Education · 1 of 5
The path
Two honest routes in. One starts with tools, the other with a degree, and they meet in the same site trailer.
- 1
Finish high school
Grade 12
Math, shop, drafting and English. Start working summers for a builder if you can, because time on site is what everything else is measured against.
- 2
Pick a route
2 to 4 years
Either a registered apprenticeship in carpentry or another trade, listed on apprenticeship.gov, the United States Department of Labor site, or a four-year construction management degree.
- 3
Get experience on real jobs
4 years, often while being paid
Most states will not license you without documented years of construction experience. California, for example, wants four years at the journey level or above before you can even sit the exam.
- 4
Pass the license exams
Months of study
Typically two: a law and business exam and a trade exam. Several states accept the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies accredited exam, so one test can cover you in more than one state.
- 5
Get bonded, insured and licensed
Weeks
Post the surety bond your state requires, buy liability and workers' compensation insurance, and the license is yours.