Showing licenses and insurance honestly on your website

Show what you hold, as issued

The rule is simple: put on your website exactly what's on your paperwork. That means the license or registration type, the name it was issued to, the number and who issued it. If the license is held by a person and not the company, say so. If it lapses, take it down until it's renewed.

How licensing works in Colorado

Colorado has no single statewide general contractor license. For most building trades, licensing and registration are handled mostly by city or regional building departments, and the rules differ from place to place. A license from one building department may not cover you in the next one.

Electricians and plumbers are different: they are licensed by the state. If you hold a state electrical or plumbing license, show the license type and number.

So be specific. "Licensed in Colorado" is vague for a roofer or a concrete contractor. "Licensed with [building department], [license type], number [number]" is accurate and easy to verify. If you're not sure what your trade needs in a town, check with your local building department. This is general information, not legal advice.

Licensed, bonded, insured

These are three different things. Don't write all three unless all three are true.

• Licensed: you hold the license or registration your trade needs where you work.
• Bonded: you have a surety bond in force. Not every contractor does.
• Insured: you carry an active policy, such as general liability. Workers' compensation is separate.

If you're licensed and insured but not bonded, write "licensed and insured". It's true, and that's what counts. A false claim about a license or insurance can be treated as deceptive advertising, and it's easy for anyone to check.

Insurance: offer the certificate

You don't need to post your policy online. A line like "Certificate of insurance available on request" is enough. When a customer asks, have your insurance agent send the certificate, so it's clearly current. If you state coverage amounts on the site, keep them up to date.

When someone else holds the license

If a partner or another company holds the license you work under, say that plainly, and make sure the building department that issued it allows the arrangement. Don't show someone else's license number as if it were yours.

Don't do these

• "Fully licensed" with no detail about where or for what
• Logos for memberships or manufacturer certifications you don't currently hold
• Expired license numbers
• "Bonded" when you have no bond
• Edited or borrowed certificates

Where to put it

• Footer of every page: license type, issuer and number
• About page: the full details and who holds each license
• Service pages: a short line near the call button
• Estimates and contracts: the same details as the website

Set a reminder to check it each time you renew. For the rest of what belongs on a site, see what to put on a roofing website. If you'd like a site built this way, our websites are $1,000 to build plus $100 a month.