North Dakota renewal guide
Class A General Contractor License
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 11 North Dakota 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.
Issuing authority
Renewal period
Every 12 months
Renewal fee
$90.00
Late penalty
$50.00
Bond requirement
No
Insurance requirement
Yes — General Liability, Workers' Compensation
Before you renew
Get the filing straight.
- 1
Check the insurance certificates
Make sure the required policies are current and match what the board or agency expects before you file.
- 2
File with the board
File through North Dakota Secretary of State and pay the $90.00 renewal fee once the supporting proof is ready.
Renew online - 3
Leave room for processing
Typical processing time is 14 days, so do not wait until the last minute.
If you miss the deadline, the late penalty is $50.00, with a 92-day grace period.
Detailed notes
The fine print is here.
North Dakota Class A General Contractor License
The Class A General Contractor license from the North Dakota Secretary of State authorizes construction work with no limit on the value of any single contract — required for any project priced over $4,000.
Who Needs a License
Any contractor whose jobs exceed $4,000 per project must hold a state contractor license under NDCC §43-07-02(1). Class A is the only tier with no ceiling: Class B caps at $500,000, Class C at $300,000, and Class D at $100,000 per contract. If your projects exceed $500,000, Class A is the correct license.
Applying: Fees and Documents
The application fee is $450 (NDCC §43-07-07(2)(a)). Processing typically takes 14 days. Submit through FirstStop ND at firststop.sos.nd.gov/forms/contractor, the Secretary of State’s contractor portal. Required at application:
- General liability insurance certificate naming the North Dakota Secretary of State (600 E Boulevard Ave, Dept 108, Bismarck ND 58505) as certificate holder
- Workers’ Compensation: certificate of WSI coverage if you have employees; certificate of WSI good standing if sole proprietor with no employees
No examination required. No continuing education required.
Annual Renewal
Renew by March 1 each year. The renewal fee is $90 (NDCC §43-07-07(3)(a)).
- Late window: March 2–June 1 — renew with an additional $50 penalty (NDCC §43-07-10(3))
- After June 1: applications are rejected — the license expires
Operating Without a License
Performing construction work valued over $4,000 without a valid license is a Class A misdemeanor under NDCC §43-07-02(2). Unlicensed contractors lose the right to enforce contracts and cannot file mechanics’ liens for work performed without a license.
Official links
Check the board or agency directly.
Required documents
- Proof of Insurance
- workers_compensation_certificate
Source notes
North Dakota Secretary of State, NDCC Chapter 43-07 . Verified March 2026. https://www.sos.nd.gov/business/licensing-registration/contractors
Rules move. Check North Dakota Secretary of State again before you pay, renew, or schedule work around this requirement.
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Next steps
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