North Carolina Masonry Contractor License Requirements (2026)

North Carolina does not issue a standalone masonry classification. Masonry contractors performing work valued at $30,000 or more must hold a North Carolina General Contractor license issued by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) under N.C.G.S. Chapter 87. The Building classification (residential and commercial structures of any size) is the standard route. Three license limits exist based on financial statement: Limited (≤$1M per project / ≤$1.75M unlimited), Intermediate (≤$1.5M / ≤$3.5M), and Unlimited (no project cap). The qualifier must pass the PSI Building exam plus the Business and Law exam. This page documents the verified path including the financial statement bracket, OSHA silica enforcement under NC OSH (state plan), and TMS 402 / IBC Chapter 21 compliance.

Regulatory Oversight

North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) administers and enforces this credential under the authority of N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 87 Article 1; 21 N.C. Admin. Code Chapter 12. NCLBGC licenses general contractors statewide, including the Building classification under which a masonry contractor acting as prime on projects of $30,000 or more must be licensed. It adopts the North Carolina State Building Code by reference and conducts disciplinary proceedings.

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

Who May Apply

An applicant qualifies only after meeting the age floor of 18 and producing a valid Social Security Number. No North Carolina residency requirement; out-of-state qualifiers accepted.

Good moral character

NCLBGC reviews prior license discipline and consumer complaints. Felonies relating to fraud bar issuance.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure; NCLBGC requests court records on disclosed convictions.

Required Experience and Education

There is no published year count for this credential in the cited sources. What actually controls eligibility is No formal experience requirement, but the qualifier must demonstrate competency on the PSI Building trade exam covering masonry, framing, foundations, and structural systems..

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Optional: project list and signed letters from prior employers
NASCLA Accredited Examination certificate (alternative to NC Building trade exam)

Examination Requirements

Examinations are administered by PSI Services LLC under contract to NCLBGC. The applicant must pass the following examination parts before the license can issue:

NC Business and Law Examination — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%
NC Building Contractor Trade Examination — IBC including Chapter 21 Masonry, TMS 402 — 115 questions, 330 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $92 per PSI exam section ($184 total). NASCLA Accredited Examination accepted in lieu of trade exam.

Retake policy: Failed sections may be retaken after 30 days with a new $92 fee.

Insurance and Financial Requirements

The cited materials impose no contractor license bond for this credential. Bear in mind that specific contracts, permits, or public works can still require their own bonds.

General liability

No NCLBGC GL minimum, but most owners require $1,000,000 per occurrence GL.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory under N.C.G.S. §97-2 for any North Carolina employer with three or more employees. Masonry NCCI 5022 carries one of the highest manual rates in North Carolina.

Additional financial requirements

NCLBGC requires CPA-reviewed financial statement determining the license limit. Limited: $17K working capital / $80K net worth. Intermediate: $75K / $150K. Unlimited: $150K / $300K.

Licensing Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$75
Examination	$184
Initial license	$75
Renewal (every year)	$75

Keeping the License Current

Renewal of the North Carolina Building Contractor (Limited / Intermediate / Unlimited) — NCLBGC comes due every year. As cited, the renewal fee stands at $75. NCLBGC licenses renew annually on January 1. Late renewal incurs $30 penalty plus possible reinstatement requirements.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and License Transfer

North Carolina accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
NASCLA states	NASCLA Accredited Examination	NCLBGC accepts the NASCLA exam in lieu of the Building trade exam. Business and Law exam still required.

North Carolina is a full NASCLA member. Holders of the NASCLA Accredited Examination certificate skip the trade exam.

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

Application Process, Step by Step

Determine license limit. Choose Limited, Intermediate, or Unlimited based on anticipated project size and financial statement strength.
Pass the PSI Business and Law exam. Score 70% or better on the 50-question business and law exam.
Pass the PSI Building trade exam (or NASCLA). Score 70% or better on the 115-question Building trade exam, or submit NASCLA certificate.
Prepare CPA financial statement. CPA-reviewed financial statement establishing working capital or net worth for the chosen limit.
Bind GL and workers compensation. Bind GL ($1M+ practical) and workers comp for any employees.
Submit NCLBGC Building application. File the application with $75 fee, financial statement, exam scores, and insurance certificates.
Pull project permits at the AHJ. Local code officials issue permits per the North Carolina Building Code (NC amendments to 2015 IBC).
Implement NC OSH silica program. NC OSH (state plan) enforces 29 CFR 1926.1153 with stricter recordkeeping than federal OSHA. Written exposure control plan and Table 1 controls are mandatory.

Recommended References

These are the preparation and reference materials tied to this credential — cited by the regulator or widely used by applicants. CLR earns nothing from listing them.

NCLBGC Reference Manual for Building Contractors — North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Required reference for the NC business and law and building exams.
TMS 402/602 Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures — The Masonry Society. Adopted by reference under IBC Chapter 21.
2018 North Carolina Building Code (2015 IBC with NC amendments) — NC Building Code Council. Includes Chapter 21 masonry and NC High Wind coastal provisions.

Frequent Application Errors

Based on the board's own instructions and the sources cited here, the problems below are what most often stall a North Carolina Masonry application.

Working over license limit

Taking a project above the NCLBGC-set limit triggers immediate license discipline. Request limit increase via amended financial statement.

Coastal high-wind detailing missed

NC coastal counties (Brunswick, New Hanover, Carteret) require enhanced anchored veneer tie spacing per NC High Wind provisions; coastal inspectors enforce strictly.

Hurricane-zone veneer ties

NC hurricane exposure requires corrosion-resistant ties at TMS 402 spacing; coastal jobs fail without proper embedment.

Subcontracting without prime license

Masonry contractors who hold themselves out as the prime on $30K+ projects without an NCLBGC license face misdemeanor charges and lien rights loss.

Silica plan absent

NC OSH targets Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro masonry sites; missing 29 CFR 1926.1153(g) plans draw immediate citations with NC recordkeeping penalties.

Document Checklist

The most critical documents or confirmations the applicant should have in hand before filing with NCLBGC:

☐ North Carolina Secretary of State entity registration
☐ PSI Business and Law exam pass certificate (70%+)
☐ PSI Building trade exam pass certificate (or NASCLA)
☐ CPA-reviewed financial statement at chosen limit
☐ GL and workers compensation certificates
☐ NCLBGC Building classification application
☐ NC OSH silica written exposure control plan

Other North Carolina Trade Licenses

CLR covers other North Carolina trades as well — the published guides below may be more relevant:

Questions Applicants Ask

Does North Carolina have a dedicated masonry license?

No. Masonry contractors performing prime work over $30,000 must hold the NCLBGC Building classification.

What triggers the license requirement?

Any project valued at $30,000 or more performed as a prime contractor under N.C.G.S. §87-1.

What are the three license limits?

Limited (≤$1M project / ≤$1.75M unlimited), Intermediate (≤$1.5M / ≤$3.5M), and Unlimited (no cap). Set by CPA financial statement.

Is NASCLA accepted?

Yes. NCLBGC accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination in lieu of the Building trade exam. Business and Law still required.

Does North Carolina enforce OSHA silica?

Yes. NC OSH (state plan) enforces 29 CFR 1926.1153 with stricter recordkeeping than federal OSHA. Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro are heavily targeted.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-06-09 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-07