North Carolina General Contractor Exam Prep

In North Carolina, the general contractor license belongs to the business entity, and the person who passes the exam is called the qualifier. NCLBGC issues licenses in three limitations, Limited (projects up to $750,000), Intermediate (up to $1,500,000), and Unlimited (no cap, both excluding land cost), with classifications including Building, Residential, Highway, Public Utilities, and Specialty. A license is commonly required for projects of $40,000 or more; confirm the current threshold with the Board.

There is no trade experience requirement. The entity must meet financial requirements for the chosen limitation, and the qualifier must pass the PSI exam for the classification sought. For the Building classification, the NASCLA Accredited Commercial Building exam is accepted as an alternative. Exam content draws on contractor law, business management, estimating, and the NC State Building Code (2018 NC codes based on the 2015 I-Codes; confirm the current edition with the Building Code Council).

The NCLBGC license structure combines a limitation with a classification:

• Limited - Single projects up to $750,000; working capital of at least $17,000 or net worth of at least $80,000.
• Intermediate - Single projects up to $1,500,000; working capital of at least $75,000.
• Unlimited - No project cap; working capital of at least $150,000.

Classifications within each limitation include Building, Residential, Highway, Public Utilities, and Specialty.

The exam is a computer-based, multiple-choice test administered by PSI and taken by the qualifier. Question counts, time limits, and reference lists are published in the PSI candidate bulletin. Candidates pursuing the Building classification may instead submit a passing NASCLA Accredited Commercial Building exam transcript, obtained through NASCLA before applying. Review the current bulletin before scheduling.

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

To obtain a North Carolina general contractor license, applicants typically need:

• Financial capacity for the chosen limitation: $17,000 working capital or $80,000 net worth (Limited), $75,000 working capital (Intermediate), or $150,000 working capital (Unlimited), with audited or agreed-upon-procedures statements for Intermediate and Unlimited.
• Or a surety bond alternative: $175,000 (Limited), $500,000 (Intermediate), or $1,000,000 (Unlimited).
• A designated qualifier who passes the exam for the classification sought.
• A completed application and the applicable fee.

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

Application fees are $75 (Limited), $100 (Intermediate), and $125 (Unlimited), with annual renewals 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 or scheduling.

An 8-week study plan for the North Carolina qualifier exam:

• Week 1-2: Read Chapter 87 of the NC General Statutes and study licensing law, lien law, and business management.
• Week 3-4: Review the NC State Building Code for your classification; confirm the current adopted edition first.
• Week 5-6: Work through estimating, plan reading, and scheduling practice problems.
• Week 7-8: Take timed, full-length practice tests and close remaining gaps.