North Carolina Carpentry License Requirements (2026)

North Carolina regulates carpentry through the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) under N.C. Gen. Stat. §87-1 et seq. There is no stand-alone carpentry license. Carpentry on projects of $40,000 or more (combined labor and material) requires a General Contractor license in the Building classification at Limited ($750,000 monetary limit), Intermediate ($1.5 million), or Unlimited (no limit) tier. The license is granted to a corporation or LLC, with at least one Qualifier passing the NASCLA-accepted PSI Building exam plus a NC-specific Business and Law module. Sub-tier carpentry to a licensed prime is exempt below the $40,000 threshold.

Federal requirement: EPA Lead RRP Rule

Whether or not North Carolina 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

North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) is the statutory authority responsible for issuing and enforcing this license under N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 87 Article 1; 21 NCAC Chapter 12. NCLBGC licenses general contractors for projects of $40,000 or more. North Carolina does not issue a dedicated carpentry license; framing and finish carpentry fall under the Building classification or below the $40,000 threshold.

Official portal: https://nclbgc.org/
Address: 5400 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, NC 27612
Phone: (919) 571-4183

Baseline Eligibility

The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No North Carolina 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 cited source set does not publish a fixed year-based experience threshold for this credential. The controlling requirement is No experience minimum codified. The Qualifier must pass the PSI Building and the Business, Law and Project Management exams..

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

Testing is handled by PSI Services LLC under contract to NCLBGC. The applicant has to pass each part listed here before the credential is granted:

NASCLA Accredited Examination — Commercial Building (or NCLBGC Building exam) — 115 questions, 330 minutes, passing score 70%
NC Business, Law and Project Management — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $75 application fee plus $100 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

There is no statewide surety bond tied to this credential in the cited record. Bonding can still surface at the project level — permit, license, or public-works bonds — so check before you bid.

General liability

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

Workers' compensation

Workers compensation is mandatory under N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-2 for any contractor with three or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

NCLBGC requires audited or reviewed financial statement showing minimum working capital: Limited $17,000, Intermediate $75,000, Unlimited $150,000.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$75
Examination	$200
Initial license	$75
Renewal (every year)	$75

License Renewal

The North Carolina General Contractor — Building Classification (Carpentry) must be renewed every year. The fee to renew is presently $75. Annual renewal on January 1. Late renewal incurs a $25 reinstatement fee.

Continuing education: 8 hours of continuing education per year for the Qualifier through NCLBGC-approved providers.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

North Carolina honors the NASCLA Accredited Examination toward this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Tennessee	Trade exam waived	Reciprocal agreement with TBLC for Building (BC) classification.
Georgia	Trade exam waived	Limited reciprocity with SLBGCRC.
South Carolina	Trade exam waived	Limited reciprocity with SC LLR Contractor Board.

NCLBGC accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination in lieu of the NC Building trade exam. The NC Business, Law and Project Management module is still required.

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

Determine the tier (Limited, Intermediate, Unlimited). Based on projected project size.
Designate the Qualifier. Will sit for the NASCLA and NC Business, Law and Project Management exams.
Prepare an audited or reviewed financial statement. At the working capital required for the chosen tier.
Submit the NCLBGC application with $75 fee. Online via nclbgc.org.
Pass the NASCLA Accredited Exam and NC Business, Law and Project Management. At 70%.
File proof of GL insurance and workers compensation. Per NCLBGC requirements.
Receive the GC license number. Issued at the next monthly board meeting.
Renew annually on January 1. Submit $75 renewal and current financial statement and insurance.

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.

NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management — North Carolina Edition — NASCLA. Primary Business and Law reference.
International Building Code (NC-adopted edition) — International Code Council. Open-book at PSI for the trade exam.
N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 87 Article 1 and 21 NCAC Chapter 12 — State of North Carolina. Licensing law and rules.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Before submitting to NCLBGC, the applicant should have each of the following ready:

☐ NCLBGC application with $75 fee
☐ Designated Qualifier
☐ Audited or reviewed financial statement (working capital per tier)
☐ NASCLA Accredited Exam pass certificate (or NC Building trade exam)
☐ NC Business, Law and Project Management exam pass certificate
☐ Certificate of general liability insurance
☐ Workers compensation certificate (if 3+ employees)
☐ Local privilege license(s)
☐ EPA Lead RRP certification (pre-1978 work)

Common Application Pitfalls

These are the recurring mistakes that most often delay or reject a North Carolina Carpentry application, based on the official instructions cited here.

Splitting projects to dodge the $40,000 threshold

N.C. Gen. Stat. §87-13 makes it a violation to split a contract to evade the $40,000 threshold.

Skipping the financial statement

NCLBGC denies applications without an audited or reviewed financial statement at the appropriate working capital tier.

Lead RRP for pre-1978 trim

EPA RRP certification is federally required and NC HHS Lead Hazard Control enforces concurrently.

Local privilege license

Each NC city requires its own privilege license tax.

Letting the Qualifier leave

NCLBGC allows 90 days to designate a replacement Qualifier before suspending the license.

Other North Carolina Trade Licenses

For a different North Carolina credential, see these companion guides published by CLR:

Answers to Common Questions

What is the North Carolina threshold for a carpentry license?

Any project of $40,000 or more (combined labor and material) requires a NCLBGC General Contractor license in the Building classification.

What are the three tiers?

Limited ($750,000 single project monetary limit), Intermediate ($1.5 million), and Unlimited (no limit). Each tier has its own minimum working capital requirement.

Does NC accept the NASCLA exam?

Yes. NCLBGC accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for the trade portion. The NC Business, Law and Project Management module is still required.

What working capital is required?

Limited: $17,000. Intermediate: $75,000. Unlimited: $150,000. Verified by audited or reviewed financial statement.

How often does the NCLBGC license renew?

Annually on January 1 with the $75 renewal fee and current insurance.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-04-12 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-11