- Anyone bidding on Residential or Commercial construction or remodel projects involving framing, concrete, electrical and plumbing trades
- In Nevada there are 6 sub classifications under the General Building License
- If you get the Nevada General Contractor License you are allowed to bid on the following types of projects:
PRE MANUFACTURED HOUSING (sub-classification B-1):
- Pre-manufactured units
- Modular parts
- Residential buildings no more than three stories above the ground
RESIDENTIAL AND SMALL COMMERCIAL (sub-classification B-2):
- Construction and remodeling of houses and other structures which support, shelter or enclose persons or animals or other chattels
SPECULATIVE BUILDING (sub-classification B-3):
- Construction upon property owned by the contractor of structures for sale or speculation
SERVICE STATIONS (sub-classification B-4):
- Construction of structures and installation of equipment used to perform service upon vehicles.
PREFABRICATED STEEL STRUCTURES (sub-classification B-5):
- Prefabricated steel of structures to be used for the support, shelter or enclosure of persons or animals or other chattels
COMMERCIAL REMODELING (sub-classification B-6):
- Interior spaces in structures which support, shelter or enclose persons or animals or other chattels, including, without limitation, structures which exceed more than three stories in height and buildings with fewer than three stories that are connected to structures which exceed three stories
Who Needs a General 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”
General Contractor Requirements
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
Basic 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 Journeyman Level Experience?
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 maintain 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
The Contractors Board in Nevada may request to see the documentation of your experience.
It is important that you have some way to prove your claim of being a journeyman.
Proving Your Construction Experience
You may document your 4 years of trade 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 your work.
You may use any of the following people to sign off on your experience:
- Employers
- Foreman or Supervisors
- Journeyman
- Licensed Contractor
- Union Representative
- Building inspector
- Architect
- Engineer
- Client
- Customer
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 built our house” – Is not descriptive enough
“Jim has installed rafters, girders and engaged in formwork. 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!
What is on the Nevada General Contractor License Exam?
The General Contractor License trade test will cover the following topics:
- Site Work
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Metals
- Carpentry
- Plan Reading and Estimating
- Thermal and Moisture Protection
- Doors and Windows
- Drywall
- Finishes
- Safety
- Nevada One Call
NSCB Testing Information
Nevada currently accepts the NASCLA commercial general building exam.
This means that you have the option of either taking the NASCLA examination OR the Nevada state test for general contractors.
Learn more about the NASCLA examination
Construction Management
- 60 Questions
- 120 Minutes
- 75% Minimum Score
NEVADA General Building Exam
- 80 Questions
- 3 Hours
- 56% Minimum Score
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
- 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
NSCB Licensing Fees and Application
How much is a Nevada General Building 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 General Contractor License Reciprocity Agreement
Can I use my Nevada General Contractor license in California?
Contractor License reciprocity is an agreement between the Contractor licensing boards of two different states.
It can mean that they have similar building standards, allowing contractors to work freely between states.
In the context of licensing, it means that a contractor who is licensed in one state, may not need to retake an exam to get licensed in another state.
Learn more about Nevada’s reciprocity agreement with California, Arizona, and Utah!
Construction Apprenticeships
Whether you are looking to become a journeyman in Nevada or begin a career in the construction industry, you will want to master a trade.
One of the best ways to build a solid foundation in your career is by looking into an apprenticeship program. These types of schools can provide you with valuable training in a trade.
To be a general contractor, you must have a skill set that goes beyond just construction knowledge. There are many opportunities within this growing sector.
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!
Blueprint Reading Course
Those looking to do pursue a career in construction should be able to read construction blueprints and identify basic lines and symbols.
Construction blueprints communicate important information about the way in which a structure is built as well as what materials are necessary or have been used for its construction.
Being comfortable with construction blueprints is an invaluable skill for those looking to get a contractor license and especially for general builders.
See our Free Blueprint Reading Course!
Nevada OSHA Guidelines
Statistically, 21% of all work-related fatalities are in construction.
That equals about 1 and 5 worker deaths on average.
In the construction industry, the leading cause of worker deaths is reported as falls, struck by an object, electrocution, and caught-in/between.
Safety is a huge part of managing a construction site. General Contractors should know everything about safely supervising a project.
If you or your workers are not properly trained, it can place unnecessary risk to not only your personal safety but your bottom line as a business.
For employment with a licensed general contractor in Nevada, you may be asked to complete some level of Nevada OSHA Safety Training.
Get Started!
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 a construction company!
The Construction industry is highly lucrative. Check out these blog posts for information on the licensing process for Louisiana, Georgia, California, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona
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.