North Dakota uses a three-agency model for construction-related credentials: 1. North Dakota State Electrical Board (NDSEB) licenses individual electricians and electrical contractors under North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) Chapter 43-09. Classes include Apprentice, Class B Journeyman, Class A Master, and Electrical Contractor. Source: NDSEB (https://www.ndseb.com/). 2. North Dakota State Plumbing Board licenses individual plumbers and plumbing contractors under NDCC Chapter 43-18. Classes include Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Plumber. Source: ND State Plumbing Board (https://www.ndplumbingboard.gov). 3. North Dakota Secretary of State issues a statewide Contractor License under NDCC Chapter 43-07 for any person or entity engaging in construction work for a contract price of $4,000 or more. The Contractor License is tiered by project value (Class A: unlimited, Class B: $500,000, Class C: $300,000, Class D: $100,000). It requires proof of general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. The Contractor License is separate from NDSEB and State Plumbing Board trade licenses and does not substitute for them. Trades not state-licensed at the trade-board level. - HVAC / mechanical. No statewide HVAC trade license. Regulated at the municipal level (Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot) plus federal EPA Section 608. Fuel-gas piping may fall within plumbing-board scope; verify with the State Plumbing Board. - General construction. No statewide trade license, but the ND Contractor License (above) covers all construction above the $4,000 threshold. License classes and experience (state trade boards). - NDSEB Class B Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours registered apprentice experience plus exam. - NDSEB Class A Master Electrician: additional hours as Class B plus Master exam. - NDSEB Electrical Contractor (firm): holds a Class A Master of record. - ND State Plumbing Board Journeyman: approximately 8,000 hours apprentice experience plus exam. - ND State Plumbing Board Master: additional experience plus Master exam. Bonding and insurance. No statewide trade-license bond applies at the trade boards. The ND Secretary of State Contractor License requires proof of general liability and workers' comp. Public works projects require payment and performance bonds under NDCC 48-01.2-10. Renewal and CE. NDSEB and ND State Plumbing Board licenses renew annually. NDSEB requires 16 hours of approved CE every three years for Journeyman and Master Electricians. ND State Plumbing Board requires board-approved CE each renewal. ND Secretary of State Contractor License renews annually, conditioned on current insurance proof. Unlicensed contracting. Performing electrical work requiring NDSEB credential, without holding it, is a violation under NDCC 43-09. Performing plumbing work requiring a State Plumbing Board credential, without holding it, is a violation under NDCC 43-18. Contracting above the $4,000 threshold without an ND Contractor License is a violation under NDCC 43-07. All three can result in cease-and-desist orders, civil penalties, and criminal referral for repeat or scale violations.
ND · Contractor licensing
Contractor licensing in North Dakota
State contractor license requirements, bond, and insurance minimums.
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