What They Do

Carpenter and cabinet maker contractors contract with clients to construct, erect, install or repair structures and fixtures made of wood, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. They may also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. They include brattice builders, who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways to control the proper circulation of air through the passageways and to the working places. Typically, only contractors require licenses, not the carpenters who work for them. In some states, licensing requirements differ based on the setting. Those with a residential license may work only on residential properties, while those with a commercial license may work on commercial properties. Other states require the same license regardless of the setting, and this report records that license in both settings. Many states have contract minimums before the contractor’s license applies. See Appendix B for details.

Licensing

Thirty states license carpenter and cabinet maker contractors working on residential properties. On average, states require over a year (368 days) of education and experience, $319 in fees, and about one exam. All in all, 17 states require at least one exam (California requires three). These requirements rank as the 40th most burdensome.

States Ranked by Average Licensing Burden for 102 Lower-Income Occupations