North Carolina Contractor License Exam Prep

The NC Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) issues licenses in three limitation tiers based on project size: Limited (single projects up to $750,000), Intermediate (up to $1,500,000), and Unlimited (no cap). Project caps exclude land cost. Within each limitation, licenses carry classifications such as Building, Residential, Highway, Public Utilities, and Specialty. A general contractor license is commonly required for projects of $40,000 or more; confirm the current threshold with the Board.

North Carolina's system is unusual in that there is no trade experience requirement for the license itself. Instead, the applicant entity must meet financial requirements, and a person called the qualifier must pass the PSI exam for the relevant classification. The NASCLA Accredited Commercial Building exam is accepted for the Building classification.

NCLBGC issues general contractor licenses in three limitations:

• Limited - Single projects up to $750,000, excluding land cost.
• Intermediate - Single projects up to $1,500,000, excluding land cost.
• Unlimited - No project value cap.

Within each limitation, classifications include Building, Residential, Highway, Public Utilities, and Specialty.

The North Carolina general contractor exam is a computer-based test administered by PSI and taken by the license's qualifier. For the Building classification, the Board also accepts the NASCLA Accredited Commercial Building exam, taken through NASCLA before applying. Question counts and time limits are published in the PSI candidate bulletin, so review the current bulletin before scheduling.

North Carolina requires a minimum passing score of 70 percent on the general contractor exam. Confirm the current requirement with NCLBGC or the PSI candidate bulletin before your exam date.

North Carolina's requirements are financial rather than experience-based (G.S. 87-10):

• Limited: Working capital of at least $17,000 or net worth of at least $80,000.
• Intermediate: Working capital of at least $75,000, shown on an audited or agreed-upon-procedures financial statement.
• Unlimited: Working capital of at least $150,000, shown on an audited or agreed-upon-procedures financial statement.
• Surety bond alternative: $175,000 (Limited), $500,000 (Intermediate), or $1,000,000 (Unlimited).
• A qualifier who passes the exam for the classification sought.

Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with the official state licensing authority before applying.

NCLBGC application fees are $75 for Limited, $100 for Intermediate, and $125 for Unlimited, with annual renewal at the same amounts. The PSI exam fee is paid separately and varies; see the PSI candidate bulletin. Fees are subject to change. Always confirm current fee amounts with NCLBGC and PSI before submitting payment.

A structured 6 to 8 week study plan for the North Carolina general contractor exam:

• Week 1-2: Study North Carolina contractor licensing law (Chapter 87) and business management topics.
• Week 3-4: Review the NC State Building Code and estimating fundamentals; confirm the current code edition with the Building Code Council.
• Week 5-6: Work through plan reading and project management practice questions.
• Week 7-8: Take full-length practice tests and drill weak areas under timed conditions.