How do I verify a solar contractor's license and file a complaint?

Contractor licensing is state law, and the authority that verifies licenses and
hears complaints is the state contractor-licensing board for the state where the
work is performed. The reliable sequence is: check the license in the board's
official online search before you sign anything, keep the proof, and if something
goes wrong file a complaint with that board — and report deceptive sales or fraud
to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. There is no single national
contractor license, so the license class, the board, and the complaint process vary
by state.

What the rule says

Licensing. Most states require contractors to be licensed, and solar installation
work usually falls under a general, electrical, or solar contractor license class.
Arizona makes it unlawful to act as, offer to act as, or purport to be a contractor
without a contractor's license in good standing (Arizona Revised Statutes section
32-1151). Florida prohibits practicing contracting without certification or
registration and prohibits using the title "electrical contractor" without a valid
certification (Florida Statutes sections 489.505, 489.521, and 489.531). Texas
requires anyone performing non-exempt electrical work to be licensed and to perform
the work through a licensed electrical contractor, and the Texas Department of
Licensing and Regulation also operates a registration program for residential solar
retailers and salespersons. The FTC's consumer guidance states plainly that a state
may require an installer to have an electrical contractor's license, and advises
asking whether the company has the licenses, certificates, or bonding required by
your state, county, and city.

Verification. Each board publishes an official license search: CSLB's "Check A
License" in California (which also shows complaint disclosure), the TDLR license
search in Texas, and DBPR's "Verify a Licensee" portal in Florida. The FTC advises
checking a company's history with your state contractors licensing board and with
state and local consumer protection agencies before signing.

Licensing-board complaint routes. The board that licensed the contractor is the
primary complaint route. CSLB investigates violations of California's Contractors
License Law by licensed and unlicensed contractors for up to four years from the
date of the act, and publishes a dedicated solar complaint form. TDLR accepts
complaints about unlicensed activity and violations of the laws and rules it
enforces. Florida's DBPR takes complaints against licensees and suspected unlicensed
activity, with discipline that is administrative — reprimand, fine, restriction,
probation, suspension, or revocation.

What it means in practice. A board complaint is not a lawsuit. CSLB states that
the purpose of its investigation is not to obtain restitution and that an
investigation does not guarantee complainants will receive restitution, though CSLB
may suspend the license of a contractor who fails to satisfy final judgments
substantially related to construction activity. DBPR similarly warns that it cannot
represent you in civil matters to recover fees paid or seek remedies for injuries,
and that some fee and price disputes, disagreements over contract terms, and quality
of workmanship issues fall outside its authority. Money damages usually require
small claims court, a private lawsuit, or another remedy.

Financing disclosures. Solar financing carries specific disclosure rules.
California Business and Professions Code section 7169 requires a solar energy system
disclosure document to be printed on the front page or cover page of every solar
energy contract, in boldface 16-point type, covering the total cost and payments
including financing costs, how and to whom to complain, and the consumer's right to
cancel. CSLB's Solar Smart guidance adds that California law requires a financing
estimate and disclosure document before a homeowner enrolls in a property-assessed
program such as PACE. The FTC explains that with PACE financing a property tax lien
is placed on the home and you repay it through your property tax bill — and that
you must pay on time to avoid default and foreclosure.

Contract cancellation rights. The FTC's Cooling-Off Rule gives three business
days to cancel most door-to-door sales of $25 or more made at your home, and most
sales of $130 or more at temporary locations (16 CFR Part 429; see also the FTC's
"Buyer's Remorse" guide). The seller must tell you about the right and give you two
copies of a cancellation form plus a dated contract or receipt. The Rule does not
cover sales under $25 at home, sales made entirely online, by mail, or by telephone,
work you requested as an emergency repair or maintenance visit (beyond what you
asked for), or real estate, insurance, and securities. States can add their own
rules: California's home solicitation contract law requires a conspicuous
cancellation statement near the signature and lets the buyer cancel at any time
prior to midnight of the third business day after the transaction (five business
days for senior citizens) (California Civil Code section 1689.7).

Misrepresentation and fraud. Section 5 of the FTC Act declares unfair or
deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce unlawful (15 U.S.C. section
45). In its solar scam alert, the FTC warns that scammers pose as government or
utility representatives, that "free" or "no-cost" solar panel offers are scams, that
the federal government does not install solar systems in homes for free, and that
anyone who pressures you into a contract or demands up-front or immediate payment —
especially by cash, gift card, wire transfer, payment app, or cryptocurrency — is a
scammer. CSLB's Solar Smart guidance advises getting every claim about expected
savings and power production in writing, because verbal claims are difficult to
prove.

Reporting fraud. Report fraud, scams, and bad business practices to the FTC at
ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC also advises reporting problems to your state attorney
general.

Which authority controls

For licensing and contractor discipline, the state licensing board and the state
licensing statutes control. For deceptive practices, the FTC Act (15 U.S.C. section
45) and the FTC's rules (including 16 CFR Part 429) apply nationwide, alongside
state consumer-protection laws and state attorneys general. For price, equipment,
performance promises, and payment, the written contract and required disclosures
control — but a contract cannot waive the licensing, disclosure, or safety
requirements the law imposes. This guide requires a separate check of which of these applies to
any particular dispute.

What may still be required or restricted

• Permits and inspections. The license is separate from the building and
  electrical permit for the job; both the licensed contractor and the permit office
  are involved, and work is usually inspected.
• Local and specialty licenses. Cities and counties may require business
  licenses or registrations in addition to the state contractor license.
• Bonding and insurance. Some states require contractors to carry bonds,
  workers' compensation, or liability coverage; ask the contractor and the board
  what applies.
• Financing terms. Leases and power purchase agreements have their own rules and
  disclosures, and CSLB Solar Smart warns about contract language that lets a
  company place a lien on your home or accelerate all payments if you miss a
  payment.

Facts that could change the answer

• State and locality. The license class, board, complaint deadline, and
  cancellation rules differ by state; check the state where the work is performed.
• Where the sale happened. The FTC's three-day cooling-off right attaches to
  door-to-door and off-premises sales, not to sales you complete entirely online,
  by mail, or by phone.
• What is being installed. Solar panels, batteries, EV chargers, and heat pumps
  can fall under different license classes and permits even in the same state.
• How you pay. PACE financing, loans, leases, and power purchase agreements
  create different liens, obligations, and disclosure requirements.
• Timing. Statutes, rules, and board forms change; always check the current text
  and the board's current process.

Practical decision path

1. Before signing anything, run the company's license number through the state
   board's official license search and note the status, license class, and any
   disclosed complaints.
2. Ask the company which license class covers the work and whether it has the
   licenses, certificates, or bonding required by your state, county, and city.
3. Get detailed bids in writing — system size, expected output, full installation
   cost including permit fees, warranties, and financing costs.
4. Read the contract and every required disclosure before signing, including the
   solar disclosure document and any financing estimate; get savings and production
   claims in writing.
5. If you signed at your door, note the cooling-off period and use the seller's
   cancellation form if you cancel within it.
6. If a problem arises, try to resolve it with the company first; then file a
   complaint with the state licensing board, and report fraud to
   ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your state attorney general.
7. Before work begins, obtain the written requirement from the authority named in the guide and keep the record.

Records to keep

Keep the license-search result, the signed contract, all financing documents and
disclosures, written bids, written claims about savings and production, payment
receipts, signed mechanics-lien releases, any notice of cancellation, and copies of
every complaint and response. These records are what let you verify the contractor,
enforce the contract, and pursue a complaint later.

When professional advice may help

A licensing complaint does not recover money by itself: small
claims court or an attorney may be needed for damages, unpaid work, or contract
disputes, and a tax or finance professional can explain the cost of a loan, lease,
or PACE assessment before you commit. Before work begins, obtain the written requirement from the authority named in the guide and keep the record.