What is the term for a contractor's license that allows them to operate within specific trade areas?

The term for a contractor's license that permits operation within specific trade areas is known as a specialty license. This type of license is designed for contractors who intend to focus their work on particular sectors of the industry, such as electrical, plumbing, or HVAC services, rather than handling a broad range of construction activities.

Specialty licenses allow contractors to work within their areas of expertise while ensuring that they adhere to the regulations and standards specific to those trades. This fosters a more specialized level of proficiency and accountability in fields that often require in-depth knowledge and skills.

General licenses cover a wider range of construction activities and are not restricted to specific trades, while limited licenses may place additional constraints on the scope of work that can be performed. An endorsement license typically refers to an additional certification added to a primary license rather than a standalone category for trade-specific operations. Thus, the specialty license is the appropriate answer to the question regarding operational scope within defined trade areas.