Anyone Can Call Themselves a Builder in Oklahoma — Here’s How to Choose the Right One

Anyone Can Call Themselves a Builder in Oklahoma — Here’s How to Choose the Right One

In Oklahoma, anyone can legally call themselves a home builder.

There is no state-issued general contractor license required for residential construction. Unlike many states with mandatory builder licensing, Oklahoma does not have a centralized system that verifies a builder’s experience, education, financial responsibility, or ethical standards.

That reality creates an important question for homebuyers:

How do you know the builder offering the lowest price is actually qualified to build your home?

The answer isn’t price — it’s standards. And in Oklahoma, the most reliable way to identify those standards is through voluntary builder certification.

Why Certification Matters in a State Without Builder Licensing

Because Oklahoma does not license builders at the state level, the responsibility falls on homeowners to separate true professionals from builders who simply meet the bare minimum to operate.

To address this gap, the Oklahoma Home Builders Association (OkHBA) established the Certified Professional Builder (CPB) program — a credential designed to identify builders who voluntarily submit to higher standards of accountability.

This certification is not automatic. It’s not a paid badge. And it’s not available to new or unproven builders.

It exists specifically to protect consumers.

What “Certified Professional Builder” Means for Homebuyers

Two Structures Homes is proud to be a Certified Professional Builder (CPB) through the Oklahoma Home Builders Association.

Because Oklahoma does not license builders, the CPB designation functions as the closest thing to professional licensing for residential builders in the state.

Here’s what builders must demonstrate — and maintain — to earn that certification.

1. Verified Experience and Professional Standing

To qualify as a Certified Professional Builder, a company must:

  • Be an OkHBA member in good standing for at least two years
  • Maintain a strong professional reputation with no unresolved homeowner complaints
  • Meet association standards for ethical and professional conduct

This helps ensure homeowners are working with an established builder — not someone experimenting with their first few projects.

2. Required Continuing Education — Every Year

Certified Professional Builders are required to complete a minimum of nine hours of continuing education annually.

That education includes:

  • Building codes and compliance
  • Energy efficiency and building science
  • Construction best practices
  • Risk management and homeowner protection

At Two Structures Homes, this aligns directly with how we build.

We don’t just meet code. We design and build for performance, durability, and Oklahoma’s real-world conditions.

3. Financial Responsibility and Insurance Protection

Every Certified Professional Builder must carry:

  • Workers’ compensation insurance
  • At least $1 million in general liability coverage

Many builders who operate without certification may not carry these protections, which can leave homeowners exposed to unnecessary risk—especially when building on land they already own.

Certification requires builders to demonstrate financial responsibility before they ever step onto a jobsite.

4. Written Warranty Protection — Including Long-Term Coverage

Certified Professional Builders are required to provide homeowners with a written warranty, not a verbal promise.

At Two Structures Homes, every home is backed by a 1-2-10 Home Warranty, which includes:

  • 1-Year Builder Warranty covering workmanship and materials
  • 2-Year Systems Warranty covering plumbing, electrical, and HVAC components behind the walls
  • 10-Year Structural Warranty backed by an insurance policy, providing protection even beyond the builder

This layered coverage ensures homeowners are protected long after closing — not left searching for a builder who no longer answers the phone.

5. Ethical Conduct and Code Compliance

Certified Professional Builders must:

  • Build in compliance with all applicable local, state, and national building codes
  • Adhere to a formal Code of Ethics
  • Maintain professional business practices

In a state where anyone can claim to be a builder, these requirements matter.

Why This Matters More Than Price

Lower prices often come from lower standards — less insurance, less experience, fewer systems in place, and limited accountability after the sale.

Oklahoma licenses electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors — but not the person coordinating the entire construction process and financial risk.

That’s why certification matters.

It provides:

  • Third-party verification
  • Consumer protection
  • Professional accountability
  • A higher standard of care

In short, it separates professional builders from hobby builders.

Our Philosophy at Two Structures Homes

At Two Structures Homes, we don’t aim to be the cheapest option.

We aim to be the right one.

That means:

  • Energy-efficient construction
  • High-performance building envelopes
  • Thoughtful design with real lifestyle benefits
  • Professional systems — not shortcuts

Being a Certified Professional Builder aligns with how we already operate: building homes for long-term comfort, efficiency, and durability — not just minimum compliance.

How Homebuyers Can Verify a Certified Builder

Homebuyers can independently verify whether a builder holds the Certified Professional Builder (CPB) designation through the Oklahoma Home Builders Association.

The OkHBA provides public resources that allow homeowners to review certification requirements and confirm which builders currently meet these standards.

👉 Learn more about the CPB program and certification requirements:
https://www.okhba.org/certification-requirements

👉 Search the directory of Certified Professional Builders:
https://www.okhba.org/current-certified-builders

Verifying certification is one of the simplest and most effective ways for homeowners to protect themselves when building in Oklahoma—especially in a state without mandatory builder licensing.

Check a Builder’s Legal Standing

In addition to verifying certification, homeowners can also check a builder’s legal history through the public court records maintained by the Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN).

This database allows the public to search for:

  • Civil lawsuits

  • Judgments and liens

  • Contract disputes

  • Other court filings involving individuals or companies

👉 Search Oklahoma court records here:
https://www.oscn.net/dockets/Search.aspx#all 

Reviewing court records can provide valuable insight into a builder’s business practices and help homeowners identify potential red flags before signing a contract—especially when building on land they already own.

Bottom Line for Homebuyers

In Oklahoma, anyone can call themselves a builder.

Your protection comes from choosing one who voluntarily submits to higher standards.

At Two Structures Homes, our Certified Professional Builder status represents:

  • Verified experience
  • Ongoing education
  • Financial accountability
  • Insurance-backed warranty protection
  • Ethical business practices

It’s why our clients trust us with their homes — and why we don’t just build houses.

We build better homes.