North Carolina Contractor License FAQ

You must be at least 18 years old to get a NC contractor’s license.

Yes, with the NASCLA exam you will be pursuing the Building Contractor license. This allows you to perform commercial and residential work.

A Limited contractor’s license can perform up to $750,000 per individual project. 

An Intermediate Contractor’s License can perform individual projects up to $1,500,000 in NC.  

There is no individual project dollar limit on Unlimited Contractor’s License in NC. 

You must have current assets that exceed current liabilities by at least $17,000 for a Limited Contractor’s License in NC. You may also have a minimum net worth of $80,000 or provide a $175,000 surety bond in lieu of the working capital. 

You must have current assets that exceed current liabilities by at least $75,000 for an Intermediate Contractor’s License in NC. You may also provide a $500,000 surety bond in lieu of demonstrating the working capital. 

You must have current assets that exceed current liabilities by $150,000 for an Unlimited Contractor’s License in NC. 

The NASCLA exam has a $35 application fee. Then, to sit for the exam there is an additional $130 fee. 

The NC Business and Law Exam is an exam taken to understand some of the contractor rules and regulations in North Carolina. This exam will be taken after passing the NASCLA exam to get your NC general contractor license. This exam is open book and requires the NC Business and Law book, the 811 Guide, and the Erosion and Sedimentation Guide. This exam is much less stressful than the NASCLA exam.