- 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 The bond section of the contractor law was repealed in 1995.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 some HVAC 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 contractor license needed for jobs of $4,000 or less.
Cities issue building permits, and you must give your contractor license number when you apply. Other state licenses, such as electrical and plumbing, are separate.
North Dakota license types for HVAC 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
- Decide which class you need based on your largest single job.
- Get liability insurance and a workers compensation certificate or letter from WSI.
- Apply through the Secretary of State FirstStop portal and pay the class fee.
- Check with each city for building permits and any other licenses your work needs.
- Renew by March 1 every 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 HVAC 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).
Separate from any state license, the EPA requires Section 608 certification for anyone who works on equipment with refrigerant. It is federal and applies in every state.
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
- EPA Section 608 certification is a separate federal requirement for refrigerant handling.
- Give your contractor license number when you apply for building permits.
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 HVAC repair 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.
More for your trade: how HVAC companies run on Koira.