- No contractor license needed for jobs of $4,000 or less.
- None stated. The application asks for a statement of your experience and qualifications.
- No state contractor bond. The bond section of the contractor law was repealed in 1995.
- Every year by March 1. List projects over $50,000 from the prior year and certify that payroll taxes and insurance premiums are paid.
Do you need a state license in North Dakota?
North Dakota licenses general contractor work at the state level through the North Dakota Secretary of State, contractor licensing. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
No contractor license needed for jobs of $4,000 or less.
Cities issue building permits and need your license number on the permit.
North Dakota license types for general contractor work
North Dakota 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 |
|---|---|
| Class A | Single jobs over $500,000 |
| Class B | Single jobs up to $500,000 |
| Class C | Single jobs up to $300,000 |
| Class D | Single jobs up to $100,000 |
Steps to get licensed in North Dakota
- Register your business entity or trade name with the Secretary of State if needed.
- Pick the license class that covers your largest single project.
- Get liability insurance naming the Secretary of State and a WSI workers compensation certificate.
- Apply through the FirstStop portal and pay the class fee.
- Renew by March 1 each year.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. None stated. The application asks for a statement of your experience and qualifications.
The license to apply for. North Dakota Contractor License (Class A to D).
North Dakota general contractor exams
Trade exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
What it costs in North Dakota
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 |
|---|---|
| Class A license (jobs over $500,000) | $450 |
| Class B license (projects up to $500,000) | $300 |
| Class C license (projects up to $300,000) | $225 |
| Class D license (projects up to $100,000) | $100 |
| Annual renewal (A / B / C / D) | $90 / $60 / $45 / $30 |
| Late renewal penalty (renewing after March 1, up to June 1) | $50 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. A certificate of liability insurance naming the Secretary of State as certificate holder, plus proof of workers compensation coverage from Workforce Safety and Insurance (or a letter of good standing if you have no ND employees).
Bond. No state contractor bond. The bond section of the contractor law was repealed in 1995.
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Every year by March 1. List projects over $50,000 from the prior year and certify that payroll taxes and insurance premiums are paid.
Reciprocity. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Good to know in North Dakota
- You cannot sue to collect on a contract if you were unlicensed when you did the work.
- The contractor year runs March 2 to March 1. If you miss March 1 you can still renew until June 1 with a $50 penalty.
- Corporations and LLCs must register with the Secretary of State before applying. Sole proprietors and partnerships may need to register a trade or partnership name.
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 North Dakota Secretary of State, contractor licensing and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.