"The Attorney General's Office has worked to ensure that the registration process is as quick and easy as possible for contractors," Corbett said. "If contractors complete their registration online, they will receive their registration number instantaneously."

Beginning July 1, 2009, Pennsylvania consumers will be able to verify a contractor's registration with the Attorney General's Office by visiting www.attorneygeneral.gov or by calling a toll-free hotline.

The Office of Attorney General office encourages consumers to use only registered contractors when making home improvements.

According to Corbett, the Attorney General's Office received more than 2,100 complaints in 2008 from consumers struggling with problems involving home improvement projects.

"Complaints involving home improvement or repair projects are one of the top subjects of calls to the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection," Corbett said. "This legislation will give us new tools to identify and prosecute problem contractors, while also helping consumers avoid frustrating and potentially expensive problems in the future."