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Handyman License Requirements in Jefferson County, AL

By , Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Alabama rules checked November 12, 2026 · Jefferson County local rules checked November 5, 2026

Jefferson County, AL: anyone doing business in the county, sole proprietors included, needs the state business privilege license and the Jefferson County Entity Business License from the Jefferson County Department of Revenue (county tax 0.025% of gross receipts, $25 minimum, plus a $25 issuance fee; due October 1). Most cities in the county also require their own city business license, so check each city you work in.

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Jefferson County requirements

Jefferson County, AL: anyone doing business in the county, sole proprietors included, needs the state business privilege license and the Jefferson County Entity Business License from the Jefferson County Department of Revenue (county tax 0.025% of gross receipts, $25 minimum, plus a $25 issuance fee; due October 1). Most cities in the county also require their own city business license, so check each city you work in.

Source: jccal.org · alison.legislature.state.al.us · checked November 5, 2026

County business license

Required

  • Name: State business privilege license (Title 40, Ch. 12) plus Jefferson County Entity Business License (Ord. 1801)
  • Trigger: Doing business in the county; due October 1 each year
  • Office: Jefferson County Department of Revenue, Suite A-100 Courthouse Annex, 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N., Birmingham; 205-325-5195
  • Fee: County tax: 0.025% of gross receipts, $25 minimum, $15,000 maximum, plus a $25 issuance fee per license. State license fee depends on the nature, type and location of the business.
"a minimum License Tax of $25.00 is hereby imposed on each Licensable Entity for each Fiscal Year"

Source: jccal.org · alison.legislature.state.al.us · checked November 5, 2026

Local contractor or handyman license

Our check could not confirm this from an official page, so we don't state it. Ask the city or county office.

The Alabama rule

Regulator: Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (residential); Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (commercial/public, pools); Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors; Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board; Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors

$10,000
Alabama job-size figure

Ala. Code 34-14A-2(16): a residential home builder license is required 'when the cost of the undertaking exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000)' - i.e., $10,000.00 or less is exempt; over $10,000 requires a license. Residential roofers: license required when cost of the undertaking exceeds $2,500. Owners working on their own residence/real estate are exempt.

What counts toward it: labor+materials (statute: 'total cost of the materials, labor, supervision, overhead, and profit')

"or the repair, improvement, or reimprovement thereof, to be used by another as a residence when the cost of the undertaking exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term includes a residential roofer when the cost of the undertaking exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500)."

Source: hblb.alabama.gov · hblb.alabama.gov · checked November 6, 2026

State registration

No separate state handyman registration found. Residential roofer licensees must submit a $10,000 license/permit bond naming the Board as obligee (HBLB FAQ).

Source: hblb.alabama.gov · checked November 6, 2026

Insurance and bond

HBLB law does not require insurance to get a license, but Ala. Code 34-14A-19 requires a residential home builder to tell the homeowner in writing, before work starts, whether it carries liability insurance. If insured, builder and homeowner may sign or initial with no witness; if not insured, both sign and one witness chosen by the homeowner attests (as amended by Act 2026-320). Roofers: $10,000 license/permit bond.

Source: alison.legislature.state.al.us · checked November 12, 2026

Forming an LLC in Alabama

State filing fee: $200.

Source: sos.alabama.gov · checked November 6, 2026

What to do, in order

  1. Read the Alabama rule and confirm with Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (residential); Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (commercial/public, pools); Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors; Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board; Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors.
  2. Line up the Jefferson County items listed on this page.
  3. Get your insurance and rate in place before the first paid job.

Nearby places

Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice.