Loading...
Loading...
How to become a licensed general contractor in North Dakota. State-level licensing required. Total initial fees: $100-$300. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
Most information on this page has been verified.
80% of data points are verified against official sources. 12 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
License Required?
0 years
Experience Required
No
Bonding Required?
$100-$300
Total Initial Fees
1 year
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
Experience & Documentation
Verified0
Years Required
Not Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
No specific journeyman experience required
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedNot Required
Trade Exam
Not Required
Business & Law Exam
Trade Exam Details
No examination required — registration-based system with statement under oath
Business & Law Exam Details
No business exam required
Retake Policy
No exam required
Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Not Required
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. SOS must be named as additional certificate holder (unusual requirement).
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 1 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
North Dakota uses Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) — a state-run monopolistic workers' comp fund. All employers must participate through WSI (no private carriers). Premiums based on payroll and industry classification.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Filing fee varies by class: Class A $300+, Class B $300, Class C $225, Class D $100 | $100-$300 |
License Fee | Included in filing fee |
Renewal Fee Annual renewal — same fee structure as initial filing | $100-$300 |
Total Initial Fees Filing fee varies by class | $100-$300 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$100-$300
Annual — varies by class
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
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Not Accepted
Reciprocity Type
Full application required
Transfer Details
North Dakota requires out-of-state contractors to complete the full registration process.
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.
ND contractor licensing through Secretary of State (not a construction board). No exam — statement under oath only. GL insurance must name SOS as certificate holder. Class A Misdemeanor for unlicensed work. Monopolistic state workers' comp (WSI).
ND contractor licensing is uniquely handled by the Secretary of State, not a construction board.
Four classes: A ($500K+), B ($100K-$500K), C ($50K-$100K), D ($4K-$50K). Threshold is $4,000.
Requires statement under oath — no exam or experience requirements.
GL insurance must name SOS as additional certificate holder (unusual).
ND uses monopolistic state workers' comp fund (Workforce Safety & Insurance — WSI).
Operating without a license is a Class A Misdemeanor.
Annual renewal required.
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 90 days after completion
North Dakota 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 North Dakota.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#20 of 51
Cost
#2 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
$65,440
25th percentile
Median
$80,340
+2% vs. national avg ($78,690)Experienced
$110,080
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
4,310 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+22% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$80,340
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$65,820
You are here
Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$80,340
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: 8–22 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides and practice tests for the general contractor licensing exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
State requirements, exam prep, bonding and insurance details, business formation, and reciprocity information — delivered to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy.
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-21
North Dakota requires state-level contractor licensing. All licensing is managed through the North Dakota Secretary of State (Contractor Licensing).
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.