It issues state licenses for general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors, HVAC contractors and roofing contractors. Use the official lookup below to check a contractor. Information as of October 6, 2026.
General contractor lookup: Verify License Search on the Licensing Board for General Contractors portal. source Electrical contractor lookup: Verify License Search on the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors portal. source Plumbing, heating and fire sprinkler lookup: Verify License Search on the Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors portal. source
Confirm the record is active and the class matches the job (Building or Residential or Highway or Public Utilities or PU (Communications) or PU (Fuel Distribution) or PU (Sewage Disposal) or PU (Sewer Lines) or PU (Water Lines) or PU (Water Purification) or PU (Electrical-Ahead of P.O.D.) or H (Grading & Excavating) or S (Asbestos) or S (Boring & Tunneling) or S (Concrete Construction) or S (Insulation) or S (Interior Construction) or S (Marine Construction) or S (Masonry Construction) or S (Metal Erection) or S (Railroad Construction) or S (Roofing) or S (Sidewalk Curb & Gutter) or S (Sign/Billboard) or S (Swimming Pools) or S (Wind Turbine) or Unclassified). The board's own record governs. A license is required for jobs above A general contractor license is required when the cost of the job is $40,000 or more. source
Check the bond and insurance on the record against the state minimums: Surety bond of $175,000 for a Limited license ($500,000 for Intermediate), accepted in place of proving working capital or net worth. source
Complaints about electrical contractors can be filed online or by mail with the electrical board. source Consumers can file complaints about plumbing, heating and fire sprinkler work with the plumbing and heating board. source The general contractor board takes complaints against licensees and unlicensed general contractors and may keep the complainant's identity confidential. source
Homeowner protections in North Carolina
A Limited general contractor license covers single projects up to $750,000, so check the license limitation against your job value. source
Homeowners Recovery Fund claims against a general contractor must be filed within one year after all court proceedings on the unpaid judgment end. source
A general contractor's surety bond, when posted, benefits any person damaged by the contractor's breach of a construction contract. source
A Limited electrical contractor license covers single projects of no more than $100,000 (statutory maximum). source
An Intermediate general contractor license covers single projects up to $1,500,000; Unlimited has no project value limit. source
Get licensed
For a general contractor working in North Carolina.
Apply to North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors as a Building or Residential or Highway or Public Utilities or PU (Communications) or PU (Fuel Distribution) or PU (Sewage Disposal) or PU (Sewer Lines) or PU (Water Lines) or PU (Water Purification) or PU (Electrical-Ahead of P.O.D.) or H (Grading & Excavating) or S (Asbestos) or S (Boring & Tunneling) or S (Concrete Construction) or S (Insulation) or S (Interior Construction) or S (Marine Construction) or S (Masonry Construction) or S (Metal Erection) or S (Railroad Construction) or S (Roofing) or S (Sidewalk Curb & Gutter) or S (Sign/Billboard) or S (Swimming Pools) or S (Wind Turbine) or Unclassified.
Exam required for the plumbing contractor license. source
Experience
2 years (4,000 hours) of on-site full-time experience; up to half may be replaced by education. source
Bond
Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Insurance
Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Renewal
License expires December 31 and is renewed every year. source
Reciprocity
No reciprocity agreements; a South Carolina technical exam waiver exists but the North Carolina business law exam is still required. source
Fees
Examination application fee of $150, nonrefundable. source
Annual plumbing contractor license fee of $150, paid after passing the exam and at each renewal. source
Late renewal fee of $25 if not renewed in January. source
HVACSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Exam required for the heating (HVAC) contractor license. source
Experience
2 years (4,000 hours) of on-site full-time experience; up to half may be replaced by education. source
Bond
Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Insurance
Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Renewal
License expires December 31 and is renewed every year. source
Reciprocity
No reciprocity agreements; a South Carolina technical exam waiver exists but the North Carolina business law exam is still required. source
Fees
Examination application fee of $150, nonrefundable. source
Annual heating (HVAC) contractor license fee of $150, paid after passing the exam and at each renewal. source
Late renewal fee of $25 if not renewed in January. source
RoofingSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
The qualifier must pass a Board-approved exam for the Roofing specialty classification. source
Experience
Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Bond
Surety bond of $175,000 for a Limited license ($500,000 for Intermediate), accepted in place of proving working capital or net worth. source
Insurance
Not found on an official source. On an official source.
Renewal
License expires January 1 each year and must be renewed annually. source
Reciprocity
Reciprocity available to holders of another state's license by exam or a NASCLA exam, plus the North Carolina law, rule and building code exam. source
Fees
Application fee of $75 for a Limited license. source
Application fee of $100 for an Intermediate license. source
Application fee of $125 for an Unlimited license. source
Examination fee of up to $100, paid to the Board or its exam provider (statutory maximum). source
Annual renewal fee of up to $125 for an Unlimited license (statutory maximum; lower caps apply to Intermediate and Limited). source
Late renewal fee of $10 per month after January 1. source
Questions
Does North Carolina require a contractor license?
Yes, in most cases North Carolina requires a state license for general contractors. A general contractor license is required when the cost of the job is $40,000 or more. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors issues it as one of several credentials, such as Building, Residential or Highway.
How do I look up a contractor license in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors keeps the record for general contractors in North Carolina. Use the official lookup linked in the Look up a license table, and treat the board's own record as final.
How do I look up an electrician license in North Carolina?
The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors keeps the record for electrical contractors in North Carolina.
How do I look up a plumbing license in North Carolina?
The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors keeps the record for plumbing contractors in North Carolina.
Does North Carolina have an HVAC license?
The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors keeps the record for HVAC contractors in North Carolina.
Do roofers need a license in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors keeps the record for roofing contractors in North Carolina.