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Online Education developed by the most experienced and trusted team in the industry.

North Carolina

Contractor Licensing, Education & Exam Prep

Applicants for a General Contractor License in North Carolina may choose to obtain either a Residential or General Contractors license. Each license type has 3 levels of project size: Limited License, Intermediate License, and Unlimited License. Once you have determined the license limitations and type, it's time to pass the exams. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors allows you to choose between the state exam and the (NASCLA) Exam.

At RocketCert, we make studying for your exam a breeze.

We have carefully reviewed the exam bulletins, studied all the books, and collaborated with industry experts. This helped us create the best online exam prep courses available. Our courses go beyond just slideshows and books. We offer a robust exam simulation, custom tabs for your books, highlighting guides, and instructor support whenever you need it. If you're ready to launch your career, choose RocketCert. Click below to explore our courses and bundles.

  • $279
    North Carolina
    Contractor
    Exam Prep
  • $1190 $1089
    General Contractors
    Exam Bundle
  • $2273 $2089
    NASCLA Commercial
    Exam Bundle
Individual taking the North Carolina General Contractor's license exam prep course online with RocketCert
Scope of work

What type of work can be done with this license?

Exam details for North Carolina general contractor licenses Building General Contractor

This classification covers all building construction and demolition activity including: commercial, industrial, institutional, and all residential building construction. It includes:

  • all site work, parking decks, grading and paving of parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, and gutters
  • storm drainage, retaining or screen walls, and hardware and accessory structures
  • indoor and outdoor recreational facilities including natural and artificial surface athletic fields, running tracks, bleachers, and seating. It also covers work done under the specialty classifications.
The limits of each sub-type are:
  • Limited License - $750,000 per individual project
  • Intermediate License - $1,500,000 per individual project
  • Unlimited License - Valid for projects of any size

North Carolina Exam details Residential General Contractor

Do you need to perform work for only residential structures? Click the link below to learn more about the Residential General Contractor License.

Requirements & steps

What are the NC General Contractors license requirements?

North Carolina Journeyman Plumber RequirementsFinancial Requirements

Residential and Building General Contractors must obtain the following amounts of either working capital, net worth, or surety bonds:

  • Limited License - requires $17,000 working capital, or $80,000 net worth, or a $350,000 surety bond.
  • Intermediate License - requires $75,000 working capital demonstrated by an audited financial statement or a $1,000,000 surety bond.
  • Unlimited License - requires $150,000 working capital demonstrated by an audited financial statement or a $2,000,000 surety bond.

How do I obtain a NC general contractor license?

To apply for your license, contact the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors at 919-571-4183 or visit nclbgc.org.

NC Contractors License Reciprocity: NC has Reciprocity agreements with several other states. These states include South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. If you're licensed in one of these states, you can skip the trade exam via the exam waiver form.

NASCLA Exam: North Carolina gives applicants the option to take either the NASCLA exam or the state trade exam. The NASCLA exam is accepted by many states across the country. It serves as a substitute for the state's trade exam.

Passing the NC business and law exam is required those applying via reciprocity or with the NASCLA exam.

At RocketCert, our courses are written by a combination of industry experts and professional educators. Our exam prep is guaranteed to help you pass the exam, and is backed with our no pass, no pay policy. We pride ourselves on providing industry leading customer service. Also, if you find a better original price on any online course that we offer, we will beat it by 10%.


RocketCert customer studying to pass their State exam through the RocketCert website or on the mobile app.
Submit Application

In order to sit for the exam, you must submit the new license application to the state. It must include verified education and work experience as required by the state. Once approved and all application fees are paid, the state will contact you with an exam date and time.

PASS THE STATE OR NATIONAL EXAM(S)

After studying with RocketCert, you will be on your way to passing the required State exam(s) (see below). Pre-approval is required. Testing centers are setup throughout the State in larger cities.

APPLY FOR YOUR LICENSE

After these steps, it's time to apply through the NC CLiC to obtain your North Carolina General Contractor License. Have questions or concerns with this process (or just a lack of time)? Learn more about how we can assist with our Application Processing Program.

Don't Forget to Renew!

Your NC general contractor license will expire on November 30th each year. To renew, you must complete 8 hours of continuing education. The state requires licensees to take CE and renew their license even if it was issued in November.

Exam

Which exam do I need to take?

Applicants have 2 options for the trade exam. You may take the trade exam or the NASCLA exam & the Business Law exam.
The NASCLA Exam is accepted by multiple state licensing agencies across the country as a substitute for their trade exam. In most cases, you will also need to take the state specific Business & Law exam.

NC General Contractor Exam details North Carolina General Contractor Exam

  • Total Questions: 90
  • Passing Score: 63 Correct
  • Time: 200 minutes
  • PARTIALLY OPEN BOOK

Topics include: Site Work; Concrete; Masonry; Metals; Carpentry; Roofing; Associated Trades; Business and Law; Safety; Estimating, Plan Reading and General Building Code Requirements; One Call; Erosion and Sedimentation Control; Licensing; Liens; Sports Fields


  • Total Questions: 115
  • Passing Score: 81 Correct
  • Time: 330 minutes
  • OPEN BOOK

Topics include: General Requirements; Site Construction; Concrete; Masonry; Metals; Wood; Thermal and Moisture Protection; Doors, Windows, and Glazing; Finishes; Mechanical and Plumbing Systems; Electrical Systems; Procurement and Contracting Requirements

Note: Alternative to state trade exam. You must also pass the Business Law exam.

Exam details NC Business and Law Exam

  • Total Questions: 40
  • Passing Score: 70% Correct
  • Time: 90 minutes
  • OPEN BOOK

Topics include: Erosion and Sedimentation Control; Licensing; Subcontractor's Pay Requirements; Liens and Bonds; One Call

Pre-Licensing, Exam Prep, & Books

How do I pass the exam?

The North Carolina General Contractor exam is partially open book. The Following References are for the state-specific exam. These references are permitted to be tabbed and highlighted! Unfortunately, our online course is NOT permitted to be accessed during the State exam.

Online Exam Prep Includes:

  • Math & Plans Lessons - Here, we teach you math concepts and how to solve calculations on test day.
  • Highlighting Guides - Introduce the critical information in your book(s). This will familiarize you with each book’s content and its layout.
  • Quizzes - These practice quizzes are based on each individual book/reference. They reinforce key concepts.
  • Test Simulation / Practice Exam - Comprehensive exams randomly generated from our database of questions. Test simulations are restricted by time, and hints are disabled. Test simulations are as close to the real exam as you can get.
  • Guide to Tabbing - This section includes tabbing books and other test taking strategies to keep calm and focused during the exam.

North Carolina Building Contractor Online Exam Prep

Included in the bundle

Lifetime Online Access to:

  • NC Building Contractors Online Exam Prep

Our Online Exam Prep features:

Ideal for students who already own all references


$279

ADD TO CART

North Carolina Building Contractor Bundle

This exam does NOT require applicants to pass the separate Business and Law

Includes the following courses:

  • NC Building Contractors Online Exam Prep

Plus the following:

  • All the books to use during the exam
  • Permanent/Pre-Printed Tabs
  • Free Shipping!
  • Instructor Support
  • No Pass No Pay Policy
  • Lifetime Access from nearly any device

$1,190 $1,089

NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Bundle (North Carolina)

Includes the following courses:

  • NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Exam Prep

Plus the following:

  • All the books to use during the exam
  • Permanent/Pre-Printed Tabs
  • Free Shipping!
  • Instructor Support
  • No Pass No Pay Policy
  • Lifetime Access from nearly any device
Business Law Exam Materials:

$2,273 $2,089

The Following References are Permitted to be Used During the General Contractor Licensing Exam (Included in the bundles):

Sports Fields: Design, Construction, and Maintenance

See Details

$99

ADD TO CART

North Carolina OSHA - Construction Industry

See Details

$49

ADD TO CART

North Carolina NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, General Contractors, 9th Edition

See Details

$79

ADD TO CART

North Carolina State Building Code: Building Code 2018

See Details

$169

ADD TO CART

ACI 530.1-13: Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Related Commentaries

See Details

$129

ADD TO CART

ACI 318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary

See Details

$219

ADD TO CART

North Carolina State Building Code: Administrative Code and Policies 2018

See Details

$44

ADD TO CART

ICC A117.1-2017 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities

See Details

$59

ADD TO CART

The Following References are NOT Allowed to be Used During the General Contractor Licensing Exam (Not Included in the Bundle) :

Technical Digest No. 9 Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders

See Details

$49

ADD TO CART

Carpentry and Building Construction, Student Edition, 2016

See Details

$79

ADD TO CART

Construction Jobsite Management

See Details

$179

ADD TO CART

Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Revised

See Details

$49

ADD TO CART

Roofing Construction & Estimating, Revised

See Details

$49

ADD TO CART

Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning

See Details

$94

ADD TO CART

Modern Masonry

See Details

$129

ADD TO CART

SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck

See Details

$34

ADD TO CART
Print for Your Exam:
North Carolina 811 Excavation Guide
Free / Online
NC Administrative Code, Title 15A, Chapter 4 Sedimentation Control
Free / Online
North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 113A, Article 4
Free / Online
Pre-printed or blank tabs are also available.

5-6 Book Tab Bundle

See Details

$49

ADD TO CART

Permanent Blank Tabs - 375 Pack

See Details

$45

ADD TO CART
The North Carolina Business & Law exam must also be passed if you are taking the NASCLA Exam:

North Carolina General Contractor Business and Law Bundle

See Details

ADD TO CART

North Carolina General Contractor Business and Law Online Exam Prep

See Details

$119

ADD TO CART

North Carolina NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, General Contractors, 9th Edition

See Details

$79

ADD TO CART
License Types

What other license classifications are available?

  • Building Contractors License

    This classification covers all building construction and demolition activity including: commercial, industrial, institutional, and all residential construction. It includes parking decks; all site work, grading and paving of parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, and gutters; storm drainage, retaining or screen walls, and hardware and accessory structures; and indoor and outdoor recreational facilities including natural and artificial surface athletic fields, running tracks, bleachers, and seating. It also covers work done under the specialty classifications of S(Concrete Construction), S(Insulation), S(Interior Construction), S(Marine Construction), S(Masonry Construction), S(Roofing), S(Metal Erection), S(Swimming Pools), and S(Asbestos), and S(Wind Turbine).

  • Residential Contractors License

    This classification covers all construction and demolition activity pertaining to the construction of residential units that are required to conform to the residential building code adopted by the Building Code Council pursuant to G.S. 143-138; all site work, driveways, sidewalks, and water and wastewater systems ancillary to the aforementioned structures and improvements; and the work done as part of such residential units under the specialty classifications of S(Insulation), S(Interior Construction), S(Masonry), S(Roofing), S(Swimming Pools), and S(Asbestos).

  • Highway Contractor

    This classification covers all highway construction activity including: grading, paving of all types, installation of exterior artificial athletic surfaces, relocation of public and private utility lines ancillary to a principal project, bridge construction and repair, culvert construction and repair, parking decks, sidewalks, curbs, gutters and storm drainage. It also includes installation and erection of guard rails, fencing, signage and ancillary highway hardware; covers paving and grading of airport and airfield runways, taxiways, and aprons, including the installation of fencing, signage, runway lighting and marking; and work done under the specialty classifications of S(Boring and Tunneling), S(Concrete Construction), S(Marine Construction), S(Railroad Construction), and H(Grading and Excavating).

  • Public Utilities Contractor

    This classification includes operations that are the performance of construction work on water and wastewater systems and on the subclassifications of facilities set forth in G.S. 87-10(b)(3). The Board shall issue a license to a public utilities contractor that is limited to any of the subclassifications set forth in G.S. 87-10(b)(3) for which the contractor qualifies. This license covers work done under the specialty classifications of S(Boring and Tunneling), PU(Communications), PU(Fuel Distribution), PU(Electrical-Ahead of Point of Delivery), PU(Water Lines and Sewer Lines), PU(Water Purification and Sewage Disposal), and S(Swimming Pools).

  • Specialty Contractor

    This classification covers all construction operation and performance of contract work outlined below:

    - H (Grading and Excavating)
    - S (Boring and Tunneling)
    - PU (Communications)
    - S (Concrete Construction)
    - PU (Electrical-Ahead of Point of Delivery)
    - PU (Fuel Distribution)
    - PU (Water Lines and Sewer Lines)
    - PU (Water Purification and Sewage Disposal)
    - S (Insulation)
    - S (Interior Construction)
    - S (Marine Construction)
    - S (Masonry Construction)
    - S Railroad Construction
    - S (Roofing)
    - S (Metal Erection)
    - S (Swimming Pools)
    - S (Asbestos)
    - S (Wind Turbine)

  • License Limitations

    1. Limited License:
    - have current assets that exceed the total current liabilities by at least seventeen thousand dollars ($17,000) or have a total net worth of at least eighty thousand dollars ($80,000);
    - pass the examination which shall contain subject matter related to the specific contracting classification chosen by the applicant with a score as set out in Rule .0404 of this Chapter; and
    - if the applicant or any owner, principal, or qualifier is in bankruptcy or has been in bankruptcy within five years prior to the filing of the application, provide to the Board an agreed-upon procedures report on a form provided by the Board or an audited financial statement with a classified balance sheet as part of the application. This requirement shall not apply to shareholders of an applicant that is a publicly traded corporation

    2. Intermediate License:
    - have current assets that exceed the total current liabilities by at least seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000), as reflected in an agreed-upon procedures report on a form provided by the Board or an audited financial statement prepared by a certified public accountant or an independent accountant who is engaged in the public practice of accountancy; and
    - pass the examination which shall contain subject matter related to the specific contracting classification chosen by the applicant with a score as set out in Rule .0404 of this Chapter.

    3. Unlimited License:
    - have current assets that exceed the total current liabilities by at least one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), as reflected in an agreed-upon procedures report on a form provided by the Board or an audited financial statement prepared by a certified public accountant or an independent accountant who is engaged in the public practice of accountancy;
    - pass the examination which shall contain subject matter related to the specific contracting classification chosen by the applicant with a score as set out in Rule .0404 of this Chapter.

About Us

Why should I choose RocketCert?

At RocketCert, we strive to be the best (while having fun in the process). This means having not only the best quality of education, but also industry leading technology. Best yet, we are here for you 7 days a week. Have a question or comment? Give us a call or contact us to send us a message. Ready to begin? Select your State above and start immediately. Of course, you can resume later!


LIFETIME ACCESS

Why pay for something knowing your time with it is limited? At RocketCert, we believe in offering lifetime access to your training, even though it will not be needed.

EXPERT EDUCATION

Our education is written industry experts. We believe in helping you with your career, and that help begins with offering best in class education.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

We are here for you. Have a question? Need support? Our team is available 7 days a week for technical support. We pride ourselves in taking care of you.

EASY REFUNDS

Fail your exam? Prefer a different style of course? Other events taking place in your life? Give us a call and we can process a refund within 30 days of purchase for any reason. Exam prep courses are backed with our No Pass, No Pay guarantee.