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North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors · checked 2026-10-20
North Carolina General contractor License Requirements
A general contractor license is required for projects of $40,000 or more (G.S. 87-1). Licenses carry a limitation by project value and a classification: building, residential, highway, public utilities or specialty. Unlimited license: the source states no minimum time, plus an exam.
- 1LTD · Limited license time not stated
- 2INT · Intermediate license time not stated
- 3UNL · Unlimited license time not stated
License levels in North Carolina
The North Carolina path has 3 steps on this page: Limited license, Intermediate license and Unlimited license.
| Level | Experience | Classroom | Time from start | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LTD Limited license | none stated | — | time not stated | Yes | Not printed |
| INT Intermediate license | none stated | — | time not stated | Yes | Not printed |
| UNL Unlimited license | none stated | — | time not stated | Yes | Not printed |
Limited license (LTD)
Evidence of financial responsibility as determined by the Board, and a qualifier who passes the Board's examination. G.S. 87-10(a1), (b). Scope: single projects up to $750,000 (excluding land). Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 87-10.
Intermediate license (INT)
Higher financial responsibility as set by the Board, and a qualifier who passes the exam. G.S. 87-10(a1). Scope: single projects up to $1,500,000 (excluding land). Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 87-10.
Unlimited license (UNL)
Financial responsibility as set by the Board, and a qualifier who passes the exam. G.S. 87-10(a1). Scope: no project value limit. Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 87-10.
Exam
3 of the 3 levels listed here require an exam: Limited license, Intermediate license and Unlimited license. The source does not print a pass mark.
Fees
The North Carolina source read prints no dollar amounts for this license. G.S. 87-10 does not print fee or working-capital amounts; it leaves financial responsibility to the Board.
When a license is needed: License required for projects of $40,000 or more. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 87-1)
Reciprocity
The North Carolina sources read for this trade name no reciprocity agreement and no route for out-of-state licensees.
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina's source states no minimum time for the unlimited license, so it is not ranked against the other states on this site.
Same trade elsewhere: California · Florida · Pennsylvania · Michigan · Connecticut. All states side by side: General contractor license requirements by state.
Other trades in North Carolina
- Electrician: Unlimited Electrical Contractor: up to 4.5 years of experience at most, plus an exam.
- Plumber: Plumbing Contractor, Class I: up to 2 years of experience at most, plus an exam.
- HVAC: Heating Group No. 1: up to 2 years of experience at most, plus an exam.
All covered trades on one page: North Carolina trade licenses.
Background reading: From apprentice to master: how long each state takes · How trade license exams work.
Questions
Who issues the general contractor license in North Carolina?
North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. A general contractor license is required for projects of $40,000 or more (G.S. 87-1). Licenses carry a limitation by project value and a classification: building, residential, highway, public utilities or specialty.
How long does it take to qualify for the Unlimited license in North Carolina?
The source read (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 87-10) states no minimum time for the Unlimited license. Financial responsibility as set by the Board, and a qualifier who passes the exam. G.S. 87-10(a1).
Does North Carolina have general contractor license reciprocity?
The North Carolina sources read name no reciprocity agreement for this trade.
Sources and last checked
| What | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors | 2026-10-20 |
| LTD requirements | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 87-10 | 2026-10-20 |
| INT requirements | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 87-10 | 2026-10-20 |
| UNL requirements | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 87-10 | 2026-10-20 |
| Law cited | N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 87-1, 87-10 | 2026-10-20 |
This page summarises what the North Carolina source said on 2026-10-20. It is general information, not legal advice; the board's own page and the statute are the authority and can change. Confirm with North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors before applying. The free official route is the board itself: its page, application forms and staff answer eligibility questions.