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A Step-by-Step Guide To your North Carolina General Contractors License

How important is a general contractor’s license to a contractor in North Carolina? Well, let’s say you planned the project carefully, but without a license. You wouldn't be able to bid, construct, or manage construction projects. In short, getting your license is the first step for a successful project.

In order to get licensed, you must apply to the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC). But before that, you need to comply with the requirements first. Today, I will generously donate my spare-time in order to walk you through these requirements.

1. Register Your Business

Why? This is for the NCLBGC to confirm that you are legally allowed to run your business in North Carolina. You can get your registration at North Carolina Secretary of State.

2. Complete Your License Application

Now that you had your business registered, you are ready to complete your application. To be able to complete your application, you need to take the following steps:

Specify the license classification and limitation.

Complete the balance sheet included in the application.

Provide a financial statement. Described in detail in the application.

Respond to questions about background information.

Provide a surety bond based on your license limitation.

Pay an application fee. (For a limited license, you will pay $75, $100 for an intermediate, and $125 for an unlimited license.)

If you carefully followed these steps, you can now submit your application to the Board. The board will review it for about 2-3 weeks.

Pass Your Exam and Get Your License!

If the board sees that your application meets all the requirements, they will send you an exam eligibility letter through email. This ensures that you can now proceed to the next step, taking the exam or exams. You have to schedule your exam with an exam vendor.

The exam vendor will notify the Board that you passed the exam. The Board will then review it within 2 weeks, then they will issue your license.

Remember to Renew Your License Every Year

This is very important because any license not renewed within 60 days of expiring will be invalid. The renewal is every January 1 yearly, the renewal period begins in October. You will be charged a $10 monthly penalty if you filed for renewal after January 1.

If you’re a contractor and looking forward to the completion of your projects, you must carefully follow these steps to get your license approved. Only then you can fully enjoy the fruits of your labor after obtaining your license.

Hope this helps someone out there who may need it.