North Carolina Contractor Continuing Education

Renewal guide

How to Renew Your North Carolina Contractor License

Who has to renew

North Carolina contractors holding a license in one of these classes: North Carolina General Contractor CE for invalid license not renewed for 2 years, Building, Residential, Unclassified, North Carolina General Contractor CE for invalid license not renewed for 1 year, Building, Residential, Unclassified renew with NC Licensing Board for General Contractors. Hours differ by license — 14 hours for North Carolina General Contractor CE for invalid license not renewed for 2 years invalid license not renewed for 2 years; 8 hours for Building, Residential, Unclassified, North Carolina General Contractor CE for invalid license not renewed for 1 year, Building, Residential, Unclassified.

When to renew

North Carolina contractors licenses renew every year, on a fixed statewide date — every licensee renews on the same day. The next renewal deadline is December 31, 2026. Continuing education must be complete 31 days before that date. (G.S. 87-10.2(g): the CE year runs January 1 to November 30 with a 90-day grace period after November 30; licences expire January 1 and renew by December 31 (G.S. 87-10). Stored as renewal 12/31 with a 31-day CE window so the CE deadline resolves to November 30. Elective course approvals expire December 1 each year (21 NCAC 12B .0302(g)); provider approval expires December 1 (2026 packet). — https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_87/GS_87-10.2.pdf)

Step by step

1. 1

   Confirm your license class and renewal date

   North Carolina sets contractors requirements by license class (North Carolina General Contractor CE for invalid license not renewed for 2 years, Building, Residential, Unclassified, North Carolina General Contractor CE for invalid license not renewed for 1 year, Building, Residential, Unclassified). Check the class printed on your license, then note your renewal date — renewals run a fixed statewide date — every licensee renews on the same day; the next fixed deadline is December 31, 2026.

2. 2

   Complete 8 to 14 hours of board-approved continuing education

   NC Licensing Board for General Contractors requires 8 to 14 hours every year (14 hours if invalid license not renewed for 2 years; 8 hours if Building, Residential, Unclassified, North Carolina General Contractor CE for invalid license not renewed for 1 year, Building, Residential, Unclassified), including Mandatory 2-hour Board course, Current year mandatory course, Changes in laws/rules and other content applicable to general contracting, Elective credit. Finish at least 31 days before your deadline so the completion is on file in time.

   See the North Carolina contractors course
3. 3

   Save your certificate of completion

   Download the certificate the moment you finish and keep it with your license records; North Carolina audits can reach back several years.

4. 4

   Make sure your hours reach the board

   In North Carolina, the provider uploads a completion roster to the board, within 7 days of completion.

5. 5

   Renew with NC Licensing Board for General Contractors

   Submit your renewal and pay the renewal fee before the deadline. A late renewal usually means a late fee, and a lapsed license can mean re-applying from scratch.

   Go to NC Licensing Board for General Contractors