North Carolina Contractor License Classifications

Those, who want to obtain a North Carolina contractor’s license, can aim for a general, electrician, plumber, or other specialty contractor’s license.  In addition, for each type of license, an applicant must apply to the appropriate Board and choose the license type.

The license type plays a huge part as the applicant is to decide on the areas of working, as well as show competency in a certain field of contracting.

North Carolina Contractor License Classifications

Each contractor’s license has its classifications and sub-classifications, which determine the type of work that can be done using the license. Hence, to check the list of North Carolina contractor license classifications and their definitions, see the checklist below.

General North Carolina Contractor License Classifications

The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors handles the licensing process for applicants, who need to have their general contractor’s license. In addition, an applicant can choose one of the following types of licenses:

• Building
• Highway
• Residential
• Specialty
• Public Utilities
• Unclassified (involves all of the above-mentioned classifications)

Building Contractor License

To clarify, this license covers all the building construction and demolition activities. It includes:

• Driving ways
• Site work
• Gutters
• Paving of parking lots (as well as grading)
• Sidewalks
• Machinery and subordinate structures
• Inner and external recreational facilities
• Storm drainage
• Athletic fields (whether natural or unnatural)
• Parking decks
• Bleachers
• Commercial, industrial, institutional, as well as residential construction

Residential Contractor License

To clarify, this license covers construction and demolition activities relating to the construction of residential units (buildings). It includes:

• All site work
• Driving ways
• Sidewalks
• Water and wastewater systems (subordinate to the above-mentioned structures and improvements)

Highway Contractor License

To clarify, this license covers highway construction activities and includes the following:

• Grading
• Parking decks
• Paving (of all types)
• Installation of outer artificial surfaces
• Drainage
• Moving utility lines (which are subordinate to a principal project, bridge construction, or repair)
• Gutter construction and repair
• Curbs
• Aprons
• Sidewalks
• Gutters
• Putting in place of guard rails
• Signs
• Highway machinery
• Taxiways
• Installation of runway lighting and marking
• Fencing

Public Utilities Contractor License

To clarify, this license applies to operations, which pertain to water and wastewater systems. Not only does this license include the mentioned work, but it also involves work done under the specialty classifications of S.

Specialty Contractor License

To clarify, this license covers all construction operations and the performance of contract work. Furthermore, the specialty license has its sub-classifications as well.

Sub-classifications of the Specialty Contractor License

H (Grading and Excavating)

To clarify, this sub-classification includes digging, transporting, and putting materials, which form the surface of the earth. Those activities do not include air and water. Furthermore, hand and power tools, as well as other types of machines are useful for such works and construction. Those machines, in short, are used for these types of work done.

It also includes the use of explosives (ancillary to the above-mentioned activities), as well as cleaning and grubbing, and erosion control actions.

S (Boring and Tunneling)

To clarify, this one covers the construction of  ways, which are beneath the surface of the ground or water. Digging or drilling are the main means of performing work under the earth’s surface. It also includes the bracing and compacting of such ways.

PU (Communications)

To clarify, this one covers the installment of all types of pole lines and aerial and underground distribution. Not only does it include the aforementioned categories, but it also refers to telephone system cables, underground conduit and communication cable, microwave systems, and towers.

Metal Erection

To clarify, this one covers the destruction, reclamation, reconstruction, and alteration of architectural structures.

Swimming Pools

To clarify, this one is connected with all swimming pools. In other words, it refers to the building, knocking down, service, and renovation (repair).

Railroad Construction

To clarify, this one entails constructing/building, as well as fixing railroad lines.

Interior Construction

To clarify, this one covers the installments and knocking down of acoustical ceiling systems and panels. Not only does the sub-classification cover the aforementioned categories, but it also includes supporting partitions, and coating.

Electrical North Carolina Contractor License Classifications

The North Carolina  Board of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC), in short, handles the licensing process for applicants, who need to have their electrical contractor’s license.

Scope of SP-SFD License

To clarify, this license is for a single-family residence (accommodations), particularly for a garage or carport. It may also be useful for a farm or household equipment storage, a stud, a pump house, an electric wall, or yard lighting.

Scope of SP-FA/LV License

To clarify, this license is for fire alarms, housebreaker alarms, and low voltage wiring systems.

Scope of SP-EL License

To clarify, the license allows installing or repairing electrical wiring.

Scope of SP-PH License

To clarify, this license is for plumbing, heating, and air conditioning systems.

Scope of SP-WP License

To clarify, this license is for groundwater pumps.

Scope of SP-ES License

To clarify, this license is for electric signs.

Scope of SP-SP License

To clarify, this license is for swimming pools.

Plumbing Contractor License Classifications

P-I Contractor (Plumbing-Class I)

North Carolina contractor license, in short, is for performing work on drinkable water and channel/drain, garbage, as well as vent piping systems (in any building).

P-II Contractor (Plumbing-Class II)

This license, in short, is for operating on drinkable water and channel, garbage, and vent piping systems. It is particularly for  single-family houses, which are different from apartments, duplexes, and other types of structures.

RLP Contractor (Restricted Limited Plumbing)

This license, in short, is for performing plumbing work on inner/outer building sewer piping, and water filtering structures.

Limited Contractor License

This type of license, in short, is for projects not exceeding $500,000, with working capital of $17,000, a net worth of $80,000, and a surety bond of at least $350,000.

Intermediate Contractor License

This type of license, in short, is for projects that do not exceed $1,000,000, with a working capital of $75,000 and a surety bond of at least $1,000,000.

Unlimited Contractor License

This type of license, in short, is for projects of any size, with a working capital of $150,000 and a surety bond of at least $2,000,000.

Contact Information

North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors
5400 Creedmoor Rd., Raleigh, NC 27612
Phone: 919-571-4183
Fax: 919-571-4703

Board of  Electrical Contractors
3101 Industrial Drive, Suite 206
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: (919) 733-9042
Fax: (800) 691-8399