If you are looking to start an elevator contractor company, it is vital to understand your licensing and registration obligations. State and local requirements vary. Let’s take a look at what you need to know to start work as an elevator contractor.

Elevator Contractor Companies

Elevator contractor companies hire installers and repairers to install, maintain, and fix elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other lifts. Many states require an elevator contractor license. As a category of the construction industry, specific duties include:

• Connecting elevators to counterweights
• Assembling elevator cars
• Installing and writing electric and electronic control systems
• Installing, testing, and adjusting safety devices
• Troubleshooting system failure
• Carrying out preventive maintenance

Most elevator mechanics undergo classroom studies and on-the-job training in order to become certified. After obtaining a high school diploma, an aspiring elevator mechanic may participate in an apprenticeship under the supervision of a certified elevator constructor, known as a journeyperson. Apprenticeship requirements and program lengths vary across the United States.

On average, most apprenticeship programs last five years. They include at least 144 hours of classroom time each year, with a total of 8,000 hours of on-the-job training. Apprentices complete their training once they have demonstrated competence in vital skills by taking a cumulative mechanics test. At such a time, they graduate to journeyperson status.

Elevator Contractor Company Licensing

An elevator contractor’s license allows companies to employ licensed elevator mechanics and bid on public and private contracts. Business owners that qualify may be able to obtain both an elevator contractor license and an elevator mechanic license.

License Eligibility

The state in which you reside will ultimately determine whether you are eligible to become a licensed elevator contractor. There are a number of registration requirements outside of licensing that you will likely need to have in place, including business and entity registration.

To register your elevator business, you will need to come up with a name and register it with the Secretary of State. Before choosing a name, make sure you check your state’s business records, federal and state trademark records, social media platforms, and web domain availability to ensure your chosen name has not already been used.

To form a legal entity, you need to choose a structure. The most common are sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations. If you choose an LLC or corporation, for example, you can protect yourself from being held personally liable if your business is sued. You will also need to appoint a registered agent to receive notice of lawsuits and other legal or government notices.

Your elevator contractor company will also need insurance to operate safely and lawfully. There are different types of insurance policies, but most businesses start with general liability insurance. If you plan on having employees, as many contractor companies do, you will also need to determine if you need workers’ compensation insurance.

License Application Process

Once you have all of the necessary paperwork in order, it is time to obtain the necessary permits and licenses. Failure to acquire required documents can result in penalties, fines, and potential business closure.

Certain states require elevator installation and repair licenses, while others leave it up to municipalities, towns, cities, or counties. If you are uncertain about how to proceed, you can check with your Secretary of State’s office or take a look in the United States Small Business Associations directory.

The application process can take time, as each state’s turnaround time varies. States that offer online filing typically have a faster processing time than those that still require hardcopy applications.

If you are concerned about managing the licensing process on your own, you don’t have to go at it alone. The business licensing experts from Harbor Compliance can explain all the stages of corporate compliance and ensure you have the opportunity to continue to grow your business.

When you seek professional licensing services from Harbor Compliance, you will receive full-service support, save time and money, and have access to expert software insights. Our licensing specialists make preparing and filing applications easy, and we can handle communications with government agencies on your behalf. Regarding our software, you can use our tracking software to obtain accurate and insightful reports, including simplified data of your registration statuses, license numbers, filing history, fees, and renewals. Those reports are available to you 24/7.

License Renewal Process

Most elevator contractor company licenses need to be renewed on an annual or biennial basis. Depending on the state in which you work, you may be able to submit a renewal form online. It is important to make sure the person on the renewal application is either yourself or another person in your company responsible for ensuring the business and its employees follow all the applicable rules and regulations.

If you are currently operating an elevator contractor company license and are looking to outsource your maintenance and renewal duties, Harbor Compliance can help. We are available to review your business status, ensure you can operate uninterrupted, and explain what steps you need to take in order to ensure you remain compliant with state and federal regulations.

Explore Licensing by State

Click on a link below to view licensing information in your state.

Meeting the elevator contractor company license requirements is not always an easy process. Fortunately, Harbor Compliance License Manager helps construction professionals maintain their licenses by automating repetitive tasks such as tracking renewals. Through License Manager, you can also access LicenseIQ™ - our extensive, proprietary database of nationwide licensing information - to research the requirements for the states in which you work. These tools reduce the time you spend researching state requirements and prepare your organization for success. Contact our licensing experts today to learn more.