ME
OPLC · ELECTRICAL
Verify / Learn More ↗Master Electrician
Performs electrical installations as a business or supervises others; core contractor-level electrical routing signal.
New Hampshire contractor intelligence
New Hampshire Contractor License & Trade Guide
New Hampshire does not use one statewide general-contractor license or prefix system. Instead, regulated construction work is routed through OPLC, the Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board, NHDES and related boards for electrical, plumbing, fuel-gas, mechanical entities, manufactured housing, septic and water-well work. General building, roofing and broad HVAC scopes remain heavily local / credential-specific.
Source-based build · verify active OPLC/NHDES credential, entity license where required, and the local permit authority for the exact project scope
Statewide GC licenseNo
General building is primarily local.
Primary state verifierOPLC
Electrical, mechanical and selected boards.
Environmental routingNHDES
Septic, wells and pump installers.
Core routing codesME · MP · FGF
Plus HMVE, MBE, MHI, ISDS, SSEE, WWC and PI.
01 · Licensing model
How New Hampshire Actually Licenses Contractors
New Hampshire uses state trade credentials layered on top of local building-permit control rather than one universal contractor license.
No statewide general-contractor license. Building, remodeling and roofing should begin with the city or town permit authority, then add any state-regulated trade credential required by the scope.
OPLC is the main professional-license hub. Electricians, mechanical/plumbing/fuel-gas licensees, manufactured-housing installers and septic system evaluators are among the construction-facing credentials routed through OPLC boards.
NHDES handles key site/environmental credentials. Septic designers/installers and water-well contractors or pump installers are separate from the OPLC trade structure.
Mechanical work is not one generic HVAC license. Plumbing, fuel gas, water treatment, oil-heat certification, electrical work and entity-level mechanical licensing must be matched separately.
02 · Core credentials
License Types That Shape the New Hampshire Market
These are the highest-value license and routing families for permit-based lead matching. Codes shown are practical routing labels from the supplied source, not claimed license-number prefixes.
HMVE
OPLC · ELECTRICAL
Verify / Learn More ↗High / Medium Voltage Electrician
Special electrical credential for over-600-volt distribution systems, controls and metering.
MP
OPLC · MECHANICAL
Verify / Learn More ↗Master Plumber
Business-capable plumbing credential for plumbing, drainage and water-system work.
FGF
OPLC · MECHANICAL
Verify / Learn More ↗Fuel Gas Fitter
Umbrella routing family for regulated propane and natural-gas fitting credentials.
MBE
OPLC · MECHANICAL
Verify / Learn More ↗Mechanical Business Entity
Entity-level license for firms engaged in plumbing and/or fuel-gas work with an appropriately licensed person of record.
MHI
OPLC · MANUFACTURED HOUSING
Verify / Learn More ↗Manufactured Housing Installer
State credential for manufactured-home installation/setup work.
ISDS
NHDES · SEPTIC
Verify / Learn More ↗Septic Designer / Installer
NHDES permit credentials for septic-system design and installation/repair.
WWC / PI
NHDES · WATER WELL
Verify / Learn More ↗Water Well Contractor / Pump Installer
State licensing for water-well construction and pump installation.
03 · Trade routing
New Hampshire Trade Routing Guide
Use the permit scope first, then match the exact credential family and agency. This avoids over-routing New Hampshire as a generic statewide contractor-license state.
LOCALMunicipalGeneral Contracting & Building+
License / routing rule
No statewide GC license identified.
Permit / project cue
New construction, additions, structural remodels and general building permits.
Where to verify
City/town building department.
Important note
Separately verify every regulated trade attached to the project.
ME / JEOPLC ElectricalElectrical+
License / routing rule
Master and journeyman electrician credentials under RSA 319-C.
Permit / project cue
Service, panel, wiring, generator, lighting and controls permits.
Where to verify
OPLC Electricians Board / license lookup.
Important note
Journeyman work is not the same business-level authority as a Master.
HMVEOPLC ElectricalHigh / Medium Voltage+
License / routing rule
Special electrical credential for over-600V systems.
Permit / project cue
Commercial/industrial distribution, substations, controls and metering.
Where to verify
OPLC Electricians Board.
Important note
Match the voltage/system scope before routing.
MP / JPMechanical SafetyPlumbing+
License / routing rule
Master and journeyman plumber ladder.
Permit / project cue
Plumbing, drainage, water-service and fixture permits.
Where to verify
OPLC Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board.
Important note
Master and journeyman roles are distinct.
FGFMechanical SafetyFuel Gas+
License / routing rule
Fuel-gas credential family covering piping, installation and service specialties.
Permit / project cue
Gas piping, propane/natural gas appliances and heating equipment.
Where to verify
OPLC Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board.
Important note
Match FGPI, FGIT, FGST, HSIST or DAT as applicable.
MBEMechanical SafetyMechanical Business Entity+
License / routing rule
Entity-level license for qualifying plumbing/fuel-gas businesses.
Permit / project cue
Permits naming an LLC/corporation in regulated mechanical work.
Where to verify
OPLC Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board.
Important note
Verify the licensed person of record.
WTTMechanical SafetyWater Treatment+
License / routing rule
Technician credential for water-treatment systems.
Permit / project cue
Water treatment installation, maintenance and repair.
Where to verify
OPLC Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board.
Important note
Do not treat as ordinary plumbing without scope review.
MHIOPLCManufactured Housing+
License / routing rule
Licensed manufactured-housing installer.
Permit / project cue
Manufactured-home setup, installation and related permit activity.
Where to verify
OPLC Installation Standards Board for Manufactured Housing.
Important note
Verify installer status and any warranty-seal requirements.
ISDS-D / INHDESSeptic Design & Installation+
License / routing rule
NHDES designer and installer permit credentials.
Permit / project cue
Septic design, new systems, replacements and repairs.
Where to verify
NHDES Subsurface Systems Bureau.
Important note
Designer and installer are separate roles.
SSEEOPLCSeptic Evaluation+
License / routing rule
Credential for objective septic-system evaluation.
Permit / project cue
Property transfer, inspection and evaluation signals.
Where to verify
OPLC Board of Septic System Evaluators.
Important note
Separate from septic design/install permits.
WWC / PINHDESWater Wells & Pumps+
License / routing rule
Water-well contractor and pump-installer licensing.
Permit / project cue
New wells, replacements, pump installation and service.
Where to verify
NHDES Water Well Board.
Important note
Verify the correct license type and active status.
LOCAL / SPECIALLocal + agencyRoofing · HVAC · Fire · Abatement+
License / routing rule
No single statewide GC/roof/general HVAC prefix.
Permit / project cue
Roofing, HVAC, low-voltage, fire and environmental scopes.
Where to verify
Local permit/fire authority plus agency-specific credentials.
Important note
Do not force these into a generic statewide contractor class.
04 · Searchable directory
New Hampshire Credential & Routing Directory
A practical index of New Hampshire license, permit, agency and local-routing labels used for lead matching.
LOCAL
General Contractor / Builder
Municipal
ROOF
Roofing Contractor
Municipal
HVAC
General HVAC / Mechanical
Credential-specific
ME
Master Electrician
OPLC
JE
Journeyman Electrician
OPLC
HMVE
High/Medium Voltage Electrician
OPLC
AE
Apprentice Electrician
OPLC
ECORP
Electrical Corporation / Partnership
OPLC
MP
Master Plumber
OPLC Mechanical
JP
Journeyman Plumber
OPLC Mechanical
PA
Plumbing Apprentice
OPLC Mechanical
FGF
Fuel Gas Fitter
OPLC Mechanical
FGPI
Fuel Gas Piping Installer
OPLC Mechanical
FGIT
Fuel Gas Installation Technician
OPLC Mechanical
FGST
Fuel Gas Service Technician
OPLC Mechanical
HSIST
Hearth System Install & Service Technician
OPLC Mechanical
DAT
Domestic Appliance Technician
OPLC Mechanical
FGT
Fuel Gas Trainee
OPLC Mechanical
WTT
Water Treatment Technician
OPLC Mechanical
WTTr
Water Treatment Trainee
OPLC Mechanical
MBE
Mechanical Business Entity
OPLC Mechanical
OHT
Oil Heating Technician
OPLC resource / verify
MHI
Manufactured Housing Installer
OPLC
ISDS-D
ISDS Designer
NHDES
ISDS-I
ISDS Installer
NHDES
SSEE
Septic System Evaluator
OPLC
WWC
Water Well Contractor
NHDES
PI
Pump Installer
NHDES
LOWV
Low Voltage / Alarms
Electrical + fire review
FIRE
Fire Protection / Sprinklers
Fire authority
LEAD/ASB
Lead / Asbestos / Abatement
Agency-specific
OPLC
Office of Professional Licensure
State verifier
NHDES
Department of Environmental Services
State verifier
RSA 319-C
Electricians statute
Legal source
RSA 153
Mechanical licensing statute
Legal source
RSA 205-D
Manufactured housing statute
Legal source
RSA 482-B
Water well statute
Legal source
VERIFY
Active-status check
Before lead routing
05 · Permit intelligence
New Hampshire Permit Signals Worth Watching
Permit records become more valuable when the project scope is translated into the correct state credential and local permitting lane.
Permit / project signal
Credential cue
Who benefits
Routing logic
New residential / commercial building
LOCAL
GCs · framers · suppliers
Local permit first; attach state trade credentials as project scope develops.
Electrical service / panel / generator
ME · JE
Electricians · suppliers
High-value signal for licensed electrical work; HMVE if over-600V scope appears.
Plumbing / drainage permit
MP · JP
Plumbers · suppliers
Route to active plumbing credentials and confirm master/journeyman role.
Gas piping / appliance install
FGF
Gas fitters · HVAC firms · suppliers
Match the exact fuel-gas subcategory rather than generic HVAC.
Manufactured home setup
MHI
Installers · site contractors · suppliers
Installer credential is a direct eligibility signal.
Septic design / replacement
ISDS-D / I
Septic designers · installers · excavators
Designer and installer permits create distinct routing lanes.
Well / pump permit
WWC / PI
Well drillers · pump installers · suppliers
Separate well-construction and pump-installation credentials.
Roof / HVAC / fire / abatement
LOCAL / SPECIAL
Roofers · HVAC · fire · environmental
Use local or agency-specific verification; no generic statewide GC prefix.
06 · Verification workflow
How to Verify a New Hampshire Contractor
New Hampshire verification is a layered check: local permit jurisdiction first, then the appropriate OPLC, NHDES or specialty credential.
Read the permit scope
Identify building, electrical, plumbing, gas, manufactured housing, septic, well/pump or specialty work.
Identify the licensing authority
Use OPLC for many professional trades and NHDES for septic/well programs.
Verify active status
Confirm the exact credential type, status and qualifying individual/entity relationship where applicable.
Confirm local permit rules
For GC, roofing, broad HVAC and other local-first scopes, verify the city/town or fire authority before routing.
07 · Source library
Official New Hampshire Sources
Primary state sources from the supplied New Hampshire reference. Verify current license status and project-specific requirements before acting.
01OPLCNH Office of Professional Licensure↗02VERIFYOPLC License Lookup↗03ELECTRICALElectricians Board↗04RSA 319-CElectricians statute↗05MSLBMechanical Safety and Licensing Board↗06RSA 153Mechanical licensing statutes↗07MHIManufactured Housing Board↗08RSA 205-DManufactured housing statute↗09ISDSNHDES Septic Designer / Installer↗10SSEEOPLC Septic System Evaluators↗11WELLNHDES Water Well Board Licensing↗12CODENH State Building Code↗
08 · FAQ
New Hampshire Contractor Licensing Questions
Common questions about New Hampshire contractor eligibility, trade credentials and permit-based lead routing.
01Does New Hampshire have a statewide general contractor license?+
No. The supplied source says there is no single statewide general contractor license or contractor-prefix system; building work is primarily controlled through local permits.
02What does ME mean on this page?+
ME is the routing acronym used here for Master Electrician under the New Hampshire electrical licensing framework.
03What does JE mean?+
JE is the routing acronym for Journeyman Electrician, a distinct credential from the Master level.
04What is HMVE?+
HMVE is High/Medium Voltage Electrician, used for over-600-volt distribution systems and related controls or metering.
05What does MP mean?+
MP is Master Plumber, the business-capable plumbing credential in the supplied source.
06What does FGF mean?+
FGF is Fuel Gas Fitter, an umbrella routing family for regulated propane and natural-gas fitting credentials.
07Is there one generic New Hampshire HVAC license?+
No. The supplied source says HVAC/mechanical work should be split among fuel gas, plumbing, oil heat, electrical, water treatment and local permit scope as applicable.
08What is MBE?+
MBE is Mechanical Business Entity, an entity-level license for qualifying firms engaged in plumbing and/or fuel-gas work with a licensed person of record.
09Who verifies electrical and mechanical licenses?+
OPLC provides the primary license lookup, with electrical and mechanical credentials associated with their respective OPLC boards.
10What is MHI?+
MHI is the routing acronym for Manufactured Housing Installer.
11Are septic designers and installers licensed through OPLC?+
The supplied source routes septic designer and installer permit credentials through NHDES, while septic system evaluators are associated with an OPLC board.
12What is SSEE?+
SSEE is Septic System Evaluator, separate from septic design and installation permitting.
13What do WWC and PI mean?+
WWC is Water Well Contractor and PI is Pump Installer, both routed through the NHDES Water Well Board.
14Does New Hampshire have a statewide roofing contractor license?+
The supplied source does not identify a standalone statewide roofing contractor license; roofing is routed through local permit requirements.
15How should low-voltage or alarm work be routed?+
Review the electrical-installation rules, local fire requirements and the specific project scope rather than assuming a generic contractor prefix.
16How should fire-protection work be routed?+
Verify the applicable fire-code jurisdiction and State Fire Marshal or local fire official requirements.
17Does a permit mean the project is an open bid?+
No. A permit is a project signal. It does not prove the project is unawarded, open for bidding or guaranteed work.
18What is the best first step for TigerLeads routing?+
Start with permit scope and locality, then map regulated work to the exact state credential and verify active status before outreach.
Turn New Hampshire Permits Into Earlier Opportunities.
Use permit-based construction intelligence to identify projects earlier, understand the trade scope, and reach contractors, trades and suppliers at the right time.
