As with most other states, Nevada maintains a pretty strict system with their construction industry. This helps keeps the public safe by making sure that unqualified individuals aren’t just out there building everything and anything. At the same time, this can make it a little harder for people who want to obtain a Nevada contractors license.
Nevada has a special board of members dedicated to doing nothing but making sure individuals and businesses are qualified enough to become contractors in their state. They’re called the Nevada State Contractors Board.
ith such a strict board over analyzing every last document, it can be pretty nerve wrecking to apply. We’re here to fix that. After this, you will have no questions on what you need to do, how to do it, and when to do it!
Nevada Contractor License: Which To Pick?
When it comes to Nevada, not every general contracting license is made equal. There are a couple of different ones when it comes to general contracting, and they both have their own little set of rules. Obviously, this means that you will need to choose the one that best suits whatever type of contracting you are trying to do.
- General Engineering Contractor License (Class A): This is going to be more of a technical license that will require special engineering knowledge and skill. The board defines it as “being in connection with fixed works”.
- General Building Contractor License (Class B): This is the classification that most of us think about when we think about “general contractors”. Construction, repair, altering, refurbishing, etc of different structures and buildings.
There are dozens of other “specialty” classifications as well for the state of Nevada. However, these aren’t considered general contractors license, so we won’t be covering those here. If you want to learn more though, you can always go to the official Nevada Board’s website.
There’s also another option/limit that is pretty unique to the state of Nevada. It’s a monetary limit. Whatever limit you decide to go too, will determine not only the size of the projects you can work on, but also the fees you will have to end up paying. There are quite a few of these monetary limits:
- Below $10,000
- Between $10,000 – $50,000
- Between $50,000 – $250,000
- $250,000 +
To learn more about these limits and the classifications, you can check this page out. It will answer a ton of your questions.
See general contractor licensing information in nearby states
- California contractors license
- Oregon contractors license
- Idaho contractors license
- Utah contractors license
- Arizona contractors license
- General contractors license information for all states
Contractors License Nevada: Requirements
The only real requirement, besides being 18 of course, in order to apply for a Nevada contractors license is 4 years of work experience. The work experience has to be within the last ten years of your applying date, and it has to have been work as a journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or a contractor.
Although there is no education requirement for the state of Nevada, different levels of education may allow you to not need all 4 years of work experience.
NV Contractors License: Some Things You Need To Know
- There will be a $300 application fee when you submit your application. Non-refundable, so make sure you’re serious about this.
- If your application is approved, then there will be, yet another, $600 biennial fee.
- Bonds will be another added cost. The amount will largely depend on the monetary limit you choose.
- On top of that, there is the exam fees. You will be required to take a CMS exam, as well as a trade exam. As long as you take both of the exams together, they are $140, or if you take them separate they are $95 each.
- You will be asked to demonstrate financial responsibility, to show that you are suitable to handle finances for a business.
- You will need to provide 4 reference certificates: These will prove that you have had the 4 years that you state you have.
- Every applicant will, at some point, have fingerprints taken for background checking.
- Last, but not least, any contractor who will be working on residential properties, will be required to also put money into a Residential Recovery Fund. How much will depend on what monetary limit you choose.
Contractors License Nevada: Applying
- The very first thing you must do is register your business with the Nevada Secretary of State. This establishes your business and also allows you to get a Business ID. If you haven’t done that, this site is a good place to start.
- Next, you will need to read, print, and fill out this application packet. You probably won’t be able to fill it all out at once, but filling it out as you go would probably be beneficial. The application packet is very good at walking you through the steps and getting you to the end quickly, so I suggest reading it well.
- Now, you will need a financial statement. Your financial statement requirements will depend on what monetary limit you are trying to go with. Click on the application packet right above, and go to page 8. It goes into great detail about financial statements and what each monetary limit needs.
- After that, you will need a resume of experience, proving that you have the 4 years experience as journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor.
- At this point, you can go ahead and get your 4 reference certificates too. This cannot be filled out by you, and must be filled out by someone who has first hand experience with your work.
- Almost there, now is your background disclosure. This allows them to get your fingerprint and do any background check that they deem necessary.
- After you have all these documents, submit your application along with the $300 application fee. They take checks and money orders.
Nevada Contractors License: After Applying
Nevada does something a little different than most states, as far as what happens after applying. After being approved, you just need to do these last few things, then you are on your way to being a general contractor in Nevada:
- After your application gets accepted, you will be asked to then take the exams that are required. These are issued by PSI. You can register for and read more on the exams at their website: www.psiexams.com
- After this, the next few steps can be found in your contingent approval letter. The first one is going to be to submit your biennial fee of $600. This is the fee that you will pay every couple of years in order to keep your license renewed.
- Next thing will be for the applicant to submit a surety bond or cash deposit. The amount will be dependent on the monetary limit you chose, and will be stated in your contingent approval letter.
- Up next is for the residential contractors, who will need to pay into a Residential Recovery Fund. The amount of this will also be in your contingent approval letter, and will also need to be paid every couple of years.
- Finally, you get to the last thing. All you need to do now is show proof of workers compensation insurance if you plan on hiring employees.
After these last few items, as long as your exam scores were well and good, you will finally be mailed your license! Along with a well deserved wall certificate, and pocket card to match it.
Nevada Contractor License: Fees
- Application Fee – $300
- Exam Fee (as long as taken together) – $140
- Licensing Fee – $600
- Administrative Fee For Submitting Cash Deposit Bond – $200
- Residential Recovery Fund (For Res. Contractors) – $200 – $1000
As you can see, the process of getting your Nevada contractors license can get pretty drawn out, but with the help of guides like this and a little bit of will power, you can actually go from having a normal job, to having a full blown business, within a pretty short amount of time. No sweat!
So go do it!
NV Contractor Licensing Information
Category: State Licenses and Permits
For more information, visit: http://www.nvcontractorsboard.com
Nevada State Contractors Board.
Details: Contractors must be licensed to bid or work on construction jobs in Nevada.
Nevada Business Licensing Information for Electricians
NV Contractor Licensing Information
Category: State Licenses and Permits
For more information, visit: http://www.nvcontractorsboard.com
Nevada State Contractors Board.
Details: Contractor’s License is required in order to bid or work on electrical jobs in Nevada.
Nevada Business Licensing Information for Plumbers
NV Contractor Licensing Information
Category: State Licenses and Permits
For more information, visit: http://www.nvcontractorsboard.com
Nevada State Contractors Board.
Details: You must obtain a Contractor’s License in order to bid or work on plumbing jobs in Nevada.
Additional Business Licensing Information for all Nevada Businesses
NV Business and Occupational Licenses
Category: State Licenses and Permits
For more information, visit: http://tax.state.nv.us/documents/TPI%2001.03%20NV%20Business%20License.pdf
Details: Information about how to obtain business and occupational licenses and permits.
Nevada Business Tax Information
Business Tax Registration
Category: Tax Registration
For more information, visit: https://www.nevadatax.nv.gov/WEB/BusinessRegistration/NBR/NBRStart.aspx
Details: Businesses that operate within Nevada are required to register for one or more tax-specific identification numbers, licenses or permits, including income tax withholding, sales and use tax (seller’s permit), and unemployment insurance tax. Contact the following agency for more information about business registration and your tax obligations:
General Tax Information and Forms
Category: Tax Registration
For more information, visit: http://tax.state.nv.us/
Details: Businesses that operate within Nevada are required to register for one or more tax-specific identification numbers, licenses or permits, including income tax withholding, sales and use tax (seller’s permit), and unemployment insurance tax. Contact the following agency for more information about business registration and your tax obligations:
Nevada Insurance Requirements for Businesses
Get Unemployment Tax Requirements for NV
Category: Employer Requirements
For more information, visit: https://uitax.nvdetr.org/crp_home
Details: Businesses with employees are required to pay unemployment insurance taxes under certain conditions. If your business is required to pay these taxes, you must register your business with your state’s workforce agency:
Find Workers’ Comp Requirements for NV
Category: Employer Requirements
For more information, visit: http://dirweb.state.nv.us/WCS/employer.htm
Details: Businesses with employees are required to carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance coverage through a commercial carrier, on a self-insured basis, or through the state Workers’ Compensation Insurance program.
Nevada New Hire Reporting Requirements for Businesses
Report New Hires in NV
Category: Employer Requirements
For more information, visit: https://dwss.nv.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=68&Itemid=171
Details: All employers are required to report newly and re-hired employees to their state’s Directory of New Hires within 20 days of their hire or re-hire data.
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