Contractor Licensing

Contractor Licensing Process

The first step in the contractor licensing process for ANY type is to obtain a Certificate of Qualification (COQ) card for the master of record. This card is issued from the Town of Jackson to the Master of Record. Once the COQ card is approved, step two is converting the card to a contractors’ license. When that step is completed, the contractor is valid to work in the Town of Jackson and Teton County. 

Step One

There are 2 options to choose from for obtaining the COQ card.

Option 1 - Testing
The Town uses the International Code Council National Contractor/Trades Examination. We will only accept test under the current code that we have adopted. If you choose to test you still must meet the minimum time in service requirement for the trade you are testing for.

The cardholder will schedule the test through Pearson View testing facility. When the cardholder passes, they will be given a testing certificate showing the test they took and that they passed. To start the licensing process the cardholder must set up a portal account in the SmartGov system and apply for a certificate of qualification card in their trade. To access the portal, click on the link to the  Smart Gov Portal. Instructions for setting up the portal account and applying the certificate of qualification card can be found by clicking on  Instructions for applying for a COQ card . The applicant will be required to complete the work history section, upload a copy of their drivers license, and upload a copy of their testing certificate they received. Once received, we have 30-days to process the application. Once approved the applicant can make payment through the portal, and will be able to print out their COQ card.  Information on testing can be found by clicking on Testing Information . 

Option 2 - Reciprocity
To use reciprocity, the cardholder must be currently licensed and in good standing in one of the states listed here. To start the licensing process the card holder must set up a portal account in the Town's SmartGov system and apply for a certificate of qualification card in their trade. To access the portal, click on the link to the  Smart Gov Portal. Instructions for setting up the portal account and applying the certificate of qualification card can be found by clicking on  Instructions for applying for a COQ card . The applicant will be required to complete the work history section, upload a copy of their drivers license, and upload verification of license from reciprocating state. Once received, we have 30-days to process the application. Once approved the applicant can make payment through the portal, and will be able to print out their COQ card. 

Step Two

If a COQ card has not been obtained for the master of record, you cannot apply for a contractor license and must go back to step one in the process. Once the COQ card is approved and the master/qualifier of the company is notified, the contractor license can be applied for through the Town of Jackson's Smart Gov Portal. To access the portal, click on the link for Smart Gov Portal . Information on required documents and bond amounts that you must provide as part of the application process can be found by clicking on the link for required document checklist . The Town does not have a bond form.  Instructions for using the Smart Gov portal can be found here  Smart Gov Portal Instructions . 

Requirements for Contractor Licensing

The following trades are licensed under the contracting licensing ordinance set forth by the Town of Jackson. The time in service requirement for each trade can be found in Title 15-Chapter 15.36.050 of the Jackson Municipal Code. 

• Building Contractor – Restricted (Class Br) – To contract for work of a non-structural nature in a commercial tenant space with a maximum gross floor area of 5000 square feet or less and for the construction, alterations and repairs of one and two family residences, townhouses and buildings accessory thereto. The prerequisite for this license is that the applicant shall have held a Class C license with The Town for the previous two years.
• Building Contractor (Class B) – To contract for the construction, alteration or repair of commercial buildings and single or multi-dwelling residential buildings, not exceeding three (3) stories in height. If you are testing for a Class B license, we require the applicant to provide 4 years of work experience with a portion of the work being commercial, which must include at minimum having constructed or acted principally in the role of supervisor for the construction of three entire buildings of occupancy classifications other than group R3 and U, each of which must have exceeded 5,000 square feet in floor area that we can verify. If the applicant is unable to provide the correct type of work experience or time in service, we will issue the next lower classification regardless of the test you take.  
• Gas Service Contractor - Installation, repair or maintenance of fuel gas systems.
• General Contractor (Class A) – To contract for the construction, alteration or repair of any type or size of structure.  If you are testing for a Class A license, we require the applicant to provide 8 years of extensive commercial work, which must include at a minimum having constructed or acted principally in the role of supervisor for the construction of three entire buildings, each of which must have been at least two stories in height, and have been of occupancy classification other than group R3 and U that we can verify.  If the applicant is unable to provide the correct type of work experience or time in service, we will issue the next lower classification regardless of the test you take. 
• Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Contractor - Installation, alteration, addition to, relocation, or replacement of any heating, ventilating, cooling, refrigeration system, incinerators or other miscellaneous heat-producing appliances, to include gas piping of related equipment.
• Plumbing Contractor - Installation, alteration, addition or relocation of all sanitary plumbing, sanitary sewer and potable water supply and distribution piping, including all plumbing fixtures and traps and potable water-treating or water-using equipment, and including piping for transmission of chemicals, oil and gases, installation of steam and hydronic heating and chilled systems and water heaters and related vents. The appropriate licensed low voltage or electrical contractor shall perform electrical installations.
• Residential Contractor (Class C) – To contract for the construction, alterations and repairs of one and two family residences, and buildings accessory thereto.
• Specialty Solar Panel Installer - Installation, alteration and repair of solar panels. NABCEP Certification or similar Certifications approved by the Building Official is required.
• Specialty Licenses - Pool and Spa, Cell Tower Installers, and any other Installers that the Building Official deems appropriate to need a contractor's license.

It shall be unlawful for any person to undertake any of the types of work regulated by Chapter 15.36 - Contractor Licensing and Certification without first obtaining a Certificate of Qualification card. Any work completed in the Town of Jackson or Teton County without a Certificate of Qualification card will not be counted towards time in service for classification purposes.

Any person issued a Certificate of Qualification card in their trade must have it in their possession and be able to produce it upon request by the Building Official, or their designee while working in the Town of Jackson and Teton County. If you cannot produce the Certificate of Qualification card, you may be asked to leave the job site.