Do I need a North Carolina Contractor’s License?
Below is a complete list of trades North Carolina contractors typically engage in. Find out which trades require licensure and which don’t. If you click on a trade which requires a license, you’ll be able to see all information related to obtaining that specific license; this information will include the exams, reference books needed for the exams, application forms and anything else you’ll need. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us or leave us a comment.
| Trade | Licensed Required |
|---|---|
| Asbestos (RACM) | Yes |
| Asbestos Removal (DHEC) | No |
| Billboards/Signs1 | No |
| Boring And Tunneling | Yes |
| Building | Yes |
| Cleaning Ducts2 | No |
| Cleaning Storm Drains2 | No |
| Cleaning Tanks2 | No |
| Cleaning Water/Sewer Lines2 | No |
| Cranes (Temporary, Assembly, Maintenance, And Transporting) | No |
| Commercial Carpet Installation | No |
| Commercial Refrigeration | Yes |
| Communication | Yes |
| Communication Towers3 | No |
| Concrete | Yes |
| Debris Removal | No |
| Demolition (DHEC) | No |
| Electric Sign | Yes |
| Electrical- Ahead of Point Delivery | Yes |
| Elevator Electrical | Yes |
| Elevators (LLR-Elevators) | No |
| Exterior Recreational Surfaces5 | No |
| Exterior Siding (Commercial)6 | No |
| Fencing (Except Concrete or Masonry) | No |
| Fire Alarm/Low Voltage | Yes |
| Fire Sprinkler Installation | Yes |
| Fire Sprinkler Installation Residential | Yes |
| Fire Suppression Systems4 | No |
| Fuel Distribution | Yes |
| Fuel Piping | Yes |
| Grading And Excavating | Yes |
| Groundwater Pump Electrical | Yes |
| Hauling | No |
| Heating Group 1 Class l | Yes |
| Heating Group 1 Class ll | Yes |
| Heating Group 2 | Yes |
| Heating Group 3 Class l | Yes |
| Heating Group 3 Class ll | Yes |
| Highway | Yes |
| Hood Systems8 | No |
| Industrial Refrigeration | Yes |
| Insulation | Yes |
| Interior Construction | Yes |
| Intermediate Electrical | Yes |
| Irrigation (Except BackFlow Device) | No |
| Land Clearing / Grubbing | No |
| Landscaping | No |
| Limited Electrical | Yes |
| Low Voltage Cable Wiring and Installation (Except Boring & Tunneling) | No |
| Non-Regulated Equipment (Assembly and Setting Only )7 | No |
| Marine Construction | Yes |
| Masonry | Yes |
| Metal Erection | Yes |
| Pedestrian Bridges9 | No |
| Pile Driving (Unless Water Activity) | No |
| Playground Equipment | No |
| Plumbing Class l | Yes |
| Plumbing Class ll | Yes |
| Plumbing, Heating, And Air Conditioning Electrical | Yes |
| Pressure Vessels (Except Boilers) | No |
| Railroad Construction | Yes |
| Residential | Yes |
| Residential Dwelling (Single Family Detached) Electrical | Yes |
| Roofing | Yes |
| Scaffolding - Non Permanent | No |
| Septic Tanks (DHEC) | No |
| Service Refrigeration | Yes |
| Swimming Pools | Yes |
| Swimming Pools Electrical | Yes |
| Transport Refrigeration | Yes |
| Unlimited Electrical | Yes |
| Water Lines And Sewer Lines | Yes |
| Water Purification And Sewage Disposal | Yes |
| Well Drilling (LLR-Environmental Board) | No |
| Wind Turbine | Yes |
| 1-May require the “Electrical” license classification. Internal Electrical work to the sign/billboard does not require an “Electrical” license; however, the final connection to the power source does. 2-Cleaning only. Any disassembly/modification/repair/replacement requires licensure. 3-Communications Towers- require a “Structural Framing” license classification. If a building is needed in connection with the tower, a “Building” license classification is required. If a concrete slab or foundation is needed, a “Concrete classification is required. 4-Non-Water based systems only. Water based systems require licensure. 5-Asphalt or concrete surfaces require licensure. 6-If related repair work performed affects the structural integrity of the commercial structure, a “Building” license classification is required. 7-Connections to utilities, structural modifications and concrete work may require licensure. 8-Ductwork over $5,000 requires licensure. 9-Bridges erected over a depression or an obstruction such as water, highway or railway, having a track or passageway designed for carrying vehicular traffic weighing over 2000 pounds requires the “Bridges” license classification. |
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