Become a Contractor in North Carolina

To get started on your contractor license, you must evaluate the type of work you perform:

If you are an independent contractor, you may request a license packet to be sent from the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. The cost of the application is $15.00. Call (919) 571-4183 to get in touch with NCLB in the event of questions or concerns about the application process and delivery of the packet. You may also visit the Board’s website here to get more information about what information is needed within the application.

The contract license application includes:

• Business address information,
• Personal contact and name on the license,
• Professional References,
• Condition of Business (LLC, Corporation, or independent).
• Miscellaneous legalese.

North Carolina Law reads as follows: “To work as a general contractor on projects costing more than $30,000 in North Carolina, you must get a license from the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Electrical, plumbing, heating and fire sprinkler contractors must be licensed.”

If you are confused about the process of renewing or obtaining a contractor’s license, utilize the NCLB’s “Frequently Asked Questions” to get answers.

If your contract work operates as a company such as an LLC or corporation, you must register with the North Carolina Secretary of State. The process of registering your company comes after the license procedure. The status of the contract work you perform must also include notifying the Board of Contractors in your application packet if you operate as a company. You can contact the Secretary of State here to find out more about becoming a company or LLC.

Once you submit your application with the necessary government entity listed above, the last step of the process is to acquire a surety bond for your contractor’s license. The state of North Carolina requires a contractor to be bonded in the amount of $10,000. Surety1 works with many different surety markets and can offer applicants competitive rates. To make the bonding process easier, click here to apply.