HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania contractors can once again register and renew their state home improvement licenses online after a cyber incident last year forced the Attorney General’s Office to shut down its digital registration platform.
What This Means for You
- Home improvement contractors can again register, renew, and update licenses online.
- Contractors affected by the 2025 outage have until June 8, 2026, to complete required registrations.
- The rebuilt system includes enhanced security and automated criminal docket checks.
Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the launch of a rebuilt online Home Improvement Contractor Registration System, restoring a key consumer protection platform that had been offline since a cyber incident in August 2025.
The Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act requires contractors performing home improvement work in Pennsylvania to register with the state. Consumers often use the registration system to verify whether contractors are properly registered before hiring them.
Contractors can now register, renew, and update their information online through the Attorney General’s Office at the Home Improvement Contractor Registration portal.
Cyber Incident Forced System Shutdown
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the August 2025 cyber incident disrupted the agency’s public-facing platform and disabled online registration features.
During the outage, staff continued accepting paper applications and provided assistance by phone. Consumers seeking to verify contractor registration status were able to use a HelpLine beginning in November 2025, while the searchable online contractor database was restored in March 2026.
“We recognize the inconvenience that resulted from this unexpected interruption, and have been working diligently since Day One to restore this platform and all of its features,” Sunday said.
He thanked contractors and consumers for their patience and said restoring the platform safely and securely was a priority for the agency.
New System Includes Security Upgrades
State officials said the rebuilt registration system includes upgraded security features, a new payment processing system, and automated Pennsylvania criminal docket checks intended to strengthen contractor vetting procedures.
The Attorney General’s Office said contractors who launched businesses after August 8, 2025, or whose registrations expired after that date, were allowed to continue operating during the outage.
Those contractors who did not submit paper applications during the shutdown are now required to complete registration through the restored online system.
Officials said contractors who already submitted paper applications after August 9, 2025, should not submit duplicate online applications because their paperwork is still being processed.
Grace Period Runs Through June
The Attorney General’s Office said contractors who did not file paper applications during the outage have until Sunday, June 8, 2026, to comply with registration requirements under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act.
The restoration of the system comes as Senate Bill 1324 advanced this week from the Pennsylvania Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-46, seeks to revise and clarify portions of the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the Bureau of Consumer Protection is working with lawmakers on the bill to strengthen consumer protections and improve transparency within the contracting industry.
Contractors needing assistance with the system can contact the Home Improvement Contractor hotline at 1-888-520-6680 or email hic@attorneygeneral.gov.
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