- Repair or maintenance work under $1,000 in labor and materials, with no building permit and no plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, heating or air conditioning work, does not need a license. The exemption does not apply if the work is part of a larger project worth $500 or more.
- At least 4 years as a journeyman, foreman, supervising employee or contractor in the classification, within the last 15 years. Up to 3 years can come from accredited college or equivalent training. Transferable military training or a master certification from a government agency can also count.
- Plan for a trade exam and a business and law exam.
- A license bond set by the board at approval, from $1,000 to $500,000, based on license type, monetary limit, finances, experience and character.
- Every two years, with the $600 license fee.
Do you need a state license in Nevada?
Nevada licenses general contractor work at the state level through the Nevada State Contractors Board. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
Repair or maintenance work under $1,000 in labor and materials, with no building permit and no plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, heating or air conditioning work, does not need a license. The exemption does not apply if the work is part of a larger project worth $500 or more.
Nevada license types for general contractor work
Nevada splits the work into 4 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| B General Building | Full general building license for construction or remodeling of buildings that use more than two unrelated building trades |
| B-2 Residential and Small Commercial | Building and remodeling houses and other structures up to three stories above ground and one below |
| B-7 Residential Remodeling | Remodeling an existing single-family home up to three stories above ground and one below, without adding enclosed space |
| B-6 Commercial Remodeling | Interior remodeling of commercial spaces, not structural, mechanical, fire protection or life safety systems |
Steps to get licensed in Nevada
- Pick your classification, such as B-2 for homes and small commercial or B-7 for home remodeling.
- Name a qualified individual with 4 years of experience in that work in the last 15 years.
- Gather experience certificates, a financial statement, and the background disclosure and fingerprint authorization form.
- Apply online with the $300 application fee.
- Pass the PSI trade exam and the Business and Law exam.
- After approval, post the bond, show workers comp, and pay the $600 license fee and any Residential Recovery Fund assessment.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. At least 4 years as a journeyman, foreman, supervising employee or contractor in the classification, within the last 15 years. Up to 3 years can come from accredited college or equivalent training. Transferable military training or a master certification from a government agency can also count.
The license to apply for. B-2 Residential and Small Commercial.
Nevada general contractor exams
Trade exam. Trade exam for your classification, given by PSI. The board can waive the B or B-2 trade exam if you passed the NASCLA Accredited General Building Exam.
Business and law exam. Business and Law exam (Construction Management Survey), given by PSI.
What it costs in Nevada
The board lists 6 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $300 |
| License fee, every two years | $600 |
| Late renewal fee, active license | $150 |
| Residential Recovery Fund assessment for residential work, monetary limit up to $1,000,000 | $200 |
| Residential Recovery Fund assessment for residential work, monetary limit over $1,000,000 but limited | $500 |
| Residential Recovery Fund assessment for residential work, unlimited license | $1,000 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. Proof of workers comp coverage is required to get, keep and renew a license, unless you are exempt and sign an exemption affidavit.
Bond. A license bond set by the board at approval, from $1,000 to $500,000, based on license type, monetary limit, finances, experience and character.
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Every two years, with the $600 license fee.
Reciprocity. Licensure by endorsement: if you held an active license in a qualifying state for the past 4 years with the same qualified individual and no discipline, the board can waive the trade exam and the experience check. You still take the Nevada Business and Law exam.
Good to know in Nevada
- Residential contractors doing improvement work may take a down payment of no more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the price, whichever is less, unless they post a $100,000 consumer protection bond.
- Each license carries a monetary limit set by the board. Your bond and Recovery Fund assessment are based on it.
- Applicants must submit a financial statement and a background disclosure with fingerprint authorization.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for a contractor near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Nevada State Contractors Board and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.