Here is How to Get a North Dakota Contractor License in 4 Easy Steps

To operate as a contractor in North Dakota, you will likely need to get a license. These are issued by various state licensing bodies. However, certain cities in the state also issue their own licenses.

Want to learn how to get a North Dakota contractor license? See the full guide below!

1. Choose Your North Dakota Contractor License Type

The following are all the different types of licenses in North Dakota, and the licensing agencies that regulate them.

• General contractor licenses are issued by the Secretary of State.
• Electrical contractor licenses are issued by the State Electrical Board
• Plumbing contractor licenses are issued by the State Plumbing Board
• Water well contractor licenses are issued by the State Board of Water Well Contractors
• Asbestos abatement contractor licenses are issued by the State Department of Environmental Quality
• Local contractor licenses – these licenses are frequently required by city or county licensing authorities

To get any of these licenses, you need to comply with the licensing requirements of the agency that issues it.

Note: A general contractor license is only required on projects over $4,000!

2. Register Your Business in the State

Prior to applying for your contractor license, you need to register your business entity.

For the purpose, you need to pick your entity type and apply at the North Dakota Secretary of State.

Once you’ve completed this process, you can proceed with applying for your contractor license.

3. Apply For Your North Dakota Contractor License

Depending on the license you want to obtain, you need to follow one of the following licensing procedures below.

Get a North Dakota general contractor license

A general contractor license from the Secretary of State is required on any project over $4,000. Depending on the exact amount of your project, you need to apply for one of the following four license classes:

• Class A – Over $500,000 per project
• Class B – Up to $500,000 per project
• Class C – Up to $300,000 per project
• Class D – Up to $100,000 per project

To apply, you need to register online and complete the North Dakota contractor license application.

In addition to your application, you must also:

• Provide a certificate of insurance
• Submit a statement from Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI)
• Pay a filing fee in one of the following amounts:

• • $450 for Class A
  • $300 for Class B
  • $225 for Class C
  • $100 for Class D

These are the main requirements for getting licensed as a contractor with the Secretary of State.

Note: You may still need to get a contractor license from one of the other state licensing bodies or from your city or county if this is mandated by local regulations.

Get an electrical contractor license

To get licensed as an electrical contractor in the state, you need to apply at the State Electrical Board.

The Board issues registrations for apprentices and licenses for journeymen and master electricians. To be eligible to get licensed, you need to comply with the qualifications for licensure.

If you do, you can apply by passing an examination.

Upon passing your exam, you can apply for your electrical contractor license by completing the following steps:

• Providing a copy of Secretary of State registration and your state contractor license (if applicable)
• Completing an E-cert application and an application for electrical contracting (both available on the Board’s website)
• Submitting a certificate of Liability Insurance
• Paying a $50 annual license fee

Get a plumbers contractor license

The State Plumbing Board in North Dakota issues the following types of contractor licenses:

• Plumber (master, journeyman, apprentice)
• Sewer and water (contractor, installer, apprentice)
• Water conditioning (contractor, installer, apprentice)

Depending on the license you wish to obtain, you will need to meet different licensing criteria – such as a certain amount of experience on the job.

To apply for your license, download and complete the relevant application form. Each form contains extensive information about the requirements you need to cover, and the fee you need to pay.

Get a water well contractor license

If you want to get licensed as a water well contractor in North Dakota, you need to apply at the State Board of Water Well Contractors. The Board issues licenses for:

• Water well contractors
• Monitoring well contractors
• Geothermal contractors
• Pump and pitless unit installers

To apply for your license, you will need to:

• Provide proof of experience
• Pass a certification exam
• Complete a license application form
• Submit a North Dakota contractor license bond
• Pay a certification fee

Water well contractors must post a North Dakota contractor license bond in the amount of $15,000. Applicants for all other types of licenses must post a $2,000 bond.

Get an asbestos abatement contractor license

To become licensed as an asbestos abatement contractor in North Dakota, you need to apply at the State Department of Environmental Quality.

To get licensed, you will need to pass a training course after which you can apply for certification within one of several different asbestos abatement categories.

When applying for your contractor license, you will need to have employees (or be certified yourself) within each of the different categories of the abatement process.

Get a local contractor license

Finally, some cities and counties have their own licensing procedures for contractors. In some cases, your state contractor license will be sufficient, whereas in others you will need to obtain additional licensing.

Prior to conducting any work in your municipality, make surety to contact your licensing office to check about such requirements.

4. Obtain Your North Dakota Contractor License Bond

Several different types of contractors in North Dakota must obtain a surety bond before they can get licensed. These include:

• All applicants for a license from the State Board of Water Well Contractors
• Contractors in the city of Grand Forks
• Contractors in the city of Jamestown

The purpose of the contractor license bond is to guarantee your compliance with state and local regulations regarding the performance of your work.

If you need to get a bond for your license or a permit, you can get a free quote by completing the form below!

To get more information about getting a contractor license bond in North Dakota, call us at 866.450.3412 anytime!