Awaiting expert review. This page covers safety or regulatory rules that change over time. A qualified reviewer has not yet checked it; the sources below are dated so you can verify each point.
Quick answer
Foundation repair credentials and licensing is the set of legal permissions and professional claims behind a foundation company or engineer. A license is granted by a government board. A credential, such as a training certificate or membership, is not a license and does not replace one.
States differ. Some do not license foundation repair as its own trade, so the right check depends on where the house is.
Quick facts
The key facts about Foundation Repair Credentials and Licensing, with sources:
- Foundation repair as its own trade
- Varies. Some states have a specialty class; TDLR’s program list has no foundation repair program 45
- Engineers
- Licensed by state boards; most need an accredited degree, about four years of experience and exams 7
- A credential is
- Not a license. Verify the license separately 1
- Bonds
- A bond does not assure the contractor’s competence 3
- Review status
- Pending. No licensed reviewer has signed this page
Key takeaways
- A license comes from a government board. A certificate, badge or membership comes from someone else and is not a license.
- States differ. Some have a specialty class that covers foundation jacking or piles. Texas’s licensing agency lists no foundation repair program on its programs page 54.
- Engineers are licensed state by state, and NCEES says candidates should verify the rules where they plan to practice 7.
- A license number on an ad or bid is not proof it is valid. Check it with the board 3.
- The FTC says to consider only contractors who are licensed and insured, and to confirm the license with your state or county 1.
- HyreFoundation does not say any contractor is licensed or insured. This page is under review and has not been signed by a reviewer.
What credentials and licensing mean for foundation repair
People use “licensed,” “certified,” “accredited” and “registered” as if they meant the same thing. They do not. A license is permission from a government to do certain work. A credential is a claim by a company, a trade group or a manufacturer that someone completed training or meets a standard.
General information, not a diagnosis of your house. This page explains how to check the legal side of a foundation company or engineer. It does not tell you which one to hire.
Review status: this page is held for review by a qualified reviewer. None has signed it. We have not invented one. Treat every rule here as a pointer to the official authority, not a final answer.
Two kinds of license matter. A contractor license, where a state requires one, covers who may sell and perform construction work. An engineer license covers who may practice engineering and seal plans. They are separate boards with separate rules.
Our how we vet page explains what HyreFoundation checks and does not claim. Our guide to choosing a foundation contractor covers the wider decision.
No unverified license claims
Do not trust a license claim you have not checked with the issuing board. HyreFoundation does not state that any company or person is licensed or insured.
How licensing works
Each state sets its own rules. NCEES, the national group for engineering and surveying boards, says its members are licensing boards from all 50 states plus several territories and D.C., and that board members are appointed by governors.
It tells candidates to verify the requirements in the state or territory where they plan to practice 7.
Contractor licensing works the same way. Some states run a statewide board with trade classes. Others leave it to counties and cities.
New York’s attorney general notes that home improvement contractors must be licensed in New York City and in Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties, and must also follow local licensing laws 8. That is a local pattern, not a statewide one.
A license has a status. It can be active, expired, suspended or inactive. Texas’s engineer roster, for example, marks a current license as active and lists other statuses, such as delinquent or inactive, as not valid for active engineering 6. A lookup shows status. A paper copy does not.
- Get the name and numberAsk for the exact business and individual name
- Find the right boardState contractor board, local office, or state engineering board 7
- Look it upCheck status, classification and address on the official site 3
- Match the personAsk for photo ID that matches the record 3
- Keep the proofSave a dated screenshot or printout in your file
Types of credentials and who grants them
| Type | Who grants it | What it proves |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor license | A state or local government board | Permission to do certain construction work, within a class. Verify with the board 1 |
| Specialty classification | The same board, for a narrow trade | Scope limits. California lists a pile driving and pressure foundation jacking class 4 |
| Professional engineer (PE) license | A state engineering board | Legal permission to practice engineering and seal plans in that state 7 |
| Business registration or insurance | A state office or an insurer | That the business exists or has a policy. Ask for proof of insurance 1 |
| Manufacturer or trade training | A company or industry group | Completion of that group’s training. Not a government license |
| Bond | A surety company | Money for a claim. “Bonds do not assure the financial or professional integrity or competency of a contractor” 3 |
Example: three states, three answers
The three state examples show why one national rule does not exist. Each row is from an official page loaded on 2026-10-14. Rules change, so check the board.
| State | What the official page shows | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| California | CSLB lists class D-30, Pile Driving and Pressure Foundation Jacking Contractor, which covers pile driving or caisson drilling and injecting concrete or mortar into foundations to stabilize them 4 | A specialty class exists. Check the class on the license record matches the work |
| Texas | TDLR’s programs list names air conditioning, electricians, mold and others, but no foundation repair program 5 | The licensing agency page shows no such program. Ask your city about local rules. Engineers are on a separate board 6 |
| New York | Home improvement contractors must be licensed in New York City and five named counties 8 | Licensing is local. Ask the county or city office |
The same company can face different rules in each place. Never assume that a license from one state or city covers work in another.
Where to check each claim
For a contractor, start with the state contractor board if your state has one. If it does not, ask your county or city. The FTC says to confirm the license with your state or county government and to ask the contractor for proof of insurance 1.
For an engineer, use the state engineering board. NCEES points to its member board directory for finding a board 7. Texas’s board offers a roster search by license number, name, employer and status 6.
For permits, use the local building department. The Illinois Attorney General advises contacting the local building inspection department about permit and inspection requirements 9.
For complaints, try the state attorney general or local consumer protection office. The FTC lists both 2. Our foundation repair red flags page lists warning signs to watch for before you reach that stage.
Why checking a license is worth the time
What a license check gives you
What it does not give you
- Does not prove the company’s work is good.
- Does not tell you whether the proposed repair suits your soil and house.
- Does not replace an independent engineer’s evaluation. See do I need a structural engineer.
- May not exist in your state for this trade.
What licensing cannot tell you
A license is a floor, not a ranking. CSLB says plainly that bonds do not assure competence 3. The same is true of a license. It tells you the person met the board’s rules. It does not tell you which repair your house needs.
A credential is weaker still. A training certificate or a membership may show effort, but no government checked it. It is not a license and it does not stand in for one.
Licensing also does not settle who should diagnose. A foundation repair company is paid to repair. An engineer’s role is separate. Our second opinion page explains why getting an independent view can matter on a larger job.
Finally, this page cannot tell you the rule in your state. Some states may not license foundation repair as its own trade.
In those states, the work may fall under a general or building contractor license, or under none at all. Ask your state board or your building department.
Do not rely on a company’s own statement of what it needs.
A credential is not a license
A license is a legal permission from a government board. A certificate, badge or membership is a private claim. Check the license separately, every time.
What licensing does to cost
We do not print prices. A license check itself is usually free, since boards publish lookups online. The cost link is indirect.
Licensed work may carry costs a company passes on: license fees, insurance, bonds, permits and engineering. Unlicensed work may look cheaper. CSLB warns that low bids from unlicensed operators carry financial and legal risks that can outweigh the savings, and that a substantially lower bid may mean missed work or corner-cutting 3.
Use our cost guide to see how a quote is built, and the cost calculator to explore the drivers. Compare bids on the same scope of work 9.
How to verify a foundation contractor or engineer, step by step
A general order. Your state’s board has the final word.
- Ask what license the work needs. Contact your state board or local building department. Do not rely on the company’s answer alone.
- Get the details in writing. The FTC says a contract should list the contractor’s name, address, phone number and license number 1.
- Look up the record. Check status, class and address on the official site. A number on an ad is not proof 3.
- Match the person. Ask for photo identification and confirm it matches the record 3.
- Ask for proof of insurance. The FTC and the Illinois Attorney General both say to get copies 19.
- Check complaint records. Contact the state attorney general or local consumer protection office 29.
- Verify any engineer separately. Use the state engineering board’s roster 6.
- Save your proof. Add dated printouts to your file. See foundation repair documentation.
Keeping a license check current
A license is checked at one moment. Status can change.
- Recheck the status before final payment, not only before signing.
- Keep the license number, class and lookup date in your project file.
- If a warranty claim comes years later, check whether the company still exists and holds the same license.
- Re-verify an engineer’s license if a stamp is needed on a later revision.
- Save the board’s contact details for complaints.
Risks of getting this wrong
The first risk is hiring someone who is not allowed to do the work. CSLB says unlicensed operators carry financial and legal risks 3. The second is trusting a number that is expired or belongs to someone else. CSLB advises checking that the person in front of you matches the license record 3.
The third is relying on a credential. A shiny badge on a truck is advertising. It is not a license.
The fourth is uninsured work. The Illinois Attorney General notes you should ask for proof of personal liability, property damage and workers’ compensation insurance, and check with your own insurer about coverage for injury or damage 9.
Call a licensed structural engineer, not a salesperson, for significant, widening or changing movement, bowing or displaced walls, sticking doors and windows with new cracks, separation at corners, or any doubt about safety.
The rules, and the authorities that set them
There is no single national foundation repair license. Authority sits with states and, in some places, counties and cities. The official page for your state is the only reliable rule.
Examples of official sources: the California Contractors State License Board, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, and the New York State Attorney General. All were loaded on 2026-10-14 for this page. They show different rules because the states are different.
Engineering licensure follows a common path. NCEES says engineering boards generally require an accredited bachelor’s degree, and most states require four years of acceptable, progressive and verifiable experience, plus the FE and PE exams. It also says many states provide additional paths 7.
Insurance and consumer rules sit alongside. The FTC says some states limit how large a down payment a contractor can request, and to check with your state or local consumer agency 1.
California limits a home improvement down payment to 10 percent of the contract price or a fixed amount, whichever is less, with an exception for contractors with a blanket performance and payment bond 3.
Held page, official sources only
This page is held for review. Every rule above is a pointer to the official authority loaded on 2026-10-14. Verify the current text with the board before relying on it.
License, credential, registration and insurance compared
| Claim | Granted by | Check it with |
|---|---|---|
| “Licensed” | Government board | The board’s lookup. Match name, number, class and status 3 |
| “Certified” | A company, school or trade group | The group that issued it. Then check the license separately |
| “Registered” | Depends: could be a business filing or a trade registry | Ask who registered it and where to verify |
| “Insured” | An insurance company | A certificate of insurance. The FTC says to ask for proof 1 |
| “Engineer on staff” | The company | The state board roster. Check the engineer’s own license 6 |
| “Bonded” | A surety | The board or surety. A bond does not prove competence 3 |
Myths about licensing and credentials
- Myth Every state licenses foundation repair.
- Reality It varies. California has a specialty class 4. Texas’s agency list shows no foundation repair program 5. Check your state.
- Myth A license number in an ad means the license is valid.
- Reality CSLB says a number alone does not prove validity. Check status online 3.
- Myth A badge or certificate is a license.
- Reality Only a government board grants a license. Other claims need separate checks.
- Myth A licensed contractor can diagnose the cause.
- Reality A contractor license covers construction work. Diagnosis of cause is engineering, and engineers are licensed separately 7.
- Myth Being bonded means the work will be good.
- Reality CSLB says bonds do not assure competence 3.
How state differences change the check
Licensing is a state-by-state map. California runs a statewide specialty classification that covers pile driving and pressure foundation jacking 4.
Texas’s licensing agency lists no foundation repair program, while a separate board licenses its engineers 56. New York leaves home improvement licensing to the city and certain counties 8.
Expansive-soil, frost and flood regions add pressure for engineering input, so the engineer’s license matters even where the trade has no license. Start with your own state’s board and your building department.
Deciding what to verify
Use the engineer or contractor tool to decide whether an engineer should come first. Then run the checks below for whoever you pick. If your state has no foundation repair license, lean harder on references, insurance, a written contract and an independent engineer’s scope.
- If Your state licenses contractors by trade
- Then Look up the license, class, status and insurance on the state board site
- If Your state has no foundation repair license
- Then Ask the building department what is required; check any general contractor license, insurance and references
- If A company claims “engineer-approved” work
- Then Ask for the engineer’s name and check the state engineering roster
- If A company shows badges and memberships
- Then Treat them as claims. Verify the license separately
- If The repair is large or the cause is unclear
- Then Hire an independent licensed structural engineer first
Questions about Foundation Repair Credentials and Licensing
Is foundation repair a licensed trade?
It depends on the state. California has a specialty class for pile driving and pressure foundation jacking 4. Texas’s licensing agency lists no foundation repair program on its programs page 5. Some states may handle it under a general contractor license, or not at all. Ask your state board and building department.
How do I check a foundation contractor’s license?
Look the license number or business name up on your state board’s site, and check status and class. CSLB says a number on an ad or bid does not prove the license is valid, and advises asking for photo ID that matches the record 3. Save a dated printout in your file.
Is a certification the same as a license?
No. A license is a legal permission from a government board. A certification, badge or membership comes from a company or group. It may show training, but no government checked it. The FTC says to confirm the license with your state or county 1.
Do foundation repair companies need to be insured?
Rules vary by state. The FTC says to consider only contractors who are licensed and insured and to ask for proof of insurance 1. The Illinois Attorney General says to get copies of liability, property damage and workers’ compensation coverage 9. HyreFoundation cannot say any company is insured.
Does a structural engineer need a license?
Yes, to practice engineering and seal plans, a person needs a license from a state board. NCEES says boards generally require an accredited degree, about four years of experience and exams, and that candidates should verify the rules in the state where they plan to practice 7. Check the state roster.
What does D-30 mean on a California license?
It is CSLB’s class for a pile driving and pressure foundation jacking contractor. The description covers pile driving or caisson drilling and injecting concrete or mortar into foundations to stabilize them 4. It is a California rule. Other states use other classes.
Is a bonded contractor better?
Not necessarily. CSLB says bonds do not assure the financial or professional integrity or competency of a contractor 3. A bond is money set aside for certain claims. It is not a quality check. Ask what the bond covers and how a claim is filed.
Can I trust a license number on a quote?
Use it as a lead, not proof. Ads, bids and contracts may show a number, but only the board’s lookup shows whether it is valid, who holds it, and its status 3. Make sure the person you are dealing with matches the record.
Where do I complain about an unlicensed or poor-quality contractor?
Start with the contractor in writing, then contact your state attorney general or local consumer protection office. The FTC lists those, plus local home builders associations, as places to get help 2. If the person claimed a license, the licensing board may also take complaints.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Advice: Hiring a Contractor, retrieved .
- Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Advice: How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam, retrieved .
- California Contractors State License Board, How Do I Find the Right Licensed Contractor?, retrieved .
- California Contractors State License Board, Licensing Classifications: D-30 Pile Driving and Pressure Foundation Jacking Contractor, retrieved .
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Programs Licensed and Regulated by TDLR, retrieved .
- Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, PE Roster Search, retrieved .
- NCEES, Licensure (member licensing boards, education, experience and exams), retrieved .
- New York State Attorney General, Home Improvement Fact Sheet, retrieved .
- Illinois Attorney General, Home Repair and Construction: What You Should Know (rev. 09/23), retrieved .
Expert review
Written by the HyreFoundation Research team. Not yet reviewed by an outside expert. We say so rather than imply a review that has not happened; see our editorial policy.
How the numbers were checked: Facts were checked against the official state and federal pages listed above, retrieved 2026-10-14. Review is pending: no licensed engineer, contractor-board representative or attorney has reviewed this page, and none is named. Licensing rules differ by state and change; verify with your own state’s board.
Suggest a correction. We fix errors and say what changed.