North Dakota general contractor license

1. Who needs a license

$4,000 or more for a job (labor and materials) means a license is needed. (source: ND Secretary of State: Contractors (opens in a new tab))

When a job's cost, value or price exceeds $4,000, the person doing the work must hold a North Dakota contractor license (NDCC ch. 43-07). This includes subcontractors and nonresident contractors. (source: ND Secretary of State: Contractors (opens in a new tab))

• Electrical and plumbing licenses come from the State Electrical Board and State Plumbing Board, separately. (source: ND Secretary of State: Contractors (opens in a new tab))

2. General contractor license classes

3. Fees, exam, bond and insurance

Fees

Fees are set by the board and can change. Check the official fee page before you pay.

Experience and steps

1. Business registration Register the business, trade name or partnership name with the Secretary of State if required. (source: ND Secretary of State: Contractors (opens in a new tab))
2. Apply in FirstStop Apply with a liability insurance certificate naming the ND Secretary of State and WSI workers' comp proof. (source: ND Secretary of State: Contractors (opens in a new tab))

Exam

We're still verifying this, check the official board: ND SOS website (opens in a new tab).

Bond

We're still verifying this, check the official board: ND SOS website (opens in a new tab).

Insurance

• Workers' comp: WSI certificate of payment, or a WSI letter of good standing if no ND employees (source: ND Secretary of State: Contractors (opens in a new tab))
• General liability: Certificate required, ND Secretary of State as holder (source: ND Secretary of State: Contractors (opens in a new tab))

Renewal

• Renew every 1 year. (source: ND Secretary of State: Contractors (opens in a new tab))

Renew on or before 1 March each year ($30 to $90 by class), listing ND projects over $50,000. Late renewals incur a fee. (source: ND Secretary of State: Contractors (opens in a new tab))

4. How to look up a contractor

Check a license on the ND SOS website ↗ (official site, opens in a new tab)

How: Search registered contractors in FirstStop to see if their license is in good standing, and check the class covers your job size. (source: ND Secretary of State: Contractors (opens in a new tab), source: ND FirstStop Contractor Search (opens in a new tab))

Full checklist: how to check a contractor

5. Reciprocity (license transfer)

We're still verifying this, check the official board: ND SOS website (opens in a new tab).

Use the reciprocity checker

6. Red flags when hiring

• No contractor license on a job over $4,000. (source: ND Secretary of State: Contractors (opens in a new tab))
• A license class too small for your job. (source: ND Secretary of State: Contractors (opens in a new tab))

7. How to complain

We're still verifying this, check the official board: ND SOS website (opens in a new tab).