General Provisions

V.S.A. tit. 26, ch. 106, subch. 1

in effect

26 V.S.A. § 5501 Registration required

5501. Registration required (a) A person shall register with the Office of Professional Regulation prior to contracting with a homeowner to perform residential construction in exchange for consideration of more than $10,000.00, including labor and materials. (b) Unless otherwise exempt under section 5502 of this title, as used in this chapter, “residential construction” means to build, demolish, or alter a residential dwelling unit, or a building or premises with four or fewer residential dwelling units, in this State and includes interior and exterior construction, renovation, and repair; painting; paving; roofing; weatherization; installation or repair of heating, plumbing, solar, electrical, water, or wastewater systems; and other activities the Office specifies by rule consistent with this chapter. Added 2021, No. 182 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. July 1, 2022.

26 V.S.A. § 5502 Exemptions

5502. Exemptions This chapter does not apply to: (1) an employee acting within the scope of his or her employment for a business organization registered under this chapter; (2)(A) a professional engineer, licensed architect, or a tradesperson licensed, registered, or certified by the Department of Public Safety acting within the scope of his or her license, registration, or certification; or (B) a business that performs residential construction if the work is performed primarily by or under the direct supervision of one or more employees who are individually exempt from registration under subdivision (2)(A) of this section; (3) delivery or installation of consumer appliances, audio-visual equipment, telephone equipment, or computer network equipment; (4) landscaping; (5) work on a structure that is not attached to a residential building; or (6) work that would otherwise require registration that a person performs in response to an emergency, provided the person applies for registration within a reasonable time after performing the work. Added 2021, No. 182 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. July 1, 2022.

26 V.S.A. § 5503 Mandatory registration and voluntary certification distinguished

5503. Mandatory registration and voluntary certification distinguished (a)(1) The system of mandatory registration established by this chapter is intended to protect against fraud, deception, breach of contract, and violations of law but is not intended to establish standards for professional qualifications or workmanship that is otherwise lawful. (2) The provisions of 3 V.S.A. § 129a, with respect to a registration, shall be construed in a manner consistent with the limitations of this subsection. (b) The system of voluntary certification established in this chapter is intended to provide consumers and contractors with a publicly available, noncommercial venue for contractors to list optional approved certifications. The Director of Professional Regulation, in consultation with public safety officials and recognized associations or boards of builders, remodelers, architects, and engineers, may: (1) adopt rules providing for the issuance of voluntary certifications, as defined in subdivision 3101a(1) of this title, that signify demonstrated competence in particular subfields and specialties related to residential construction; (2) establish minimum qualifications, and standards for performance and conduct, necessary for certification; and (3) discipline a certificant for violating adopted standards or other law, with or without affecting the underlying registration. Added 2021, No. 182 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. July 1, 2022.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/26/106Fetched: 10/21/2026