Painter (Contractor) / New Jersey
2026 data New Jersey board official source

New Jersey Painter (Contractor) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Commercial and residential painting contractor.

What the New Jersey data shows for Painter (Contractor)s

New Jersey sets the entry bar for painter (contractor)s at board-approved training and a passing score on a state-approved exam. The credential is administered under New Jersey's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Experience/Apprenticeship".

Budget $150 to get started on a 2-year cycle. New Jersey doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

There's no published reciprocity list here - New Jersey reviews out-of-state credentials individually.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
62/100
Painter (Contractor) · New Jersey

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training A+
None required
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$150
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in New Jersey

Education / Training Hours
Experience/Apprenticeship
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$150
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Not Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Painter (Contractor) All New Jersey licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New Jersey licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Painter (Contractor) in New Jersey? ▼
New Jersey's requirements cover, a state exam, and an initial fee of $150.
How do I get certified as a Painter (Contractor) in New Jersey? ▼
To become a licensed painter (contractor) in New Jersey, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the New Jersey licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Painter (Contractor) license to New Jersey from another state? ▼
New Jersey evaluates out-of-state painter (contractor) licenses on a case-by-case basis. Many professions are covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability. Contact the New Jersey licensing board for specific reciprocity details.
Does New Jersey require a background check for Painter (Contractor) licensing? ▼
New Jersey does not currently require a criminal background check for painter (contractor) licensing, though this may vary by employer or specific role.

Related Guides

What to do with this painter (contractor) license

Painter (Contractor) in New Jersey is one requirement row in a painter (contractor)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the New Jersey licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.