How to Check a Contractor's License in North Dakota

North Dakota requires contractors to be licensed through the Secretary of State's office for most construction projects. Unlike states that use a dedicated licensing board, North Dakota runs its contractor licensing program as a registration system managed at the state level. The threshold is relatively low — any contractor working on projects valued at more than $4,000 needs to be licensed.

This guide covers how North Dakota's contractor licensing system works, how to look up a contractor's license, what the different license classes mean, and what else to verify before hiring someone.

Does North Dakota require a contractor license?

Yes. North Dakota requires any contractor performing construction work on projects exceeding $4,000 in value to hold a valid license issued by the Secretary of State. This applies to general contractors, subcontractors, and specialty contractors alike. The threshold includes both labor and materials, and licenses must be renewed annually.

North Dakota law requires any contractor performing construction work on projects exceeding $4,000 in value to hold a valid contractor's license issued by the Secretary of State. This applies to general contractors, subcontractors, and specialty contractors alike. The $4,000 threshold includes both labor and materials.

The licensing requirement is established under North Dakota Century Code Chapter 43-07. Contractors must submit an application, pay a licensing fee, and provide proof of a surety bond. The bond amount varies based on the license class. Licenses are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

One important detail: North Dakota's contractor license is more of a registration system than a competency-based licensing program. There is no exam requirement. The state is primarily verifying that the contractor is bonded and has met the administrative requirements, not testing their technical knowledge or skills.

What are North Dakota's contractor license classes?

North Dakota issues four license classes based on maximum project value: Class A (unlimited, $25,000 bond), Class B (up to $500,000, $15,000 bond), Class C (up to $100,000, $10,000 bond), and Class D (up to $50,000, $5,000 bond). Hiring a contractor for a project that exceeds their license class is a violation of state law.

North Dakota issues contractor licenses in several classes based on the maximum value of projects the contractor can take on. Each class has a corresponding bond requirement:

• Class A— Unlimited project value. Requires a $25,000 surety bond. This is the highest class and allows the contractor to bid on and perform work of any dollar amount.
• Class B— Projects up to $500,000 in value. Requires a $15,000 surety bond.
• Class C— Projects up to $100,000 in value. Requires a $10,000 surety bond.
• Class D— Projects up to $50,000 in value. Requires a $5,000 surety bond.

If a contractor takes on a project that exceeds the dollar limit of their license class, they are operating outside the scope of their license. This is a violation that can result in penalties and may indicate the contractor is not properly equipped for larger projects.

How do I look up a contractor's license in North Dakota?

Go to the North Dakota Secretary of State contractor search at firststop.sos.nd.gov/search/contractors, enter the contractor or business name, and review the results. The listing shows license class, license number, status, and expiration date. Always confirm the license class covers the value of your specific project before hiring.

The North Dakota Secretary of State maintains an online database of licensed contractors. You can search this database to verify whether a contractor holds a valid license and what class they are licensed under.

To check a contractor's license:

1. Go to the North Dakota Secretary of State contractor search page.
2. Enter the contractor's name or business name in the search field.
3. Review the results. The listing will show the contractor's license class, license number, status, and expiration date.

When reviewing the results, pay attention to several things. First, confirm the license status is active and not expired, suspended, or revoked. Second, check the license class to make sure it covers the value of your project. A Class D contractor cannot legally take on a $75,000 project. Third, verify the business name matches the entity you are hiring. Some contractors operate under different business names or DBAs.

Are electricians and plumbers licensed separately in North Dakota?

Yes. Electricians are licensed through the North Dakota State Electrical Board, and plumbers are licensed through the North Dakota State Plumbing Board—both separate from the Secretary of State contractor license. If your project involves electrical or plumbing work, verify those licenses through the respective board websites in addition to the general contractor license.

North Dakota's general contractor license through the Secretary of State does not cover all trades. Several specialty trades have their own separate licensing requirements administered by different state agencies.

Electriciansare licensed through the North Dakota State Electrical Board. The board issues licenses at the master, journeyman, and apprentice levels. Electrical contractors must also hold a contractor's license from the electrical board. You can verify an electrician's license on the North Dakota State Electrical Board website.

Plumbers are licensed through the North Dakota State Plumbing Board. Similar to electricians, plumbers are licensed at different levels and must pass examinations. Verify plumbing licenses through the North Dakota State Plumbing Board website.

Mechanical contractors working on HVAC systems may be subject to additional requirements depending on the scope of work and the local jurisdiction. Some cities have their own mechanical licensing requirements.

If your project involves specialty trade work, make sure the contractor or subcontractor holds both the general contractor license from the Secretary of State and the appropriate specialty trade license from the relevant board.

Do North Dakota cities have their own contractor requirements?

Yes. Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks all have local building departments that may require additional contractor registration, insurance, or bonding beyond the state minimums. Even contractors with a valid state license may need to register locally before performing work in a specific city.

In addition to the state-level licensing requirement, some North Dakota cities have their own contractor licensing or registration programs. Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks all have local building departments that may require additional registration or permits.

Local requirements often include proof of insurance, bonding at levels above the state minimum, and compliance with local building codes. Even if a contractor has a valid state license, they may still need to register locally before performing work in a particular city.

Contact the building department in the city where your project is located to find out what additional requirements apply.

What else should I verify beyond the license?

Beyond confirming the license class and status, verify general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage directly with the carriers, confirm the business entity is registered with the Secretary of State, check the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division for complaints, and contact at least three recent references before signing a contract.

A valid contractor's license is an important starting point, but it is not the only thing you should check. Here is what else to look into:

• Insurance.Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage and workers' compensation insurance. The state license requires a surety bond, but it does not mandate specific insurance coverage levels. Verify the insurance directly with the carrier.
• Bond status. While the license requires a bond, bonds can lapse or be cancelled. Ask the contractor for their bond information and verify it is still active with the surety company.
• Business registration. Confirm the contractor is registered as a business entity with the North Dakota Secretary of State. This is separate from the contractor license and tells you the business is a legitimate legal entity.
• Complaints and legal history. Check with the North Dakota Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division for any complaints filed against the contractor. You can also search court records for any lawsuits involving the contractor.
• References. Ask for references from recent projects and actually call them. Ask about quality, timeliness, communication, and whether the project stayed on budget.

Common issues to watch for

Expired licenses. Because North Dakota licenses are renewed annually, it is not uncommon to find contractors operating with expired licenses. Always check the expiration date in the online database before hiring.

Wrong license class.Make sure the contractor's license class covers your project value. A Class D contractor bidding on a $100,000 project is not properly licensed for that scope of work.

Missing specialty licenses. A general contractor license does not authorize electrical or plumbing work. If the contractor is doing their own electrical or plumbing work rather than using licensed subcontractors, that is a problem.

Operating without a license. Any contractor working on projects over $4,000 without a license is violating state law. This is a red flag for professionalism and may create problems with insurance claims or legal disputes down the road.

The bottom line

North Dakota requires contractors to hold a license from the Secretary of State for projects over $4,000. You can verify a contractor's license online through the Secretary of State's contractor search tool, which shows the license class, status, and expiration date. Make sure the license class covers your project value, and check separately for specialty trade licenses if the work involves electrical, plumbing, or mechanical trades. Beyond the license itself, verify insurance, bond status, business registration, and references. The license is a necessary minimum, but thorough verification goes beyond just confirming a license number.