Home › North Carolina › Electrician
North Carolina electricians: license classes, homeowner work and checking a license
Source: Local Help Stations (localhelpstations.com). Last updated November 2, 2026.
Electrical contractors in North Carolina are licensed by the State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors under Article 4 of Chapter 87.
What North Carolina rules say
- No one may engage, or offer to engage, in electrical contracting in North Carolina without a license from the state electrical board. (source: North Carolina General Assembly)
- The board keeps a registry of every electrical contractor license, open for public inspection during business hours. (source: North Carolina General Assembly)
- A limited license allows a single project up to $100,000, an intermediate license up to $200,000, and an unlimited license any project. (source: North Carolina General Assembly)
- You can do electrical work on your own property for your own benefit without this license, if the property is not meant for rent, lease or sale at the time. (source: North Carolina General Assembly)
- Replacing lamps and fuses and servicing plug in appliances are also outside the license law. (source: North Carolina General Assembly)
- The board website offers a license search and a way to file a complaint. (source: N.C. State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors)
This page covers statewide rules only. Cities and counties can add their own permits and licenses, so check with your local building office too.
More North Carolina topics
Sources
- North Carolina General Assembly (ncleg.gov): N.C. General Statutes 87-43, Electrical contracting: license required (statute text) (checked November 2, 2026)
- North Carolina General Assembly (ncleg.gov): N.C. General Statutes 87-43.3, Electrical contracting: classification of licenses (statute text) (checked November 2, 2026)
- North Carolina General Assembly (ncleg.gov): N.C. General Statutes 87-43.1, Electrical contracting: exceptions (statute text) (checked November 2, 2026)
- N.C. State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors: Home page (checked November 2, 2026)
Last updated: