North Carolina General Contractor License Requirements
Official classification: North Carolina General Contractor License (Limited / Intermediate / Unlimited limitation, by classification) · Issued by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC).
🏗️ General ContractorNC ✔ Verified 2026-06-19
In North Carolina, general contractors must hold the North Carolina General Contractor License (Limited / Intermediate / Unlimited limitation, by classification), issued by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC), and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.
How to become a licensed general contractor in North Carolina
Follow these steps to earn your North Carolina General Contractor License (Limited / Intermediate / Unlimited limitation, by classification). Every figure is verified against the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC); full detail for each step is further down the page.
- Build the required experience. No fixed experience requirement to sit for the exam, but the qualifying party must pass the classification exam; a license is required for any project valued at $40,000 or more (NCGS 87-1, effective Oct 1, 2023).
- Pass the Business, Law & classification-specific trade exam (Building, Residential, Highway, Public Utilities, etc.) exam. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
- Check the insurance rules. Liability: Not mandated by the Board. Property damage: Not mandated by the Board. Workers' compensation: Not enforced by the Board; required under NC labor law if you have 3+ employees.
- Clear the background check. Required since Jan 1, 2023 for all new applicants and all persons named on the application (including the qualifier); submitted online to the Board's third-party vendor.
- Meet the credit / financial requirement. Financial standing demonstrated via a financial statement (working capital / net worth) per the limitation tier above; a surety bond may be filed in lieu of working capital.
- Submit your application and fees. Apply through the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) — $75 (Limited) / $100 (Intermediate) / $125 (Unlimited) application fee, plus a Included in application fee license fee. Processing time: Roughly 1-2 months overall (about 2-3 weeks for the license to process plus exam scheduling).
- Keep the license active. Renewal: Annual: the license expires on January 1 following issuance or renewal and becomes invalid 60 days later unless renewed (G.S. 87-10(e)). Continuing education: 8 hours per year for Building, Residential and Unclassified licensees (2-hour mandatory board course + 6 elective hours); CE year Jan 1 to Nov 30.
For the general path in every state, see the General Contractor guide →
North Carolina general contractor license lookup
To confirm a general contractor is properly licensed in North Carolina — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
License types
- Limited — Any single project up to $750,000 (excluding land and ancillary costs)
- Intermediate — Any single project up to $1,500,000 (excluding land and ancillary costs)
- Unlimited — Any single project of unlimited value
Requirements at a glance
| Experience required | No fixed experience requirement to sit for the exam, but the qualifying party must pass the classification exam; a license is required for any project valued at $40,000 or more (NCGS 87-1, effective Oct 1, 2023). |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $75 (Limited) / $100 (Intermediate) / $125 (Unlimited) |
| License fee | Included in application fee |
| Renewal fee | $75 (Limited) / $100 (Intermediate) / $125 (Unlimited); $10 late fee for each month or part of a month for renewals received on or after January 1 (G.S. 87-10(e)) |
| Renewal period | Annual: the license expires on January 1 following issuance or renewal and becomes invalid 60 days later unless renewed (G.S. 87-10(e)) |
| Continuing education | 8 hours per year for Building, Residential and Unclassified licensees (2-hour mandatory board course + 6 elective hours); CE year Jan 1 to Nov 30. |
| Bond required | No bond mandated. Financial qualification is by limitation tier: Limited = $17,000 working capital OR $80,000 net worth OR $175,000 surety bond; Intermediate = $75,000 working capital (CPA/audited) OR $500,000 surety bond; Unlimited = $150,000 working capital (CPA/audited) OR $1,000,000 surety bond. |
| Liability insurance | Not mandated by the Board |
| Property damage | Not mandated by the Board |
| Workers' comp | Not enforced by the Board; required under NC labor law if you have 3+ employees |
| Background check | Required since Jan 1, 2023 for all new applicants and all persons named on the application (including the qualifier); submitted online to the Board's third-party vendor. |
| Credit requirement | Financial standing demonstrated via a financial statement (working capital / net worth) per the limitation tier above; a surety bond may be filed in lieu of working capital. |
| Reciprocity | South Carolina; Tennessee; Louisiana; Georgia; Mississippi; Alabama; Florida · compare all states |
| Processing time | Roughly 1-2 months overall (about 2-3 weeks for the license to process plus exam scheduling). |
What a North Carolina general contractor license costs
| Application fee | $75 (Limited) / $100 (Intermediate) / $125 (Unlimited). |
|---|---|
| License fee | Included in application fee. |
| Business, Law & classification-specific trade exam (Building, Residential, Highway, Public Utilities, etc.) | $79 per exam (paid to PSI). |
| Surety bond | No bond mandated. Financial qualification is by limitation tier: Limited = $17,000 working capital OR $80,000 net worth OR $175,000 surety bond; Intermediate = $75,000 working capital (CPA/audited) OR $500,000 surety bond; Unlimited = $150,000 working capital (CPA/audited) OR $1,000,000 surety bond. |
| Renewal fee | $75 (Limited) / $100 (Intermediate) / $125 (Unlimited); $10 late fee for each month or part of a month for renewals received on or after January 1 (G.S. 87-10(e)). |
| Renewal period | Annual: the license expires on January 1 following issuance or renewal and becomes invalid 60 days later unless renewed (G.S. 87-10(e)). |
Exams
| Business, Law & classification-specific trade exam (Building, Residential, Highway, Public Utilities, etc.) | Provider: PSI · Passing: 70 (21 NCAC 12A .0404) · Fee: $79 per exam (paid to PSI) |
|---|
Renewing a North Carolina general contractor license
The North Carolina General Contractor License (Limited / Intermediate / Unlimited limitation, by classification) renews on a fixed cycle set by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC). Finish the continuing-education requirement before you file — boards generally will not process a renewal without it. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.
| Renewal period | Annual: the license expires on January 1 following issuance or renewal and becomes invalid 60 days later unless renewed (G.S. 87-10(e)) |
|---|---|
| Renewal fee | $75 (Limited) / $100 (Intermediate) / $125 (Unlimited); $10 late fee for each month or part of a month for renewals received on or after January 1 (G.S. 87-10(e)) |
| Continuing education | 8 hours per year for Building, Residential and Unclassified licensees (2-hour mandatory board course + 6 elective hours); CE year Jan 1 to Nov 30. |
| Where to renew | North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) |
Local / municipal notes
Reciprocity is a trade-portion exam waiver only; the Business/Law portion and full application still apply.
The five NC license classifications
North Carolina issues one general contractor license in five classifications — the classification sets what kind of work you may contract, while your limitation tier (Limited / Intermediate / Unlimited, above) sets how large a project you may take. If you have seen references to an NC “building license” or “builders license,” that is the Building classification of this license, not a separate credential.
- Building — all building construction and demolition: commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential. The broadest classification and the most common choice.
- Residential — construction of residential units only, plus ancillary site work such as driveways and on-site water/wastewater systems.
- Highway — grading, paving, bridges, and airport runway/taxiway work.
- Public Utilities — water and wastewater systems and related utility infrastructure.
- Specialty — single-scope classifications such as S(Roofing), masonry, concrete, swimming pools, and marine construction. See our North Carolina roofing license guide for how roofers license through the NCLBGC.
You choose the classification when you apply, and your qualifier's PSI exam matches it. Adding a classification later means passing that classification's exam.
NC financial requirements: working capital, net worth & bond by tier
North Carolina requires no application fee-based bond, but every applicant must prove financial responsibility to unlock a limitation tier. Working capital means current assets minus current liabilities. You may satisfy the requirement three ways — working capital, net worth, or an approved surety bond filed in lieu of working capital — using whichever is easiest for your business.
| Limitation | Working capital | Net worth | Surety bond (in lieu) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limited | $17,000 | $80,000 | $175,000 |
| Intermediate | $75,000 | — | $500,000 |
| Unlimited | $150,000 | — | $1,000,000 |
Do you need a license? The $40,000 rule
North Carolina has no handyman license and no license requirement for small jobs. The line is a dollar figure: under NCGS §87-1 (threshold raised effective Oct 1, 2023), a state general contractor license is required for any single project valued at $40,000 or more.
Below $40,000 you may contract without a state license — though building permits and local rules still apply, and you may not split one project into smaller contracts to stay under the line. At or above $40,000, you need the NCLBGC license in the appropriate classification before you bid or contract, not just before work starts.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a North Carolina general contractor license cost?
Application: $75 (Limited) / $100 (Intermediate) / $125 (Unlimited). License: Included in application fee. Renewal: $75 (Limited) / $100 (Intermediate) / $125 (Unlimited); $10 late fee for each month or part of a month for renewals received on or after January 1 (G.S. 87-10(e)).
How do I look up a general contractor license in North Carolina?
Search the official license database at portal.nclbgc.org. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
Do general contractors in North Carolina need a surety bond?
No bond mandated. Financial qualification is by limitation tier: Limited = $17,000 working capital OR $80,000 net worth OR $175,000 surety bond; Intermediate = $75,000 working capital (CPA/audited) OR $500,000 surety bond; Unlimited = $150,000 working capital (CPA/audited) OR $1,000,000 surety bond.
What experience is required for a North Carolina general contractor license?
No fixed experience requirement to sit for the exam, but the qualifying party must pass the classification exam; a license is required for any project valued at $40,000 or more (NCGS 87-1, effective Oct 1, 2023).
Is insurance required for general contractors in North Carolina?
Liability: Not mandated by the Board. Property damage: Not mandated by the Board. Workers' compensation: Not enforced by the Board; required under NC labor law if you have 3+ employees.
How long does it take to get a North Carolina general contractor license?
Processing time: Roughly 1-2 months overall (about 2-3 weeks for the license to process plus exam scheduling).
Is a background check required for general contractors in North Carolina?
Background check: Required since Jan 1, 2023 for all new applicants and all persons named on the application (including the qualifier); submitted online to the Board's third-party vendor.
Is there a credit or financial requirement for a North Carolina general contractor license?
Credit requirement: Financial standing demonstrated via a financial statement (working capital / net worth) per the limitation tier above; a surety bond may be filed in lieu of working capital.
How often must a North Carolina general contractor license be renewed?
Annual: the license expires on January 1 following issuance or renewal and becomes invalid 60 days later unless renewed (G.S. 87-10(e)). Continuing education: 8 hours per year for Building, Residential and Unclassified licensees (2-hour mandatory board course + 6 elective hours); CE year Jan 1 to Nov 30.
Does North Carolina have a handyman license?
No. North Carolina has no handyman license. Projects under $40,000 require no state contractor license (local permits may still apply). At $40,000 or more, you need a general contractor license from the NCLBGC.
How do I apply for a North Carolina general contractor license?
Apply online through the NCLBGC portal (NCCLiC). You must be at least 18, show good moral character, demonstrate financial responsibility for your limitation tier, consent to a criminal background check, and name a qualifier who passes the PSI exam for your classification. Expect roughly 1-2 months including exam scheduling.
How should I prepare for the North Carolina contractor exam?
The exams are administered by PSI; the free PSI Candidate Information Bulletin lists the content outline and reference books. Note the bulletin's two lists: references allowed at the exam center, and references used to write questions but NOT allowed in. For the Building exam (90 questions, 70% to pass, open book) the metals (12 questions), carpentry (7) and roofing (6) items draw largely on the not-allowed books, so study those topics beforehand; the lookup strategy works for concrete (ACI 318), masonry (ACI 530), code and business-and-law questions. Tab your allowed books with permanent tabs only.
What is the NCLBGC?
The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors, the state agency that issues, renews, and disciplines general contractor licenses. Its official site is nclbgc.org; verify any license through its public search at portal.nclbgc.org.
Official sources
ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_87/GS_87-10.html
nclbgc.org/classifications-and-limitations
nclbgc.org/license-applicants
nclbgc.org/faq-continuing-education
nclbgc.org/faq-contractors