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NDState License Required

North Dakota Contractor License

North Dakota Secretary of State / Construction Licensing

North Dakota requires a state-level contractor license for projects above $4,000 per project. Exam required. NASCLA not accepted. Administered by North Dakota Secretary of State / Construction Licensing.

Licensing & Bidding in North Dakota

North Dakota requires a state contractor license for any project valued at $4,000 or more, administered through the Secretary of State's construction licensing program. That low threshold means nearly any meaningful bid — public or private — will require your license number and the correct class on the proposal. North Dakota uses four classes tied to project value: Class A (unlimited), Class B (up to $500,000), Class C (up to $100,000), and Class D (up to $50,000). Match your class to the bid before you commit; submitting on work above your class limit can render your bid non-responsive and jeopardize contract enforceability.

The state requires an exam, and while North Dakota does not accept the NASCLA national exam, it does offer exam reciprocity with Minnesota, which can shorten the path for contractors already qualified there. Out-of-state bidders should still expect to register the business, satisfy insurance requirements, and note that workers' compensation in North Dakota runs exclusively through the monopolistic Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) fund — you cannot use a private carrier, so build WSI coverage into your labor burden when pricing bids.

Bidding unlicensed in North Dakota is a Class B misdemeanor, exposing you to fines up to $1,500 and up to 30 days imprisonment. Beyond the criminal exposure, the practical hit is to your collections position and standing on public work. To protect bid work, verify your license class covers the contract value, confirm WSI coverage is active before mobilizing, and renew on time so an expired credential never disqualifies an otherwise winning bid.

Key Facts

GC License Required
Yes
Threshold
$4,000 per project
Exam Required
Yes
NASCLA Accepted
No
Official Board Website

Fees

Application Fee
$100
License Fee
$100 - $400 depending on classification
Renewal Fee
$100 - $400 annually

Key Facts

  • License required for projects valued at $4,000 or more
  • Classifications: Class A (unlimited), B ($500K), C ($100K), D ($50K)
  • Workers compensation through monopolistic Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI)
  • Exam reciprocity with Minnesota

Insurance Requirements

General Liability
Required; amount varies by classification
Workers Comp
Required through monopolistic state fund (WSI)
Surety Bond
Required; amount varies by classification (Class A-D)

Continuing Education

Not required

Reciprocity States

MN

Specialty Licenses Required

ElectricalPlumbingHVAC

How to Apply

  1. 1Submit application to the North Dakota Secretary of State
  2. 2Pass the required contractor exam for your classification
  3. 3Obtain general liability insurance
  4. 4Obtain workers compensation through Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI)
  5. 5Post required surety bond for your classification level
  6. 6Pay application and license fees ($100-$400)

Penalties for Unlicensed Work

Class B misdemeanor; fines up to $1,500; up to 30 days imprisonment

Related Templates

Pre-Qualification QuestionnaireCOI Request FormSubcontractor Agreement

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. North Dakota requires a state-level contractor license for projects above $4,000 per project. The administering board is North Dakota Secretary of State / Construction Licensing.
Yes. North Dakota requires a licensing exam. You must pass the state-specific exam.
General Liability: Required; amount varies by classification. Workers Comp: Required through monopolistic state fund (WSI). Bond: Required; amount varies by classification (Class A-D).
Class B misdemeanor; fines up to $1,500; up to 30 days imprisonment
North Dakota issues four classes by project value: Class A (unlimited), Class B (up to $500,000), Class C (up to $100,000), and Class D (up to $50,000). Choose the class that covers your largest anticipated contract, because bidding above your class limit can make your proposal non-responsive.
North Dakota does not accept the NASCLA national exam, but it does provide exam reciprocity with Minnesota. Contractors already qualified in Minnesota may avoid retaking the trade exam, though they must still complete North Dakota's business registration, insurance, and licensing application steps.
North Dakota uses a monopolistic state fund — Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI). Private workers' comp policies are not permitted, so contractors must obtain coverage through WSI. Factor WSI premiums into your labor burden when estimating bids, as this differs from most states' open-market carrier model.

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