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General Contractor
Total cost: $100-$300
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Yes
License Required?
0 years
Experience Required
No
Bonding Required?
$100-$300
Total Initial Fees
Annual — must renew on or before March 1 of each year
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
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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
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Contractor Licensing Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Study Materials & Exam Prep — Contractor's License Exam
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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 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedAnnual — must renew on or before March 1 of each 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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare North Dakota with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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.
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Official Sources
General Contractor requirements in North Dakota verified against North Dakota Secretary of State (Contractor Licensing), March 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-21
General Contractor Schools in North Dakota
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.