What a North Carolina roofing license costs
How much does a Specialty Roofing license cost in North Carolina?
Application and exam fees for a limited license
The statute caps the application fee at $75 for a limited license and the exam fee at $100. That is up to $175 in state-set fees, before a background check.
Both fees are nonrefundable. The statute sets ceilings, so confirm the current amounts with the Board before you send money.
These are the small numbers, and the application guide gives the order to pay them in. The financial proof in the next section is where most of the budget goes.
| Item | Limited | Intermediate | Unlimited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee, up to | $75 | $100 | $125 |
| Exam fee, up to | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| Yearly renewal, up to | $75 | $100 | $125 |
| Project value covered | $750,000 | $1,500,000 | No cap |
$75 and $100G.S. 87-10 caps the application fee at $75 for a limited license and the exam fee at $100. — North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors, 2026 statutes and rules book, retrieved 2026-09-29
Yearly renewal and late fees
Renewal for a limited license is capped at $75 a year. It must come with evidence of continued financial responsibility.
A renewal received on or after January 1 adds $10 for each month or part after January. Two months late adds $20, and after 60 days the license is invalid.
The permit side has a cost too. When a licensed contractor pulls a permit to alter a home, the inspector collects $10 per dwelling unit for the Homeowners Recovery Fund.
$75Renewal of a limited license is capped at $75, with a $10 late payment for each month or part after January. — North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors, 2026 statutes and rules book, retrieved 2026-09-29
The financial proof is the real cost
A limited applicant must show current assets exceeding current liabilities by $17,000, or a total net worth of $80,000. The Board wants this in an agreed-upon procedures report or an audited statement.
A statement's cost is set by the accountant, not the state, so get a quote. Financial statements must be no older than 12 months at submission.
A surety bond can replace the working capital test. The bond page explains that route. Then plan the yearly business filings as a separate line.
$17,000A limited license applicant needs working capital of at least $17,000 or a net worth of at least $80,000. — North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors, 2026 statutes and rules book, retrieved 2026-09-29
12 monthsFinancial statements submitted to the Board must be no older than twelve months from the date of submission. — North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors, 2026 statutes and rules book, retrieved 2026-09-29
Questions
Does the Board refund the exam fee if I fail?
No. The statute makes fees accompanying an application or examination nonrefundable. Budget for a second sitting if the exam is a risk, and study before you register.
Is the cap the same as the fee I will pay?
The statute sets maximums, not the exact amount. The Board sets the fee at or below the cap, so check its current schedule before paying.
Do I pay the recovery fund fee myself?
The inspector collects the $10 per dwelling unit from the general contractor when a permit is issued to alter a single-family home. You would usually pass it into the job price.