Colorado Contractor License Classifications

In the state of Colorado, there is no Contractor license issued by the State Board. So, if you want to obtain a contractor license you will need to apply to the city or county regulation body. As a result, the process and classifications may vary city by city.

But, there are classifications defined, that are general for all cities and counties.

The state of Colorado contractor license classifications

Class A

In short, this will let you contract for the erection, construction, alteration, or repair of any type of building or structure.

Class B

In this case, you will be able to contract for the erection, construction, alteration, or repair of any type of building or structure. Except Type I or Type II construction. And, for the non-structural interior finish or remodel of any type of building.

Class C

Entitles the holder to contract for the erection, construction, alteration or repair of any building classified as a Group R-3 or Group U1 occupancy.

You may learn about the building classifications from your city government by visiting the official website or contacting the relevant body.

Class D

To clarify, this will let you engage in contracting for labor, or for labor and material, involving one trade, or group of related trades.
Moreover, according to the provided scope of work and material, this classification has its own subclassifications:

D-1 Lathing, plastering, drywall
D-2 Roofing
D-3 Waterproofing
D-4 Masonry
D-5 Excavators, caisson drillers & Drain layers
D-6 Concrete
D-7 Swimming pools
D-8 Fire protection systems
D-9 Insulation
D-10 Fences (except masonry)
D-11 Mobile homes
D-12 Lawn sprinklers
D-13 Patio covers, decks, carports, siding, and awnings
D-14 Glass and glazing
D-15 Wood framing
D-16 Structural steel and metal

Class E

In short, the class E contractor license will let you contract for one particular class of specialty work.

And, according to the type of the work, this classification has the following sub-classifications:

E-1 HVAC – Requires ICC Certification
E-2 Signs
E-3 Elevator
E-4 Special Contractor

The Class E-4 sub-classification will let you contract for any trades not specifically classified elsewhere (for example, fuel storage and dispensing, low voltage electrical, satellite dish installation, etc.).

Class F – Structure Mover/Demolition Contractor

Entitles the holder to engage in the work of razing, demolishing, or destroying buildings and structures of all types.

Class R

To clarify, Construction activities involving installation, remodel, repair or replacement of systems within or on building or structures requires a Certificate of Registration for the appropriate class of work as follows:

R-1 Electrical
R-2 Plumbing
R-3 Plumbing/HVAC

But, besides the ABC classification, there are types of licenses that are offered by the city or county governments.
For example, the Builder’s license, concrete and form license, excavating license, gas fitter’s license, house and building mover’s license, etc.
Each of these licenses has the ABC classification, and you should choose according to the scope of work you are going to provide.

Builder’s license Class A

To clarify, this license will let you contract for and to do the work of any building, structure or construction types (I, II, III, IV or V). A builder’s license, Class A, shall entitle the licensee to contract for and do necessary demolition and wrecking work in connection with the structure.

Builder’s license Class B

To clarify, this license will let you to contract for and to do the work of the III, IV, and V building types in the following number of occupancy classifications:

1. Group A, Division 4 – 1 new structure, excluding stadiums.
2. Group B, Division 2 – 2 new structures;
3. Group R, Division 1 – 3 new structures or additions, where the floor area of any structure does not exceed 4000 square feet;
4. Group R, Division 3 – 5 new structures, where the floor area of any individual structure does not exceed 3000 square feet.

Builder’s license Class C

To clarify, the builder’s license class C entitles you to contract for and to do the work of building, contracting for, or altering or adding to structural portions of buildings, structures or portions thereof of types III, IV and V construction in the following number of occupancy classifications:

1. Group B, Division 2 – 1 new structure, the floor area not to exceed 1000 square feet or have an occupant load of more than 30;
2. Group R, Division 1 – 1 new structure or addition, where the floor area does not exceed 2000 square feet;
3. Group R, Division 3 – 2 new structures, where the floor area of any individual structure does not exceed 1500 square feet.

Concrete and form licenses

In short, a concrete and form license will let you contract for and install forms for concrete products, pour and finish concrete products, and mix concrete products, subject to the following limitations:

1. Firstly, all concrete and formwork on types I, II, III, IV, and V structures over 1000 square feet shall be under the supervision of a holder of a builder’s license, Class A, B, or C.
2. Secondly, holders of Class A, B, or C builder’s license don’t need to have a concrete and form license to do the work referred to under this Section

Excavating licenses

In short, an excavating license will let you to contract for and to do the work of cutting into public rights-of-way, and excavating into the public right-of-way and on private property within the City.

Gas fitter’s license

To clarify, a gas fitter’s license will entitle you to install all gas piping, fittings, controls, burners, and venting on all gas-fired, oil-fired, and liquefied-petroleum-fired appliances in accordance with the Gas Fitting Code and the Uniform Building Code.

Moreover, holders of plumber’s licenses, Class A, B or C, steam heating licenses, Class A or B, or warm air heating and ventilating licenses may do the work of a gas fitter without holding a gas fitting license.

House and building mover’s licenses

That is to say, the holder of a house and building mover’s license will be permitted to contract for and engage in the moving of structures within, into, and out of the City limits, subject to the following limitations:

1. Firstly, new structural alterations, additions, and foundation works are to be done by the holder of a builder’s license, Class A, B, or C.
2. Secondly, plumbing work necessary in moving and relocating the structure is to be done by the holder of a Class A or B plumbing license.
3. And, electrical work necessary in moving and relocating the structure is to be done by the holder of a Class A or B electrical license.

Masonry licenses

In short, a masonry license will let you erect, construct, alter or demolish chimneys, fireplaces, walls, and pilasters, and do other work on a building composed of masonry units.

Moreover, holders of builder’s licenses, Class A, B, or C, will not need to have a masonry license to do the work referred to under this classification.

Plumber’s licenses

To clarify, a plumber’s license, Class A, master, will entitle you to contract for and to install all sanitary plumbing and potable water supply piping.

So, a plumber’s license, Class B, master, will entitle you to contract for and to install all sanitary plumbing and potable water supply piping, except that no individual job where a plumbing permit is required shall exceed the following number of fixtures of water closets, washbowls, bathtubs, and showers.

A plumber’s license, Class C, journeyman, will entitle you to install all sanitary plumbing and potable water supply piping. But, licensees under this sub-classification may perform the work only under the supervision or in the employ of a plumber’s license Class A or B master license.

Moreover, no more than two unlicensed plumber’s helpers may be employed for each licensed master or journeyman license holder without the prior consent of the Building Official.

Special contractor’s licenses

That is to say, a special contractor’s license will let to contract for and to do the work of a particular trade or job connected with the building industry. Such special contractor’s license shall be limited to the trade or particular kind of work specified in the license and such other work as may be incidental thereto.

Steam heating licenses

To clarify, a steam heating license, Class A, will entitle you to contract for and to install high-pressure and low-pressure steam and hot-water heating systems, processing pipes, similar commercial hot-water and water-vapor systems, heating or steam power systems.

In the same vein, a steam heating license, Class B, will entitle you to install low-pressure steam and hot-water heating systems, processing pipes, and similar commercial hot-water and water-vapor systems. Where the installation of such requires a permit under provisions of this Article or other City ordinances governing the same.

Such installations shall be made in the following occupancies only:

1. Group R-1 occupancies, where the floor area of any individual structure or addition does not exceed 3000 square feet;
2. Group B-2 occupancies, 2 occupancies, where the floor area does not exceed 1000 square feet;
3. Group R-3 occupancies, where the floor area does not exceed 2000 square feet.

But, if you engage in the installation of heating work you cannot employ unlicensed helpers. Unless you are a Class A or B license holder.

Moreover, you can not have more than two unlicensed plumber’s helpers. As a licensed master or journeyman to have a helper the prior consent of the Building Official is a must.

Warm-air heating and ventilation licenses.

A warm-air heating and ventilation license will entitle you to contract for and install warm-air heating. Moreover, ventilation and their appurtenances.

But, all the electrical work can perform only a Class A or B electrical license holders.

Wrecker’s license.

In short, a wrecker’s license will entitle you to contract and engage in the demolition of existing structures.