How much does a General Contractor license cost in North Carolina?
The North Carolina General Contractor license fee is $75, paid to NC Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC). Exam fees, the bond premium and insurance are charged separately.
What the state charges
| License fee | $75 |
|---|---|
| Paid to | NC Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) |
| Exam | Exam per 21 NCAC 12A .0404, administered by PSI; NASCLA accepted for Building classification |
| Bond | Not required |
| Renewal | Every 1 year(s) |
Fee breakdown and fine print
License required only for projects >= $40,000 (GS 87-1). Application fee $75 Limited / $100 Intermediate / $125 Unlimited + exam fee <=$100 (GS 87-10). Optional surety in lieu of working capital: $175k/$500k/$1M by tier. Expires Jan 1 annually.
Official fee source: NC Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) →
What else you pay before the first job
The licence fee is the smallest line item for most people starting out. These are charged by private providers, not by NC Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC), and prices vary — so we link the options rather than quote a number we cannot source.
General liability insurance
Required by most licensing boards and by nearly every general contractor who hires you.
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Financing options →Frequently asked questions
- How much does a General Contractor license cost in North Carolina?
- The state license fee is $75, paid to NC Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC). License required only for projects >= $40,000 (GS 87-1). Application fee $75 Limited / $100 Intermediate / $125 Unlimited + exam fee <=$100 (GS 87-10). Optional surety in lieu of working capital: $175k/$500k/$1M by tier. Expires Jan 1 annually.
- What other costs are there beyond the license fee?
- Beyond the state fee you should budget for the exam, general liability insurance, forming your business entity, and the truck and tools you need to take the first job. Those are billed by separate providers, not the licensing board.
Related
Full North Carolina General Contractor license requirements →
North Carolina General Contractor license reciprocity →
Every figure is sourced to the official state board and may change — confirm before acting. Information to help you launch, not legal advice.