Browse North Carolina Contractor Classifications
Exam prep for the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors.
Getting your North Carolina contractor license? Contractor Pathway offers an original, exam-focused study guide and four full-length practice exams for every North Carolina classification that requires a state board exam — currently 7 courses across Electrical, Plumbing and Building / General Contractor. Choose your classification below and study with 30-, 60-, or 90-day access at $99, $129, and $169.
Who licenses contractors in North Carolina
These are the North Carolina classifications we build exam prep for, each licensed by its responsible board:
| Trade area | Licensing authority | Exam basis |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors | National Electrical Code (NEC) |
| Plumbing | North Carolina Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors | Adopted plumbing & fuel-gas codes |
| Building / General Contractor | the responsible North Carolina state licensing authority | Adopted building code (IBC / IRC) |
Always confirm the current code edition, experience requirements, fees, and passing score with the board and testing vendor before you schedule. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-prep provider and is not affiliated with any North Carolina board or testing vendor.
How to get licensed in North Carolina
- Meet the experience requirement. Each classification requires documented on-the-job hours (and, for senior licenses, time as a licensed journeyman). A registered apprenticeship is a common path.
- Apply to the board for your trade, submit fees and proof of experience, and get approved to test.
- Pass the exam. North Carolina trade exams are typically open book against the adopted code, with a passing score commonly around 70%. Speed at finding and applying the right code section is what separates passers from re-testers.
- Hold and renew the license on its cycle, including any continuing-education and code-update hours.
Choose your North Carolina classification
Each course includes a comprehensive 5,000-plus-word study guide — worked calculations, code-section breakdowns, common exam traps, a glossary, and a 30/60/90-day study plan — plus four full-length practice exams matched to the topic weightings of the North Carolina test.
North Carolina contractor licensing — FAQ
Who licenses general contractors in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC). A general contractor license is required for projects above the state threshold (currently $40,000 – confirm the current figure with NCLBGC).
What exams does North Carolina require?
A PSI computer-based exam with a Business and Law section (40 multiple-choice questions, open book, 90 minutes) plus a classification-specific section. Each requires a 70% score to pass.
What are the North Carolina license tiers?
Limited (projects up to $750,000), Intermediate, and Unlimited – each with increasing working-capital or surety-bond requirements. Application fees are $75 (Limited), $100 (Intermediate), and $125 (Unlimited).
Which North Carolina licenses do you build courses for?
The NCLBGC classifications that require an exam – Building / General Contractor plus the trade classifications – including the shared Business and Law content.
How long should I study for the North Carolina exam?
Most candidates do well on a 30-, 60-, or 90-day plan depending on experience, which is why we offer access at all three terms ($99 / $129 / $169). Each guide includes a day-by-day study plan.