North Dakota contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
North Dakota contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (North Dakota Secretary of State (contractor licensing)), how to check one online, the license types, and 288 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in North Dakota?
| Who licenses them | North Dakota Secretary of State (contractor licensing) |
|---|---|
| License types | Class A Contractor License, Class B Contractor License, Class C Contractor License, Class D Contractor License |
| When a license is required | License required when a job's cost, value, or price exceeds $4,000. Class D covers single jobs up to $100,000, Class C up to $300,000, Class B up to $500,000, and Class A has no limit |
Contractors must file proof of liability insurance and workers' comp coverage (WSI), and renew each year by March 1. The contractor's license number must appear on building permits. Before repairing a home defect or suing over warranty, owners must give the contractor written notice by mail within six months of learning of the defect (NDCC 43-07-26). This applies to new one- and two-family homes and to home improvements worth more than $2,000.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in North Dakota?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the North Dakota contractor license lookup run by North Dakota Secretary of State (contractor licensing).
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact North Dakota Secretary of State (contractor licensing).
What contractor licenses does North Dakota issue?
- Class A Contractor License
- Class B Contractor License
- Class C Contractor License
- Class D Contractor License
How do you get a contractor license in North Dakota?
Licenses are issued by the North Dakota Secretary of State (contractor licensing). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official North Dakota Secretary of State (contractor licensing) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many home improvement contractors are there in North Dakota?
The Census Bureau counted 288 residential remodelers with employees in North Dakota in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Cass County | 73 |
|---|---|
| Burleigh County | 36 |
| Grand Forks County | 28 |
| Ward County | 27 |
| Morton County | 15 |
| Stark County | 13 |
| Williams County | 12 |
| Rolette County | 9 |
What do North Dakota homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in North Dakota was built in 1981, 37% of households rent and 63% of homes are single-family houses. 41% of homes heat with utility gas and 40% with electricity, and 2% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in North Dakota?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: North Dakota licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.