North Dakota Contractor License Lookup

North Dakota requires a contractor license from the Secretary of State for any job over $4,000. Electricians and plumbers need separate state trade licenses. Search contractors on the official site of North Dakota Secretary of State, Contractor Licensing, and see the rules for trades and the job price where each applies. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Search North Dakota Secretary of State, Contractor Licensing

North Dakota rules checked against official sources on October 25, 2026.

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Labor and materials together, in dollars. Leave it blank to see the state's dollar limits.

North Dakota: Remodel, repair or home improvement

  • This state rule applies to jobs over $4,000. Credential: contractor license.

    A Secretary of State contractor license is required when the cost, value or price of a job is over $4,000. This includes general contractors and subcontractors. Source: N.D.C.C. 43-07-02(1)

    Conditions and exceptions for this rule:

    • License classes (A to D) are set by the size of the largest single job the contractor may take on.

Look up a contractor on the official site

Search North Dakota Secretary of State, Contractor Licensing

What to check on the board's record

  • The name or business on the record matches the name on your contract or estimate.
  • The status is active, not expired, suspended or revoked.
  • The license type or class covers your kind of job.
  • The license number in the contractor's ads and contract is the same one.

This summarises state rules from official sources. Only the board's own record can confirm one contractor's license. Checked October 25, 2026.

How North Dakota licenses contractors

North Dakota requires a contractor license from the Secretary of State for any job over $4,000. Electricians and plumbers need separate state trade licenses. N.D.C.C. 43-07-02

Acting as a contractor without a required license is a class A misdemeanor, and the unlicensed contractor cannot sue in North Dakota courts over the work. N.D.C.C. 43-07-02

Rules by type of work

Home improvement, new homes and roofing

  • contractor license: A Secretary of State contractor license is required when the cost, value or price of a job is over $4,000. This includes general contractors and subcontractors. Issued by North Dakota Secretary of State, Contractor Licensing. N.D.C.C. 43-07-02(1)
    • License classes (A to D) are set by the size of the largest single job the contractor may take on.

Electrical work

  • electrical license: Installing, adding to, altering or repairing electrical wiring or equipment requires a State Electrical Board license. The statute sets no dollar threshold. Issued by North Dakota State Electrical Board. N.D.C.C. 43-09-09(1)

Plumbing

  • plumber license: Master and journeyman plumbers must be licensed by the State Plumbing Board in any place with a public water or sewer system. There is no dollar threshold. Issued by North Dakota State Plumbing Board. N.D.C.C. 43-18-11
    • Homeowners may do plumbing on the home they own and live in, if it meets the board's minimum standards.

Heating and air conditioning (HVAC)

We could not confirm a statewide North Dakota rule for this work from official sources. Ask the contractor which license covers it, check that license with the agency that issued it, and ask your city or county building department.

Where to look up contractors in North Dakota

On the record, check that the name matches your contract, the status is active (not expired, suspended or revoked), the license type covers your job, and the license number matches the one the contractor gave you.

What this tool does not do

  • It does not check any one contractor. Only the board's own record shows whether a license is active and what it covers.
  • It covers state rules. Cities and counties can add their own licenses and permits, and the tool cannot list every local rule.
  • It does not decide whether a contractor broke the law or what you can recover. For a dispute, contact the board or a lawyer.
  • It does not cover every specialty trade a state licenses (for example pest control, elevators or well drilling).

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Use the official online license search from North Dakota Secretary of State, Contractor Licensing. Search by the contractor's name, business name or license number, and check that the status is active and the license type covers your job. Other state boards on this page: the North Dakota State Electrical Board and the North Dakota State Plumbing Board.

Do you need a contractor license for a small job in North Dakota?

A Secretary of State contractor license is required when the cost, value or price of a job is over $4,000. This includes general contractors and subcontractors. For jobs of $4,000 or less, this state rule generally does not apply, but the conditions and exceptions listed on this page can change that, and a city or county can require its own license.

Which trades need a state license in North Dakota?

Electrical: electrical license from the North Dakota State Electrical Board. Plumbing: plumber license from the North Dakota State Plumbing Board.

What happens if a North Dakota contractor works without a required license?

Acting as a contractor without a required license is a class A misdemeanor, and the unlicensed contractor cannot sue in North Dakota courts over the work.

Sources

Checked against official North Dakota sources on October 25, 2026.

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