Running a contractor’s business in North Carolina requires a license from the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. The board has requirements for experience, education, and an exam. This allows the board to ensure that only qualified contractors work in the state. This legal document will enable you to work as a contractor and bid on projects. Without the document, you would not be able to advertise or work in the state and are entitled to hefty fines or jail time.
Types of Contractors License in North Carolina
North Carolina has three contractor licenses: Residential, Building, and Utility & Pipeline. Depending on the contracting work you do will determine which license you need to get.
Residential Contractor: A person or business with the skills to build or repair a home. This can be new construction or remodelling an existing home.
Building Contractor: A person or business who constructs or alters any building or structure must have a Building Contractor license.
Utility & Pipeline Contractor: A person or business who can work on natural gas, water, sewer, or storm drainage utilities and pipelines must have a Utility & Pipeline Contractor license.
Process of Getting the Contractors License in North Carolina
There are some legal ways on how to get a contractors license in North Carolina, and they are as follows:
Continuing Education Program
The best way to become a licensed contractor is to complete an accredited education program in your trade. You are required to take courses related to your practice fields, such as business management for contractors, safety, and ethics. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors must approve the education program.
Notable institutions such as Rocketcert offer online pre-license education and help individuals prepare for the state contractor exam.
Direct Entry into the Exam
If you decide not to go the education route, you can still qualify for the state contractor exam by having at least four years of experience working in your trade. The experience must be full-time, and you must have been employed for at least 30 hours per week. The requirements for exam eligibility may be waived if you have completed a degree in construction management or engineering.
License by Reciprocity
If you are already a licensed contractor in another state, you may be able to get your North Carolina contractor’s license by reciprocity. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors recognizes licenses from other states if the requirements to obtain the out-of-state license are substantially similar to North Carolina’s. You must have been actively licensed and in good standing in the other state for at least one year.
Obtaining the License
After you have met one of the requirements above, you can apply for the North Carolina contractor license. The first step is passing the North Carolina state contractor exam with a 70% or higher score.
The next step is to submit a completed application, the required fee, and proof that you have met the requirements to the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. If you are approved, you will be issued your North Carolina contractor license.
License Renewal
Your North Carolina contractor license must be renewed every two years. You will need to complete at least eight hours of continuing education courses related to your trade and submit a renewal application along with the required fee.
Conclusion
Getting a license in NC is not as simple as it seems. Many requirements must be met to become a licensed contractor. However, if you follow the steps above, you will be well to becoming a licensed contractor in North Carolina.
For more information about obtaining your contractors license in North Carolina, contact Rocketcert and get started on your way to becoming a licensed contractor today!
