North Carolina Contractor License Courses & Exam Prep

The NC contractor exam is specific. Your prep should be too. Pass the first time — with courses and materials built around exactly what’s on your exam.

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Every North Carolina contractor license – and the exam behind it.

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North Carolina Construction Contractor Exam Prep Courses

Multi-State Exam

NASCLA Commercial Builder

Full-scope commercial construction — accepted in NC and 14+ other states in lieu of the NC Building Contractor trade exam.

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Building Contractor

All commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential building construction and demolition. Includes site work, parking decks, recreational facilities, and specialty trades.

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Residential Contractor

Residential units conforming to the NC Residential Building Code — new construction, ancillary site work, and specialty trades including roofing, masonry, and swimming pools.

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North Carolina Electrical Contractor Exam Prep Courses

Multi-State Exam

NASCLA Master/Unlimited Electrical Contractor

Full-scope electrical contracting — accepted by NCBEEC in lieu of the state trade exam for all three NC license tiers, plus 15+ other states.

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Multi-State Exam

NASCLA Residential Electrical Contractor

Residential electrical work in 1- and 2-family dwellings — accepted by NCBEEC in lieu of the Single-Family Detached (SP-SFD) state exam.

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North Carolina Highway Contractor Exam Prep Courses

Highway Contractor

All highway construction — grading, paving, bridges, culverts, storm drainage, parking decks, airport runways, guard rails, and specialty work including boring and tunneling, concrete construction, marine construction, and railroad construction.

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Not sure which license fits?

Book a free 20-minute call with one of our licensing advisors. They’ve helped hundreds of contractors figure out exactly where to start — from license class and experience requirements to NASCLA and everything in between.

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Before You Buy

Do I qualify for a North Carolina contractor license?

These are the questions NC contractors ask before they start studying.

View State Requirements

When is a license required?

A general contractor’s license is required for any project costing $40,000 or more (G.S. 87-1). Electrical contractor licenses are required by state law for electrical contracting work regardless of project value.

License limitations (NCLBGC) 
•  Limited — up to $750,000 per individual project 
•  Intermediate — up to $1,500,000 per individual project 
•  Unlimited — no dollar limit on project size  
The exam is the same for all limitation tiers — the limitation only affects which project sizes you can take on. 

Financial requirements (NCLBGC) 
•  Limited — $17,000 working capital (current assets minus current liabilities), OR $80,000 net worth 
•  Intermediate — $75,000 working capital. Audited financial statement by a CPA required. 
• Unlimited — $150,000 working capital. Audited financial statement by a CPA required. 

Surety bond alternative 
If you don’t have the working capital on paper, post a surety bond through any bonding company. The bond amount is set per limitation tier. A surety bond is typically less expensive than meeting the financial minimum outright for newer businesses. 

What is a qualifier?

The NCLBGC issues licenses to business entities, not individuals. A “qualifier” is the individual who passes the exam on behalf of the licensed entity. The qualifier must be employed by (or have an ownership relationship with) the licensee.If the qualifier leaves the company, a new qualifier must be designated within 30 days.

Application fees (NCLBGC) 
•  Limited: $75 — Intermediate: $100 — Unlimited: $125 (all non-refundable) 
•  PSI exam fee: $79 per exam, paid separately when scheduling with PSI 

Application fees (NCBEEC — Electrical) 
•  Exam fee: $125 (all classifications), paid to NCBEEC 
•  License fees after passing: $100 (Limited) — $150 (Intermediate) — $200 (Unlimited)

For a step-by-step walkthrough of the licensing process, including eligibility requirements, read our guide: How to Become a General Contractor in North Carolina.

 

What if I have a criminal record?

Both NCLBGC and NCBEEC review applications on a case-by-case basis. Most non-violent offenses do not automatically disqualify an applicant. Disclosure of all convictions is mandatory — failing to disclose is grounds for denial even if the offense itself would not have been disqualifying. Contact the relevant board directly before applying.

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I would encourage anyone looking to get a contractor's license to invest their time with Contractor Training Center.

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The exam covers a lot of material. The course sifted through all of that content and highlighted the relevant information I needed. It takes time and commitment to get through it, but it's worth it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • North Carolina accepts the following NASCLA examinations in lieu of certain state trade exams: 

    • NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors in lieu of the North Carolina Building Contractor (CBC) trade exam.  
    • NASCLA Accredited Trade Examination for Electrical Contractors (Master/Unlimited) in lieu of the North Carolina electrical trade exam for all three electrical license classifications.  
    • NASCLA Accredited Trade Examination for Residential Electrical Contractors in lieu of the North Carolina Single-Family Detached (SP-SFD) electrical trade exam.  

    Applicants must still meet all licensing requirements established by the appropriate licensing board. A North Carolina Business & Law exam or other state-specific requirements may still apply. 

  • If you only plan to work in North Carolina, the state trade exam is a great option. 

    If you plan to work in multiple states, the NASCLA Commercial Builder exam offers more flexibility because it is accepted by North Carolina and more than a dozen other state licensing boards in lieu of the state trade exam. 

     North Carolina also accepts the NASCLA Master/Unlimited Electrical and NASCLA Residential Electrical examinations for certain electrical contractor licenses. 

     

    Passing a NASCLA exam does not automatically issue your North Carolina license. You'll still need to meet all licensing requirements established by the appropriate licensing board. 

  • Yes. Exam prep isn't required. 

    But CTC students pass at a 90% first-time rate. Self-studiers navigating multiple reference books without a structured, exam-focused system often spend more time preparing and see lower pass rates. 

    The North Carolina exams are open-book, but success depends on knowing where to find answers quickly, not just knowing the material. 

  • No. 

    North Carolina does not require a pre-license course before taking a contractor licensing exam. 

    Most applicants choose an exam prep course instead. Exam prep helps you become familiar with the approved reference books, learn how to navigate an open-book exam efficiently, and improve your chances of passing on the first attempt. 

  • Scheduling your exam: Most North Carolina contractor licensing exams are administered by PSI. Once you're eligible to test, you'll schedule your exam directly with PSI at an approved testing center. 

    What you can bring: Most North Carolina contractor exams are open-book. You may bring approved reference books with permanent tabs, highlighting, and underlining. Loose papers, handwritten notes, and removable tabs are not permitted. 

    That's why our reference books come pre-tabbed and pre-highlighted. They arrive PSI-compliant and ready to use, so you can spend your exam finding answers instead of searching for them. 

  • Yes. Continuing education requirements depend on your license type. 

    General contractors must complete 8 hours of board-approved continuing education each year, including: 

    • 2 hours of mandatory courses.  
    • 6 hours of elective courses.  

    Electrical contractors must complete the continuing education required by the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors before renewing their license. 

    All continuing education must be completed before your license renewal deadline. 

  • North Carolina contractor licenses must be renewed annually. 

    General contractor licenses are renewed through the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Electrical contractor licenses are renewed through the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. 

    Contractors must meet all renewal requirements, including any applicable continuing education requirements, before renewing their license. 

Not sure which license fits?

Book a free 20-minute call with one of our licensing advisors. They’ve helped hundreds of contractors figure out exactly where to start — from license class and experience requirements to NASCLA and everything in between.

Book your free call →