North Carolina Contractor License Reciprocity
North Carolina has reciprocity agreements with 7 states. These agreements may allow you to skip certain trade exams when applying for a license in those states, or when applying for a North Carolina license with credentials from those states.
States That Accept a North Carolina License
Trade exam waiver for comparable classification. Must pass AL Business & Law exam. License must be held 1+ year with no disciplinary actions. 30-day processing.
HVAC license reciprocity; NC contractors may apply without trade exam
Trade exam waived if CA license active 5+ years
Trade exam waived under specific conditions; must pass business/finance and code exams
Trade exam waiver for holders of North Carolina State Licensing Board for General Contractors license, electrical, and HVAC licenses. Mississippi Business and Law exam still required.
Trade/technical exam waiver for qualifying license holders. Must still pass SC Business Management & Law exam. Residential: exam waiver for builder, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing if current license obtained by exam with no disciplinary action in last 3 years.
Trade exam waiver for Residential, Commercial, Electrical. Must pass TN Business & Law exam.
States Whose Licenses North Carolina Accepts
Exam waiver; must pass NC Business & Law exam
Exam waiver; must pass NC Business & Law exam
Exam waiver; must pass NC Business & Law exam
Exam waiver; must pass NC Business & Law exam
Exam waiver; must pass NC Business & Law exam
Exam waiver; must pass NC Business & Law exam
Exam waiver; must pass NC Business & Law exam
Working in North Carolina with an out-of-state company?
Reciprocity moves your license, not your business. An LLC formed elsewhere generally has to register as a foreign entity in North Carolina before it can contract there — Northwest files the qualification and serves as the in-state registered agent.
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Register your company in another state→Taking the business into North Carolina?
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