Do you need a license to work as a handyman in Jefferson, KY?

Q: Do you need a license to work as a handyman in Jefferson, KY?

Kentucky has no statewide general contractor license for this work, so local and trade rules decide. Anyone doing business in Jefferson County (all of it is Louisville Metro) must register with LMRC and pay occupational license tax (2.2% resident / 1.45% non-resident), regardless of where based. Permitted construction work requires a Louisville Metro contractor license for that work type from Division of Construction Review, (502) 574-3321, renewed annually with liability insurance. Smaller incorporated cities inside Jefferson County may levy their own licenses/taxes on top.

Handyman License Requirements in Jefferson, KY

By Ray Duke, Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Kentucky rules checked November 2, 2026 · Jefferson local rules checked November 2, 2026

Anyone doing business in Jefferson County (all of it is Louisville Metro) must register with LMRC and pay occupational license tax (2.2% resident / 1.45% non-resident), regardless of where based. Permitted construction work requires a Louisville Metro contractor license for that work type from Division of Construction Review, (502) 574-3321, renewed annually with liability insurance. Smaller incorporated cities inside Jefferson County may levy their own licenses/taxes on top.

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Jefferson requirements

Source link: louisvilleky.gov · louisvilleky.gov · louisvilleky.gov · checked November 2, 2026

County business license

Required

Name: Louisville Metro occupational license tax registration with Louisville Metro Revenue Commission (annual OL-3 return on net profits; 2.2% resident / 1.45% non-resident rate incl. school & transit components)
Office: Louisville Metro Revenue Commission (LMRC)
Fee: No flat license fee confirmed; tax 2.2% (resident) / 1.45% (non-resident) of net profits and payroll

"The occupational License tax is imposed upon every business, profession, occupation, trade, or other activity for profit within Louisville Metro, Kentucky, regardless of the legal residence of the person or business. Louisville Metro includes all of Jefferson County, Kentucky."

Source: louisvilleky.gov · checked November 2, 2026

Local contractor or handyman license

Required

Name: Louisville Metro contractor license by work type, issued by Division of Construction Review (Develop Louisville), renewed annually; certificate of liability insurance required; only licensed contractors or property owners may obtain permits
Trigger: Doing permitted construction work of a licensed type in Louisville Metro (e.g. building/remodel permits); apply per specific type of work. Exact handyman-scope threshold not stated on page; see license types page and LMCO chapter linked from Construction Review.

"In order to receive a contractor license with Louisville Metro, a contractor shall contact the Division of Construction Review to make an application for that specific type of work, be approved, and maintain the identification annually. ... It is illegal to work without a license. Only licensed contractors or property owners are allowed to obtain permits."

Source: louisvilleky.gov · checked November 2, 2026

The Kentucky rule

Regulator: None for general contracting (local). Trades: Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet, Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (HBC) - Electrical Division, Division of Plumbing, Division of HVAC.

No statewide general license

Kentucky

No state licensing threshold for general/handyman work. Trade licensing has no dollar floor (none verified).

What counts toward it: other: no state threshold

"Domestic Limited Liability Company (Profit, Non-Profit or Professional Service) Articles of Organization: $40.00"

Source: sos.ky.gov · checked November 2, 2026

State registration

No state GC registration. Electrical contractors, master HVAC contractors, and master plumbers are licensed by HBC.

Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · dhbc.ky.gov · dhbc.ky.gov · checked November 2, 2026

Forming an LLC in Kentucky

State filing fee: $40.