A contractor licence tracker that emails you first
A lapsed licence or insurance policy can stop a job, hold up a payment or cost you a contract. Here's what most contractors need to keep current, and an easy way to never miss a date.
What most contractors need to keep current
- Your trade or business licence, from your city, region or province
- Commercial general liability insurance
- Your WSIB clearance certificate, or the workplace insurance board in your province
- Vehicle registrations and commercial auto insurance for each truck and trailer
- Safety tickets for you and your crew, like WHMIS, working at heights and first aid
- Business name registration, and any permits for the jobs you're on
Why a calendar reminder isn't enough
Most renewals take more than a day. Insurance needs a new quote, licences can need continuing education hours or forms, and some offices are slow. A reminder on the day it expires is already too late. Reminders 60, 30 and 7 days out give you time to sort it without a gap.
A simple routine that works
- Put every document in one list, with its expiry date and number
- Get an email well before each one is due, and again on the day
- When you renew, set the new date straight away so the reminders start over
- Keep a photo of each one on your phone for when an inspector or client asks
Common questions
How do I check my licence renewal date?
It's printed on your licence, or you can look it up with the city, region or province that issued it. Many have an online lookup by licence number.
What happens if my insurance lapses?
Clients and general contractors can stop paying or pull you off a job until you show current coverage, and any claim during the gap may not be covered. Renewing a few weeks early avoids that.
Can I track my crew's documents too?
Yes. In Renewals you can add each person and keep their tickets and certificates under their name. On Pro, each person can get their own reminder emails.
General information. Licensing and insurance rules differ by province and city, so check with the body that issued each document.