- No license needed for repair or maintenance under $1,000 including labor and materials, if no building permit is needed and the work is not plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, heating or air conditioning. The exemption does not apply if the work is part of a larger project worth $500 or more, or if contracts were split to get under the limit.
- 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 some handyman work at the state level and leaves the rest alone. Which side of that line a job falls on decides whether you need the state license.
No license needed for repair or maintenance under $1,000 including labor and materials, if no building permit is needed and the work is not plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, heating or air conditioning. The exemption does not apply if the work is part of a larger project worth $500 or more, or if contracts were split to get under the limit.
Nevada license types for handyman work
Nevada splits the work into 3 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 |
|---|---|
| C-3 Carpentry, Maintenance and Minor Repairs | Carpentry and repairs, finish carpentry, insulation and weather stripping, overhead doors and drywall |
| B-7 Residential Remodeling | Remodeling an existing single-family home without adding enclosed space |
| C-4 Painting and Decorating | Painting, wallcovering, drywall and taping |
Steps to get licensed in Nevada
- Without a license, keep repair jobs under $1,000 with no permits and no trade work.
- To take larger jobs, pick a classification such as C-3 or B-7.
- Show 4 years of experience in that work in the last 15 years.
- Apply online with the $300 fee, a financial statement, and the background disclosure form.
- Pass the PSI trade exam and the Business and Law exam.
- Post the bond, show workers comp, and pay the $600 license fee.
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. C-3 Carpentry, Maintenance and Minor Repairs (or another fitting classification).
Nevada handyman exams
Trade exam. Trade exam for your classification, given by PSI.
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
- The board has no handyman license. All license classifications are set in NAC 624.140 to 624.572, so you pick the one that matches your work.
- Even if your work is exempt, you may not advertise as a contractor without a license in the right classification.
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 handyman 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.
More for your trade: how handyman businesses run on Koira.