When it comes to building in North Carolina, there are two levels of qualification: your contractor license and the building permit. The contractor license is a more general document that lays out your qualifications as a general contractor. A building permit is required if you’re working on an existing structure or want to work on anything exceeding four stories in height. You must understand the building regulations well to pass your exam. To pass the exam, you need a deep North Carolina general contractor exam prep that will help you crack the exam. The North Carolina construction exam is a lengthy one that tests you on everything from architecture and building codes to site management.
Who needs a North Carolina general contractor license?
If you’re going to work as a general contractor in the state of North Carolina, you’ll need first to obtain your general contractor license. You can apply for this now or wait until the time comes when you want to purchase a home and get your building permit. You can also wait until you’ve built your first house and then start canvassing for work.
It would help if you got your building permit while still working on your project. This will allow you to pay only one permit fee rather than wait and pay two permit fees when the project is completed.
How to get NC general contractor license
There are some requirements when applying for this license, and some of these are outlined below. You should review the entire process if you want to apply for this license.
Age requirement:
You must be at least 18 years old to apply. You can be an apprentice younger than 18, but the license will expire when you turn 18. You need to see if there are other stipulations for being an apprentice.
Education requirement:
You must have a high school diploma, GED, or a North Carolina State-approved apprenticeship program. You’ll also need to show proof of state certification for each of these programs after you obtain them. You should have a high school diploma rather than a GED. You have a better chance of getting certified with the GED, but getting certified without proof of a high school diploma is harder.
Experience requirement:
You must have 1,500 hours of experience as a general contractor. This can be built experience if that’s what you use to apply. If you work as an apprentice, this will count toward your 1,500 hours.
Continuing Education Requirements:
You must pass three tests over 12 months to keep your license valid. The tests are related to construction law, code interpretation, and liability issues. If you don’t pass these tests, your license will be suspended until you pass them.
North Carolina Contractor Laws & Regulations:
The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the governing body for licensing in the state of North Carolina. The state’s laws and regulations are outlined in Chapter 87B of the North Carolina General Statutes. This is where you can get all the information you need to get started with your general contractor license. You’ll want to take advantage of the resources provided by this site and also check out the NC General Statutes.
The laws of North Carolina require that a general contractor must have experience as a general contractor (1500 hours) or prove experience in other areas, like architecture or engineering. To be certified as a general contractor, a person must have at least 3 years of experience. This can be experienced as a general contractor or other experience in the construction field.
Conclusion
When ready to get your general contractor license and complete the process, you should visit the NC General Statutes and the NC Department of Commerce. Keep up with things here and at the official site of the Department of Commerce so that you don’t lose your license or have any issues as you continue to move forward.
