Omaha General Contractor License (2026): Cost, Exam & Requirements

Nebraska has no state general-contractor license, but the City of Omaha requires anyone acting as a contractor in the city (or within its three-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction) to hold a city Contractor License from the Permits & Inspections Division. The license is tiered into five ICC-based classes (A–E) by building type: Class A/B cover full commercial/International Building Code work, Class C covers new residential (IRC), and Class D/E cover residential remodeling and specific residential trades. Class A, B, and C require passing the ICC certification exam. Every class requires a $10,000 surety bond and general-liability insurance ($300k–$1M by class). Homeowners may build/act as contractor on their own residence (and one new home on owned vacant land per five years) without a license.

City of Omaha Contractor License

Issued by City of Omaha — Planning Department, Permits & Inspections Division · (402) 444-5350

Classes

Class	Scope / limit	License fee	General liability
Class CResidential	all work allowed by the adopted International Residential Code (new one- and two-family residential)	$200	$500,000
Class A	unlimited — all work allowed by the adopted International Building Code	$300	$1,000,000
Class B	all International Building Code work up to four stories in height	$300	$1,000,000
Class D	IRC additions and remodeling of one- and two-family residential structures — available only as renewals	$100	$300,000
Class E	residential roofing, siding, replacement window and door, fence, and deck work allowed by the adopted International Residential Code	$100	$300,000

Exam: Required. Class A, B, and C applicants must pass the ICC Contractor Certification Program exam for the class sought, administered by a third-party testing agency approved by the ICC (both practical and theoretical; covers city building code knowledge and ability to supervise building activities). No exam is required for Class E. Class D licenses are available only as renewals; a lapsed Class D holder must test for a Class A, B, or C license.

Bond: $10,000 surety bond required. Corporate surety bond in the penal sum of not less than $10,000, from a surety licensed in Nebraska and approved as to form by the city law department; required of every license class prior to issuance and maintained continuously. Source

Insurance: General liability: Combined bodily-injury/property-damage minimum: Class A & B $1,000,000; Class C $500,000; Class D & E $300,000. A certificate of insurance providing combined coverage of bodily injury and property damage must be provided prior to issuance and maintained continuously. The ordinance does not separately specify a workers'-compensation requirement. Source

Omaha Municipal Code Ch. 43 (Building), Article IX (Contractors), §§ 43-271–43-290 (codified through Ord. 44626, enacted 3-10-2026; Supp. 99). License required to act as a contractor in the city or its three-mile ETJ (§43-272). The five classes follow the ICC Contractor Certification Program (§43-273(b)). License fees per term: Class A/B $300, Class C $200, Class D/E $100 (§43-276), with lapse penalties of $25 (31–60 days), $50 (61–365 days), and $100 (366+ days). Licenses expire at 11:59 p.m. Dec 31 of the expiration year noted on the license, not to exceed three years (§43-280). Continuing education: nine hours every three years as a condition of renewal/reinstatement (§43-281). A reciprocal license (§43-284), inactive license (§43-285), and temporary license (§43-286) also exist. Specialty tradesmen licensed by the city (e.g., electrical, plumbing, HVAC) and subcontractors under a licensed contractor are excluded from the contractor definition (§43-273(a)).

How to get licensed in Omaha

Identify the license class that matches your project size and scope (see the class table above).
Pass the required exam. Class A, B, and C applicants must pass the ICC Contractor Certification Program exam for the class sought, administered by a third-party testing agency approved by the ICC (both practical and theoretical; covers city building code knowledge and ability to supervise building activities). No exam is required for Class E. Class D licenses are available only as renewals; a lapsed Class D holder must test for a Class A, B, or C license.
Obtain the required insurance coverage and provide a certificate.
Secure the required surety bond.
Submit your application and fees to City of Omaha — Planning Department, Permits & Inspections Division.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a general contractor license in Omaha?

Is an exam required for a Omaha contractor license?

Yes. Class A, B, and C applicants must pass the ICC Contractor Certification Program exam for the class sought, administered by a third-party testing agency approved by the ICC (both practical and theoretical; covers city building code knowledge and ability to supervise building activities). No exam is required for Class E. Class D licenses are available only as renewals; a lapsed Class D holder must test for a Class A, B, or C license.

Do I need a bond for a Omaha contractor license?

Yes, a $10,000 surety bond is required.

Next steps

You know the requirements for general contractors in Nebraska— here's how to actually pass and apply.

Pass the exam →What to study, prep courses, and first-try strategies for the contractor license exam.General Contractor requirements in every state →Compare apprenticeship hours, exams, fees, and the full path to getting licensed.

Sources

Omaha Muni Code §43-272 — License required (2021-10-26)
Omaha Muni Code §43-273 — Contractor defined (Class A–E) (2021-10-26)
Omaha Muni Code §43-275 — Qualifications (ICC exam) (2021-10-26)
Omaha Muni Code §43-276 — License fee (2021-10-26)
Omaha Muni Code §43-279 — Bond and insurance (2021-10-26)
Omaha Muni Code §43-280 — Term (2021-10-26)
Omaha Muni Code §43-281 — Continuing education (2021-10-26)
City of Omaha Permits & Inspections — Licensing Information (portal; Akamai-blocked to agent)

Last verified 2026-07-02 · Verified from primary documents