Do you need a contractor license in North Carolina?
A general contractor license is needed to build or supervise a building, highway, utility, grading or other improvement where the cost is $40,000 or more. (source: NC General Statutes Chapter 87, Article 1 (opens in a new tab))
Check a license on the NCLBGC website (official site, opens in a new tab)
How: All fields are optional but enter at least one, such as license number, company name or last name, then check classification and limitation. (source: NCLBGC Verify License Search (opens in a new tab))
Checked against official North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors sources. See sources.
When do you need a license?
$40,000 or more for a job means a license is needed.
A general contractor license is needed to build or supervise a building, highway, utility, grading or other improvement where the cost is $40,000 or more. (source: NC General Statutes Chapter 87, Article 1 (opens in a new tab))
- Owners building for their own use are exempt, but if they don't occupy it for 12 months after completion, it is presumed they didn't build it for themselves. (source: NC General Statutes Chapter 87, Article 1 (opens in a new tab))
Penalties
- Contracting without a license is a Class 2 misdemeanor. (source: NC General Statutes Chapter 87, Article 1 (opens in a new tab))
Sources and last verified
Last verified: . Next check due: . Every fact on this page links to one of these official pages.
- NC General Statutes Chapter 87, Article 1 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- NCLBGC Verify License Search (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- NCLBGC online complaint form (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
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