The Application for Contractor License is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) form for a new Contractor License, a trade license rather than a general Philadelphia business license. Applicants, whether individuals or business entities, give their contact and tax account details, verify insurance and City taxes, and name a safety training supervisor. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF. L&I publishes the PDF, takes applications online or at the Permit and License Center in the MSB Concourse, and does not accept them by mail.
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What is L_010_F?
The Application for Contractor License (L_010_F, Form AB) is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) form used to apply for a NEW Contractor License, covering applicant and business details, insurance and tax verification, and the safety training supervisor.
The form has three parts plus a declaration:
- Part A, Applicant / Business Information: contact details for the applicant, the business or company (if different) and any corporation, plus the Commercial Activity License # and the Philadelphia Business Income and Tax #. It also asks you to name every Pennsylvania corporation, including limited liability corporations, in which the applicant has an equity interest, direct or held through one or more tiers of a corporate structure such as parent-subsidiary.
- Part B, Supplemental Information: verification of an active certificate of insurance and of current City taxes, charges and fees, and the Safety Training Supervisor's details.
- Part C, Limits and Conditions: the rules a licensed contractor agrees to follow.
- Declaration and Signature: the applicant's certification that the statements are true and correct.
L&I issues trade licenses to individuals, businesses and inspectors who do work in Philadelphia, and publishes a separate application for each license type. Curb setter, demolition contractor, electrical contractor, excavation contractor, expediter and other licenses each have their own application, and the home improvement contractor registration has its own information sheet. This form is for the Contractor License only. The version described here is marked Rev 7.2025, and L&I lists it as released July 28, 2025.
Who needs to file L_010_F?
Anyone applying for a new Contractor License from the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections uses this application. Part C states that contractors and subcontractors, including individuals and business entities, must have valid licenses, and that all subcontractors working under a permit must be submitted to the Department.
What the form asks of the applicant:
- Applicant details in Part A, and business or company details if they differ from the applicant's.
- The names of Pennsylvania corporations in which the applicant holds an equity interest, whether directly or through a corporate structure with several tiers.
- A Safety Training Supervisor responsible for construction projects. The form says a supervisor can be employed by only one company.
The applicant signs the declaration. The form has no line for a representative or agent to sign.
Do not use this form for another kind of license. L&I's page lists separate applications for curb setter, demolition contractor, electrical contractor, excavation contractor, expediter, plumbing and other licenses. It also lists a separate information sheet for home improvement contractor registration. The form is headed for a NEW license and says nothing about renewals.
When to file L_010_F
Submit the form when you are applying for a new Contractor License; it is headed "Complete and submit this application for a NEW Contractor License." No due date is printed on it. Its Part B asks you to verify, at the time of the application, that your certificate of insurance is active and that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees are current, so have both in order first. The Safety Training Supervisor's OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health course, or approved alternative, must have been taken within five years of the application date. Part C adds that contractors must stay current on City taxes and fines, and that failing to do so may result in the denial of permits and/or license renewals. The form sets no processing time.
Documents you need
- Active certificate of insurance showing at least the minimum amounts listed on the form for general liability, auto and workers' compensation. The City of Philadelphia must be named as the certificate holder on an ACCORD form.
- Copy of the Safety Training Supervisor's OSHA wallet card (OSHA 30 Card # and effective date), which the form says you must provide with the application.
How to fill out L_010_F
Enter applicant information
In Part A, write the applicant's name, address, email and phone number. This is the person applying for the Contractor License.
Add business or company details
Enter the Business/Company Name only if it differs from the applicant, with its address, email and phone number. Provide corporation contact information if applicable.
Enter license and tax account numbers
Fill in the Commercial Activity License # and the Philadelphia Business Income and Tax # in the license and tax account line of Part A.
List Pennsylvania corporations
Name every Pennsylvania corporation, including limited liability corporations, in which the applicant has any equity interest, direct or through tiers of a corporate structure. For each, give the Title and the Home Address (city, state, ZIP code).
Verify insurance
In Part B, check Yes only if an active certificate of insurance with the minimum insurance amounts is provided. The City of Philadelphia must be named as certificate holder on an ACCORD form.
Verify City taxes are current
Check Yes in Part B to confirm that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees are current.
Complete Safety Training Supervisor details
Enter the supervisor's name, address, email and phone number. Add the OSHA 30 Card # and Effective Date, and prepare a copy of the OSHA wallet card to include.
Read Part C conditions
Review the Limits and Conditions, including displaying your Contractor License number and keeping financial and construction records for four years after each job. Part C has no entry fields.
Sign and date the declaration
The applicant signs and dates the Declaration and Signature block, certifying that the statements are true and correct to the best of the applicant's knowledge and belief.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check every entry against your insurance certificate and OSHA card. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and submit it through the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit L_010_F
L&I accepts trade license applications through two channels: online, or in person at the Permit and License Center in the MSB Concourse.
- Online: L&I says you can apply for trade licenses online. Start from the L&I trade license page at https://www.phila.gov/documents/trade-license-materials/.
- In person: take the application to the Permit and License Center in the MSB Concourse.
- Do not mail applications. L&I states this plainly.
Include a copy of your OSHA wallet card with the application, as Part B requires. The certificate of insurance must name the City of Philadelphia as the certificate holder on an ACCORD form. The form gives no fee, address, portal link or phone number of its own, so use the L&I page for current details. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the L&I channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the application. L&I states: "Do not mail applications." Apply online or take it to the Permit and License Center in the MSB Concourse.
- Leaving out a copy of the OSHA wallet card; the form says you must provide it with the application.
- Naming a Safety Training Supervisor who is also employed by another company. The form says a supervisor can only be employed by one company.
- Listing OSHA 30 or alternative safety training completed more than five years before the application date.
- Providing a certificate of insurance that does not name the City of Philadelphia as certificate holder on an ACCORD form, or that is below the minimum amounts printed on the form.
- Checking the tax verification in Part B while City of Philadelphia taxes, charges or fees are not current.
- Listing only corporations the applicant owns directly, when the form also asks for equity interests held through tiers such as a parent-subsidiary structure.
- Submitting the application unsigned or undated; the Declaration and Signature block requires the applicant's signature and date.
- Using this form for a demolition, excavation, electrical or other license type that has its own L&I application.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Philadelphia contractor license application?
It is the Application for Contractor License (L_010_F), the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) form for a new Contractor License. It collects applicant and business details, insurance and tax verification, and the Safety Training Supervisor's information.
Is this form a general business license application?
No. It applies for a Contractor License, which is a trade license. L&I issues trade licenses to individuals, businesses and inspectors working in Philadelphia, and each license type has its own application. The form only asks for your Commercial Activity License # and Philadelphia Business Income and Tax # as account information.
Can I mail the Philadelphia contractor license application?
No. L&I says "Do not mail applications." You can apply online, or take the application to the Permit and License Center in the MSB Concourse. The trade license page on phila.gov links to the application materials.
Who can be the Safety Training Supervisor on the application?
A supervisor employed by only one company, who has completed an approved OSHA 30 Construction Safety and Health course or an approved alternative taken within five years of the application date. You must provide a copy of the OSHA wallet card with the application.
What insurance do I need for the contractor license application?
Part B asks you to verify an active certificate of insurance with the minimum amounts printed on the form for general liability, auto and workers' compensation. The City of Philadelphia must be named as the certificate holder on an ACCORD form.
What happens if I put false information on the application?
The declaration says that anyone who knowingly makes a false statement is subject to possible revocation of any licenses issued as a result of the false application, and to other penalties prescribed by law or ordinance.
How long must a licensed contractor keep job records?
Part C says contractors must maintain complete financial and construction records, including plans, for each job performed for four years after completion of the job. They must also display their Contractor License number on advertisements, job sites, proposals and vehicles showing the business name.
Can I fill out the contractor license application online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, not affiliated with L&I, and does not submit the application; you submit it through L&I's online application or in person.
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