Nevada Carpentry License Requirements (2026)

Nevada licenses carpentry through the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) under NRS Chapter 624. Carpentry contractors hold a Class C-3 specialty license. The C-3 master license covers structural framing, finish carpentry, decks, stairs and cabinetry. Subclassifications include C-3a Maintenance and Minor Repair Carpentry (limited to $5,000 per job), C-3b Cabinet Installation, C-3c Doors and Door Frames and C-3d Drywall Installation. All Nevada contractors must designate a Qualified Individual with at least four years of journey-level carpentry experience within the last ten years, pass the Nevada Business and Law plus the C-3 trade exam, post a license bond scaled to monetary limit, and submit a CPA-prepared financial statement.

Federal requirement: EPA Lead RRP Rule

Whether or not Nevada licenses this trade, any work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing falls under the federal EPA Lead RRP Rule nationwide. See our complete EPA RRP Lead Certification guide for who needs firm and renovator certification, what it costs, and how renewal works.

The Licensing Authority

Authority over this credential rests with Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB), which issues and polices it under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 624; Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) Chapter 624. NSCB licenses all contractors performing work in Nevada under NRS 624, sets monetary limits tied to financial capacity, administers trade and business-and-law examinations through PSI, investigates complaints, and conducts disciplinary proceedings statewide.

Official portal: https://www.nvcontractorsboard.com/
Address: 2310 Corporate Circle, Suite 200, Henderson, NV 89074 (Southern office); 5390 Kietzke Lane, Suite 102, Reno, NV 89511 (Northern office)
Phone: (702) 486-1100 (Southern); (775) 688-1141 (Northern)

Baseline Eligibility

The threshold requirements are straightforward: age 18 or above, plus a valid Social Security Number. No Nevada residency requirement.

Good moral character

Criminal history is reviewed case-by-case by the licensing authority.

Background investigation

Criminal history disclosure required on the application.

Experience and Education Requirements

The experience bar is Four years of journey-level carpentry experience within the last ten years for the Qualified Individual under NRS §624.260., and it must be backed by verifiable records — typically payroll, tax, project, or supervisor documentation covering the claimed period.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Notarized experience affidavits from licensed supervising contractors
W-2s, 1099s, or payroll records covering the qualifying period
Apprenticeship completion certificate where applicable

Education substitution

Approved carpentry apprenticeship or accredited trade school coursework may substitute for part of the experience requirement.

The Licensing Examination

PSI Services LLC under contract to NSCB administers the required examination. Each part below must be passed before the license will issue:

Nevada Business and Law — 75 questions, 150 minutes, passing score 75%
C-3 Carpentry trade exam — 80 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $300 application fee plus $74 per PSI exam part.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be retaken after paying a new exam fee. Applications remain valid for one year.

Financial Security and Insurance

The applicant must secure and file a $1,000 surety bond before the NSCB will release the license.

General liability

NSCB does not impose a state GL minimum. Most owners require $1,000,000/$2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers compensation is mandatory under NRS Chapter 616A for any contractor with one or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

NSCB requires a CPA-reviewed financial statement showing working capital sufficient for the requested monetary limit. Bond amount scales from $1,000 to $50,000.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$300
Examination	$148
Initial license	$600
Renewal (every 2 years)	$600

License Renewal

The Nevada C-3 Carpentry / C-3a Maintenance and Minor Repair Contractor (NSCB) must be renewed every 2 years. The fee to renew is presently $600. Biennial renewal on the anniversary of issuance. Late renewal incurs a 50 percent penalty after 60 days.

Continuing education: No statutory continuing education for the C-3 classification.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Nevada Carpentry License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

Nevada grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Arizona	Trade exam waived	Reciprocal agreement with ROC for active C-3 holders with 5+ years.
California	Trade exam waived	Reciprocal agreement with CSLB for active C-5/C-6 holders with 5+ years.
Utah	Trade exam waived	Reciprocal agreement with DOPL for E100/B100 carpentry holders.

NSCB maintains bilateral reciprocity with Arizona ROC, California CSLB and Utah DOPL for the C-3 Carpentry classification.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Carpentry license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Licensing Roadmap

Designate the Qualified Individual. Four years of journey-level carpentry experience required.
Prepare a CPA-reviewed financial statement. Determines the monetary limit and bond amount.
Submit the NSCB application with $300 fee. Online via nscb.nv.gov.
Pass the PSI Nevada Business and Law and C-3 trade exams at 75%. Schedule with PSI.
Post the license bond. $1,000 to $50,000 depending on monetary limit.
File proof of GL insurance and workers compensation. Per NSCB requirements.
Receive the C-3 license number. Issued within 90 to 150 days.
Renew biennially on the anniversary date. Submit $600 renewal and updated financial statement.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Have each of the following squared away before the packet goes to NSCB:

☐ NSCB application with $300 fee
☐ Designated Qualified Individual
☐ Four years of carpentry experience documentation
☐ CPA-reviewed financial statement
☐ PSI Nevada Business and Law and C-3 trade exam pass certificates
☐ License bond ($1,000 to $50,000)
☐ Certificate of general liability insurance
☐ Workers compensation certificate (if employees)
☐ EPA Lead RRP certification (pre-1978 work)

Common Application Pitfalls

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a Nevada Carpentry application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Wrong subclassification

Performing structural framing under a C-3a Minor Repair license is unlicensed contracting under NRS §624.700.

Letting the Qualified Individual leave

NSCB allows 30 days to replace the Qualified Individual. After 30 days the license is suspended.

Lead RRP for pre-1978 trim

EPA RRP certification is federally required.

Recovery Fund

NSCB operates a Residential Recovery Fund. Contributions are mandatory for residential contractors.

Out-of-state contracts without bond increase

NSCB requires the bond to scale to actual project value. Underbonded contracts can be voided.

Preparation Resources

These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

NSCB Carpentry Contractor Examination Study Guide — Nevada State Contractors Board. Free PDF on nscb.nv.gov.
NRS Chapter 624 and NAC Chapter 624 — State of Nevada. Contractor licensing law and regulations.
International Residential Code (Nevada-adopted edition) — International Code Council. Open-book at PSI for the trade exam.

Other Nevada Trade Licenses

Looking at a different trade? CLR also publishes these Nevada licensing guides:

Answers to Common Questions

What does C-3 Carpentry cover in Nevada?

C-3 is the master carpentry classification covering structural framing, finish, decks, stairs, cabinetry, doors and drywall. Subclassifications C-3a through C-3d cover narrower scopes.

What is the C-3a Maintenance and Minor Repair Carpentry limit?

C-3a limits each individual job to $5,000 in combined labor and material per NRS §624.215(2).

How is the Nevada bond calculated?

NSCB bonds scale by monetary limit: $1,000 minimum at $50,000 monetary limit; $50,000 maximum at unlimited monetary limit. The CPA financial statement determines the limit.

Does Nevada accept the NASCLA exam?

No. NSCB requires the Nevada-specific Business and Law and C-3 trade exams through PSI.

How often does the C-3 license renew?

Every two years on the anniversary of issuance with current bond, insurance and financial statement.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-06-14 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-12