Nevada Contractor License Types & Requirements

Nevada Contractor License Overview

Nevada contractor licenses are issued by the Nevada State Contractors Board. Instead of using the same classification structure as California, Nevada organizes licenses into major classes, subclassifications, and specialty classifications.

Important: Nevada contractors, including subcontractors and specialty contractors, must be licensed before submitting bids or performing work that falls under Nevada contractor licensing law.

A

General Engineering

For fixed works and engineering-type construction such as highways, bridges, grading, pipelines, utilities, and infrastructure.

B

General Building

For buildings and structures, including residential, small commercial, commercial remodeling, and related building work.

AB

General Building + Engineering

For applicants qualified to work in both general building and general engineering classifications.

C

Specialty Contractor

For specialized trades such as plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, roofing, sheet metal, masonry, solar, and fire protection.

Who Needs a Contractor License in Nevada?

In Nevada, businesses and individuals who construct or alter buildings, highways, roads, parking facilities, railroads, excavations, or other structures generally need to be licensed by the Nevada State Contractors Board.

Nevada law also includes exemptions. One important exemption involves repair or maintenance work valued under $1,000, including labor and materials. However, that exemption does not apply in several situations, including when a building permit is required or when the work is plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, heating, or air-conditioning work.

Simple way to explain it: Small handyman-style work may be exempt in limited situations, but plumbing, electrical, HVAC, refrigeration, permitted work, and larger projects should be treated carefully. When in doubt, check the Nevada State Contractors Board classification and exemption rules before advertising, bidding, or performing the work.

Nevada General Contractor License Types

Class A — General Engineering Contractor

A Nevada Class A General Engineering license is connected to fixed works and engineering-type construction. Nevada's Class A subclassifications include airports, highways, dams and reservoirs, bridges, excavating and grading, sewers and drains, paving, pipelines, industrial piping, fencing and guardrails, asbestos removal, fountains and water features, and telecommunication towers.

Class A Examples	Common Project Types
A-2 Highways	Roadway and highway construction.
A-4 Bridges	Bridge construction and related fixed works.
A-7 Excavating and Grading	Sitework, excavation, grading, and earthwork.
A-15 Sewers, Drains, and Pipes	Underground utilities, sewer systems, drainage, and pipe-related work.
A-19 Pipeline and Conduits	Pipeline and conduit work with additional sub-subclassifications.

Class B — General Building Contractor

A Nevada Class B General Building license is used for building construction and remodeling. Nevada Class B subclassifications include premanufactured housing, residential and small commercial, speculative building, service stations, prefabricated steel structures, commercial remodeling, and residential remodeling.

Class AB — General Building and General Engineering

Nevada also recognizes an AB classification. This is limited to applicants who are qualified to work in both the Class A General Engineering and Class B General Building classifications.

Class B / AB License	What It Points To
B-2 Residential and Small Commercial	Residential and small commercial building work.
B-6 Commercial Remodeling	Commercial remodeling work.
B-7 Residential Remodeling	Residential remodeling work.
AB General Building and General Engineering	Applicants qualified for both A and B work.

Nevada Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical & HVAC Licenses

Nevada's trade licenses are not named exactly the same way as California's. Plumbing and heating are mainly under C-1, electrical is under C-2, and refrigeration and air-conditioning are mainly under C-21. Sheet metal, gas equipment, water heaters, chilled-water piping, solar, and fire protection may fall into other Nevada classifications or subclassifications depending on the work.

Trade Area	Nevada Classification	What It Covers
Plumbing and Heating	C-1	Plumbing, heating, boilers, pipe and duct insulation, sheet metal, heating/cooling/circulating air, gas pipes and vents, water heaters, and chilled-water piping through C-1 subclassifications.
Plumbing	C-1d	Safe water supply, sanitary waste and vent systems, roof drainage, hydronic systems within stated limits, landscape irrigation, potable water heating, gas supply, and related piping.
Electrical	C-2	Electrical wires, fixtures, appliances, apparatuses, raceways, conduits, wind-energy electrical systems in certain settings, and C-2 subclassification work.
Low Voltage	C-2d	Fiber optics and systems not exceeding 91 volts, including telephone, sound, cable TV, video, satellite, networking, instrumentation, temperature controls, and landscape lighting.
Residential Wiring	C-2f	Electrical wiring and related work up to 600 volts on new or existing structures within the classification limits.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning	C-21	Refrigeration, air conditioning, sheet metal, maintenance, solar air-conditioning, chilled and hot water systems, and industrial piping through C-21 subclassifications.
Air Conditioning	C-21b	Installation, repair, service, and maintenance of air-temperature control equipment, machinery, units, ductwork, humidity controls, and thermostatic controls.
Refrigeration	C-21a	Equipment and systems controlling air temperatures below 50°F in refrigerators, refrigerated rooms, and insulated spaces.

C-1 Plumbing and Heating Contractor

The C-1 Plumbing and Heating classification is one of the most important Nevada trade classifications for mechanical and plumbing-related work. A C-1 license holder may perform work authorized under the C-1 subclassifications, which include boilers, fire sprinklers, pipe and duct insulation, plumbing, sheet metal, heating/cooling/circulating air, gas pipes and vents, water heaters, and chilled-water piping.

C-2 Electrical Contractor

The C-2 Electrical classification is Nevada's main electrical contractor classification. It includes electrical wires, fixtures, appliances, apparatuses, raceways, conduits, and certain wind-energy electrical systems. The C-2 classification also includes subclassifications for electrical wiring, integrated ceilings, fire detection, low voltage systems, lines to transmit electricity, residential wiring, and photovoltaics.

C-21 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractor

The C-21 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning classification is the main Nevada license area for refrigeration and air-conditioning work. It includes refrigeration, air-conditioning, sheet metal, maintenance, solar air-conditioning, chilled and hot water systems, and industrial piping subclassifications.

Nevada mechanical note: "Mechanical" work in Nevada can involve more than one classification. HVAC contractors often look at C-21, but plumbing, boilers, water heaters, gas piping, chilled-water piping, sheet metal, and fire protection may point to C-1, C-13, C-38, C-39, C-41, or another classification depending on the exact work.

Nevada Class C Specialty Contractor Classifications

Nevada uses Class C specialty classifications for trades requiring special skill. The Nevada State Contractors Board site references 42 Class C subcategories, while its general FAQ describes 36 primary Class C classifications. In practical terms, many primary classifications also contain smaller subclassifications.

Nevada Class C specialty contractor license classifications chart — Nevada Class C specialty contractor classifications and key trade categories.

License	Primary Classification	License	Primary Classification
C-1	Plumbing and Heating Contracting	C-20	Tiling
C-2	Electrical Contracting	C-21	Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning
C-3	Carpentry, Maintenance and Minor Repairs	C-23	Drilling Wells and Installing Pumps, Pressure Tanks and Storage Tanks
C-4	Painting and Decorating	C-24	Erecting Scaffolds and Bleachers
C-5	Concrete Contracting	C-25	Fencing and Equipping Playgrounds
C-6	Erecting Signs	C-26	Institutional Contracting
C-7	Elevation and Conveyance	C-27	Individual Sewerage
C-8	Glass and Glazing Contracting	C-28	Fabricating Tanks
C-9	Movement of Buildings	C-30	Installing Equipment to Treat Water
C-10	Landscape Contracting	C-31	Wrecking
C-11	Spraying Mixtures Containing Cement	C-33	Installing Industrial Machinery
C-13	Using Sheet Metal	C-36	Installing and Applying Polyurethane or Similar Products and Coatings
C-14	Steel Reinforcing and Erection	C-37	Solar Contracting
C-15	Roofing and Siding	C-38	Installing Equipment Used with Liquefied Petroleum and Natural Gas
C-16	Finishing Floors	C-39	Installing Heaters
C-17	Lathing and Plastering	C-40	Specialties Not Authorized by Other Classifications
C-18	Masonry	C-41	Fire Protection Contracting
C-19	Installing Terrazzo and Marble	C-42	Constructing, Altering or Improving Video Service Networks

Core Nevada Contractor License Requirements

Most Nevada contractor license applicants must prove that the business has a qualified individual who can oversee the day-to-day construction business and the actual trade work being performed.

Choose the correct classification. Pick the Nevada classification that matches the work you plan to advertise, bid, contract, and perform.

Document experience. Most standard applicants need at least four full years of experience as a journeyman, supervising employee, foreman, or contractor in the requested classification within the 15 years before applying.

Submit the contractor license application. Nevada applications may require work experience documentation, a resume of experience, financial information, background disclosures, and related forms.

Pass the required exams. The qualifying individual is generally required to pass the Business and Law/CMS exam and the trade exam for the requested classification unless an exam waiver applies.

Meet financial and bonding requirements. Nevada requires financial information, and the Board sets the bond amount at approval. The bond amount can vary depending on the license type, monetary limit, financial responsibility, experience, and character.

Provide workers' compensation or exemption paperwork. Nevada contractors may need proof of industrial insurance compliance or an exemption affidavit depending on the business.

Pay license fees and complete final issuance requirements. After approval, the applicant is instructed to submit final documents, license fees, bond, and related items before the license is issued.

Nevada Contractor License Exams

Nevada requires most applicants to pass a Business and Law exam, also called the CMS examination, plus a trade exam specific to the license classification. Exams are administered through PSI after the application is filed and the Board verifies the applicant's experience.

License Area	Typical Exam Path
A General Engineering	Business & Law / CMS + Class A trade exam or applicable classification exam.
B General Building	Business & Law / CMS + Class B trade exam or applicable subclassification exam.
C-1 Plumbing and Heating	Business & Law / CMS + C-1 trade exam or applicable subclassification exam.
C-2 Electrical	Business & Law / CMS + C-2 trade exam or applicable subclassification exam.
C-21 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning	Business & Law / CMS + C-21 trade exam or applicable subclassification exam.

Study note: Nevada's Business and Law/CMS exam is open book using the Construction Business and Law Manual for Nevada. Trade exams are generally closed book, except certain code references may be allowed depending on the exam outline.

Newer Nevada Restricted B-7 Residential Remodeling License

Nevada also created a restricted B-7 residential remodeling license pathway. This license is intended for limited residential remodeling and improvement work within a restricted monetary limit. The restricted B-7 license is different from a full unrestricted contractor license.

Restricted B-7 Item	What to Know
Work limit	Restricted work may not exceed $7,000 including labor and materials.
Experience	Restricted B-7 applicants need two years of experience instead of the standard four-year experience requirement.
Bond	A $2,000 surety or cash bond, or higher if determined by the Board, is required.
Exam	The Business and Law/CMS exam is required. The restricted B-7 path does not require the same trade exam as a full license.
Scope limits	The restricted license is for certain nonstructural remodeling and improvement work on existing detached single-family residences and does not authorize life-safety trades or specialty work outside the license scope.

Nevada Contractor License FAQ

Who issues contractor licenses in Nevada?

Contractor licenses in Nevada are issued by the Nevada State Contractors Board.

What are the main Nevada contractor license classes?

The major Nevada classes are Class A General Engineering, Class B General Building, Class AB General Building and General Engineering, and Class C Specialty Contractor.

What Nevada license covers plumbing?

Plumbing-related work is mainly under C-1 Plumbing and Heating, especially the C-1d Plumbing subclassification. Other plumbing-adjacent work may involve additional C-1 subclassifications.

What Nevada license covers electrical work?

Electrical contracting is mainly under the C-2 Electrical classification. Nevada also has electrical subclassifications for low voltage, residential wiring, photovoltaics, fire detection, and lines to transmit electricity.

What Nevada license covers HVAC?

Refrigeration and air-conditioning work is mainly under C-21. Some related mechanical work may also involve C-1, C-13, C-38, C-39, or C-41 depending on the exact work.

How much experience do I need for a Nevada contractor license?

Most standard applicants need at least four full years of experience in the requested classification within the 15 years before applying. The restricted B-7 pathway has different requirements.

Does Nevada require a Business and Law exam?

Yes. Most applicants must pass the Business and Law/CMS exam and a trade exam specific to the classification unless a waiver applies.

Are Nevada trade exams open book?

The Nevada Business and Law/CMS exam is open book. Trade exams are generally closed book, except for certain code references allowed by the specific exam outline.