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North Carolina Residential Builder Contractor

Our combo includes everything you need to pass the NC Trades exam. Efficient and Effective study is the key to passing this exam as it's NOT a full open book test. There are eight reference texts that are NOT allowed into the exam.

 

The North Carolina Residential Contractor license classification covers all types of construction activity pertaining to the construction of (single - not multi unit) residential units that are required to conform to the residential code adopted by the Building Code Council. 

It covers all site-work, driveways and sidewalks ancillary to the residential structure and the work done as part of such residential units under the specialty classifications of Insulation, Masonry, and Swimming Pools.

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North Carolina Residential Requirements & Application

  • License will be required for the practice of contracting in North Carolina for any job over $40,000
  • Pre-approval from the state is required to sit for the examination.
  • The license has three basic types

  • Limited - Financial limit per project is $500,000 and in order to qualify the applicant must show that their assets exceed liabilities by $17,000 by providing audited financial statements.
  • Intermediate - Financial Limit per project is $1,000,000 and in order to qualify the applicant must show that assets exceed liabilities by $75,000 by providing audited financial statements.
  • Unlimited - There is no limit on project size, and in order to qualify the applicant must show that assets exceed liabilities by $150,000 by providing audited financial statements
  • Experience Requirements

  • All applicants are required to submit three (3) Letters of Reference.
  • Letters of Reference should demonstrate to the Board that the applicant is possessed of good character and is qualified as to competency, ability and integrity. References should provide an evaluation of the applicant as to the references general experience with the applicant. References must be no older than 12 months from the date of receipt of the application by the Licensing Board.
  • Reference letters must be written on business letterhead from the provider or the reference providers signature must be notarized. Reference should not be from family members or interrelated companies (for example parent/subsidiaries and their employees). Form letters cannot be accepted. Applications without the required number of references will be considered incomplete and will be returned.
  • Board Contact Information:North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors
    5400 Creedmoor Road
    Raleigh, NC 27612

    Phone: 919.571.4183
    Fax: 919.571.4703
    Website: North Carolina Contractors Board

    Fees:

    The application fee for an unlimited license is $125
    The application fee for an intermediate license is $100
    The application fee for an limited license is $75

    To obtain a North Carolina contractor's license application go to North Carolina Application

    North Carolina Residential Test Information

    Test Information

    This NC contractor's exam covers information in the 10 subject areas below. The questions are created from content in the 10 book set shown below the following chart.

    Exam Information
    Exam Fee $70
    Number of Questions 90
    Passing Score 70%
    Time Limit 210 Minutes

    Subject Area Number of Questions
    Site work, Footings and Foundations 12
    Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement 10
    Masonry 7
    Carpentry 11
    Associated Construction trades, including Energy Conservation and Drywall 8
    Roofing 6
    Estimating, Plan Reading and General Building Code Requirements 16
    OSHA Safety 4
    Licensing and Business and Law 10
    Special Construction Zones (wind and coastal) and Erosion and Sedimentation Control 6

    North Carolina Residential License Reciprocity

    North Carolina has established reciprocity with South Carolina and Tennessee.

    North Carolina Residential License Permitted Work

    The North Carolina Residential Contractor license classification covers all types of construction activity pertaining to the construction of (single - not multi unit) residential units that are required to conform to the residential code adopted by the Building Code Council.It covers all site-work, driveways and sidewalks ancillary to the residential structure and the work done as part of such residential units under the specialty classifications of Insulation, Masonry, and Swimming Pools.

    North Carolina Residential Prep Courses Offered