Why Verify a Contractor's License?

In North Carolina, any general contractor working on a project valued at $30,000 or more must hold a valid license from the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC). Hiring an unlicensed contractor puts you at risk:

No recourse through the NCLBGC if work is substandard
Potential liability issues if workers are injured on your property
No guarantee the contractor meets minimum financial and technical qualifications
Difficulty filing insurance claims or warranty disputes

What is the NCLBGC?

The NC Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating general contractors in North Carolina. Established in 1925, the Board ensures that contractors meet minimum financial, technical, and ethical standards before they can legally perform construction work in the state.

The NCLBGC maintains a public database of all licensed contractors, including their license status, level, trade classifications, and qualifier information. NCContractorCheck makes this data searchable and easy to browse.

Step-by-Step: Verify a License

1

Get the license number

Ask the contractor for their NCLBGC license number. Legitimate contractors will provide this readily. It typically starts with "L." followed by numbers (e.g., L.12345).

2

Search on NCContractorCheck

Enter the contractor's name or license number in the search bar on our homepage. You'll instantly see their license status, level, trade classifications, and more — all sourced from official NCLBGC records.

3

Verify on the official NCLBGC portal

For official verification, visit the NCLBGC Qualifier Search portal to confirm the license status directly with the state licensing board.

4

Check the details

Verify: (a) License status is Active, not Expired. (b) License level matches the project value — Limited licenses cap at $500K, Intermediate at $1M. (c) Trade classifications include the type of work you need done. (d) Expiration date hasn't passed.

Red Flags to Watch For

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Refuses to provide a license number — Every licensed NC contractor has a public NCLBGC license number.

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License shows "Expired" — An expired license means the contractor is not currently authorized to work.

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License level too low for your project — A contractor with a Limited license ($500K max) cannot legally take on a $750K project.

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No results found — If a search for the contractor yields no results, they may not be licensed in NC.

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Wrong trade classification — A contractor licensed for highway work may not be qualified for residential roofing.

What if a Contractor is Unlicensed?

If you discover a contractor is working without a valid NCLBGC license on a project over $30,000, you can:

Report them to the NCLBGC at portal.nclbgc.org
File a complaint with the NC Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at ncdoj.gov
Contact your local building inspections department

Note: Some types of work (projects under $30,000, certain specialty trades) may not require an NCLBGC general contractor license. Check with the NCLBGC if you're unsure.

How to Verify an NC Contractor License