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Construction Work Regulated?

Who Regulates Construction?

Requirements?

NASCLA Exams
State Business & Law Exam
Focal Point Building Seminar
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State Electrical Exams
State Subcontractors Exams
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NASCLA Exams State Business & Law Exam Focal Point Building Seminar State General Contractor Exams State Electrical Exams State Subcontractors Exams National Exams

Construction Work Regulated?

Virtually every aspect of commercial, residential and public works construction is regulated at the state level, as is any landscaping work where the price of all contracts for labor, material, and other items for a given job site during any consecutive 12-month period is greater than $30,000.

Prequalification is also required for all transportation work in the state.

Who Regulates Construction?

General contractor licensing applications, instructions and information may be obtained from:

North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors
5400 Creedmoor Road
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 571-4183/Fax (919) 571-4703
https://www.nclbgc.org

Applications and licensing information for alarm systems may be obtained from:

North Carolina Alarm Systems Licensing Board
3101 Industrial Drive, Suite 104
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 788-5320/Fax (919) 715-0371
https://www.ncdps.gov/.asl

Applications and licensing information for electrical contractors may be obtained from:

North Carolina Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors
3101 Industrial Drive, Suite 206
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 733-9042/Fax (800) 691-8399
https://www.ncbeec.org

Transportation prequalification packages and information may be obtained from:

North Carolina Department of Transportation Contract Standards/Prequalification Management
1509 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1509
prequal@ncdot.gov
https://connect.ncdot.gov/business/prequal/pages/default.aspx

Applications for plumbing, heating and fire sprinkler licenses may be obtained from:

North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors
1109 Dresser Court
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 875-3612/Fax (919) 875-3616
https://www.nclicensing.org

Applications for landscape contractors' licenses may be obtained from:

North Carolina Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board
3901 Barrett Drive, Suite 202
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 266-8070/Fax (919) 782-9470
https://www.nclclb.co

Applications for refrigeration contractors' licenses may be obtained from:

North Carolina State Board of Refrigeration Examiners
1027 US 70 Highway West, Suite 221
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 779-4711/Fax (919) 779-4733
https://www.refrigerationboard.org

Requirements?

Transportation Prequalification:
Contractors must submit experience history applicable to the type of work on which the firm will be bidding, financial statements, equipment lists, references, resumes of principies and bonding capacity. Contract limits are determined by bonding ability. The contractor must fill out a safety index questionnaire and obtain a passing grade. The average processing time on applications is 4 weeks. Prequalification is good for 3 years and must renew their status annually, including a passing safety index.

General Contractors:
Applicants must pass a qualifying examination for Ii censure with a minimum score of 70% and demonstrate a level of financial responsibility by submitting a financial statement or by providing a surety bond pursuant to rule 21
NCAC 12. 0204 (e). The financial statement for a limited license requires a minimum working capital of $17,000 or a net worth of $80,000. Financial statements for an Intermediate license require a minimum $75,000 working capital and an unlimited license re quire a minimum $150,000 working ca pita I. An applicant for the intermediate or unlimited limitation must provide one of the following; an agreed-upon procedures report on a form provided by the Board, an audited financial statement prepared by a certified public accountant or independent accountant engaged in the public practice of accountancy or a surety bond in accordance with 21 NCAC 12. 0204 (d). Audited financial statements must include an unqualified opinion, classified balance sheet, and notes to the financial statement.

Individual project limits are set up to $500,000 for limited licensees and up to $1,000,000 for intermediate licensees.

Approved candidates may take computer-based examinations administered at PSI Examination Services Centers.

License Type / Application and Annual Renewal Fee / Exam Fee
Limited / $75 / $79
Intermediate / $100 / $79
Unlimited / $125 / $79

Homeowners Recovery Fund fees are collected from city or county building inspections departments, derived from payments of $10 for each building permit issued for the construction of residential projects constructed by licensed general contractors.

Electrical Contractors:
Applicants must pass a trade and business examination with a minimum score of 70%. Depending on the type of classification, 2 to 5 years of experience must be documented.

License Type / License Fees
Unlimited / $180
Intermediate / $130
Limited / $85
SP-SPD / $85
Special Restricted / $85
Examination Fees / $90
Review Fee (Failed Exam) / $25

Applicants for unlimited or intermediate classifications must submit a financial institution line of credit or verification of bonding capacity (in excess of $130,000 or $50,000, respectively). The license period is 1 year from date of issuance. License renewal is subject to continuing education.

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS
The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors has exam waiver agreements with Georgia for Building license classification. Louisiana for Building licenses. Mississippi for Building, Residential Building, Concrete, Grading and Excavating, Roofing Swimming Pools, Water Lines and Sewer Lines license classifications. South Carolina for Building, Residential, Grading and Excavating, Roofing, Water Lines and Sewer Lines, Water Purification and Sewage Disposal licenses. Tennessee for Building and Residential license. All applicants applying for a license in North Carolina using another state's exam or the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors will be required to complete a North Carolina Business and Law exam.

Plumbers and HVAC Contractors:
Applicants must pass North Carolina Plumbing or Heating trade and business examinations with a minimum score of 70% and provide documentation of 2 years of experience.

License Type / Examination Fee / Annual Renewal Fee
Unlimited/Limited / $100 / $130

Plumbing Class I (P-1):
Covers the contracting and installation for all plumbing activities in North Carolina.

Plumbing Class II (P-11):
Covers the contracting and installation for plumbing activities in North Carolina; limited to single family detached residential dwellings.

Plumbing Technician (P-T):
This license allows the holder to provide the required supervision on jobs for compliance with applicable codes and standards for the installation of all plumbing activities in North Carolina. This license does not allow the holder to contract work. The holder of this license must be an employee of, and have their technician license listed with a North Carolina Plumbing Contractor licensee, or state or local government agency.

Restricted Limited Plumbing Contractor:
Covers the contracting and installation or replacement of building sewers, water service line 2" diameter or smaller, backflow preventers for potable or irrigations systems 2" diameter or smaller and water filtration/purification systems. Applicants are required to take an examination in order to obtain this license.

Examination Fee / Annual License Fee
$100 / $130

Heating Group 1 Class I (H-1-1):
Covers the contracting and installation of all hot water or steam heating activities for comfort heating in North Carolina.

Heating Group 1 Class II (H-1-11):
Covers the contracting and installation of hot water or steam heating activities for comfort heating in North Carolina; limited to single family detached residential dwellings.

Heating Group 2 (H-2):
Covers the contracting and installation of all heating and air conditioning activities for over 15 tons (total load of all interconnected spaces).

Heating Group 3 Class I (H-3-1):
Covers the contracting and installation of all heating and air conditioning activities of 15 tons or less (total load of all interconnected spaces).

Heating Group 3 Class II (H-3-11):
Covers the contracting and installation of heating and air conditioning activities of 15 tons or less (total of all interconnected spaces); limited to single family detached residential dwellings.

Fuel Piping (FP):
Covers the contracting and installation of all fuel piping activities in North Carolina. Licensed Plumbing and HVAC contractors holding a current license from our Board are qualified to contract and install fuel piping and do not need the separate Fuel Piping Contractor's License.

HeatingGroup No. 1 Technician (H-1-T):
This license allows the holder to provide the required supervision on jobs for compliance with applicable codes and standards for the installation of hot water or steam comfort heating activities in North Carolina. This license does not allow the holder to contract work. The holder of this license must be an employee of, and have their technician license listed with a North Carolina Heating Group 1 contractor licensee, or state or local government agency.

Heating Group No. 2 Technician (H-2-T):
This license allows the holder to provide the required supervision on jobs for compliance with applicable codes and standards for the installation for greater than 15 tons heating and air conditioning activities in North Carolina. This license does not allow the holder to contract work. The holder of this license must be an employee of, and have their technician license listed with a North Carolina Heating Group 2 Contractor licensee, or state or local government agency.

Heating Group No. 3 Technician (H-3-T):
This license allows the holder to provide the required supervision on jobs for compliance with applicable codes and standards for the installation for 15 tons or less heating and air conditioning activities in North Carolina. This license does not allow the holder to contract work. The holder of this license must be an employee of, and have their technician license listed with a North Carolina Heating Group 3 Contractor licensee, or state or local government agency.

Fuel Piping Technician (FP-T):
This license allows the holder to provide the required supervision on jobs for compliance with applicable codes and standards for the installation of fuel piping activities in North Carolina. This license does not allow the holder to contract work. The holder of this license must be an employee of, and have their technician license listed with, a North Carolina Plumbing, Heating Group 1, Heating Group 2 or Heating Group 3 Contractor licensee; however, the FP-T may serve as the qualifier, and contract work, for a Class A Gas Dealer as defined in G.S. 119-56 or provider of natural gas holding certificate of public convenience and necessity under Chapter 62 of the General Statutes.

Fuel Piping Contractors:
Applicants must pass a trade and business examination with a minimum score of 70% and provide documentation of 1 year of experience. Licensed plumbers and HVAC contractors holding a current license are qualified to do fuel piping and do not need the separate fuel piping contractor's license.

License Type / Exam Fee / Annual Renewal Fee
Fuel Piping (FP) / $100/ $130

Well Contractors:
These contractors must be certified to perform any construction, installation, repair, alteration or abandonment of any well. For information, contact the Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources. Licensed plumbing contractors are exempt under certain situations. For more information please call the Examining Board of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors.

Fire Sprinkler Instillation Contractors:
Applicants must be NICET Level Ill certified in Water -Based Fire Protection Systems Layout and must pass a Business examination given by the Board with a minimum score of 70%.

Examination Fee / Annual License Fee
$100 / $130

Fire Sprinkler Inspection Contractors (FSIC):
Applicants must be NICET Level Ill certified in Water-Based Fire Protection Systems and must pass a Business
examination given by the Board with a minimum score of 70%.

Examination Fee /Annual License Fee
$100 / $130

Fire Sprinkler Inspector Technicians (FSIT):
Applicants must be NICET Level II certified in Inspection and Testing of Water -Based Systems or must demonstrate
4,000 hours experience and must pass a technical examination given by the Board with a minimum score of 70%.

Application Fee w/out Exam / Examination Fee / Annual License Fee
$30/ $100 / $130

Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technicians (FSM):
Applicants are required to take an examination in order to obtain this license.

Examination Fee / Annual License Fee
$100 / $130

Residential Fire Sprinkler Installation Contractor License (RFSC):
To qualify an applicant must have held a North Carolina State Plumbing Class I or Plumbing Class II license for a minimum of 2 years then is required to attend a 16 hour course, approved by the board, on NFPA 130 systems. After completion of the course, applicants must take and pass a technical examination. This license allows holders to install multipurpose residential (NFPA 130 ) fire sprinkler systems. Licensees are not allowed to design these systems, but must have systems designed by North Carolina Professional Engineers or North Carolina Licensed Sprinkler installation Contractors.

Examination Fee / Annual License Fee
$100 / $130

Landscape Contractors:
Applicants must first apply and be approved to take the exam; then pass a qualifying three part examination consisting of general landscape knowledge, plant identification and site design.

To be eligible for approval to take the Exam for licensure, the applicant must Be at least 18 years of age; be of good moral character; submit Application and Application Fee; provide evidence of business identification. The business name or names under which the applicant is practicing, 5 letters of reference (3 personal and 2 professional) a $10,000 North Carolina Landscape Contractor's Surety Compliance Bond, or an Irrevocable Letter of Credit from a financial institution. After these requirements are met, the applicant is required to pass a 3 part examination
administered by the Board. The exam must be taken and passed within one year from the date the application is approved.

Upon passing of exam, the applicant must submit a licensing fee to become officially licensed.

License Type / License Fee
Individual / $60
Corporate / $60
Individual Renewal / $60
Corporate Renewal / $60
Exam Fee / $150
License Application Fee / $75
Reciprocity Fee / $100
Reinstatement Fee / $100
Late Fee / $25

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS - LANDSCAPERS
Due to the specific characteristics and requirements of the North Carolina Landscape Licensing Law, the North Carolina Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board does not currently have any reciprocity agreements with any other States.

Refrigeration Contractors:
Applicants must provide documentation of 4,000 hours of refrigeration experience relevant to the classification desired, along with their application and the non-refundable application and examination fees. Up to one-half of the required experience may be in academic or technical training directly related to the field for which the examination is requested.

Applicants for a commercial or an industrial refrigeration contractors' license must pass a 4-parttrade examination with a minimum scoreof70% on each part. Applicants for a service or a transport refrigeration contractor's license must pass a 3-part examination with a minimum score of 70% on each provide.

License Type / Examination Fee / Application and Annual License Fee

Class I - Commercial / $100 / $80
Class II - Industrial / $100 / $80
Cl ass II I - Service / $100 / $80
Class IV - Transport / $100 / $80

All licenses are renewed annually on December 31st.

State & Local Government Plumbing and HVAC Technicians:
Applicants must pass a trade examination with a minimum score of 70% and provide documentation of 18 months of experience. Currently Incensed Contractors or Technicians who obtained their original license by examination may obtain State & Local Technician licensure in the same category(ies) without examination.

License Type / Examination Fee / Annual Renewal Fee
State & Local Government / $100 / $65

State & Local Government Plumbing Technician (SLGP-T):
This license allows the holder to perform jobs for compliance with applicable codes and standards on the premises of the employer. Th is license does not allow the holder to contract work. The holder of this license must be an employee of, and have their technician license listed with a State or Local Government.

State & Local Government Heating Group No. 1 Technician (SLGH,1-T):
This license allows the holder to perform jobs for compliance with applicable codes and standards for the installation of hot water or steam comfort heating activities on the premises of the employer. This license does not allow the holder to contract work. The holder of this license must be an employee of, and have their technician license listed with a State or Local Government.

State & Local Government Heating Group No. 2 Technician (SLGH-2-T):
This license allows the holder to perform jobs for compliance with applicable codes and standards for the installation for greater than 15 tons heating and air conditioning activities on the premises of the employer. This license does not allow the holder to contract work. The holder of this license must be an employee of, and have their technician license listed with a State or Local Government.

State & Local Government Heating Group No. 3 Technician (SLGH-3-T):
This license allows the holder to perform jobs for compliance with applicable codes and standards for the installation for 15 tons or less heating and air conditioning activities on the premises of the employer. This license does not allow the holder to contract work. The holder of this license must be an employee of, and have their technician license listed with a State or Local Government.