North Dakota Carpentry License Requirements (2026)

North Dakota requires every contractor — including carpenters — performing work of $4,000 or more to hold a Contractor License issued by the Office of the Secretary of State under N.D.C.C. Chapter 43-07. The license is granted in four monetary classes: Class A (unlimited), Class B (up to $500,000), Class C (up to $300,000), Class D (up to $100,000). There is no trade exam, no experience requirement, and no surety bond. The contractor must show proof of general liability insurance, workers compensation for any employees, and pay an annual fee of $100 to $450 depending on class. Out-of-state contractors must additionally appoint a registered agent in North Dakota.

Federal requirement: EPA Lead RRP Rule

Whether or not North Dakota 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.

Governing Authority

This license is issued and enforced by North Dakota Secretary of State — Contractor Licensing Division (ND SOS) pursuant to North Dakota Century Code Chapter 43-07 (Contractors). The North Dakota Secretary of State licenses general contractors statewide under NDCC 43-07. A contractor license is required for any project valued at $4,000 or more. The state issues four monetary classes (A, B, C, D) based on maximum project value. Electrical and plumbing trades are licensed separately by their respective state boards.

Official portal: https://sos.nd.gov/business/contractor-licensing
Address: 600 E Boulevard Avenue, Department 108, Bismarck, ND 58505-0500
Phone: (701) 328-2900

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, an applicant must have reached age 18 and hold a valid Social Security Number. No North Dakota 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 & Education Matrix

Eligibility here is not measured in years of experience but by No experience requirement., per the cited materials.

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.

Examination Structure

The cited state materials do not require a written state trade examination for this credential. The controlling process is: No state trade exam.

Examination fee: $100 (Class D) to $450 (Class A) annual contractor license fee.

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

Insurance & Financial Security

The cited state source set does not require a contractor license surety bond for this credential. Contractors should still confirm project-specific bond, permit-bond, or public-works bond requirements before bidding.

General liability

N.D.C.C. §43-07-05 requires contractors to maintain general liability insurance with minimum limits of $100,000 bodily injury per person, $300,000 per occurrence, and $25,000 property damage.

Workers' compensation

Workers compensation is mandatory under N.D.C.C. §65-04 for any contractor with one or more employees. Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) is the sole provider.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required.

Application and License Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$100
Initial license	$100
Renewal (every year)	$100

Maintenance & Renewal

Expect to renew the North Dakota Contractor License (Carpentry) every year. Renewal currently costs $100. Annual renewal on March 1 with class fee and current insurance.

Continuing education: No state continuing education requirement.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and Endorsement

North Dakota does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

North Dakota has no formal reciprocity. Out-of-state contractors must obtain the Contractor License and appoint a registered agent.

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

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

Determine the monetary class. Class A through D based on projected project size.
Register the business with the Secretary of State. For LLCs, corporations and out-of-state contractors.
Obtain general liability insurance. Per N.D.C.C. §43-07-05 minimums.
Obtain WSI workers compensation coverage. For any employees.
Submit the Contractor License application. Online via sos.nd.gov.
Pay the annual license fee. $100 to $450 depending on class.
Receive the Contractor License number. Issued within two to three weeks.
Renew annually on March 1. Submit fee and current insurance.

Common Filing Mistakes

Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a North Dakota Carpentry filing.

Wrong monetary class

Performing a $400,000 carpentry project under a Class C ($300,000 limit) license is unlicensed contracting under N.D.C.C. §43-07-04.

Skipping WSI workers comp

North Dakota requires Workforce Safety and Insurance coverage from the state monopoly fund. Private workers comp is not accepted.

Lead RRP for pre-1978 trim

EPA RRP certification is federally required.

Local registration

Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks may require additional contractor registration through the building department.

Letting GL insurance lapse

A lapsed GL policy automatically suspends the Contractor License.

Study and Reference Materials

What follows are the regulator-cited and commonly used preparation references for this trade. They appear here for convenience only; CLR takes no compensation for them.

N.D.C.C. Chapter 43-07 — State of North Dakota. Contractor licensing statutes.
North Dakota Contractor License Application Guide — Office of the Secretary of State. Free PDF.
International Residential Code (ND-adopted edition) — International Code Council. Adopted by most jurisdictions.

Pre-Submission Checklist

The items below are the ones worth confirming before the application is filed with ND SOS:

☐ North Dakota Secretary of State business registration
☐ Contractor License application
☐ $100 to $450 class fee
☐ GL insurance per N.D.C.C. §43-07-05
☐ WSI workers compensation certificate (if employees)
☐ Local building department registration (if required)
☐ EPA Lead RRP certification (pre-1978 work)

Other North Dakota Trade Licenses

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Does North Dakota require a carpentry license?

No specialty license. Carpenters performing work of $4,000 or more must hold a North Dakota Contractor License under N.D.C.C. Chapter 43-07.

What is the difference between Class A through D?

Class A is unlimited monetary limit. Class B is up to $500,000 per project. Class C is up to $300,000. Class D is up to $100,000. Each class has a different annual fee.

Is there an exam?

No. The license is administrative.

What insurance does North Dakota require?

GL with minimums of $100,000 BI per person, $300,000 per occurrence, $25,000 PD under N.D.C.C. §43-07-05.

How often does the license renew?

Annually on March 1.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-05-23 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-21