LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo signed Senate Bill 130, known as the Nevada Handyman Bill, during a ceremony Tuesday at the Latin Chamber of Commerce.
Until now, getting a contractor’s license meant four years’ experience, passing a trade exam and high bonding requirements. Barriers that led many handymen, many of them immigrants, to work under the table and without a license.
SB130 changes that. The new law creates a restricted license for projects under $7,000.
“Few years ago, I said Nevada is open for business, and that’s the part of the reason why we’re sitting here,” Lombardo said.
SB130 requires only two years of experience as opposed to the previous four-year requirement and a $2,000 bond to protect homeowners.
“They don’t have to take a trade exam, so that lowers another obstacle that’s always been in the way for individuals, but it also makes them get a small bond. Again, trying to protect both sides of it for consumers,” said David Behar, Nevada State Contractors Board executive officer.
Governor Lombardo said this bill balances opportunity with accountability, giving families confidence in who they hire while helping skilled workers move up in the industry.
“All of a sudden the contractor disappears, or the quality of job is not what you expected, or they finished halfway through, all the nuances that go along with the expectations in the consumer environment, this bill does that,” Lombardo said.
For handymen like Marcel Velazquez, this new license is a chance at a better future.
“Well, it’s going to be a great for, especially for me, for handymen out there. They’re not making so much money and that’s going to give us opportunity to make a little bit more so that we can sustain our families,” Velazquez said.
Velasquez said this law finally gives workers like him a fair shot to grow their business and provide a new beginning.
After two years with a clean record, workers can apply for a full contractor’s license and keep growing their business.
Applications for the new restricted license open October 1. For more information head to the Nevada State Contractor’s Board website.
Copyright 2025 KVVU. All rights reserved.
