North Carolina renewal guide
Electrical Contractor License (Unlimited)
If this license is up for renewal, this page gives you the fee, the timeline, and the items that usually hold the filing up.
See this alongside the other 13 North Carolina license pages we track.
Start here
What matters before you file.
Check the fee, the renewal window, and the documents or insurance records that can slow approval down.
Renewal period
Every 12 months
Renewal fee
$200.00
Late penalty
$25.00
Bond requirement
No
Insurance requirement
No
Continuing education
8 hours
Before you renew
Get the filing straight.
- 1
Finish the CE first
Complete the 8 required hours before you start the renewal.
- 2
File with the board
File through North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC) and pay the $200.00 renewal fee once the supporting proof is ready.
Renew online - 3
Leave room for processing
Typical processing time is 30 days, so do not wait until the last minute.
If you miss the deadline, the late penalty is $25.00.
Detailed notes
The fine print is here.
Unlimited classification: any project value anywhere in NC — NCBEEC license required
The North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC) issues the Unlimited classification license, which authorizes electrical contracting work at any project value statewide (G.S. § 87-43.3). Performing electrical contracting without a valid license is a Class 2 misdemeanor under G.S. § 87-48.
Application requires exam, bonding ability statement, and documented experience
To obtain the Unlimited license:
- Exam: Pass the NCBEEC Unlimited classification exam; application and exam fee: $125 (all classifications)
- Qualified individual: Designate at least one person on the NCBEEC application
- Bonding ability statement: A statement completed by a bonding company (or alternative financial documentation) is required to activate an Unlimited license — this is distinct from carrying an active bond
- Experience documentation: Demonstrated electrical experience required
Apply at ncbeec.org/licensing. Processing typically takes up to 30 days.
Annual $200 renewal with 8 CE hours — late renewal costs $25 extra
- Annual renewal fee: $200
- Continuing education: 8 hours per renewal year — 8 classroom hours, or 4 classroom + 4 online
- Late renewal fee: $25 applies to any renewal received after the license expiration date
Under G.S. § 87-44, the license is automatically revoked on the expiration date. Renew before expiration to avoid a reinstatement process.
NC has 10 NCBEEC classifications — Unlimited is the top tier
NCBEEC licenses electrical contractors across 10 classifications. The three standard tiers are:
- Limited (L): Projects up to $60,000; equipment rated at no more than 600 volts
- Intermediate (I): Projects up to $150,000; bonding ability statement also required
- Unlimited (U): No project value limit; authorizes all electrical systems and high-voltage work
Only the Unlimited classification lets you pull permits for any residential, commercial, or industrial electrical contracting project statewide.
Official links
Check the board or agency directly.
Required documents
- Examination Results
- Experience Documentation
Source notes
NCBEEC . N.C. Gen. Stat. §87-39 et seq., 21 NCAC 18B. ncbeec.org. Verified March 2026.
Rules move. Check North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC) again before you pay, renew, or schedule work around this requirement.
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Next steps
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Printable checklist
North Carolina checklist
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