How much does a General Contractor license cost in North Carolina?

Getting a General Contractor license in North Carolina costs $225 upfront (exam fee $75, application fee $75, license fee $75). Renewal runs $75 every 2 years.

How much do licensed general contractors earn in North Carolina?

Licensed general contractors in North Carolina earn a median salary of $60,450/year, compared to $44,640/year without the license.

How many CE hours are required to renew a General Contractor license in North Carolina?

North Carolina requires 20 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew a General Contractor license.

General Contractor Licenses › North Carolina

General Contractor License Cost in North Carolina 2026: $225 Fees, $60K Salary

Getting a General Contractor license in North Carolina costs $225 upfront. At state-adjusted salaries, that pays back in 0.2 months.

General Contractor License in North Carolina — Key Numbers

$225

Upfront Cost

$60K

Median Salary (Licensed)

$75

Renewal (every 2 yrs)

0.2 mo

Payback Period

Salary data: BLS OEWS 2024 state estimates. Fees: state licensing board schedules.

General Contractor License Cost Breakdown — North Carolina

Exam fee $75

Application fee $75

Initial license fee $75

Total upfront $225

Renewal fee (every 2 yrs) $75

CE hours required per cycle 20 hours

Salary without license (North Carolina) $44,640/yr

Salary with license (North Carolina) $60,450/yr

5-year net ROI $79K

Licensing body: North Carolina Contractors Licensing Board. Verify current fees before applying — schedules change.

General Contractor License in North Carolina — What to Know

North Carolina contractor licensing varies by trade — general contractors, electricians, and plumbers typically have separate licensing tracks. The $60K median for licensed GCs in North Carolina represents experienced contractors managing residential and commercial projects. Licensing allows you to pull permits and take on projects above the state's unlicensed threshold. Many North Carolina GCs start with a specific trade license (electrician, HVAC, plumbing) before adding a general contractor license.

Payback Calculator

Your Current Salary

Total Upfront Cost

Expected Salary with License in North Carolina

Other License Costs in North Carolina

Real Estate Agent → CPA → Registered Nurse →

← All states: General Contractor License Costs

All certifications in North Carolina · Payback period by state

Embed this calculator

Add this free calculator to your website or blog — no signup required.

<iframe
  src="https://certpayback.com/licenses/general-contractor/north-carolina?embed=true&utm_source=embed&utm_medium=iframe&utm_campaign=widget"
  title="General Contractor License Cost in North Carolina 2026: $225 Fees, $60K Salary"
  width="100%"
  height="520"
  style="border:none; border-radius:8px; box-shadow:0 1px 4px rgba(0,0,0,.12);"
  loading="lazy"
  allowtransparency="true"
></iframe>