What Does It Mean When A Contractor Says They're 'Licensed' in PA?

'Licensed and Insured.' You've probably heard this dictum many times before splayed on work vans, company websites, and advertisements - but there's one big issue: it's usually not true (at least in PA). Allow me to explain.

In the state of Pennsylvania, there are a few skilled trades that do indeed require licensing on either a state or local level to be performed licitly, including electricians, HVAC technicians, and plumbers. These trades require extensive training before such a license can be obtained. For many other trades, including landscaping, carpentry, drywall, renovations, general construction, general contractors, and many others, there are no licensing requirements at all.

So why do so many companies say that they're 'licensed'? The answer is simple, and more a matter of semantics than anything. In the state of Pennsylvania, most home improvement contractors are required to register with the state. Usually all that is required is proof of insurance, a fee, and a few other minor pieces of information in order to be registered. Registration with the state of Pennsylvania is not indicative of competence or quality workmanship. One can assume, then, that many contractors mistakenly conflate this registration as synonymous to being 'licensed', which can be misleading. This lends customers to believe that the contractor went through some form of formal training, when they might not have any training or experience at all.

For this reason I recommend business owners in the trades to caution the use of the all too common expression: 'Licensed and Insured' if they are not truly licensed. One could make the argument that the registration with the state is by definition a license to perform home improvement services, but I would still be wary of the colloquial implications of using such a term. It's best to be honest and upfront with your customers, which can in turn increase their trust in you and the likelihood of them using your services.

For more information about commercial janitorial or the trades, check out my other blog posts. And if you're a commercial property owner or manager looking for a walkthrough on janitorial services, feel free to reach out to us! We serve Delaware County and Chester County in Pennsylvania.

(610) 719-7590 • mike@shearerpm.com