How do I check a general 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 on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.

How much does a general contractor license cost in North Carolina?

Application fee of $75 for a Limited license. Application fee of $100 for an Intermediate license. Application fee of $125 for an Unlimited license. Examination fee of up to $100, paid to the Board or its exam provider (statutory maximum). Annual renewal fee of up to $125 for an Unlimited license (statutory maximum; lower caps apply to Intermediate and Limited). Late renewal fee of $10 per month after January 1.

How often does a general contractor license renew in North Carolina?

License expires January 1 each year and must be renewed annually.

How to get a general contractor license in North Carolina

Edited by John Voll. Last verified October 6, 2026.

North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors licenses general contractors in North Carolina. A general contractor license is required when the cost of the job is $40,000 or more.

Who licenses general contractor work in North Carolina

Credential	State license
Board	North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors official statement
Official lookup	Search general contractor licenses
When a license is needed	A general contractor license is required when the cost of the job is $40,000 or more. source
License types	Building, Residential, Highway, Public Utilities, PU (Communications), PU (Fuel Distribution), PU (Sewage Disposal), PU (Sewer Lines), PU (Water Lines), PU (Water Purification), PU (Electrical-Ahead of P.O.D.), H (Grading & Excavating), S (Asbestos), S (Boring & Tunneling), S (Concrete Construction), S (Insulation), S (Interior Construction), S (Marine Construction), S (Masonry Construction), S (Metal Erection), S (Railroad Construction), S (Roofing), S (Sidewalk Curb & Gutter), S (Sign/Billboard), S (Swimming Pools), S (Wind Turbine), Unclassified

How to get licensed

Apply to North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors for a credential such as Building, Residential or Highway.
Board page
The qualifier must pass a Board-approved exam; reciprocity applicants still take the North Carolina law, rule and building code exam. source
Post a surety bond of $175,000 for a Limited license ($500,000 for Intermediate), accepted in place of proving working capital or net worth. source
Pay the application fee of $75 for a Limited license: $75. source
License expires January 1 each year and must be renewed annually. source

General contractor requirements in North Carolina

General contractor: exam, experience, bond, insurance, renewal and feesSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam	The qualifier must pass a Board-approved exam; reciprocity applicants still take the North Carolina law, rule and building code exam. source
Experience	Not found 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.
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

Hiring a general contractor?

See every official lookup in North Carolina, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.

How to verify a contractor license in North Carolina

Questions

Do you need a general contractor license in North Carolina?: North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors licenses general contractors in North Carolina. A general contractor license is required when the cost of the job is $40,000 or more.
How do I check a general 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 on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.
How much does a general contractor license cost in North Carolina?: Application fee of $75 for a Limited license. Application fee of $100 for an Intermediate license. Application fee of $125 for an Unlimited license. Examination fee of up to $100, paid to the Board or its exam provider (statutory maximum). Annual renewal fee of up to $125 for an Unlimited license (statutory maximum; lower caps apply to Intermediate and Limited). Late renewal fee of $10 per month after January 1.
How often does a general contractor license renew in North Carolina?: License expires January 1 each year and must be renewed annually.

Other trades in North Carolina

General contractor license in other states

Sources

This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.