Skip to main content
North Dakota uses a registration model through the Secretary of State for general construction exceeding $4,000 per project, with separate licensing boards for electrical and plumbing trades. The low dollar threshold and class-based registration tiers mean that nearly all construction activity in the state requires state-level credentials.
Always verify statutes, fees, and application details with the live regulator before making bidding, licensing, or legal decisions.

​
At a glance

The fastest way to orient yourself in North Dakota is to know the registration threshold, the class system that caps per-job value, and the separate gates for electrical and plumbing work.
SignalValue
General contractor registration trigger$4,000 or more per project
Class A capOver $500,000 per job
Class B capUp to $500,000 per job
Class C capUp to $300,000 per job
Class D capUp to $100,000 per job
Electrical and plumbingState license required regardless of dollar value
Public improvement bondRequired for contracts exceeding $200,000
Reciprocity modelTrade-specific — electrical and plumbing only

​
Frequently asked questions

Pick the tab that matches your situation. Each FAQ gives a direct answer and points you to the full detail below.
Register with the Secretary of State for any construction project of $4,000 or more. Choose the registration class that matches your per-job value: Class D (up to $100,000), Class C (up to $300,000), Class B (up to $500,000), or Class A (over $500,000). You need proof of Workforce Safety and Insurance coverage and a liability insurance certificate. Average processing is 10 days. See Requirements.
All construction projects — commercial, residential, and public — exceeding $4,000 require contractor registration. This is one of the lowest thresholds in the country. Electrical and plumbing work also require separate state licenses regardless of dollar value. See Construction work regulated.
Yes. Electrical work requires a license from the State Electrical Board, and plumbing, water conditioning, and sewer/water work require licenses from the State Plumbing Board. These are separate from general contractor registration and apply regardless of contract value. See Construction work regulated.
North Dakota has three agencies: the Secretary of State for general contractor registration, the State Electrical Board for electrical licensing, and the State Plumbing Board for plumbing, water conditioning, and sewer/water licensing. See Who regulates construction.
General registration ranges from $100 (Class D) to $450 (Class A) with annual renewals of $30 to $90. Electrical journeyman exam and renewal are each $25; master is $50. Plumbing journeyman application is $50 with $100 annual fee; master is $50 with $200 annual fee. See Requirements.
Possibly. Electrical reciprocity covers Minnesota, Montana, and South Dakota for both master and journeyman. Plumbing reciprocity covers Minnesota and South Dakota (master and journeyman) and Montana (journeyman only). General contractor registration has no reciprocity. See Reciprocal agreements.
Yes. Public improvement contracts exceeding $200,000 require a bond in an amount equal to the contract price. Special municipal improvements may be exempt. See Construction work regulated.
Class D covers projects up to $100,000 per job ($100 application, $30 renewal). Class C covers up to $300,000 ($225 / $45). Class B covers up to $500,000 ($300 / $60). Class A covers over $500,000 ($450 / $90). Choose the class that matches your largest anticipated single project. See Requirements.
Yes. Any residential construction project of $4,000 or more requires contractor registration with the Secretary of State. Plumbing and electrical work on residential projects also require separate state licenses. See Construction work regulated.
Journeyman electricians need 8,000 hours of experience plus 576 hours of approved related training, or two years of approved technical/trade school. The trade exam requires a minimum score of 70%. Master electricians need one year as a licensed journeyman. See Requirements.

​
Start with your goal

Pick the card that matches what you need right now. Each one links to the relevant section on this page.

Is licensure triggered?

Start with the $4,000 threshold and check whether electrical or plumbing licensing also applies.

Find the right regulator

Use the regulator directory to route your question to the Secretary of State, Electrical Board, or Plumbing Board.

Application and renewal details

Insurance, fees, exams, experience, and renewal cycles for each trade.

Reciprocity direction

Find out which states have electrical and plumbing reciprocity with North Dakota.

​
Special considerations

Different roles need different things from a North Dakota page. Use the tab that matches your situation to see what matters most before you read the full detail below.
Start with project value to determine your registration class, then check whether the work also requires a separate electrical or plumbing license.
  • The general contractor registration threshold is $4,000 — one of the lowest in the country.
  • Registration classes cap per-job value: Class D at $100,000, Class C at $300,000, Class B at $500,000, Class A has no cap.
  • All electrical work requires a separate license from the State Electrical Board, regardless of contract value.
  • All plumbing work requires a separate license from the State Plumbing Board, regardless of contract value.
  • Public improvement contracts over $200,000 require a bond equal to the contract price.
  • Applicants must submit proof of Workforce Safety and Insurance coverage and a certificate of liability insurance.

​
Readiness checklist

Four things you need to confirm before you can treat North Dakota as “ready” for a bid or an application. If any of these are unclear, you are not ready yet.

Classify the project lane

Identify whether the work is general construction, electrical, plumbing, water conditioning, or sewer and water. Multiple credentials may be required on the same project.

Determine the registration class

For general construction over $4,000, pick the class that matches your project value: Class D up to $100,000, Class C up to $300,000, Class B up to $500,000, or Class A for above $500,000.

Route to the correct regulator

General registration goes through the Secretary of State. Electrical and plumbing each have their own boards with separate applications.

Confirm the requirement set

Confirm exams, experience hours, fees, insurance (Workforce Safety and Insurance coverage plus liability), and bond requirements for public improvement contracts over $200,000.
If you can identify lane, registration class, regulator, and requirement set, you have the minimum package needed for a North Dakota readiness check.
Use these links to jump to related cross-state comparisons and workflows.

​
Construction work regulated

North Dakota has one of the lowest general contractor thresholds in the country. Nearly all construction work requires state registration, and electrical and plumbing work requires separate state licensing on top.
Work laneWhat triggers regulation
General construction$4,000 or more per project — registration required
Electrical workState license required for all electrical work
Plumbing workState license required for all plumbing work
Water conditioningState license required
Sewer and waterState license required
Public improvement contractsBond required for contracts exceeding $200,000
A project that includes both general construction and trade work (electrical, plumbing) requires credentials from multiple agencies. The general registration does not substitute for trade-specific licenses.

​
Common determination scenarios

If you are trying to figure out where to start, expand the scenario that is closest to your situation.
If the project is $4,000 or more, register with the Secretary of State under the class that matches your project size. You will need proof of Workforce Safety and Insurance coverage and a certificate of liability insurance. Average processing time is 10 days.
Route to the State Electrical Board regardless of contract value. Journeyman licensure requires 8,000 hours of experience, 576 hours of approved related training, and a trade exam with a 70% minimum score. Master licensure requires one year as a Journeyman.
Route to the State Plumbing Board regardless of contract value. Journeyman licensure requires 7,600 hours and four years as an Apprentice Plumber, plus a 70% minimum exam score. Master licensure requires 3,800 hours and two years as a Journeyman, plus an 80% minimum exam score.
In addition to registration, public improvement contracts exceeding $200,000 require a bond in an amount equal to the contract price. Special municipal improvements may be exempt.
Reciprocity exists only for electrical and plumbing trades — not for general contractor registration. Electrical reciprocity covers Minnesota, Montana, and South Dakota. Plumbing reciprocity covers Minnesota and South Dakota (Master and Journeyman) and Montana (Journeyman only).

​
Who regulates construction

North Dakota splits construction regulation across three agencies. Use this directory to find the one that owns the lane you need. Each entry includes address, phone, and website.
State Capitol, 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 108, Bismarck, ND 58505-0500Phone: (701) 328-3665 | Fax: (701) 328-1690Website: sos.nd.gov
Post Office Box 7335, Bismarck, ND 58507-7335Phone: (701) 328-9522 | Fax: (701) 328-9524Website: ndseb.com
1110 College Drive, Suite 210, Bismarck, ND 58501Phone: (701) 328-9977 | Fax: (701) 328-9979Email: ndplumb@nd.govWebsite: ndplumbingboard.gov

​
Requirements

Each North Dakota agency has its own application inputs, exams, fees, and renewal cycles. Expand the trade that applies to your situation. Fee tables are included in each section.

General Contractor Registration

RequirementDetail
Workforce Safety and InsuranceStatement of good standing required
Liability insuranceCertificate from applicant’s insurance carrier required
Processing timeAverage 10 days
Registration classApplication feeAnnual renewal
Class A (over $500,000 per job)$450$90
Class B (up to $500,000)$300$60
Class C (up to $300,000)$225$45
Class D (up to $100,000)$100$30
RequirementDetail
ExamTrade examination with a minimum score of 70%
Journeyman experience8,000 hours plus 576 hours of related training approved by the Federal Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, or two years of approved technical/trade school
Master experienceOne year as a licensed Journeyman
Undertaking fundContracting Masters and Class Bs are required to pay into an undertaking fund
License typeExam feeAnnual renewal
Journeyman$25$25
Master$50$50
RequirementDetail
Journeyman experience7,600 hours and four years as an Apprentice Plumber working for a licensed Master Plumber
Journeyman examNorth Dakota State Plumbing Board examination, 70% minimum (based on 2018 ND Plumbing Code)
Master experience3,800 hours and two years as a licensed Journeyman Plumber working for a licensed Master Plumber
Master examNorth Dakota State Plumbing Board examination, 80% minimum
Master age requirementAt least 21 years of age
License typeApplication/exam feeAnnual fee
Journeyman$50$100
Master$50$200
RequirementDetail
Installer experience1,900 hours and one year as a Water Conditioning Apprentice working for a licensed contractor
Installer examNorth Dakota State Plumbing Board examination, 70% minimum (based on ND Water Conditioning Code)
Contractor experience1,900 hours and one year as a Water Conditioning Installer (ND or equivalent state license)
Contractor examNorth Dakota State Plumbing Board examination, 80% minimum
Contractor age requirementAt least 21 years of age
License typeAnnual fee
Contractor$40
Installer$20
ApprenticeNo fee
RequirementDetail
Installer experience3,400 hours and two years as a licensed Sewer and Water Apprentice working for a licensed contractor
Installer examNorth Dakota State Plumbing Board examination, 70% minimum (based on ND Sewer and Water Service Code)
Contractor experience1,700 hours and one year as a licensed Sewer and Water Installer working for a licensed contractor
Contractor examNorth Dakota State Plumbing Board examination, 80% minimum
License typeAnnual fee
Contractor$100
Installer$25
Apprentice (over 3,400 hours)$25
Apprentice (under 3,400 hours)No fee

​
Reciprocal agreements

North Dakota has reciprocity agreements for electrical and plumbing trades only. General contractor registration has no reciprocity — all applicants must go through the Secretary of State regardless of credentials held in other states.
Reciprocity is limited to electrical and plumbing. General contractor registration has no interstate agreements.
BoardReciprocal statesCoverage
State Electrical Board (Master and Journeyman)Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota3 states
State Plumbing Board (Master and Journeyman)Minnesota, South Dakota2 states
State Plumbing Board (Journeyman only)Montana1 state (Journeyman only)
Montana reciprocity for plumbing is limited to the Journeyman level. Master plumber reciprocity is available only with Minnesota and South Dakota.

​
Types of licenses

North Dakota issues credentials across three agencies. Use this section to confirm the exact license or registration name for an application or comparison.
  • Class A — Over $500,000 per job
  • Class B — Up to $500,000 per job
  • Class C — Up to $300,000 per job
  • Class D — Up to $100,000 per job
  • Master (Contracting)
  • Master (Non-Contracting)
  • Journeyman
  • Apprentice Registration
  • Class B (Contracting)

​
See also

Midwest region guide

Browse all Midwest jurisdictions for comparison.

Contractors guide

Cross-state guidance for contractors evaluating new jurisdictions.

Regulators guide

Cross-state guidance for comparing regulatory models and agency structures.
Neighboring jurisdictions with reciprocity ties:

Minnesota

Electrical (Master and Journeyman) and plumbing (Master and Journeyman) reciprocity with North Dakota.

Montana

Electrical (Master and Journeyman) and plumbing (Journeyman only) reciprocity with North Dakota.

South Dakota

Electrical (Master and Journeyman) and plumbing (Master and Journeyman) reciprocity with North Dakota.