Step-by-step licensing guides for every licensed trade in every U.S. state.
TradeCert is a free reference site covering licensing requirements for skilled trades across all 50 U.S. states. We cover electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, general contractors, cosmetologists, EMTs, pipefitters, and elevator mechanics — 400 guides in total.
Every guide covers the same ground: what license tiers exist, how many hours of supervised experience you need, what the exam looks like, what it costs, and where to apply. We link directly to the official state licensing board so you can verify everything before you commit.
Licensed trades are structurally protected from automation in a way most jobs aren't. You can't get an electrical permit signed by software. A state board won't issue a master plumber license to an algorithm. The physical presence requirement, the personal liability requirement, and the statutory licensing requirement all combine to create a moat around these careers that technology can't cross — not today, not in the foreseeable future.
That's a big deal. We built TradeCert because we think more people should know it, and because the barrier to finding clear, accurate licensing information is higher than it should be. State licensing board websites are inconsistent, hard to navigate, and often out of date. We read them so you don't have to start from scratch.
Start with a trade or a state — your choice. If you know what you want to do, pick a trade from the homepage and then select your state. If you're still deciding, browse by state to see all the options available where you live.
Each guide gives you a clear path from zero to licensed. Use it as a starting point, then go directly to your state licensing board to confirm current requirements before you apply. Fees and rules change more often than state websites update.
Guides are verified against official state licensing board sources. The verification date is listed at the top of each guide. Licensing requirements change — always confirm directly with your state board before starting an application or enrolling in a program.
If you find something outdated or incorrect, contact us at contact@tradecert.info.
Questions, corrections, or advertising inquiries: contact@tradecert.info
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