Remodeler Licensing in North Dakota

North Dakota Remodeler License Verification

In North Dakota, any remodeler undertaking projects with a total cost, value, or price exceeding $4,000 must obtain a contractor's license. The primary governing authority for general contractor licensing, which includes remodelers, is the North Dakota Secretary of State. Contractors are categorized into four classes based on the maximum value of a single project: Class A (over $500,000), Class B (up to $500,000), Class C (up to $300,000), and Class D (up to $100,000).

To apply for a license, remodelers must first register their business with the Secretary of State. Subsequently, the contractor license application is submitted through the state's FirstStop Portal. Required documentation includes a certificate of liability insurance and a statement from Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) regarding workers' compensation coverage. Licenses must be renewed annually by March 1st, necessitating an updated insurance certificate, a list of projects exceeding $25,000 completed in the previous year, and confirmation of paid taxes and WSI premiums. Operating without the required license is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor in North Dakota.

Insurance and Bonding Mandates

North Dakota mandates specific insurance coverage for licensed remodelers. General Liability (GL) insurance is compulsory for all licensed contractors, typically requiring coverage limits ranging from $500,000 to $1 million per occurrence. It is crucial that the North Dakota Secretary of State is named as the certificate holder on your GL insurance policy. For public contracts, higher minimum liability limits, potentially $2,000,000 per occurrence, and naming the State as an additional insured, may be required.

Workers' Compensation (WC) insurance is mandatory for remodelers with employees. North Dakota operates as a monopolistic state for workers' compensation, meaning coverage must be secured directly through Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI). If a remodeler does not employ staff, a letter of good standing from WSI or a Verification of Non-Employment form must be submitted.

At the state level, general contractors in North Dakota are generally not required to obtain a license bond. However, some local municipalities may impose their own bonding requirements for local licensing. For instance, the City of Grand Forks requires a $5,000 surety bond. Certain specialty trades, such as master plumbers, may also be subject to specific bonding mandates.

Permitting and Local Regulations

While North Dakota establishes a State Building Code, its enforcement is primarily delegated to local city and county jurisdictions. As of January 1, 2026, the North Dakota State Building Code has adopted the 2024 editions of the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), International Energy Conservation Code, and the International Existing Building Code.

Local jurisdictions possess the authority to enact additional regulations, provided they adhere to the statewide building code if they choose to enforce codes. Permitting processes are handled at the municipal or county level, as North Dakota does not maintain a centralized state permitting office. Remodelers typically need permits for new construction, additions, significant renovations, and any electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work. It is imperative for remodelers to consult with the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for specific permitting requirements applicable to their project's location.

Official North Dakota Resources

For comprehensive information and to ensure compliance, remodelers should refer to the following official North Dakota resources:

North Dakota Secretary of State: https://sos.nd.gov/

North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance: https://www.workforcesafety.com/

North Dakota Department of Commerce (for State Building Code information): https://www.commerce.nd.gov/community-services/building-codes

North Dakota State Electrical Board: https://ndseb.com/

North Dakota State Plumbing Board: https://www.ndplumbingboard.com/

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