Connecticut New Home Construction Contractor Registration Renewal

At a glance

Who needs it

Any person or business that builds a new home, speculative housing included: anyone who contracts with a consumer to construct or sell a new home, or any portion of one, before occupancy. A new home is a new single-family dwelling, a new two-family unit or a new condominium unit, and building a modular home and delivering and securing it to the property counts too

Not covered

Consumers building their own home, real estate licensees working under Chapter 392, mobile home dealers and licensees under Chapter 412, work covered by a professional or occupational license, registration or certificate you hold, contractors whose contracts for the same new home add up to less than $3,500, and work done on a home after its Certificate of Occupancy is issued

Renews every

Year. All registrations expire annually on March 31 (the date moved from September 30 under Public Act 21-197). Next: March 31, 2027

Renewal fee

DCP's new home construction page states the fee for a new registration but not for a renewal: check the amount on your renewal before you pay

Insurance

General liability insurance of at least $20,000 to be eligible for a registration. The online renewal asks for your insurance provider's name and policy number, and you can update your liability insurance in your online account for free

Renew

Online only, on DCP's eLicense website (elicense.ct.gov), with your User ID and password or the Fast Track Renewal PIN from your renewal notice. DCP can no longer accept paper renewal notices and checks by mail or in its drop box

Renewal notice

DCP sends renewal notices approximately 30 days before the registration expires

No notice or login?

Email dcp.online@ct.gov with your name, registration type, registration number and email address, and say which login you need: a User ID and password (full account access) or a Fast Track Renewal PIN (renewal only, and a new PIN for each renewal)

Continuing education

DCP's new home construction pages list no continuing education requirement

If it lapses

DCP's online services guide says a registration lapsed for 90 days or less can still be renewed (not reinstated). One that's inactive may be reinstated online if a completed reinstatement form and all applicable fees are submitted no later than three years after its expiration date, with the same $20,000 liability insurance; a reinstated registration expires on the next March 31. More than three years after expiration, you re-apply

Reinstating an entity

Corporations, LLCs and LLPs also need an active Certificate of Good Standing with the Connecticut Secretary of the State. Reinstatement questions: dcp.licenseservices@ct.gov

Building permits

Building officials can't issue building or construction permits to a builder without a copy of the builder's valid certificate of registration

Penalties

Violating the new home construction law may bring revocation or suspension of your registration, civil fines of up to $1,500 per violation, and arrest and criminal prosecution

Advertising

Your registration number must appear in all advertising for new home construction, including directory listings, contracts, business cards, stationery, display, TV and newspaper ads and ads on vehicles

Before a contract

Give the consumer a copy of your valid certificate of registration and a written notice, in 10-point bold type, that contains the information in the consumer notice

Home improvement work

To also contract for home improvement services, add the home improvement authorization to your active registration for $100 (from your eLicense account: Online Services, then License Maintenance)

Your business entity

If you contract with consumers as an LLC, register as the LLC: a registration you hold as an individual doesn't cover it

Criminal conviction (applications)

If applicable, attach DCP's Criminal Conviction Application Worksheet to your application

Every registration expires on the same day, March 31, whatever month it was issued. Registrations used to expire on September 30: if your calendar still says September, it's out of date.

Building officials ask for a copy of your valid certificate of registration before issuing a permit, so a lapsed registration can hold up your next job, not just your contracts.

How to renew

1. Put March 31 in your calendar: every Connecticut new home construction registration expires that day each year.
2. Check your general liability insurance (at least $20,000) is current, and have your insurer's name and policy number ready.
3. Watch for DCP's renewal notice about 30 days before March 31. If it doesn't come, email dcp.online@ct.gov for your User ID and password or a Fast Track Renewal PIN.
4. Renew and pay online on elicense.ct.gov: paper renewals and checks aren't accepted.
5. Check DCP's license lookup shows your registration as active, and keep a copy of your current certificate of registration for permit applications.

Deadline checklist

• 60 days outCheck your general liability policy (at least $20,000) runs past March 31 and note its policy number.
• 30 days outLook for DCP's renewal notice. No notice, User ID or Fast Track PIN? Email dcp.online@ct.gov now.
• 14 days outRenew and pay online: DCP doesn't take paper renewals or checks.
• March 31Check DCP's license lookup shows your registration as active, and keep a copy of your current certificate of registration with your permit paperwork.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

Frequently asked questions