In the state of New Hampshire a certificate or license is not required for construction or renovations projects. However there are specialty trades that do require licensing.

Electrician's Licenses

The Electrician's Licensing Board (under the Office of the State Fire Marshal) is responsible for issuing master and journeyman licenses as well as apprentice identification cards. Written exams are required to get a license.

Master Electrician License: Applicant must have worked as a New Hampshire-licensed journeyman for at least one year.

Journeyman Electrician: To qualify for the journeyman's licensing exam you need:

• 8,000 hours of work experience
• Associate Degree in Electricity (or Board-approved equivalent).

Schooling can be used for up to one (1) year of the work experience requirement.

Apprentice Electrician: Applicant is presented with an identification card after registering as an apprentice with the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training of the U.S. Department of Labor or a state apprenticeship agency. The Electrician's Licensing Board may accept out-of-state work experience and/or education.
The journeyman and master exams have two sections. One section has 25 questions based on the National Electrical Code. The other section has 50 questions based on:

Licensees from Massachusetts, Vermont, or Maine can apply for a New Hampshire electrician license by reciprocity.

Plumber's Licenses

The State Board for Licensing and Regulating Plumbers issues master, journeyman, and apprentice licenses. All qualifications require a passing grade on an exam.

Master Plumber: Must have worked as a licensed journeyman for at least six (6) months.

Journeyman License: Must complete a Board-approved apprenticeship program that includes four (4) years of work experience and four (4) years of education. A journeyman license in another state allows the holder to apply for the New Hampshire journeyman exam without completing the apprenticeship program. Licensees from the state of Vermont or Maine can be licensed in New Hampshire by applying and paying the New Hampshire license fees.

Asbestos Abatement License and Certificates

Asbestos work in New Hampshire requires a certificate and/or a license issued by the New Hampshire Bureau of Health Risk Assessment. The Bureau issues the asbestos abatement contractor license and certificates to asbestos workers and supervisors. In addition the Bureau also certifies:

• Inspectors
• Management planners
• Project designers who work on school buildings.

1. Asbestos Abatement Supervisor Certificate

For an Asbestos Supervisor Certificate requires:

• A signed statement saying that you have read and understand the New Hampshire Asbestos Management Rules
• A passing grade on an n approved training course that includes an exam
• 12 months of asbestos abatement work experience
• A disclosure of any outstanding enforcement actions pending for asbestos abatement work

2. Asbestos Abatement Worker Certificate

Asbestos Worker Certificate requirements:

• A signed statement saying that you have read and understand the New Hampshire Asbestos Management Rules
• A passing grade on an n approved training course that includes an exam

3. Asbestos Abatement Inspector Certificate

Asbestos Abatement Inspector Certificate requirements:

• A signed statement saying that you have read and understand the New Hampshire Asbestos Management Rules
• A passing grade on an n approved training course that includes an exam
• At least six (6) months of asbestos abatement work experience or two (2) months experience under the supervision of a certified asbestos inspector or management planner
• A disclosure of any outstanding enforcement actions pending for asbestos abatement work

4. Asbestos Abatement Management Planner Certificate

Asbestos Abatement Management Planner Certificate requirements:

• A signed statement saying that you have read and understand the New Hampshire Asbestos Management Rules
• A passing grade on an n approved training course that includes an exam
• At least six (6) months of asbestos abatement work experience
• A disclosure of any outstanding enforcement actions pending for asbestos abatement work

An associate degree or certificate of completion in one of the following:

• project planning
• architecture
• management
• industrial hygiene
• environmental sciences
• occupational health
• engineering
• related scientific field
• construction

5. Asbestos Abatement Project Designer Certificate

Asbestos Abatement Project Designer Certificate requires:

• A signed statement saying that you have read and understand the New Hampshire Asbestos Management Rules
• A passing grade on an n approved training course that includes an exam
• A completion one of the following:
  1. Twelve (12) months asbestos abatement work experience as well as a bachelor's degree in industrial hygiene, occupation, health, environmental science, biological science, or physical science
  2. Twelve (12) asbestos abatement work experience and be a registered architect or engineer.
  3. Two (2) years asbestos abatement work experience including asbestos abatement design.

Lead Abatement License and Certificates

Lead abatement work in New Hampshire requires a certificate and/or a license issued by the New Hampshire Bureau of Health Risk Assessment. This includes residential dwellings or child care centers in New Hampshire. The Bureau issues a license for lead abatement contractors and certificates for lead workers and supervisors. There is a certification program for inspectors, management planners, and project designers who work on school buildings.

1. Lead Abatement Contractor's License

To qualify for a lead abatement contractor's license you must:

• Read and understand New Hampshire Lead Poisoning Prevention Act and Rules
• Completion of an approved training course for lead abatement contractors which includes an exam
• Two (2) years documented work experience in asbestos, lead, environmental remediation or building trades
• A list of persons the intended licensee has work for or under
• A disclosure of any outstanding enforcement actions pending for lead abatement work
• A list of New Hampshire certified lead abatement workers/supervisors the licensee employs
• Passing an approved proficiency examination given by a party other than the training provider
• Passing an additional 25 questions specific to the provisions of RSA 130-A and He-P 1600 given by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHA) ChildLead Program

2. Lead Abatement Supervisor Certificate

A Lead Abatement Supervisor Certificate requires:

• Read and understand New Hampshire Lead Poisoning Prevention Act and Rules
• Completion of an approved training course for lead abatement contractors which includes an exam
• At least twelve (12) months of lead abatement work experience
• At least twelve (12) months work experience in environmental remediation or building trades
• A disclosure of any outstanding enforcement actions pending for lead abatement work
• Passing an approved proficiency examination given by a party other than the training provider
• Passing an additional 25 questions specific to the provisions of RSA 130-A and He-P 1600 given by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHA) ChildLead Program

3. Lead Abatement Worker Certificate

A Lead Abatement Worker Certificate requires:

• Read and understand New Hampshire Lead Poisoning Prevention Act and Rules
• Completion of an approved training course for lead abatement which includes an exam

4. Lead Inspector

A Lead Inspector Certificate requires:

• Read and understand New Hampshire Lead Poisoning Prevention Act and Rules
• Completion of an approved training course for lead abatement which includes an exam

Conducted at least 25 full inspections over at least three (3) months under the supervision of a lead inspector/planner/project designer

• A disclosure of any outstanding enforcement actions pending for lead abatement work

Possess a high school diploma or equivalent

• Passing an approved proficiency examination given by a party other than the training provider
• Passing an additional 25 questions specific to the provisions of RSA 130-A and He-P 1600 given by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHA) ChildLead Program

5. Lead Risk Assessor

To qualify for a lead risk assessor certificate you need to:

• Read and understand New Hampshire Lead Poisoning Prevention Act and Rules
• Completion of an approved training course for lead abatement which includes an exam

Have conducted at least 15 full inspections and 10 clearance inspections over at least three (3) months as a lead inspector/technician

• Passing an approved proficiency examination given by a party other than the training provider
• Passing an additional 25 questions specific to the provisions of RSA 130-A and He-P 1600 given by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHA) ChildLead Program

In addition the licensee will require:

A certification as an industrial hygienist; architect; civil, environmental, or structural engineer; historical architect; or architectural historian.

An associate degree or certificate of completion in one of the following:

• project planning
• architecture
• management
• industrial hygiene
• environmental sciences
• occupational health
• engineering
• related scientific field
• construction

At least six (6) months of lead abatement work experience

• A disclosure of any outstanding enforcement actions pending for lead abatement work

6. Lead Clearance Testing Technician

• Read and understand New Hampshire Lead Poisoning Prevention Act and Rules
• Completion of an approved training course for lead abatement which includes an exam

Consumers are advised to also check for municipal license requirements as contractor laws can differ from county to county. It is also advisable to double check with the state’s requirements before hiring a contractor.