Every state and municipality is different. You don't need a contractor's license to do a lot of things in my Town.

Give the names to the State licensing authority and see what they say. Mine was very helpful when I couldn’t determine if a contractor who claimed to be recently licensed was legit.

Tony,

Not everyone plays by the rules.

Not every location has the same requirements.

Common sense and experience.

Georgia requires residential contractors to be licensed. If you can't find the particular contractors in the state's database, they may be doing business under a trade name, or a division of another company or they may be operating illegally.

One way unlicensed contractors skirt the controls in place in our area is to have the homeowners pull the permits. Caveat emptor.

Ask the contractor if they have a license number. They may have a local city or county license number. I found that for several window contractors. I could not find them in the state database, but they were licensed by the city.

Licensing rules for contractors are different from one city to another, so its likely that only someone in your AHJ can fully answer the question.

Its also important to remember that a general contractor license may not cover all possible types of work (electric, plumbing, gas, etc.), so if you have a complicated project don't assume that a GC has all the licenses that are needed. There may be several additional licensed contractors that are involved.

Bruce

I believe Georgia has something called limited services contractors, as do several other states. This allows certain companies to perform work without a contracting license. The point being that if a company wants to specialize in awning installations or maybe irrigation systems then they don't need comprehensive licensing.

(NOTE: THIS MAY ONLY BE FOR DECKS BELOW 30") I believe deck construction can be performed by an outdoor environment limited services contractor. They would be scope limited to things like decks and patios and couldn't do any larger work but can do typical work to install decks and patios. They are still required to meet all applicable codes, so if/when a permit or inspection is required they will have to comply.

Georgia doesn't require a contractor who is considered a traditional specialty contractor (e.g., finish carpenter installing interior doors and trim) or a limited service specialty contractor (e.g., a drywall and insulation contractor) to be licensed as a residential or general contractor when working for a licensed residential or general contractor under a valid permit. However they need to comply with all applicable codes and regulations.

When improperly constructed, decks, particularly elevated decks, can be life-safety hazards. They should be constructed under a valid permit and inspected to ensure compliance with applicable codes.

Georgia allows Outdoor Environment Contractors (pool contractors) to construct concrete and architectural decks on grade, presumably around the perimeter of in-ground pools. An on-grade deck doesn't pose the same level of risks as an elevated deck.

Under O.C.G.A. § 43-41-17, specialty contractors who offer or contract to perform of undertake or perform for an owner limited, specialty, or specific trade contractor work do not have to hold a license as a residential or general contractor if they are performing work within their specialty.

The section you are referencing says...

Anyone who is included on this list who is working for a licensed residential or general contractor under a valid permit is exempted from having to hold a residential and general contractor license of his or her own.

So the statute is intended for home owners to be able to contract directly with a limited services specialty contractors without them needing a license. So they don't need to be working under anyone's license at all because the law was designed to allow those scope limited contractors to work.

The statute is not meant for contractors to avoid getting a license by hiring a bunch of limited services contractors who don't need licenses to avoid licensing requirements. So the second part clarifies there are two situations under which a limited services contractor can work without a license (1) directly for a home owner, (2) under the supervision of a licensed contractor.

@bry911,

My statement is correct as written. Georgia doesn't require a contractor who is considered a traditional specialty contractor or a limited service specialty contractor to be licensed when working for a licensed residential or general contractor under a valid permit. Such contractors are, in addition, able to contract directly with a homeowner without a residential or general contractor's license.

The OPs question is with respect to deck construction in Georgia. There is no "deck contractor" designation listed under the category of a traditional trade contractor nor a limited service specialty contractor in Georgia. In fact, the only reference to deck construction they make is that pool contractors may construct decks, but it is limited to construction of concrete or architectural decks on grade.

Decks, especially elevated decks can create serious life safety issues. The fact that Georgia has adopted its own prescriptive deck construction methods coupled with the absence of any "deck contractor" designation, leads me to believe a licensed contractor is required to build a deck in Georgia. Homeowners will be well served to hire licensed contractors who pull permits and have the work inspected.

@Charles Ross Homes

I see what you are saying and believe you are correct about the deck, which is the pertinent part here.

I removed the statement that you were incorrect and modified my original post.

Thanks everyone for your extremely valuable input. The deck construction that I am considering hiring a contractor for is a combination screen porch and open deck, 14 feet above grade and attached to the home. My local building inspection officials have confirmed that all of the code requirements for exterior deck construction, as described in the most recent IRC as well as the 2020 Georgia amendments, apply in the city where I am located. A building permit is required, and the building department tells me they will only issue a permit to a contractor for this type of work if they hold a residential or general contracting license, or to the homeowner directly if they are performing the work. The city and county I live in do not issue licenses of this type, but defer to the State of Georgia. Georgia does not treat this type of exterior deck contracting as specialty construction.
I've found that while there are several deck contractors with excellent reviews that, for one reason or another, cannot be easily verified through Georgia licensing database (believe me I have tried). Nevertheless, there are an equal number of deck contractors with excellent reviews whose licensing status can be quickly and easily verified online via the Georgia Secretary of State's website designed specifically for this purpose. Searches can be performed by business or trade name, or person's name, and wildcards are permitted to search on just a part of a name.

I will not be applying for any permits on behalf of anyone (other than myself) for this type of work. I have the utmost respect for all craftsmen that do good work and get excellent reviews, so I will ask those in question directly as to whether they are licensed RCs or GC in Georgia and if so, what is their license number (which I will then verify with the State). Otherwise, I believe I will tend to lean towards working with those contractors who have adhered to State licensing procedures and for which I can easily verify their Georgia state RC or GC status. I just don't think it is worth the risk for me to do otherwise.

Caveat emptor indeed, excellent advice. Thank you all.

Tony

Thanks for the update. It sounds like you have this well under control.