TradeGuardPennsylvania subcontractor insurance & compliance requirements
If you're a general contractor hiring subcontractors in Pennsylvania, here are the certificates and documents you should collect and keep current, and how TradeGuard tracks them automatically.
Documents to collect from subcontractors in Pennsylvania
The core compliance documents a GC should require and keep current for each sub.
State or local business license
Certificate of Insurance for General Liability coverage
Certificate of Insurance for Workers Compensation coverage, required for any sub with employees
Required for tax reporting on payments over $600
Required on many public and private commercial projects
Required for residential home improvement work
Required on public works projects over threshold
Required alongside performance bond on public projects
Required when bidding on public construction contracts; guarantees contractor will honor the bid if awarded
State-required surety bond posted as part of contractor license or registration; collect certificate from sub
Pennsylvania does not have a statewide GC license. Home improvement contractors must register with the AHIA (Attorney General's office). Local jurisdictions may require licenses.
Pennsylvania is under federal OSHA jurisdiction.
$50,000 bond required for Home Improvement Contractor registration
- PAOAG: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (HIC)
- PADOL: Pennsylvania Dept of Labor and Industry
- BWCE: Bureau of Workers Compensation and Enforcement
Summary for Pennsylvania
No state GC license. HIC registration required for residential. Federal OSHA applies. Workers comp required for all employers.
Track all of this automatically in Pennsylvania
TradeGuard collects every subcontractor's COI, license, and OSHA docs, flags Pennsylvania compliance gaps, and warns you before anything expires. Stop tracking it in a spreadsheet.
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Pennsylvania compliance FAQ
Do subcontractors need a contractor license in Pennsylvania?+
Pennsylvania does not issue a statewide general contractor license, though local jurisdictions or specialty trades may still require one. Pennsylvania does not have a statewide GC license. Home improvement contractors must register with the AHIA (Attorney General's office). Local jurisdictions may require licenses.
Does Pennsylvania follow federal OSHA or a state OSHA plan?+
Pennsylvania is covered by federal OSHA. Subcontractors on active job sites are typically expected to carry OSHA 10/30 training.
Is a surety bond required for contractors in Pennsylvania?+
Yes. $50,000 bond required for Home Improvement Contractor registration
This page is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm current rules with the relevant Pennsylvania agencies before relying on them.