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Earning Your Contractor’s License In North Carolina

You are at a point in your life where you believe that you’re ready for a career as a concrete contractor. However, as a resident of North Carolina, you will need to undergo a state-regulated licensing process. You might be wondering why you need a license in the first place and if you can get to work without one. We can say with certainty that you must have a license to take on higher-paying jobs and grow your business.

We understand that the process is a little intimidating, which is why we want to help make things a little bit easier. Here is a brief yet comprehensive guide on how to go about obtaining your license and becoming a concrete contractor:

Why You Need

Your License

The simple answer is that you are not going to make a lot of money without one. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors also requires by law that you have one to do business. The agency’s top priority is to protect people from fraud and contractors from unexpected liabilities. Having a license is what essentially separates the good from the bad.

Your contractor’s license will benefit you for many reasons. It enhances your professionalism and makes it much easier to do business in the state of North Carolina. Here’s why a license will make your life a lot easier:

Accessing bigger, higher-paying jobs – Small journeyman projects aren’t going to cut it in the long run. A contractor’s license is going to open the doors to more lucrative projects.
Building trust and credibility – Potential clients are much less likely to do business with anyone who is unlicensed. A state-issued license essentially serves as a stamp of approval and assures clients of the legality of your business.
Protecting your clients, employees, and business – A lot can go wrong as a concrete contractor. Before applying for a license, you will need to have general liability and workers’ compensation insurance (if you plan on employing people). Insurance plans are going to protect you from potential accidents, injuries, and financial liabilities.

Why You Need

To Know

The Licensing Board has many general requirements that everyone will need to meet. They feature a lot of information online about the licensing process. To apply, here is what you need:

To be at least 18 years of age or older
To have a good moral character (i.e., a relatively clean criminal record). The Board uses its best judgment and discretion when performing background checks.
To show proof of financial responsibility and an acceptable credit score.
To pay the application fee

If you meet all of these requirements, you will then need to determine which classification of licensure is most suitable for your business. The three types of licenses include:

Limited License: You can work on projects that don’t exceed $500,000 in cost.
Intermediate License: You can work on projects that don’t exceed $1 million in cost.
Unlimited License: No matter the value of the project, you can work on it.

Here are some additional requirements:

Register your business with North Carolina Secretary of State
Find a qualifying party who can pass a licensing exam
Produce a financial statement showing that you are in good standing
Obtain a surety bond and pay the application/licensing fees

Once you have all the materials, documents and information you need, you can then submit your application. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors will then review everything. Next, upon approval, the state will require you to take and pass your licensing exam, which is administered by PSI – a U.S.-based corporation that provides test-taking solutions. You can check the upcoming exam dates and sign up for one by visiting the State of North Carolina Candidate Information Bulletin online.

Start

Advertising

Once you pass your exam, the state will then issue your license and you can immediately get to work. We recommend that you promote your business by creating a website, distributing business cards, and producing advertising material that you can post online. You can also make your license number visible in letterheads, emails, and other areas where you can display it.

Clients are much more likely to do business with you knowing that you have met all the proper licensing and insurance requirements. The biggest part of having success as a concrete contractor is to establish trust among community partners and build your reputation. If you are ever unsatisfied with your current coverage, you can always change plans.

Having your license will springboard your career and allow you to take on more profitable projects. All we ask is that you trust the process, and everything else will be easy.