NJ Compliance Guide Verified for 2026/2027 Specialty Finishes & Remediation

New Jersey Drywall & Lathing Contractor (C-9)

Official statutory licensing standards, state surety bond mandates, and commercial liability minimums overseen by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (HIC & Electrical/Plumbing).

Min General Liability
$300,000 - $500,000 Each Occurrence
Occurrence / $1,000,000 General Aggregate
Required State Bond
$10,000 - $25,000
From $120/yr with preferred credit
Board Application Fee
$110 (HIC) / $150 (Master)
Exam Provider: PSI Services
License Renewal
Annual
CE: Varies by municipality or trade board
Primary Source Verified: 2026 Statutory Code Review
Requirements cross-referenced against the official New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (HIC & Electrical/Plumbing) administrative code.
Official NJ Board Portal → | Our Audit Methodology
Interactive Compliance Tool Live 2026 Underwriting Matrix

Contractor Liability & Bond Premium Estimator

Estimate your required general liability and state license bond costs instantly based on state statute and operational volume.

Estimated Annual Gross Revenue $350,000
$50k $1.5M $3M+
Estimated Statutory Costs Instant Certificate Available
General Liability (GL)
$1M Occurrence / $2M Aggregate
$115/mo
~$1,380 / year
Contractor License Bond
Statutory State Bond
$250/yr
1.0% base underwriting rate
Workers' Comp Alert: Mandatory for all construction employers in selected state with 1+ employees.
Get Official Quote & Instant ACORD COI Apply for Contractor License Bond ($0 Down Options) →

*Estimates based on standard market rates for commercial artisan contractors. Exact quotes require underwriting review of prior loss history, specific endorsements, and payroll declarations.

Verified Underwriters

Compare Top New Jersey Drywall & Lathing Contractor (C-9) Insurance Providers

Direct underwriting platforms offering statutory compliance coverage and digital certificates for New Jersey contractors.

Updated for 2026/2027 Policy Year
Carrier & Underwriter Coverage Strengths Turnaround & Pricing Action
NE
Next Insurance Top Contractor Pick
4.8 ★ (12,000+ Reviews)
Fastest Instant ACORD 25 Certificate (100% Online)
  • Instant 24/7 digital Certificate of Insurance (COI)
  • Zero paperwork, automated state board filing
From $29 / month
Issued in ~5 Minutes
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HI
Hiscox Business Best for Custom Limits
4.7 ★ (AM Best 'A' Rated)
Commercial Projects & High-Limit Builder's Risk
  • Up to $5,000,000 in aggregate commercial liability
  • Worldwide coverage for temporary work off-site
From $35 / month
Same-Day Approval
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SU
SuretyBonds.com Fastest License Bond
4.9 ★ (Over 100k Bonds Issued)
Official New Jersey State Contractor License Bonds
  • Direct filing with New Jersey contractor licensing board
  • Bad-credit and newly licensed contractor programs
From $100 / year
Instant Digital Issue
Issue New Jersey Bond
TI
Tivly Marketplace Multi-Carrier Quotes
4.6 ★ (Commercial Network)
Comparing 30+ Carriers (Travelers, Liberty, Chubb)
  • Access non-standard policies for high-hazard trades
  • Workers' compensation & commercial auto bundles
Market Competitive
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Drywall & Lathing Contractor (C-9) Scope of Work & Legal Permitting Authority

Drywall Contractors erect interior light-gauge metal framing, install acoustic and fire-rated gypsum wallboards, and apply taping finishes.

Defined Authorized Scope of Construction:

UL fire-rated drywall partition assemblies, acoustic ceiling baffles, suspended drywall grid ceilings, level 5 museum finishes.

Permit Trigger in New Jersey: Alterations to fire-rated corridor partitions or tenant demising walls

Mandatory Experience Prerequisites

4 years journey-level hanging, taping, acoustic texturing, and light-gauge metal stud framing experience

Required Insurance Policy Endorsements

Hired & Non-Owned Auto, Inland Marine Tools & Equipment, Blanket Additional Insured

Governing Technical Code & Safety Standard
New Jersey Statutes N.J.S.A. 45:5AA & N.J.A.C. 13:45A
EPA Renovation, Repair & Painting (RRP) Rule & OSHA 1910.1200 HazCom Standards
Testing & Compliance Benchmarks: NESHAP 10-day advance state abatement notification and NIOSH 7400 phase-contrast air clearance monitoring. Mandates negative-pressure HEPA containment enclosures, decontamination airlocks, and licensed hazardous manifest transport disposal.
Procedural Roadmap

How to Obtain a Drywall & Lathing Contractor (C-9) License in New Jersey

Official 4-step compliance path pursuant to New Jersey Statutes N.J.S.A. 45:5AA & N.J.A.C. 13:45A.

Official Board Rules →
1

Legal Entity & EIN Formation

New Jersey Business Entity Filing Statutes

Form your business entity (LLC, Corporation, or Sole Proprietorship) with the New Jersey Secretary of State and secure your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). Ensure your registered business name precisely matches all state board filings.

2

Designate Qualifying Individual (QI)

New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (HIC & Electrical/Plumbing) Experience Verification Rules

Appoint a Qualifying Party, Primary Qualifying Agent, or Responsible Managing Employee (RME). The QI must verify 4 years journey-level hanging, taping, acoustic texturing, and light-gauge metal stud framing experience and satisfy experience criteria governed under New Jersey Statutes N.J.S.A. 45:5AA & N.J.A.C. 13:45A.

3

Execute Statutory Bond & Insurance

New Jersey Statutes N.J.S.A. 45:5AA & N.J.A.C. 13:45A Financial Responsibility Mandates

Secure the mandatory $10,000 - $25,000 contractor license bond executed by an admitted surety. File an official Certificate of Insurance (COI) maintaining at least $300,000 - $500,000 Each Occurrence / $1,000,000 General Aggregate Commercial General Liability, naming New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (HIC & Electrical/Plumbing) as certificate holder.

4

Examination & Board License Issuance

PSI Services Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)

Complete the New Jersey Business & Law examination along with the specific Drywall Contractor technical trade examination administered by PSI Services. Submit application fees ($110 (HIC) / $150 (Master)) to receive official licensure and permit pull authorization.

Regulatory Authority: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (HIC & Electrical/Plumbing) (NJ)
Official State Government Portal

Ready to file with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (HIC & Electrical/Plumbing)?

Make sure your General Liability Certificate (listing the state board as certificate holder) and your statutory $10,000 - $25,000 are electronically active prior to submitting application fees.

Get Compliant COI Visit NJ Board Portal →
Verified Statutory Guidance

New Jersey Drywall Contractor Compliance & Insurance FAQs

Direct answers on state licensing prerequisites, insurance thresholds, and surety bond regulations.

Do I need a state license to work as a Drywall Contractor in New Jersey?

Yes. Operating as a drywall contractor contractor in New Jersey requires full licensure issued by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (HIC & Electrical/Plumbing) under New Jersey Statutes N.J.S.A. 45:5AA & N.J.A.C. 13:45A. Municipalities and commercial property owners verify active board licenses prior to permit issuance.

What technical qualifications and testing benchmarks are required for Drywall Contractors in New Jersey?

Applicants must document State-certified supervisor licensing, 40-hour Hazwoper certification, and annual medical surveillance clearance and adhere to EPA Renovation, Repair & Painting (RRP) Rule & OSHA 1910.1200 HazCom Standards.

What are the commercial general liability insurance minimums for a Drywall Contractor in New Jersey?

Under New Jersey statutory and commercial bidding standards, drywall contractor contractors typically must maintain at least $300,000 - $500,000 Each Occurrence / $1,000,000 General Aggregate in general liability protection. Policies must include coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and completed operations.

How much does the required New Jersey Drywall Contractor surety bond cost?

The statutory bond threshold in New Jersey is $10,000 - $25,000 (Trade specific: Plumbing & Electrical). Contractors with standard commercial credit typically pay an annual premium between $120 and $180 (1% to 2% of total penal sum). High-risk or credit-rebuilding rates range from $216 to $300 annually.

Is workers' compensation insurance required for Drywall Contractors in New Jersey?

Mandatory for all employers with 1+ employees. Regardless of minimum employee exemptions under New Jersey labor laws, commercial general contractors and municipal building inspectors mandate proof of active workers' comp via a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before jobsite access is granted.

Does New Jersey offer contractor license reciprocity for Drywall Contractors?

New Jersey maintains formal reciprocal exam agreements or license verifications with: NY, PA, DE. Qualifying out-of-state contractors in good standing under equivalent statutory frameworks may apply to waive the trade examination portion.

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