How to get an Unlimited License in North Carolina

North Carolina general contractor licenses

North Carolina issues 3 general contractor credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every North Carolina general contractor license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old²

Exam

North Carolina general contractor examination for each classification sought, including the Board's laws and rules¹
When you can take it: After the Board approves the application; the Board then sends scheduling instructions¹
One exam per classification (Building, Residential, Highway, Public Utilities, Specialty)¹
Board laws and rules, including for reciprocity applicants¹
Exam content set by statute: plans and specifications, NC State Building Code, estimating, construction, ethics, contractor law and liens, and the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act²
Retakes: The Board may require a new application before a third or later attempt²
Time limit: A qualifier's exam credentials archive after four consecutive years without serving as qualifier for an active licensee; the exam must then be retaken¹
Exam waived: Reciprocity applicants who passed the other state's exam or a NASCLA exam still take the North Carolina law, rule and building code exam¹

Background check

Background check required¹
Applicants disclose all criminal convictions with certified court records; the sole proprietor, president, all LLC managers and members, or all partners, plus every qualifier, submit to the background check.¹

Residency or citizenship

No residency requirement stated. Foreign corporations and foreign LLCs need a North Carolina certificate of authority before a license issues.²

Social Security number

Social Security Number of examinees and qualifiers; tax identification number for corporate applicants¹

Insurance

Proof of workers' compensation insurance as required by Chapter 97 is needed to obtain a building permit where the cost is $40,000 or more (G.S. 87-14(a)(2))³

Business requirements

The license goes to the person or entity; a qualifier (responsible managing employee, officer or member of personnel) passes the exam. A qualifier may serve no more than two licenses.¹

Business requirements

Qualifier who is not an owner, officer or partner must be a W-2 employee working at least 20 hours a week or a majority of operating hours¹

Business requirements

Financial statements no older than 12 months and prepared under GAAP¹

Business requirements

Certificate of Assumed Name and Secretary of State entity documents with the application¹

Also required

License number must appear on all contracts and bids¹

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Pick the classification(s) and this limitation, and line up a qualifier (owner, officer or W-2 responsible managing employee) who will sit the exam.¹
2. After Board approval, schedule and pass (score 70) one exam per classification plus the laws and rules portion.¹
3. Once licensed, put the license number on all contracts and bids, and renew by January 1 each year with CE done by November 30.¹

Temporary or provisional license

Only as required for military applicants under G.S. 93B-15.1¹

Renewal

When it expires

Expires every January 1; invalid 60 days later if not renewed²

Continuing education

At least 8 hours each renewal period¹

Required topics

2 hours: Board mandatory course (statutes and rules, building code changes, case studies, court decisions)²
6 hours: Board-approved electives (business practices, contracts, liability, HR, accounting, financial statements, safety); up to 4 elective hours carry forward²
CE year runs January 1 to November 30, with a 90-day grace period²

Approved courses

Only Board-approved providers; one credit hour is 50 minutes¹

Exemptions

Extensions for military service, disability or illness, and undue hardship; waiver for qualifiers deployed at least eight of the twelve months¹
Inactive status: pay the renewal fee without CE; returning requires 8 hours (within two years) or 16 hours (later)²

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $10¹ (per month or part month after January 1)

If it expires

The holder must apply as a new applicant.²
Renewing an invalid license needs six elective CE hours for each year missed and for the current year, plus two mandatory hours¹

From another state

Who needs an Unlimited License

No limit on the value of any single project. Work is limited to the classifications held: Building, Residential, Highway, Public Utilities or Specialty (or "unclassified" when all are held).¹

Exemptions and dollar thresholds:

• A North Carolina general contractor license is needed when the cost of the undertaking is $40,000 or more.⁵
• Owner-builder: building on your own land for occupancy by you and your family (or firm) for at least 12 months, with a verified permit affidavit²
• Farmers building on their own farm land for their own farm use; installers of industrial and power plant equipment, radial brick chimneys and monuments²

Requirements for an Unlimited License

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Surety bond

$1,000,000¹ (Optional: only in lieu of the working capital / net worth test; face amount, not premium)

Business requirements

Financial responsibility: Current assets exceeding total current liabilities (working capital) by at least $150,000, shown by an agreed-upon procedures report on the Board form or a CPA-audited financial statement¹

How much an Unlimited License costs

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Prepare proof of financial responsibility: current assets exceeding total current liabilities (working capital) by at least $150,000, shown by an agreed-upon procedures report on the board form or a cpa-audited financial statement, or the surety bond alternative.¹
2. Submit the application with conviction and disciplinary disclosures, assumed-name and entity documents, and the non-refundable $125 fee; the listed people consent to a vendor background check.¹

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal fee

up to $125²

Intermediate License

Any single project with a value up to $1,500,000, excluding the cost of land and any ancillary costs to improve the land. Work is limited to the classifications held: Building, Residential, Highway, Public Utilities or Specialty (or "unclassified" when all are held).¹

Requirements

Surety bond

$500,000¹ (Optional: only in lieu of the working capital / net worth test; face amount, not premium)

Business requirements

Financial responsibility: Current assets exceeding total current liabilities (working capital) by at least $75,000, shown by an agreed-upon procedures report on the Board form or a CPA-audited financial statement¹

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Prepare proof of financial responsibility: current assets exceeding total current liabilities (working capital) by at least $75,000, shown by an agreed-upon procedures report on the board form or a cpa-audited financial statement, or the surety bond alternative.¹
2. Submit the application with conviction and disciplinary disclosures, assumed-name and entity documents, and the non-refundable $100 fee; the listed people consent to a vendor background check.¹

Renewal

Renewal fee

up to $100²

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Limited License

Any single project with a value up to $750,000, excluding the cost of land and any ancillary costs to improve the land. Work is limited to the classifications held: Building, Residential, Highway, Public Utilities or Specialty (or "unclassified" when all are held).¹

Requirements

Surety bond

$175,000¹ (Optional: only in lieu of the working capital / net worth test; face amount, not premium)

Business requirements

Financial responsibility: Current assets exceeding total current liabilities by at least $17,000, or total net worth of at least $80,000¹

Also required

Applicants in bankruptcy within five years must file an agreed-upon procedures report or audited financial statement¹

Fees

How to apply

1. Prepare proof of financial responsibility: current assets exceeding total current liabilities by at least $17,000, or total net worth of at least $80,000, or the surety bond alternative.¹
2. Submit the application with conviction and disciplinary disclosures, assumed-name and entity documents, and the non-refundable $75 fee; the listed people consent to a vendor background check.¹

Renewal

Renewal fee

up to $75²

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Intermediate LicenseLicensing is state-level. Local building departments require proof of a state license (or a verified owner-builder affidavit) before issuing permits at or above the threshold.⁵

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• N.C. Gen. Stat. ch. 87, art. 1 (General Contractors) and art. 1A (Homeowners Recovery Fund)
• 21 NCAC 12A (General Provisions)
• 21 NCAC 12B (Continuing Education)
• 21 NCAC 12A .0304
• N.C. Gen. Stat. 87-15.6 (Homeowners Recovery Fund)

Rule changes since January 2024

• April 1, 2026: Classification rule 21 NCAC 12A.0202 amended (after a temporary amendment of December 2, 2025).¹
• September 1, 2025: Character reference letter rule (21 NCAC 12A.0308) repealed; application rule.0303 amended the same day.¹

Common questions

General contractor licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
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