which bill is further along, S2148 or A3899?
A3899 passed the full Assembly on June 30, 2026, according to the NJ Legislature's vote record. S2148 is the Senate bill sponsored by Sen. Paul Moriarty and was listed for a Senate Budget and Appropriations meeting on June 24, 2026. We could not confirm Senate floor action or enactment as of October 5, 2026.
Would experienced contractors be grandfathered?
Both bills include a 10-year provision. Individuals with at least 10 years of general contracting experience before the effective date, and no bankruptcy or deceptive business-name changes in that time, are exempt from the education and exam requirements. People licensed in a closely allied profession, including commercial general contracting, are also exempt from those requirements. A3899 clarifies that the board issues a license to exempt individuals.
Do the bills require general liability insurance or a bond?
Neither the S2148 introduced text nor the A3899 committee texts we reviewed state an insurance or bond requirement. That does not remove the insurance and bond requirements that apply under existing law, such as those for Home Improvement Contractor registration.
What are the penalties?
The Office of Legislative Services fiscal estimate for A3899 says the bill provides civil penalties of up to $15,000 for a first violation and up to $25,000 for a second or subsequent violation of the business-registration requirement. S2148 as introduced says the board may suspend, revoke, or not renew a license and does not state a penalty amount.
What should I do now?
Keep documents that show how long you have been doing general contracting work, such as contracts, invoices, tax filings, and certificates of insurance. Confirm your current registrations and coverage are in order, and watch S2148 and A3899 for Senate action. This is general information, not legal advice.
Sources: S2148 introduced text • S2148 fiscal estimate • A3899 first reprint • A3899 committee statement, May 28, 2026 • A3899 committee statement, June 23, 2026 • A3899 fiscal estimate • NJ Legislature vote record • NJ Legislature calendar • FastDemocracy bill tracker