North Carolina general contractor license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
—
Not verified yet
Required hours
—
Not verified yet
Exam
The applicant must identify a qualifier who has passed a Board-approved examination.
Renewal
A license shall expire on the first day of January following its issuance or renewal and shall become invalid 60 days from that date unless renewed, subject to the approval of the Board.
Before you begin
Agency guidance
General contracting includes bidding, construction or management of covered projects costing $40,000 or more, and erection of North Carolina labeled manufactured modular buildings; statutory exceptions apply.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
undertakes to bid upon or to construct or who undertakes to superintend or manage, on his own behalf or for any person, firm, or corporation that is not licensed as a general contractor pursuant to this Article, the construction of any building, highway, public utilities, grading or any improvement or structure where the cost of the undertaking is forty thousand dollars ($40,000) or more, or undertakes to erect a North Carolina labeled manufactured modular building meeting the North Carolina State Building Code, shall be deemed to be a "general contractor"Official source
Agency guidance
At least one qualifier of a building, residential or unclassified licensee must complete the annual CE requirement.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
at least one qualifier or qualifying party of a licensee holding a building contractor, residential contractor, or unclassified contractor license classification shall complete, on an annual basis, eight hours of continuing educationOfficial source
Agency guidance
The annual continuing-education period starts January 1 and ends November 30; the statute requires a 90-day grace period after November 30.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Continuing education requirements shall begin on January 1 of any calendar year and shall be completed by November 30 of that calendar year. The Board shall establish a 90-day grace period following November 30 of each calendar year for any qualifier or qualifying party who has failed to complete the continuing education requirement.Official source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
North Carolina State Licensing Board for General Contractors
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
There is created the State Licensing Board for General Contractors
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Check the qualifications
Exam
The applicant must identify a qualifier who has passed a Board-approved examination.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
An applicant shall identify an individual who has successfully passed an examination approved by the Board
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
Not verified yet
Exam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
Not verified yet
Apply with the agency
Not verified yet
Reciprocity
Not verified yet
Official sources and verification (10)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
There is created the State Licensing Board for General ContractorsOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
undertakes to bid upon or to construct or who undertakes to superintend or manage, on his own behalf or for any person, firm, or corporation that is not licensed as a general contractor pursuant to this Article, the construction of any building, highway, public utilities, grading or any improvement or structure where the cost of the undertaking is forty thousand dollars ($40,000) or more, or undertakes to erect a North Carolina labeled manufactured modular building meeting the North Carolina State Building Code, shall be deemed to be a "general contractor"Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
at least one qualifier or qualifying party of a licensee holding a building contractor, residential contractor, or unclassified contractor license classification shall complete, on an annual basis, eight hours of continuing educationOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
Continuing education requirements shall begin on January 1 of any calendar year and shall be completed by November 30 of that calendar year. The Board shall establish a 90-day grace period following November 30 of each calendar year for any qualifier or qualifying party who has failed to complete the continuing education requirement.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
An applicant shall identify an individual who has successfully passed an examination approved by the BoardOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
A license shall expire on the first day of January following its issuance or renewal and shall become invalid 60 days from that date unless renewed, subject to the approval of the Board.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
shall complete, on an annual basis, eight hours of continuing educationOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
Of the eight hours of annual continuing education required by this section, two hours shall be a mandatory course approved by the Board and the remaining six hours shall be elective courses approved by the Board.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (1)
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.