not all state require a contractors license, however in some states your required to have a Specialty Contractor license...as in CA. If your working under a 1099...you are suppose to be an independent, that means you direct yourself and your crews, the only thing your required to give the Prime is your location of work and your production for the day, as with any material used. So yes, if your independent....and state requires a license....Then you Better get one. Now you can hire someone who has such a license and pay them on a percentage, as if hired as a consultant for your operation.
just keep safe:MicroMan