North Dakota Roofing License Requirements (2026)
By Gabriel Giner, Editor · Reviewed 2026-06-05 · CLR Editorial Review Desk
The North Dakota Secretary of State Contractor Licensing Division licenses roofing contractors under N.D.C.C. Chapter 43-07. Any roofing project of $4,000 or more requires a state contractor license. ND issues four monetary classes: Class D ($0–$300,000), Class C ($300,001–$500,000), Class B ($500,001–$700,000), and Class A (unlimited). There is no trade exam — licensure is registration based with proof of insurance and workers compensation through North Dakota Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI), the monopolistic state fund.
Governing Authority
North Dakota Secretary of State — Contractor Licensing Division (ND SOS) administers and enforces this credential under the authority of 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
An applicant qualifies only after meeting the age floor of 18 and producing a valid Social Security Number. No ND residency requirement.
Good moral character
SOS reviews fraud and consumer-protection history.
Background investigation
Disclosure on application.
Experience & Education Matrix
No fixed number of years of experience is set out in the cited sources for this credential; instead, the controlling requirement is no experience threshold; ND is a registration state with no trade exam.
Education substitution
Not applicable.
Examination Structure
The cited state materials do not require a written state trade examination for this credential. The controlling process is: None — North Dakota does not require a contractor trade exam.
Insurance & Financial Security
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
Proof of general liability insurance required at application; market standard $500,000–$1,000,000.
Workers' compensation
Mandatory through North Dakota Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI), the exclusive state fund, under N.D.C.C. Title 65. ND is a monopolistic state — private workers comp policies are not accepted.
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 (Class A/B/C/D) — Roofing every year. Renewal currently costs $100. Annual renewal by March 1.
Continuing education: No CE required.
Downloadable Asset
2026 North Dakota Roofing 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. | ||
No state reciprocity. Registration only.
Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Roofing license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.
Step-by-Step Application Roadmap
- Register entity with ND Secretary of State. LLC or corporation filing plus EIN.
- Open a North Dakota WSI account. Mandatory monopolistic workers compensation through WSI.
- Bind general liability insurance. Certificate filed with the application.
- Choose contractor class (A, B, C, or D). Class tied to maximum project value.
- Submit SOS contractor license application. Class D $100, Class C $200, Class B $300, Class A $450.
- Receive license and renew annually by March 1. Annual renewal with same fee and updated insurance.
- Comply with municipal building permits. Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks issue building permits separately.
Pre-Submission Checklist
The most critical documents or confirmations the applicant should have in hand before filing with ND SOS:
- ☐ ND Secretary of State entity registration
- ☐ WSI workers compensation account
- ☐ General liability certificate of insurance
- ☐ SOS contractor license application + class fee
- ☐ Municipal building permits per job
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 statute.
- ND State Building Code (IBC/IRC adoption) — ND Department of Commerce. Roof assembly and snow loads.
- NRCA Roofing Manual — Cold Climate chapters — NRCA. Primary technical reference.
Common Filing Mistakes
Drawn from the board instructions and sources cited on this page, the pitfalls below are the ones most likely to slow down or sink a North Dakota Roofing application.
Ground snow loads up to 70 psf
ND ground snow loads run 40–70 psf depending on county. Reroofs exposing framing must verify the deck and rafters meet current loads.
Ice and water shield
IRC R905.1.2 requires ice barrier extending 24 inches inside the warm wall. Missing it triggers ice dam claims.
WSI monopolistic fund mistake
Out-of-state contractors with private workers comp cannot use them in ND. WSI coverage must be opened before the first ND payroll.
Working under $4,000 unlicensed
ND exempts only projects under $4,000. Bidding $5,000 work without an SOS license is unlicensed contracting.
OSHA fall protection
Federal OSHA 29 CFR 1926.501 at six feet. ND has no state plan — federal OSHA enforces directly.
Other North Dakota Trade Licenses
Should the Roofing path not apply, these other North Dakota trade guides from CLR may help:
- North Dakota General Contractor License Requirements
- North Dakota Electrician License Requirements
- North Dakota Plumber License Requirements
- North Dakota HVAC Technician License Requirements
- North Dakota Painting Contractor License Requirements
- North Dakota Landscaping Contractor License Requirements
- North Dakota Masonry Contractor License Requirements
- North Dakota Carpentry Contractor License Requirements
- North Dakota Solar Installer License Requirements
- North Dakota Low-Voltage Technician License Requirements
- North Dakota Fire Sprinkler Contractor License Requirements
- North Dakota Home Inspector License Requirements
- North Dakota Pool Contractor License Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Does North Dakota license roofing contractors?
Yes for any project of $4,000 or more under N.D.C.C. 43-07. Four monetary classes (A, B, C, D), no trade exam.
What are the ND contractor classes?
Class D up to $300,000, Class C up to $500,000, Class B up to $700,000, Class A unlimited. Fees $100–$450 annually.
Is workers comp mandatory?
Yes through North Dakota WSI, the monopolistic state fund. Private workers comp policies are not accepted.
Is there a trade exam?
No. ND contractor licensure is registration-based with proof of insurance.
When does the license renew?
Annually by March 1 with updated insurance and the same class fee.
Primary Sources
Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.
- North Dakota Secretary of State — Contractor Licensing
- North Dakota Century Code Chapter 43-07
- North Dakota State Electrical Board
- North Dakota State Plumbing Board
- EPA Section 608 Technician Certification
Verified 2026-06-05 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-03