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

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

Kentucky has no statewide general contractor license for this work, so local and trade rules decide. Madison County, KY has three licensing jurisdictions: unincorporated Madison County (County Business License via Planning & Development, $50 one-time; 1% net profit + 1% payroll occupational tax), City of Richmond, and City of Berea (each with its own occupational license). License applies by where work is performed.

Handyman License Requirements in Madison County, KY

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

Madison County, KY has three licensing jurisdictions: unincorporated Madison County (County Business License via Planning & Development, $50 one-time; 1% net profit + 1% payroll occupational tax), City of Richmond, and City of Berea (each with its own occupational license). License applies by where work is performed.

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Madison County requirements

Source link: madisoncountyky.gov · madisoncountyky.gov · cc.madisoncountyky.us · checked November 2, 2026

County business license

Required

Name: Madison County Business License (one-time fee, Ord. 2022-11) + 1% net profit and 1% payroll occupational tax, for work in the Madison County Jurisdiction (unincorporated areas only, outside Richmond and Berea city limits)
Office: Madison County Planning & Development Office (business license); Madison County Finance (occupational tax)
Fee: $50 one-time nonrefundable business license application (no renewal for licenses current after Jan 1, 2023); 1% net profit / 1% payroll

"Madison County has 3 separate jurisdictions within it; Madison County, City of Richmond and the City of Berea. Importantly, the Madison County Jurisdiction is only the areas outside the incorporated areas of Richmond and Berea. The Madison County Jurisdiction requires a Business License for every person ... that engages in any occupation, trade, profession, or activities in the unincorporated area of Madison County. "

Source: madisoncountyky.gov · checked November 2, 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 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.