What a contractor license bond is
Some states, and many cities and counties, make contractors post a bond to get or renew a license. It protects customers, workers and the public if the contractor breaks the licensing laws, for example by abandoning a job or not paying workers. The contractor repays the surety for any claim it pays.
In Maine
Maine does not license general or residential building contractors statewide, so there is no statewide contractor license bond. A bill to license residential contractors (LD 1226) died on adjournment on April 29, 2026.
- Some trades, such as electricians and plumbers, are licensed separately by the state; those licenses are not covered here.
You need this bond if you're
- A contractor applying for a new license
- A contractor renewing or reactivating a license
- A business changing its entity type or qualifier
- A contractor starting work in a city or county that requires its own bond
What the surety looks at
Basic business and owner details. Most license bonds need a credit check but no financial statements.