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How to become a licensed general contractor in Nevada. State-level licensing required. Experience: 4 years. Total initial fees: $700. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
Yes
License Required?
4 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$700
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
Description
Residential contractor license for Nevada. Covers construction, remodeling, and repair of residential properties.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $1,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Commercial contractor license for Nevada. Covers construction of commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $1,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Category B - General Building Contractor. Covers construction, alteration, or repair of buildings and structures. License limit (maximum single project value) is determined by financial statement. Categories: A (General Engineering — roads, bridges, utilities), B (General Building — buildings/structures), C-1 through C-21 (Specialty subcontractors).
Project Limit
License required for projects over $1,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Specialty contractor license for Nevada. Covers specialized trades and construction activities. Categories: A (General Engineering), B (General Building), C (Specialty).
Additional Requirements
Experience & Documentation
Verified4
Years Required
Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
Minimum 4 years of documented experience in the construction trade within the last 15 years. Experience must be verified by references.
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Trade Exam
Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
PSI
Passing Score
70%
Open Book
Yes
Trade Exam Details
Trade-specific examination covering construction practices, codes, and safety standards
Business & Law Exam Details
Business and law examination covering contract law, lien law, and business management
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a waiting period. Contact the board for specific retake policies.
Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Required
$1,000 to $500,000+ based on license limit (maximum single project value). Bond amount scales with the contractor's approved license limit.
Surety Bond Amount
Bond Types
Surety bonds protect consumers by providing financial recourse if a contractor fails to complete a project or violates licensing regulations. Bond costs are typically 1-3% of the bond amount annually.
Insurance & Workers' Comp
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
Required
Workers' Compensation
Minimum Coverage
General liability insurance required per state regulations
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 1 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
Nevada requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 1 or more employees. Sole proprietors may be exempt but coverage is recommended.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee per NSCB fee schedule | $300 |
Exam Fee Per exam attempt through PSI | $100 |
License Fee Initial license fee | $300 |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal | $300 |
Total Initial Fees Application $300 + exam $100 + license $300 | $700 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$300
Regulatory Board
Contractor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Many states require continuing education covering building codes, safety practices, business law, and energy efficiency standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Not Accepted
Reciprocity Type
Endorsement (limited)
Transfer Details
Nevada offers a limited endorsement process for out-of-state contractors. Trade exam may be waived for contractors licensed in states with comparable requirements, but Nevada business and law exam is still required. Full application, financial statement, and bonding requirements apply.
General contractor license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states recognize ICC certifications, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials. Always verify current policies with the state licensing board.
Nevada's license limit system ties maximum single project value to the contractor's financial statement. Fingerprinting required. Experience must be within last 15 years. Bond scales with license limit from $1,000 to $500,000+.
Nevada requires a state contractor license for any project over $1,000 (labor + materials).
License categories: A (General Engineering), B (General Building), C (Specialty subcontractors C-1 through C-21).
License limit (maximum single project value) is determined by financial statement — CPA-reviewed or audited.
Surety bond scales from $1,000 to $500,000+ based on license limit.
Fingerprinting required for FBI/state background check.
Experience must be within the last 15 years (experience window).
No continuing education required for renewal.
There is no interstate compact for general contractors.
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 90 days after completion
Nevada construction lien law: Preliminary notice is required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 90 days after completion.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Nevada.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#36 of 51
Salary
#16 of 51
Cost
#31 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (SOC 47-1011)
Entry Level
$65,520
25th percentile
Median
$81,400
+3% vs. national avg ($78,690)Experienced
$106,420
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
9,530 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades" is broader than general contractors specifically. It includes supervisors across all construction specialties.
Source: BLS OEWS – First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.5%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+40,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
55,200
per year (avg.)
729,900 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+25% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$81,400
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$64,950
You are here
Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$81,400
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 216–230 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Nevada Contractor Licensing
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Nevada Contractor Licensing
Study guides and practice tests for the general contractor licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Nevada requires state-level contractor licensing. 4 years of experience is required. All licensing is managed through the Nevada State Contractors Board.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.