United States
Hong KongNASCLA reciprocity explained
The NASCLA exam is not reciprocity between state licenses. It is a single accredited examination that participating states accept in place of their own trade exam, while keeping every other requirement.
The word reciprocity gets used loosely here and it is worth being precise, because the difference matters.
What reciprocity usually means
Two states agreeing to recognize each other's licenses, so a licensee in one can practice in the other with reduced formality.
That is not what this is.
What the NASCLA program actually is
A single examination, accredited by NASCLA, which participating states have agreed to accept in place of writing and administering their own commercial general building trade exam.
Your license is still issued by each state and still subject to all its other requirements. What travels is the exam result, not the license.
Before the program, a contractor working in five states sat five trade examinations, each with its own preparation, fee and schedule. Now they sit one. That is the value, and it is real even though it is not reciprocity.
What still has to be done per state
- A license application to that state's board
- Its experience requirement
- Its financial statements and net worth or working capital threshold
- Its bond and insurance requirements
- Its business and law examination, in many states
- A transcript request, at USD 45
The participating states
Seventeen states plus the US Virgin Islands accept it. The list is maintained by NASCLA and it is the authority - check it before planning around any particular state. The result travels.
What it does not cover
Residential-only licensing in states that separate it, specialty trade licenses, and the business and law examination almost everywhere it exists.
Common questions
Is the NASCLA exam reciprocity?
Not strictly. It is one accredited exam that participating states accept in place of their own trade exam, rather than states recognizing each other's licenses.
How many states accept it?
Seventeen plus the US Virgin Islands. NASCLA maintains the current list.
Does it replace the license application?
No. Each state still issues its own license with its own experience, financial and bonding requirements.
Does it cover the business and law exam?
No. Many participating states require a separate one.
What is the actual saving?
Sitting one trade examination instead of one per state, each with its own preparation, fee and schedule.