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North Dakota - 2026 Contractor License Requirements
Official North Dakota contractor license lookup information, agency details, and homeowner notes for verifying a contractor before hiring.
Official agency
Secretary of State contractor licensing
Official contractor licensing page with contractor search.
Visit official lookupAbout North Dakota contractor licensing
North Dakota handles contractor licensing through the Secretary of State, giving homeowners a statewide place to confirm whether a contractor is properly licensed. That centralized system is useful in a state where contractors may travel long distances between projects and where homeowners may be dealing with firms based in another city or another state.
How licensing works in North Dakota
North Dakota uses a statewide contractor licensing model through the Secretary of State rather than relying entirely on local general contractor boards. For homeowners, the statewide record establishes whether the contractor is licensed to operate in North Dakota and helps anchor the legal entity behind the job. The record should still be paired with permit checks and any trade-specific requirements depending on scope. A business license or out-of-state credential is not the same as a North Dakota contractor license.
What to verify in North Dakota
Use the Secretary of State's contractor search and look up the company by name or license information. Confirm the license is active and compare the exact legal entity name to the one on the estimate, contract, and insurance certificate. Review any expiration or status details shown in the record. If the contractor is based in Minnesota, South Dakota, or Montana, verify the North Dakota license directly instead of assuming regional experience covers it.
State-specific tips
- › On oil-region or fast-growth projects, verify the contractor before paying for mobilization or material deposits.
- › Ask the contractor to provide the North Dakota license number in writing so the record is easy to match later.
- › For rural properties, confirm who will handle permits locally in addition to the statewide license check.
- › Do not substitute a secretary-of-state business registration from another state for a North Dakota contractor license.
- › If the contract includes specialty systems, verify those trade credentials separately when required.
Free template
North Dakota Contractor Agreement Template
Download a free homeowner-contractor agreement template built for North Dakota law.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is contractor licensing in North Dakota and how does it work?
- North Dakota requires contractors performing construction work to be licensed through the Office of the Secretary of State (SOS) under NDCC Chapter 43-07. The SOS contractor licensing system requires financial solvency and insurance documentation but does not include a trade examination. Specialty trades — electrical under NDCC §43-09 and plumbing under NDCC §23-09 — are separately licensed through the ND State Electrical Board and ND State Plumbing Board.
- What work requires a licensed contractor in North Dakota?
- Under NDCC §43-07-05, contractors must be licensed for public improvement work and most commercial and residential construction projects. The license requirement applies broadly to general contractors, subcontractors, and specialty trades working above minimal thresholds. Electrical contractors must be licensed through the ND State Electrical Board under NDCC §43-09, and plumbing contractors through the ND State Plumbing Board under NDCC §23-09.
- How do I verify a contractor's license in North Dakota?
- Verify contractor licenses at the SOS online portal at sos.nd.gov/business/licensing-registration/contractors. Enter the contractor's name or license number and confirm the license is Active and current. For specialty trade contractors, verify separately: electrical through the ND State Electrical Board at ndelectricboard.org, and plumbing through the ND State Plumbing Board at health.nd.gov/plumbing.
- What happens if a contractor is unlicensed in North Dakota?
- Under NDCC §43-07-21, contracting without a required North Dakota license is a class B misdemeanor. Unlicensed contractors may be ordered to stop work and the SOS can impose civil fines. While North Dakota does not have a state contractor recovery fund, homeowners may pursue civil remedies for damages through North Dakota District Court or small claims court (up to $15,000).
- What insurance and bond does a licensed contractor need in North Dakota?
- North Dakota requires licensed contractors to carry general liability insurance and a surety bond as conditions of licensure under NDCC §43-07-05. Minimum amounts vary by contractor classification and project type. Workers' compensation is required under NDCC §65-01 for contractors with employees — North Dakota is a monopolistic workers' comp state, meaning all coverage must be purchased through Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI), not private insurers.
- Does North Dakota require workers' compensation for contractors?
- Yes, and uniquely so. North Dakota is one of four monopolistic workers' compensation states — all coverage must be purchased through Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) under NDCC §65-01; private workers' comp policies are not permitted. Any contractor with employees must carry WSI coverage. Verify WSI coverage at workforcesafety.com. If a contractor's uninsured worker is injured on your property, you may face statutory employer liability.
- Can I do my own home improvement work without a licensed contractor in North Dakota?
- Yes. North Dakota's contractor licensing requirements under NDCC §43-07-01 apply to contractors performing work for compensation, not to homeowners doing their own work. Homeowners may perform construction or improvements on their own residence without a contractor license. However, specialty trade work — electrical, plumbing, and HVAC — may require permits and licensed tradespeople under local building codes.
- How do I file a complaint against a contractor in North Dakota?
- File a complaint with the North Dakota Secretary of State at sos.nd.gov for general contractor licensing violations. For specialty trade complaints, contact the ND State Electrical Board at ndelectricboard.org or the ND State Plumbing Board at health.nd.gov/plumbing. For consumer fraud, contact the North Dakota Attorney General's consumer protection division at ag.nd.gov. Civil disputes can be filed in ND small claims court for amounts up to $15,000.