Do you need a general contractor license in North Carolina?
Yes, a license. In North Carolina, anyone who bids on, builds, or superintends or manages the construction of a building or other improvement costing $40,000 or more must hold a state general contractor license. A limited license covers a single project up to $750,000, an intermediate license up to $1,500,000, and an unlimited license has no project limit; classifications include building contractor and residential contractor. The statute exempts a person building on their own land for their own and their family’s occupancy if they comply with G.S. 87-14. Contracting or bidding without a license is a Class 2 misdemeanor. Cities and counties can add their own licensing on top of the state’s. This is N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 87-1, 87-10, 87-13.
| What | North Carolina |
|---|---|
| General contractors | State general contractor license at $40,000+ |
Source
N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 87-1, 87-10, 87-13
Read the statute in the North Carolina General Statutes (North Carolina General Assembly): ncleg.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
A contractor on Seayora keeps each license with its issuing state, its expiry date and the last four digits of its number, and the business is warned before one lapses — on the website and both phone apps. A customer finding a pro on Seayora sees whether a license is on file.
Guides on this rule
- Contractor License Requirements by State: Every Trade — Which states require a state license for electricians, plumbers, HVAC, general and home improvement contractors, with the statute for each.
Compare this rule in every state
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- Every North Carolina rule on one page
The same question in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho