North Dakota General Contractor License Requirements

Official classification: Contractor License · Issued by the North Dakota Secretary of State.

🏗️ General ContractorND ✔ Verified 2026-10-01

In North Dakota, general contractors must hold the Contractor License, issued by the North Dakota Secretary of State, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed general contractor in North Dakota

Follow these steps to earn your Contractor License. Every figure is verified against the North Dakota Secretary of State; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Statement of experience and qualifications required; specific years not published
Confirm exam requirements. North Dakota sets no state trade exam for this license, though your city or county may require one.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: Certificate of liability insurance required, naming North Dakota Secretary of State as certificate holder. Workers' compensation: Certificate of payment from Workforce Safety & Insurance required if ND employees; letter of good standing if no ND employees.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the North Dakota Secretary of State — Class A: $450; Class B: $300; Class C: $225; Class D: $100 application fee, plus a Included in application fee license fee.
Keep the license active. Renewal: 1 year; annual renewal required by March 1.

For the general path in every state, see the General Contractor guide →

North Dakota general contractor license lookup

To confirm a general contractor is properly licensed in North Dakota — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official firststop.sos.nd.gov database →

License types

Class A — Over $500,000
Class B — Up to $500,000
Class C — Up to $300,000
Class D — Up to $100,000

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Statement of experience and qualifications required; specific years not published
Application fee	Class A: $450; Class B: $300; Class C: $225; Class D: $100
License fee	Included in application fee
Renewal fee	Class A: $90; Class B: $60; Class C: $45; Class D: $30
Renewal period	1 year; annual renewal required by March 1
Continuing education	—
Bond required	None required
Liability insurance	Certificate of liability insurance required, naming North Dakota Secretary of State as certificate holder
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Certificate of payment from Workforce Safety & Insurance required if ND employees; letter of good standing if no ND employees
Background check	—
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	None · other states' agreements
Processing time	—

What a North Dakota general contractor license costs

Application fee	Class A: $450; Class B: $300; Class C: $225; Class D: $100.
License fee	Included in application fee.
Surety bond	None required.
Renewal fee	Class A: $90; Class B: $60; Class C: $45; Class D: $30.
Renewal period	1 year; annual renewal required by March 1.

Exams

No state trade exam is required — the Contractor License is a registration, not an examined license. Local jurisdictions may set their own exam requirements.

Renewing a North Dakota general contractor license

The Contractor License renews on a fixed cycle set by the North Dakota Secretary of State. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	1 year; annual renewal required by March 1
Renewal fee	Class A: $90; Class B: $60; Class C: $45; Class D: $30
Continuing education	—
Where to renew	North Dakota Secretary of State

Frequently asked questions

How much does a North Dakota general contractor license cost?

Application: Class A: $450; Class B: $300; Class C: $225; Class D: $100. License: Included in application fee. Renewal: Class A: $90; Class B: $60; Class C: $45; Class D: $30.

How do I look up a general contractor license in North Dakota?

Search the official license database at firststop.sos.nd.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do general contractors in North Dakota need a surety bond?

None required

What experience is required for a North Dakota general contractor license?

Statement of experience and qualifications required; specific years not published

Is insurance required for general contractors in North Dakota?

Liability: Certificate of liability insurance required, naming North Dakota Secretary of State as certificate holder. Workers' compensation: Certificate of payment from Workforce Safety & Insurance required if ND employees; letter of good standing if no ND employees.

How often must a North Dakota general contractor license be renewed?

1 year; annual renewal required by March 1.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-10-01 — always confirm current requirements directly with the North Dakota Secretary of State before applying. This is not legal advice.