North Dakota Contractor License Exam Guide (2026)

How North Dakota licenses contractors

Any contractor performing more than $4,000 of work annually must hold a North Dakota license. The Secretary of State issues Class D (up to $100k) through Class A (unlimited) credentials after applicants pass the state law exam, submit financial statements, and provide liability insurance.

Contractors design for minus-thirty wind chill, 70-psf prairie snow, gumbo clay heave, and spring floods. Exams highlight frost-depth footings, grain-bin lightning protection, and oilfield safety programs.

Official source: North Dakota Secretary of State (contractor licensing—verify)

North Dakota contractor license types

Applicants must provide a financial statement showing net worth that matches their desired class, carry liability insurance, and register for workers-comp through Workforce Safety & Insurance.

What's on the North Dakota contractor exam

The Secretary of State offers the exam online and at the Bismarck office; PSI centers in Fargo and Minot provide proctored versions for larger firms.

What North Dakota exam questions emphasize

• North Dakota Century Code 43-07 licensing requirements
• Lien law Chapter 35-27 and notice timelines
• Reporting and withholding rules for multi-county crews
• OSHA cold-weather safety, trenching, and confined-space rules

Exam-day logistics

• Schedule after submitting the application and fees
• Bring government ID and the Secretary of State law booklet
• Results post immediately; pay the license fee and submit insurance proof to activate the number

Trade-specific exam guides

If you're licensing in a single trade rather than the North Dakota general contractor classification, the dedicated trade hub will get you to the right code book and exam structure faster.

• General contractor exam guide — IBC/IRC, NASCLA acceptance, and Business & Law.
• Electrical contractor exam guide — NEC (NFPA 70) calculations and grounding/bonding.
• Plumbing contractor exam guide — IPC/UPC drainage sizing, venting, and backflow.
• HVAC contractor exam guide — IMC ventilation, refrigerant management, and load calcs.

North Dakota code books & approved references (2026)

Always confirm the exact editions and tab rules in your candidate bulletin before exam day. Editions can change between license cycles.

• North Dakota Century Code 43-07 (Contractors)
• North Dakota Mechanics Lien Law (Chapter 35-27)
• North Dakota energy code (IECC 2018 base)
• OSHA 29 CFR 1926
• Workforce Safety & Insurance rules

Fees & timeline for the North Dakota contractor license

• $100 application/exam fee
• $90-$450 annual license fee depending on class
• Liability insurance and workers-comp premiums
• City business licenses (Fargo, Bismarck, Minot) if required
• Continuing education costs for electricians/plumbers holding state trade credentials

Use the All States hub for budgeting; confirm current fees with the Secretary of State.

North Dakota Business & Law focus

The open-book exam covers North Dakota statutes, lien law, payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, and OSHA basics.

• Understand the definition of contracting under NDCC 43-07
• Know mechanics lien procedures, prelien notice, and foreclosure timelines
• Register with the Tax Commissioner for withholding, sales, and contractor certificates
• Maintain records for Workforce Safety & Insurance audits

Practice with our national Business & Law exam hub for cross-state baseline rules.

A focused 4-week study plan for the North Dakota exam

Because contractors design for minus-thirty wind chill, 70-psf prairie snow, gumbo clay heave, and spring floods, this four-week outline targets what North Dakota field inspectors and your licensing board exam items actually test—not generic national prep.

1. Week 1 — Map the exam. Pull your current candidate bulletin, list every reference, and confirm the modules you have to pass. Start a one-page error log. Spend extra time on: North Dakota Century Code 43-07 licensing requirements.
2. Week 2 — Code book navigation. Drill open-book lookups (or memorisation drills if your module is closed-book) until you can find any answer in under 60 seconds. Anchor practice around: Lien law Chapter 35-27 and notice timelines.
3. Week 3 — Business & Law. The open-book exam covers North Dakota statutes, lien law, payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, and OSHA basics. Layer in scenario-based questions on contracts, lien notice, payroll, and insurance.
4. Week 4 — Full simulations. The Secretary of State offers the exam online and at the Bismarck office; PSI centers in Fargo and Minot provide proctored versions for larger firms. Run two full-length timed simulations. Review every miss with a one-sentence rule statement.