How to Look Up a Contractor's License in North Dakota (2026)
North Dakota requires a contractor license on any job over $4,000. Checking one is free, public, and takes about two minutes.
Search the North Dakota Secretary of State's FirstStop portal at firststop.sos.nd.gov/search/contractor. Enter the exact business name, confirm the license is active and in good standing, and check that the license class covers your job size. It's free and takes about two minutes.
Fast facts
- License required over
- $4,000
- Where to check
- firststop.sos.nd.gov
- Cost to check
- Free
- License classes
- A, B, C, D by job value
The $4,000 rule
North Dakota's rule is specific. When the cost, value, or price of a job goes over $4,000, the person doing the work has to be licensed as a contractor in the state.
That threshold catches most real home projects. A roof. A driveway. A full-yard fence. A bathroom remodel. It's low enough that if you're hiring for anything structural, the answer is almost always yes, they need a license.
An unlicensed contractor might be cheaper. They might also be uninsured, unbondable, and hard to hold to anything if the job goes wrong. Checking is free and public. Do it before any money changes hands.
How to check a license, step by step
- Open the FirstStop portalGo to firststop.sos.nd.gov/search/contractor — the state's own public contractor search.
- Search the exact business nameUse the name on the written estimate. Not a nickname, not what's painted on the truck door.
- Confirm the license is activeLook for active status and good standing. An expired or lapsed license is a stop sign.
- Check the class covers your jobClasses are set by maximum job value. A Class D contractor isn't cleared for a $200,000 project.
- Match the license number to your estimateIf the license is registered to a different entity than the one quoting you, ask why before you go further.
What the license classes mean
North Dakota licenses contractors in four classes, set by the largest job they're allowed to take. A contractor licensed for smaller work isn't cleared for a job above their class limit.
| Class | Maximum job value | Typical work at this level |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Over $500,000 | Commercial builds, large developments |
| Class B | Up to $500,000 | New home construction, major additions |
| Class C | Up to $300,000 | Large remodels, multi-trade projects |
| Class D | Up to $100,000 | Most residential trade work — roofs, driveways, fences |
Most home-service contractors you'll hire in Bismarck-Mandan hold Class D or C. That's normal and appropriate for the work.
What a license does and doesn't tell you
This is the part most articles skip, and it matters.
| A license confirms | A license does NOT confirm |
|---|---|
| Registered with the state | That the work will be good |
| Carries liability insurance | That they passed a trade exam |
| Answers to a regulator | That they keep up with code changes |
| Can be complained against | That past customers were happy |
| Bonded for the class value | That they'll show up on schedule |
North Dakota doesn't require a trade exam or continuing education for a general contractor license. That's why a license check and a review check do different jobs.
Red flags worth walking away from
- No license on file, or a license under a different name than the one on your quote.
- A license class below the value of your job.
- An expired license, or one listed as not in good standing.
- Pressure to pay cash up front or skip a written contract.
- Won't hand over a license number or proof of insurance when asked directly.
- Offers to cover your insurance deductible on a storm-damage job.
Frequently asked
How do I check if a contractor is licensed in North Dakota?
Use the North Dakota Secretary of State's FirstStop contractor search at firststop.sos.nd.gov/search/contractor. Search the exact business name, confirm the license is active and in good standing, check that the class covers your job size, and match the license number to your written estimate. It's free and takes about two minutes.
Do contractors need a license in North Dakota?
Yes. When the cost, value, or price of a job goes over $4,000, the person doing the work has to be licensed in North Dakota. That covers most roofing, concrete, fencing, and remodeling jobs.
What are the North Dakota contractor license classes?
There are four, set by the largest job allowed. Class A covers jobs over $500,000. Class B goes up to $500,000, Class C up to $300,000, and Class D up to $100,000. Make sure the class covers your project.
Does a contractor license mean the contractor does good work?
No. It confirms the contractor is registered with the state, carries liability insurance, and answers to a regulator. North Dakota doesn't require a trade exam or continuing education for a general contractor license. Check the license and read what real customers said. Neither one alone tells you the whole story.
What if a contractor's license is under a different name?
Ask about it directly before going further. Sometimes there's a simple explanation — a legal entity name that differs from the trade name. Sometimes it means the person quoting you isn't the license holder. Either way, the license number should tie back to the business on your written estimate.
Do I need to check a license for a small repair?
The $4,000 threshold is the legal line, so a small repair may not require one. It's still worth asking about insurance for any work on your property, since an uninsured worker injured at your house can become your problem regardless of the job size.