If you’re thinking about getting your North Carolina handyman license, you’ll need to understand permit and insurance requirements. You may also want to know what work you can do without a license in NC, and how to start your handyman business from the ground up.
Jump ahead to learn:
Although there is no handyman license in North Carolina, you may need a North Carolina general contractor license if your type of work involves major projects worth more than $40,000. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors issues these licenses.
Because the state does not require a handyman license, NC workers in this profession can take on a wide variety of projects — as long the value of each job stays below $40,000.
Handypeople usually work on minor repairs and maintenance, like fixture replacements, furniture assembly and small carpentry tasks. Most handyman jobs don’t require the help of additional employees.
Your projects must not involve any plumbing, HVAC, electrical work or roofing, as these trades require a licensed contractor in the state of North Carolina.
NC contractors typically work on much larger construction projects involving major renovations to a property. This could include adding a new room, building a deck and other projects that usually require a building permit.
Learn more about a handyman vs. general contractor.
Protecting your business is a top priority whether you work as a handyperson or a licensed general contractor. The right insurance coverage can help your business remain financially stable even if accidents happen.
An insurance policy is usually made up of different types of business insurance. Many handypeople and general contractors in North Carolina usually need these types of insurance:
General liability insurance can help cover costs related to damage to someone else’s property or an injury to someone other than an employee.
Many handyman and contractor clients request proof of general liability insurance coverage before they agree to hire someone for a job.
Commercial property insurance can help cover damage or vandalism to a property you own or rent and any inventory and equipment stored in that location.
A business owner’s policy, also called a BOP insurance policy, combines general liability and commercial property insurance coverage into a single, often cost-efficient and convenient package.
A BOP can carry more protection than a single policy. It can help cover damage that you or your employees may inadvertently cause to another person’s property, as well as bodily injury accidents that injure any non-employee.
Workers’ compensation insurance can provide important protection for your business if workplace injuries or illness occur. This coverage can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other benefits if an employee gets hurt on the job.
In North Carolina, all businesses with three or more employees must have workers’ compensation insurance or qualify as self-insured employers.
Most handypeople and contractors have work gear that is essential for their projects. Tools and equipment insurance can help protect that gear by covering some repairs or replacements for damaged or stolen items.
If you use a work vehicle to drive to job sites, commercial auto insurance can help protect your ride. If you get into an accident while driving your vehicle for work, this coverage could help pay for towing, repairs, rental reimbursement and other related expenses.
North Carolina requires all vehicles to have insurance coverage. The minimum coverage amounts are:
If you want to offer your skills for larger projects, you can get a contractor license from the state licensing board. To apply for a North Carolina general contractor license, you must fulfill the following requirements and pay your application fee:
When you fill out your license application, you must select a limitation based on your business finances. There are three limitation categories available:
These three steps will help you get your North Carolina contractor license:
Register your business with the North Carolina Secretary of State. For the application, you must have copies of the Articles of Organization, Articles of Incorporation or Certificate of Authority.
When filling out the application, note which license classification you plan to test for, such as Building Contractor or Residential Contractor, and select your license limitation. You must also include three character references.
Upon approval of your application, you may schedule your licensing exam through the test administrator, PSI. You must take the exam that corresponds to your chosen license classification and achieve a score of 70% or higher to pass.
In addition to the PSI exam, the Board also accepts a passing score on the National Accredited Building Examination administered by the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA).
Learn more about how to get a North Carolina general contractor license.
North Carolina contractor licenses expire on January 1 of each year and require license renewal. You may renew your license as early as October of the year prior. The Board issues licenses year-round, so you must renew licenses issued in December for the following year.
You must complete eight hours of continuing education to qualify for renewal. When renewing your license, you must provide a current financial statement.
NEXT has affordable, tailored and convenient small business insurance for handypeople and contractors.
In about 10 minutes you can fill out our online application, customize your insurance options and get proof of insurance. And you can do it all online.
Access your policy 24/7 via web or mobile app. And if you have questions, our licensed, U.S.-based insurance professionals are available to help.
Start a free quote with NEXT today.
Do you have handyman projects outside North Carolina? Find out which states require licenses in our summary of handyman license requirements.
This information has been provided as a service. It is correct and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge; however, it is in no way intended to offer legal advice and you must always consult with local authorities before you make any business decisions. Regulations and requirements may change at any time.
Kim Mercado is a content editor at NEXT. She writes and edits content for small business owners, and enjoys helping entrepreneurs solve their business challenges and learn about insurance. Kim has contributed to Salesforce, Samsara and Google.
You can find Kim trying new recipes and cheering the 49ers.
