Nevada Handyman License Requirements?

If you are a handyman that does not hold a license in Nevada, these are some basic rules of thumb you will want to keep in mind when advertising your services.

Don't take the job if:

• A building permit is required to perform the work
• The work is of a type performed by a plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, heating or air-conditioning contractor
• The work is of a type performed by a contractor licensed in a classification set by the NSCB and significantly affects the health, safety and welfare of members of the general public
• The work is performed as a part of a larger project

Steps to forming a handyman business in Nevada

Once you understand the services you can legally offer. You can take the proper steps to setting up your handyman business. 

1. Register your name and choose a (DBA - Doing Business As) - Having a Fictitious Name or Company Name 
2. Choose a Business Entity - Understanding the difference between a Sole Proprietor, LLC, S-Corp and Partnership
3. Basic Accounting - Simple Accounting Practices that will help you avoid headaches come tax time
4. You also may want to look into setting up a handyman website where you can promote your services

Those are essentially the basic three steps you can follow to get started. Depending on what part of Nevada you are in you may need to apply for a Nevada Business License. 

Handyman Courses and Certifications

Before we learn about the requirements to get a Contractor License in Nevada, lets take a look at some of the alternatives to licensing that you can obtain as a handyman. 

Whether you are a licensed and bonded contractor or a handyman with personal liability insurance, presenting yourself as a knowledgable advisor and professional is critical. 

Homeowners trust your knowledge and expertise. The following certifications are easy and in-expensive to obtain:

• Lead Safety Certification - Homes and structures built before 1978 probably have high levels of lead paint somewhere within them. This 8 hour course teaches you the negative affects of lead exposure and how to contain it in a safe manner. Having this certification and showing that you are compliant with Federal EPA laws, is an excellent marketing piece for your handyman business
• Mold Certification - Mold exposure can be very hazardous to the elderly and small children. Having a mold certification can help you position yourself as an expert and get referral business
• Home Inspection Professional - Home inspection is a booming business. Typically before a home sale is complete, a home inspector can be hired to inspect the foundation and structural integrity of a house. While this certification may require some structural and foundational knowledge, it can be an excellent alternative to getting a contractor license

Who Needs a Contractor License in Nevada?

• Anyone bidding on construction projects over $500 in labor or materials
• Anyone offering services involving: Construct, Alter, Repair, Add to, Subtract from, Improve, Move, Wreck, or demolish any building, highway, road, railroad
• Anyone engaging in excavation, structural work, development or improvement including erecting scaffolding
• In Nevada the term "Contractor" is synonymous with "Builder"

Required Experience – To get a contractor’s license in Nevada you must hold at least 4 years of journeyman level experience. Meaning experience gained either as a: Foreman, Supervisor, Contractor or Journeyman. To learn more about the differences between these job titles, read below.

Qualifying Person – You will need to have at least 4 references confirming your level of experience. The individuals you choose must have first-hand knowledge of your level of experience. They can either be an employer, fellow employee, journeyman, foreman, building inspector, union-representative supervisor or client. This person cannot be a family member unless that family member was your employer.

Description of Work Experience- The Nevada state contractors board requires all applicants to also provide a detailed description of your daily duties, tasks, responsibilities, and work experience associated with the license you are applying for. You will need to include dates, current address and contact number of your current and former employers. If self-employed include documentation detailing projects and the contact number of your clients

Exam - There are two exams you will need to pass in order to get a contractor license in Nevada. Trade and Construction Management. Contractor examinations in Nevada are facilitated by a third party company named PSI. Read below for more information on testing.

Criminal Background Check - All applicants must complete a criminal background check prior to getting a license. Nevada Contractors Board Fingerprinting can be done at any approved location. 

Form a Legal Entity - You must form a legal entity before applying for a contractor license in Nevada. You can choose between: Sole Proprietor, Partnership, Corporation or LLC. To learn more about which entity is best for the construction industry, read below. 

Contractor Bond - All licensed contractors in Nevada must be bonded. The amount of your bond is determined by the Nevada State Contractors Board. It can be anywhere between $1,000 - $500,000 depending on a variety of factors. To learn more about the bonding process in Nevada, Continue reading.

Pay License Fees - 

• The Application Fee is currently ---------$300 
• License Activation ----------- $680 (every two years)
• Bond Fee for Cash Bond ------------- $200
• Residential Recovery Fund ------------ $200 - $1000 (for residential contractors only)

Submit Application - You can find an application here

Send to:

2310 CORPORATE CIRCLE, SUITE 200, 

HENDERSON, NEVADA, 89074

Nevada Contractor License Requirements

You must meet the following basic requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of Age
• Form of USA Issued Identification
• Social Security Number
• Not Currently On Probation or Parole

You Must also have

• 4 Years of Journeyman Level Experience
• Be able to document your experience if the Nevada Contractors Board request
• A Business Entity

What is a Journeyman?

Journeyman level experience means that you have reached a certain level of mastery and knowledge of your trade.

Credit for experience in Nevada is only issued at the journeyman or supervisory level.

You must be aware of every aspect of your trade as well as maintaining a certain level of safety and quality control.

• Journeyman can perform all of the duties associated with their trade un-supervised. This person has either completed an apprenticeship or is an experienced worker
• Foreman is a supervising employee on a job-site and has full knowledge of all of the duties and skills that a journeyman would have
• Contractor is an independent tradesman who manages and supervises several phases of a construction job

Proving Your Construction Experience

You may document your 4 years of experience in the following ways:

• W2’s
• Tax Returns
• Check Stubs
• Contracts
• Letter from a licensed contractor

Who can sign off on your construction experience?

The Nevada State Contractors Board will require you to submit 4 notarized references verifying your construction experience.

These references must be from people who have first hand knowledge of your experience and who have witnessed you work. 

You may use any of the following people to sign off on your experience:

Describing your work experience to the NSCB

In addition to references. You must also include a detailed description of your experience. 

Each reference must include

• Name
• Current Address
• Phone Number
• Dates of Employment

Your description must go into a certain level of detail:

"Jim is a great guy and built our house" - Is not descriptive enough

"Jim has installed rafters, girders and engaged in form work. He has experience with framing, pouring concrete, mixing mortar and stacking. Jim has overseen construction job sites, maintained worker safety and overseen electrical wiring, plumbing and roof installations" - This is an example of a much more descriptive explanation

You will want to talk about the:

• Types of construction projects
• Trades
• Crafts
• Task and Duties

Forming a Business Entity in Nevada

You will have to form a legal entity. You can learn more about setting up a business entity on the Nevada Secretary of State Website.

You must first choose a name and then you can choose the type of entity you want.

Typically, construction companies choose either:

• Sole Proprietor
• Partnership
• LLC
• S-Corporation

For a complete explanation of the difference between these types of entities and which one makes the most sense for someone applying for a contractor license, check out this free guide!

Types of Contractor License Classifications in Nevada

Nevada A - General Engineering

Nevada B - General Building

Nevada C - Specialty Classifications

What Is On The Nevada Contractor License Law Exam?

The exam covers the following topics:

• Licensing
• Estimating and Bidding
• Lien Law
• Financial Management
• Tax Laws
• Labor Laws
• Project Management
• Contracts
• Risk Management
• Environmental Safety and Health Department Regulations
• Occupational Safety
• Construction Regulations

If you are unfamiliar with the contractor license laws, it could be helpful for you to enroll in a Nevada contractor license school. 

However, make sure you understand the scope of what contractor classes actually teach you.

To learn more about the difference between a trade school and a contractor license school, check out this article!

NSCB Testing Information

• 120 Minutes
• 60 Questions
• 75% Passing Score
• You will get 3 chances to pass the exam (2 weeks between each exam date)

You must first register for an examination at the Nevada State Contractors Board website.

Once the board accepts your application packet, they will mail you a candidate eligibility letter that will include a PSI Registration Form with instructions on how to select an exam date. 

• One Examination $95
• Two Examinations $140
• Computerized Test
• Bring 2 forms of Identification
• Open Book
• Arrive 30 minutes before scheduled exam time
• You will have to forfeit your exam fee if you cancel less than 2 days before your date, are late or fail to bring identification

Exam Locations

There are three available testing locations:

• LAS VEGAS

3210 East Tropicana Avenue

Las Vegas, Nevada 89121

• RENO

Airport Plaza Office Building

1755 E Plumb Lane Ste 108

Reno, Nevada 89502

• ELKO 

225 Silver Street Ste 102

Elko, Nevada 89801

Nevada Contractor License Lookup Page

For consumers looking for a licensed and bonded contractor in the state of Nevada, you can check out this page

You may be also required to register and get  a Nevada state business license. The Nevada department of business and Industry has information about this process.

Handyman License Laws in California

• In the State of California, individuals that perform handyman services cant charge more than $500 for labor and materials. 
• This also means that you are not allowed to split up the project into smaller stages or parts to stay under the $500 limit. 
• This law in some cases prohibits you from even being involved in a project where the cost of labor and materials exceeds $500.

In my experience, it is just easier to obtain a contractor license vs. trying cutting the price of your services or trying to come up with creative ways to evade state laws. 

Learn more about handyman license laws in California!

REFRIGERATION (sub-classification C-21a) 

• Devices, machinery and units for the control of air temperatures below 50°F in 
• Refrigerators, refrigerated rooms and insulated spaces 
• Insulation, ducts, blowers, registers, controls over humidity and thermostatic controls 
• Lines for supplying natural gas not the installation of other gas or electric services for the devices, machinery or units

AIR-CONDITIONING (sub-classification C-21b)

• Equipment, devices, machinery, units and related ductwork which use evaporation, refrigeration, boilers or combustion for the control of air temperatures in structures 
• Humidity and thermostatic controls

SHEET METAL (sub-classification C-21c)  

• Sheet metal, including, without limitation, cornices, flashings, gutters, and leaders 
• Downspouts for rainwater, pans, food service equipment, ducts, louvres, patented chimneys, flues and metal roof 

MAINTENANCE (sub-classification C-21d)

• Existing units or systems of air-conditioning and refrigeration, including the compressors, motors, relays, coils, heat exchangers and other appurtenances and equipment, 
• not including the replacement of complete condenser assemblies on remote systems, air handlers or any work that may alter the design of an existing system.

SOLAR AIR-CONDITIONING (sub-classification C-21e)

• Installation of the collectors, piping, storage and other equipment used in the conversion of solar energy to energy used for the control of air temperatures.

CHILLED AND HOT WATER SYSTEMS (sub-classification C-21f)

• Boilers, chillers, coils, cooling towers, piping, pumps, storage tanks, and valves
• Other equipment used in the production and transfer of water for the control of temperatures

INDUSTRIAL PIPING (sub-classification C-21g)

• The fabrication, installation, repair and removal of piping and equipment used for the transmission of water, steam, gas, chemicals, food and other substances for industrial uses

Nevada HVAC Contractor License Requirements

You must meet the following basic requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of Age
• Form of USA Issued Identification
• Social Security Number
• Not Currently On Probation or Parole

You must also meet the following plumber requirements

• 4 Years of Journeyman Level Experience
• Be able to document your experience if the Nevada Contractors Board request
• A Business Entity

What is a Journeyman?

Journeyman level experience means that you have reached a certain level of mastery and knowledge of your trade.

Credit for experience in Nevada is only issued at the journeyman or supervisory level. 

You must be aware of every aspect of your trade as well as maintaining a certain level of safety and quality control.

• Journeyman can perform all of the duties associated with their trade un-supervised. This person has either completed an apprenticeship or is an experienced worker
• Foreman is a supervising employee on a job-site and has full knowledge of all of the duties and skills that a journeyman would have
• Contractor is an independent tradesman who manages and supervises several phases of a construction job

Proving Your HVAC Experience

You may document your 4 years of experience in the following ways:

• W2’s
• Tax Returns
• Check Stubs
• Contracts
• Letter from a licensed contractor

Signature from a Qualifying individual

The NSCB (Nevada State Contractors Board) will require you to submit 4 notarized references verifying your construction experience.

These references must be from people who have first hand knowledge of your experience and who have witnessed you work. 

You may use any of the following people to sign off on your experience as an HVAC contractor:

Description of work experience

In addition to references. You must also include a detailed description of your experience. 

Each reference must include

• Name
• Current Address
• Phone Number
• Dates of Employment

Your description must go into a certain level of detail:

"Jim is a great guy and an HVAC Technician" - Is not descriptive enough

An example of a more descriptive explanation would be:

"Jim has installed A/C Units, serviced heating units, changed freon, and maintained a safe job site. He is experienced with electrical and plumbing hook ups, has installed compressed and engaged in duct work...etc"

• This classification may sometimes be referred to as the air conditioning license or simply the AC license.
• These are all position titles that fall under the C-21 license for Air-Conditioning and refrigeration.

Forming an HVAC Business in Nevada

You will have to form a legal entity before you can get a license and offer HVAC services. You can learn more about setting up a business entity on the Nevada Secretary of State Website

You must first choose a name and then you can choose the type of entity you want for your HVAC company.

Typically, construction companies choose either:

• Sole Proprietor
• Partnership
• Construction LLC
• S-Corporation

For a complete explanation of the difference between these types of entities and which one makes the most sense for someone applying for a contractor license, check out this free guide!

Nevada Contractor License Exam

Lets start with the Construction Management Survey Exam...

This is a LAW & BUSINESS focused test that will cover the following topics:

• Licensing
• Estimating and Bidding
• Lien Law
• Financial Management
• Tax Laws
• Labor Laws
• Project Management
• Contracts
• Risk Management
• Environmental Safety and Health Department Regulations
• Occupational Safety
• Construction Regulations

If you are unfamiliar with the contractor license laws, it could be helpful for you to enroll in a Nevada contractor license school. 

However, make sure you understand the scope of what contractor classes actually teach you. There are several schools that specialize in Nevada exam prep.

Learn more about the difference between a trade school and a contractor license school!

Nevada HVAC License Exam

The trade portion of the test will cover:

NSCB Testing Information

You must first register for an examination at the (NSCB) Nevada State Contractors Board website.

Once the board accepts your application packet, they will mail you a candidate eligibility letter that will include a PSI Registration Form with instructions on how to select an exam date. 

• You will get 3 chances to pass the exam (2 weeks between each exam date)

• One Examination $95
• Two Examinations $140 (if the second exam is the Construction Management Exam)
• Computerized Test
• Bring 2 forms of Identification
• Open Book
• Arrive 30 minutes before scheduled exam time
• You will have to forfeit your exam fee if you cancel less than 2 days before your date, are late or fail to bring identification

Nevada Contractor Exam Locations

There are three available testing locations:

NSCB Licensing Fees and Application

How much is a Nevada HVAC license? Currently the NCSB fees include:

• The Application Fee is currently ---------$300 
• License Activation ----------- $680 (every two years)
• Bond Fee for Cash Bond ------------- $200
• Residential Recovery Fund ------------ $200 - $1000 (for residential contractors only)

Submit Application - You can find an application here

Send to:

2310 CORPORATE CIRCLE, SUITE 200, 

HENDERSON, NEVADA, 89074

Nevada Contractor License Lookup Page

For consumers looking for a licensed and bonded contractor in the state of Nevada

You may be also required to register and get  a Nevada state business license. The Nevada department of business and Industry has information about this process.

Nevada Contractor License Reciprocity Agreement

HVAC Apprenticeships

Whether you are looking to get a journeyman card in Nevada or begin a career in the HVAC construction trade.

One of the best ways to build a solid foundation in your career is by looking into an apprenticeship program school. These types of schools can provide you with valuable HVAC technician training. 

Average HVAC technician salary is $50,400. There are many opportunities within this specialized trade. 

If you are new to the world of construction and have heard the term “journeyman” or “apprentice” and are not sure what these terms mean, or perhaps where to even start.

Learn more about the step by step path from an Apprentice to Journeyman!

Nevada OSHA Guidelines

Conclusion

Getting a Nevada state contractor license can be a huge step up in your career if you are looking to start your own business or become an RMO for an existing HVAC company!

The Construction industry is highly lucrative.

The key is to take action and follow these steps from beginning to end.

If you have found this article, be sure to let us know! and check back for more updates in the future.