Nevada Contractor License Search: Verify the Business, Scope, Limit, Bond and Discipline
A Nevada contractor check is not complete when you merely find a license number. Match the exact licensed business, confirm the current status, read the classification and monetary limit, identify the qualified individual, review bond information, and then open Nevada’s separate disciplinary-action search.
Applicants can also use this guide to prepare the current 2026 application packet, determine whether the standard, B-7 restricted or rural route applies, avoid fingerprint and examination mistakes, and use NSCB’s free licensing-assistance programs.
Nevada License Lookup: What to Check Before You Trust the Result
Use the official Nevada State Contractors Board public search. If you have a license number, search that number first. If not, search the business name or principal/qualified individual. Open the exact result and compare it with the contractor’s written proposal.
Official Nevada Links — and Exactly What to Do After You Open Them
These are not generic resource links. Each card explains what screen to use, what information to enter, what to save, and what action should come next.
1. Official NSCB License Search
Use for current contractor license records.
- Select License Number when you have the exact number.
- Otherwise choose company name or principal/qualified individual.
- Enter at least the required search characters.
- Open the exact matching business.
- Compare status, classification, monetary limit and business identity.
- Write down the exact license number for the separate discipline search.
2. Public Disciplinary Actions
Use after establishing the contractor’s exact identity.
- Search using the exact licensee information from the primary lookup.
- Open any plausible action.
- Check action date and license number.
- Read the violation/finding and final disposition.
- Do not treat an allegation or unrelated similar name as discipline.
3. Contractor License Application
Use for a new standard statewide license or to reach the rural route.
- Decide whether you need the normal statewide or designated rural application.
- Review the blue application overview before clicking Online Login.
- Gather Nevada Business ID, DBA record if applicable, qualifier information, financial statement and background documents.
- Use the current 03/2026 PDF checklist before submitting.
- Do not schedule PSI exams until NSCB issues examination eligibility.
4. Licensed Contractor Complaint
Use for alleged violations involving a Nevada licensee.
- Download/open the current complaint checklist.
- Complete every required complaint page.
- Itemize the Statement of Fact rather than writing only “bad work.”
- Attach contract, payments, change orders, messages, photos, permits and inspection records.
- Submit the complete packet using the current Board route.
5. Residential Recovery Fund
Use only after checking the statutory homeowner and contractor requirements.
- Confirm the contractor was properly licensed for the residential project.
- Check that the contract name, license number, classification and monetary limit line up.
- Gather payment proof and contract documents.
- Prepare photographs and three licensed-contractor repair/completion bids when required.
- Do not assume an unlicensed-contractor loss is Recovery Fund eligible.
6. NSCB Free Application Assistance
Use before paying a private licensing consultant.
- Watch the current Business Assistance material on demand.
- Review application mistakes, exams and bond requirements.
- Use Pre-Submittal Application Review when you want an NSCB analyst to review your packet before filing.
- Call a license analyst for classification-specific questions.
How to Verify a Nevada Contractor Step by Step
Use these steps in order. Each step answers a different risk question and is reflected in the page’s HowTo structured data.
Collect the license number from the written proposal
Ask for the Nevada license number and exact contracting business name. Do not rely only on a truck decal, social-media profile or verbal statement.
Open the official Nevada State Contractors Board search
Use the NSCB public database—not a lead-generation site, Google profile or cached contractor directory.
Search the license number first
Choose License Number and enter the number exactly. When the number is unavailable, switch to company name or principal/qualified individual. A partial company-name search can help when a DBA or shortened trade name is being used.
Match the legal licensed business
The business in the NSCB result should connect clearly to the entity on the estimate, contract, invoice and payment request. A qualifier’s personal name does not authorize an unrelated company to use the license.
Read the live license status
Do not rely on an old pocket card or saved screenshot. If the live status is inactive, suspended, expired, canceled or otherwise unclear, stop and contact NSCB before proceeding.
Compare the classification with the work
Confirm that the displayed A, B, AB or C classification/subclassification covers what the contractor is actually offering to build, repair or install.
Compare the full contract with the monetary limit
Use the complete contract—not just one invoice or phase. Major change orders can also create a limit problem if the total project grows beyond the approved authority.
Open the separate disciplinary search and verify permits
Search the exact licensee in NSCB’s Public Disciplinary Actions database. Then confirm project permits with the city or county serving the property address. Recheck the live license before a major payment if time has passed.
What Every Field in a Nevada Contractor Record Means for Your Project
| Record item | What to compare | What it answers | When to stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business name | Proposal, contract, invoice, payment recipient and business filing. | Which entity actually owns the license. | The license belongs to a different or unexplained business. |
| Status | Current live status on the day you check. | Whether the Board currently displays the credential as active/current or another status. | Inactive, suspended, expired, canceled or ambiguous status. |
| Classification | Actual work in the contract. | What construction scope the license is authorized to perform. | The classification does not cover a material part of the proposed job. |
| Monetary limit | Full contract value for the project/site/client. | Maximum contract authority of the license. | Total job value exceeds the current limit. |
| Qualified individual | Qualifier name and licensed entity. | Who supplies required qualifying experience/knowledge for the entity. | Someone claims a qualifier may freely lend a license to another business. |
| Bond | Licensed entity and current Board information. | Whether the required license bond/cash-deposit layer is associated with the license. | A certificate belongs to another licensee or cannot be reconciled. |
| Discipline | Exact license number/business in the separate discipline database. | Final/public regulatory history. | Recent material action needs clarification before signing. |
What to Do When the Nevada Contractor Does Not Appear
- Recheck every digit of the license number.
- Remove punctuation and LLC/Inc. from a company-name search.
- Search one distinctive word in the business name.
- Try the principal or qualified individual’s name.
- Ask for the exact licensed entity—not merely the salesman’s employer or DBA.
- Check whether the contractor is attempting to rely on a different company’s license.
- Call NSCB licensing/customer service if a business insists the license is current but no defensible match appears.
Nevada License Search-Term Helper
This independent helper tells you which official search field to use. It does not connect to the NSCB database.
Nevada Contractor License Classifications: A, B, AB and C
The classification is the legal scope filter. Do not assume an active Nevada contractor can perform every construction trade.
| Classification | What it generally covers | What to do after opening NSCB classifications |
|---|---|---|
| A — General Engineering | Engineering-oriented construction and fixed works, with numerous A subclassifications. | Find the exact A subclassification and compare its scope with the project rather than assuming the entire A branch applies. |
| B — General Building | General building work with multiple B subclasses. | Check whether the record is unrestricted B or a specific B subclass such as B-2, B-6 or B-7. |
| AB | Combined General Building and General Engineering. | Confirm the licensee is actually shown with the combined classification; do not infer AB from separate unrelated credentials. |
| C — Specialty | Trade-specific specialty contracting with numerous classes and subclassifications. | Identify the exact C code for electrical, plumbing, concrete, roofing, landscaping or other specialty work. |
Important B classifications homeowners commonly encounter
B-2 — Residential and Small Commercial
Do not compare this only by title. Check the live monetary limit and actual B-2 scope before hiring.
B-6 — Commercial Remodeling
Commercial-remodeling authority should not automatically be treated as authority for every unrelated specialty trade.
B-7 — Residential Remodeling
Nevada now has a restricted B-7 route with special experience, bond, scope and monetary-limit rules discussed below.
Nevada Monetary Limit: The Number Homeowners Often Miss
NSCB defines the monetary limit as the maximum contract a licensee may undertake on one or more contracts at a single construction site or subdivision site for a single client.
B and B-2 applicants
The current March 2026 license application states that B and B-2 licenses require a minimum requested monetary limit of $200,000.
B-7 restricted license
The current restricted-license packet uses a $7,000 maximum, including labor and materials, unless the Board establishes a greater amount under applicable authority.
Existing license above its limit
Use NSCB’s permanent or single-project limit-increase process before undertaking the higher-value contract.
- Determine whether the need is permanent or only for one specific project.
- Download/use the matching NSCB limit-increase form.
- Prepare the required financial documentation and indemnification documents where applicable.
- Do not sign or undertake work above the existing authority while assuming approval is automatic.
Contract vs. Nevada Monetary Limit Checker
Use the full contract amount and the monetary limit shown in the live NSCB record. This performs math only; it does not determine legal scope.
When a Nevada Contractor License Is Required
Nevada broadly regulates persons and businesses that undertake or offer covered construction, alteration, repair, improvement, moving, wrecking or demolition work. The licensing requirement is not replaced by an LLC filing or ordinary local business license.
License before contracting
Determine the required classification before bidding or entering a contract. Nevada contractor licensing follows the work being offered, not the marketing title a business chooses.
Unlicensed contract risk
NSCB consumer guidance warns consumers against unlicensed contractors, including loss of important regulatory protections and Recovery Fund eligibility. An agreement with an unlawfully unlicensed contractor can create serious enforceability issues.
Does Work Under $1,000 Avoid Nevada Contractor Licensing?
Sometimes—but the price test alone is not enough. Nevada has a limited repair/maintenance exemption for qualifying work totaling less than $1,000 in labor and materials.
A project may qualify only when all conditions fit
- Total labor and material value remains below the statutory threshold.
- The work otherwise falls within the applicable repair/maintenance exemption.
- No permit-trigger or excluded specialty rule defeats the exemption.
- The project has not been divided into artificial smaller pieces.
Do not apply the exemption automatically to
- Electrical work.
- Plumbing work.
- Refrigeration work.
- Heating and air-conditioning work.
- Work requiring a permit.
- Work materially affecting health or safety where the exemption does not apply.
How to Apply for a Nevada Contractor License Without Creating Avoidable Delays
The current statewide application is document-heavy. The best time to resolve entity-name, qualifier, experience and financial problems is before clicking submit.
Decide the exact classification first
Choose the A, B, AB or C classification and subclassification that matches the work you plan to advertise and perform. Different primary classifications can require separate applications.
Create or confirm the Nevada business entity
The current application requires Nevada business information. Obtain the Nevada Business ID through the Nevada Secretary of State/SilverFlume route and make the legal business name match the application.
Prepare DBA / fictitious-name documentation when applicable
If advertising under another business name, make sure the applicable fictitious-name filing is completed and include the required certification/documentation rather than leaving NSCB to reconcile unexplained names.
Identify every required principal and qualified individual
Entity type controls who must appear on the application. Background and fingerprint-related paperwork applies to the required persons and qualifier(s).
Document the qualifier’s experience
For the normal route, prepare the required experience certificates and Resume of Experience. Standard applicants generally need four years of qualifying experience within the preceding 15 years.
Select the requested monetary limit and financial-statement level
The applying entity needs a financial statement. The requested monetary limit controls whether the statement can follow the lower-limit route or must be compiled, reviewed or audited by an independent CPA.
Complete background forms—but do not fingerprint too early
The current March 2026 application specifically instructs applicants not to obtain fingerprints before submitting the application and fingerprint-waiver forms. Follow the post-submission fingerprint instructions.
Submit the application and nonrefundable $300 fee
Online applicants can save progress and return before final submission. Processing does not begin until the application is completed/submitted with payment.
Watch the entity email and mailing address
The current PDF states that the license analyst uses the entity email and that Candidate IDs/examination material are sent to the entity mailing address rather than simply to the qualifier’s personal address. Check spam for NSCB messages.
Complete required PSI testing after NSCB authorization
Do not schedule first and apply later. NSCB verifies experience and issues examination eligibility/Candidate ID before the qualifier schedules required examinations.
Satisfy the contingent approval conditions
After application approval, NSCB identifies bond and other issuance requirements. The license is not active merely because an application or exam is complete.
What the Current Nevada Contractor Application Actually Asks You to Prepare
This section converts the 20-page current NSCB application packet into a submission checklist. Always use the live PDF because forms can be revised.
| Application item | Current packet requirement | What to do before submission |
|---|---|---|
| $300 application fee | Current standard application fee is nonrefundable. | Confirm payment method on the current online/paper route before submitting. |
| Legal business name | Must align with Nevada Secretary of State records. | Resolve spelling/entity differences before filing. |
| Nevada Business ID | Current application asks for the Nevada Business ID. | Obtain it through Nevada’s official business-registration system before completing the contractor packet. |
| DBA | Supporting fictitious-business-name documentation may be required. | Do not submit an unexplained trade name that differs from the legal entity. |
| Physical address | The current packet requires at least one physical-address component rather than relying solely on a P.O. box/maildrop. | Prepare the actual location details requested by NSCB. |
| Nevada resident agent | Current application asks for the required Nevada resident-agent information. | Use a physically located Nevada agent meeting the application requirements. |
| Principals | Required people depend on sole proprietor, partnership, LLC or corporation structure. | List all required principals rather than only the person completing the form. |
| Background disclosure | Separate required disclosure paperwork for persons listed, including qualifier(s). | Answer bankruptcy, judgment, disciplinary and criminal-history questions accurately. |
| Government ID | Government-issued identification for applicable persons. | Make scans readable before upload. |
| Experience | Certificate(s) of Work Experience plus Resume of Experience for standard qualifiers unless an applicable exception/endorsement route applies. | Describe actual classification-level work, not generic “construction experience.” |
| Financial statement | Required for the applying entity regardless of requested limit. | Use the correct preparation level and currency period for the requested monetary limit. |
| Bank verification | Current NSCB license-requirement guidance lists the Bank Verification Form with financial documentation. | Use the official current form rather than a homemade bank letter. |
| Child support statement | Current packet identifies this for sole proprietors where applicable. | Use the current form only when the application structure requires it. |
Nevada Qualifier and Experience Rules: What “4 Years” Actually Means
For the standard license route, the applicant generally must demonstrate at least four years of qualifying experience within the 15 years immediately before application as a journeyman, foreman, supervising employee or contractor in the requested classification.
Work Experience Certificates
The current application instructs a standard trade qualifier to document the required experience using Board forms. The packet describes four years as an aggregate 1,460 days of qualifying experience.
- Find Certificate of Work Experience.
- Use a qualified certifier who can verify the actual work.
- Describe classification-specific duties.
- Do not submit vague statements such as “worked in construction.”
Education substitution
Board-accepted education, apprenticeship or equivalent training can substitute for up to three years of the standard experience requirement. The Board—not a school—decides what credit is accepted.
Nevada Contractor Exams: Apply First, Test After Authorization
The most common sequencing mistake is trying to schedule PSI before NSCB has reviewed the application and issued examination eligibility.
Submit the contractor license application
The examination process begins through NSCB licensing—not by independently booking a contractor exam.
Wait for experience verification
NSCB determines whether the experience documentation supports the requested classification.
Receive Examination Eligibility / Candidate ID
The current application says Candidate ID materials are sent to the entity mailing address. Keep that address current and watch NSCB correspondence.
Schedule only the exams NSCB authorized
The qualified individual generally takes the Construction Management Survey / Business & Law examination and the applicable trade exam unless a waiver or classification-specific exception applies.
Use the current PSI content outline
Check the exact classification bulletin for question areas, time limit, current fee and permitted references. Do not use an old exam-prep school’s rules.
Current official testing rules that matter
| Exam issue | Current NSCB guidance |
|---|---|
| CMS / Business & Law | Generally required. NSCB’s exam page states that the CMS exam is open book using the Nevada Construction Business and Law Manual. |
| Trade exam | Required for many classifications unless a waiver or classification without a trade exam applies. Trade exams are generally closed book except where an official content outline allows references. |
| Attempts | Three attempts per examination. |
| Failed attempt | Wait two weeks before retaking. |
| Third failure | Application becomes void; applicant may reapply after the applicable 30-day period with a new application and fee. |
| Missed appointment | Failure to cancel with the required advance notice, late arrival or failure to bring proper ID can forfeit the exam fee. |
| ID | Current NSCB guidance requires two forms of identification meeting PSI security requirements. |
| Result | Score/result information is provided at the testing session. |
Spanish-language contractor exams now available
NSCB announced in December 2025 that PSI expanded Spanish-language testing to the Construction Management Survey and 13 contractor classifications:
General Engineering
Residential & Small Commercial
Residential Remodeling
Plumbing
Electrical
Low Voltage
Finish Carpentry
Painting
Concrete
Landscape Contracting
Roofing
Tiling
Air Conditioning
Licensure by Endorsement and NASCLA: What They Do — and Do Not — Give You
Nevada licensure by endorsement
NSCB can waive the trade examination and/or experience-certification requirement when the applicant meets Nevada’s current equivalency conditions for a substantially equivalent out-of-state license.
- Find the current State License Equivalency Chart.
- Compare the source state and exact classification.
- Confirm the qualifier/license has the required recent active history and good standing.
- Prepare Verification of Licensure and Resume of Experience.
- Remember that Nevada’s Business & Law requirements and all other licensing conditions remain.
NASCLA Commercial General Building Exam
For applicable B/B-2 general-building applicants, the current application allows the NASCLA Accredited General Building examination to support a trade-exam waiver when the official transcript is provided as required.
B-7 Restricted License and Rural License Paths in 2026
Applicants should not force every business into the standard four-year statewide path. Nevada now has narrower routes for specific applicants/projects.
B-7 Restricted Residential Remodeling
The current March 2026 application packet describes the restricted B-7 route created through Nevada’s 2025 legislation and effective October 1, 2025.
- At least 2 years of qualifying experience.
- Residential remodeling/improvement within the statutory restricted scope.
- Cannot increase existing enclosed space.
- Does not authorize prohibited life-safety/specialty work outside the restricted scope.
- Monetary limit currently capped at $7,000 in the application packet.
- At least $2,000 surety bond/cash deposit, or higher amount determined by the Board.
- Required business counseling or similar Board-recognized course within the applicable period.
- CMS / Business & Law examination.
- License is valid for two years and may be renewed or followed by an unrestricted application when requirements are met.
Rural License Application
The current NSCB application page separately lists a Rural License Application that is valid only for designated rural locations/project circumstances.
- Open the current application page and scroll to the Rural License section.
- Identify the exact county/city and project.
- Confirm whether the statutory rural / attainable-housing pathway actually applies.
- Ask an NSCB licensing analyst whether any current shortage declaration or special fee treatment is active.
- Do not use a restricted rural credential for unrelated statewide contracting.
Nevada’s 2025 legislation created special rural attainable-housing routes with conditions tied to project location, source-state licensure and, in some situations, a declared contractor shortage. Statutory fee waivers are conditional; do not assume a no-fee application without current NSCB confirmation.
Which Nevada Application Route Should I Research?
This is an independent routing helper—not an eligibility determination.
Nevada Financial Statement Requirements by Requested Monetary Limit
A financial statement is required for the applying entity. The preparation level depends on the monetary limit requested.
| Requested limit | Current standard application route | Action before submission |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 or less | Board-approved lower-limit options can include CPA preparation, the Board-prescribed form or qualifying accounting-software documentation. | Use the exact current application option and ensure the statement meets the required current-date period. |
| Over $25,000 and under $500,000 | Compiled CPA statement or qualifying reviewed/audited statement. | Do not submit a self-prepared balance sheet where the requested limit requires a CPA statement. |
| $500,000 to under $1,000,000 | Higher disclosure/CPA requirements apply. | Give the CPA the current NSCB application instructions before the statement is prepared. |
| $1,000,000 or more | Reviewed or audited independent CPA financial statement under the current application requirements. | Confirm the financial statement falls within NSCB’s allowed age/currency period. |
License Bond, Workers’ Compensation and Liability Insurance Are Not the Same Thing
| Protection | Nevada licensing role | What homeowner / applicant should do |
|---|---|---|
| General contractor license bond | Every Nevada contractor license requires a surety bond or qualifying cash deposit. NSCB determines an amount currently ranging from $1,000 to $500,000. | Wait for the Board’s bond amount after approval and use the Board-prescribed bond route. |
| Workers’ compensation / industrial insurance | Licensees must demonstrate compliance when coverage is required, with an exemption process for qualifying businesses. | Do not assume a one-person exemption continues after employees are hired. |
| Commercial general liability | The standard NSCB licensing material reviewed does not state one universal Chapter 624 liability minimum comparable to the mandatory license bond. | Homeowners should still ask whether the contractor carries CGL, obtain a current certificate where appropriate, and match the insured entity to the licensed contractor. |
| $100,000 Residential Improvement Consumer Protection Bond | Separate special bond that can affect Nevada’s residential-improvement down-payment limitation. | Do not confuse this special $100,000 bond with the ordinary contractor license bond. |
- Identify which bond type applies.
- If you are a new applicant, wait for NSCB’s contingent approval/bond amount.
- Use a Nevada-authorized surety and the Board’s required form.
- Ensure the principal/business name exactly matches the license applicant.
- Maintain continuous bond coverage after issuance.
Nevada Contractor License Fees, Recovery Fund Assessment and Renewal
| Item | Current standard amount / cycle | Do not confuse with |
|---|---|---|
| Original application | $300 | Not the license-issuance fee; nonrefundable processing fee. |
| License fee after approval | $600 | Standard biennial license fee after application approval. |
| Ordinary term | 2 years | Not a one-year standard Nevada contractor license. |
| Residential Recovery Fund assessment | Residential contractors pay a separate biennial assessment unless an exemption applies. | Not the same as the $600 license fee. |
| Exam fee | Use current PSI bulletin at time of scheduling. | Not included in the $300 NSCB application fee. |
| Bond premium / deposit | Varies with Board-required bond and surety terms. | Not a government application fee. |
Current Residential Recovery Fund assessment bands
Up to $1,000,000
$200 per biennium under current Board guidance.
Over $1,000,000 but limited
$500 per biennium under current Board guidance.
Unlimited
$1,000 per biennium under current Board guidance.
If the license is suspended for nonrenewal
Current Nevada law allows a reinstatement route within six months under specified conditions. If the license is not reinstated within the applicable period, cancellation/new-application consequences can follow. Use the current NSCB renewal/reinstatement instructions instead of assuming a late payment automatically restores authority.
Free Nevada Licensing Assistance, Veteran Benefits, Language Access and Digital License Tools
These are concrete Nevada-specific applicant/licensee benefits that can save time or money. They are not generic “contact the board” suggestions.
Free NSCB application assistance
NSCB states that its application-assistance programs are free and that fee-charging third-party licensing services are not required or recommended by the Board.
- Open Application Assistance Programs.
- Watch the on-demand Business Assistance content.
- Review common application mistakes, exam guidance and bond requirements.
- Write down unresolved classification/experience questions.
- Call the North or South license analyst line for your specific application.
Pre-Submittal Application Review
NSCB offers a license-analyst review before the application is officially submitted.
- Complete as much of the application as possible.
- Have experience, financial and entity documents available.
- Prepare questions instead of asking the analyst to choose your entire business model.
- The analyst can identify readiness/deficiency issues before filing.
Veterans and military spouses
The Veterans Assistance Program provides a dedicated/expedited path for qualifying veterans and military spouses.
- Returning veterans can submit DD-214 and military education/training transcripts for transferable-experience review.
- Military spouses relocating a construction business can receive expedited assistance and review for possible experience/trade-exam waiver eligibility.
- Active-duty/Guard licensees called to service at expiration may ask the Board to consider waiver of late-renewal fees with required reinstatement documents.
Language access
NSCB expanded Spanish contractor examinations in late 2025 and has also implemented broader language-access tools. If English is a barrier, ask NSCB which current translated materials, interpretation services and Spanish examinations apply to your task.
Digital wall certificate and pocket cards
Active Nevada licensees can access digital wall certificates and pocket cards through the NSCB Online Dashboard.
- Log in to the NSCB Online Dashboard.
- Open license information.
- Select the wall certificate / pocket-card download.
- Downloads are available for active licenses.
- Print pocket cards at actual size for best quality.
Public-works bidder preference certificate
Nevada has a separate NSCB Certificate of Eligibility for certain public-works bidder-preference purposes. This is not a substitute for the contractor license.
- Open NSCB Forms & Applications.
- Find “Certificate of Eligibility to Receive Preference in Bidding on Public Works.”
- Review the current NRS 338 eligibility and tax-history/CPA affidavit conditions.
- Use the current form for current fee and renewal requirements.
Local Nevada Business-License and Permit Routes After You Verify the State License
Do not type “Las Vegas permit” and assume every Las Vegas Valley property is inside the City of Las Vegas. The correct building department depends on the project address.
| Project jurisdiction | Official contact | What to do after opening | Map / office |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Las Vegas |
Building: 702-229-6251 Business licensing: 702-229-6281 |
1. Confirm the address is actually inside city jurisdiction. 2. Determine whether plans are required. 3. Estimate permit fees if useful. 4. Contractor permits require a valid Nevada contractor license and City of Las Vegas business license. 5. Submit through the official city permit system. |
495 S. Main St., Las Vegas, NV 89101 Google Maps Directions |
| Unincorporated Clark County |
Building / permit questions: 702-455-8972 Business License: 702-455-4340 |
1. Use the County jurisdiction/address tools when location is uncertain. 2. Check whether a building permit is required. 3. Search Clark County’s Contractor/Multi-Jurisdictional business license if relevant. 4. Keep the NSCB state license check separate. |
500 S. Grand Central Pkwy., Las Vegas, NV 89155 Google Maps Directions |
| Henderson |
Permits: 702-267-3620 Inspections: 702-267-3900 Plan check: 702-267-3650 |
1. Use Development Services to identify permit type. 2. Apply/upload through Henderson online services. 3. Use the permit-fee estimator for planning only. 4. Pay the final assessed—not estimated—fee. 5. Schedule inspections through the approved permit record. |
240 S. Water St., Henderson, NV 89015 Google Maps Directions |
| City of Reno |
Building & Safety: 775-334-2063 Planner of the Day: 775-321-8309 |
1. Open Development Services / Online Licensing & Permitting. 2. Check Building & Safety for permit route. 3. Use Planning when zoning/land-use approval may precede the building permit. 4. Confirm official invoices through the regional portal before paying. |
Reno City Hall, 1 E. First St., Reno, NV Google Maps Directions |
| Unincorporated Washoe County |
Building Program: 775-328-2020 Washoe 311: 775-328-2003 |
1. Use OneNV.us / Washoe online services. 2. Select the Building tab and Washoe as agency. 3. Submit or search the permit record. 4. Schedule inspections through the permit account, email or inspection line. 5. For 2026 work, confirm the current adopted code edition before designing/submitting. |
1001 E. Ninth St., Reno, NV 89512 Google Maps Directions |
Direct official local links
City of Las Vegas
Clark County
Henderson
Reno
Washoe County
Nevada-Specific Programs That Can Save Contractors or Homeowners Time and Money
These programs are location/project-specific. They are useful only when the work qualifies, so apply before construction when the program requires preapproval.
Southern Nevada Water Smart Landscapes Rebate
For qualifying Southern Nevada turf-conversion projects, SNWA currently offers residential rebates of $5 per square foot for the first 10,000 square feet and $2.50 per square foot thereafter per property per fiscal year.
Current program information also includes a $100 bonus per qualifying new tree. Additional incentives are available for certain Las Vegas Valley Water District and Henderson customers.
- Apply for the rebate before removal begins.
- Complete the SNWA pre-conversion site visit.
- Use the approved measured area for bids.
- Verify the landscape contractor’s Nevada license separately in NSCB.
- Complete the conversion within the program deadline.
- Request final inspection and satisfy program conditions before expecting payment.
Water Smart Landscaper — contractor benefit
Southern Nevada landscape contractors can join SNWA’s Water Smart Landscaper program at no cost. Participating companies complete free SNWA water-efficiency training and can be listed in SNWA’s public Find a Landscaper resource.
SNWA’s current program requires participating contractors to maintain Nevada contractor licensing/good standing and insurance and complete at least six hours of water-efficiency training.
- Open Water Smart Landscaper enrollment.
- Enter company information and C-10 license number.
- List languages and services.
- Complete required free SNWA training.
- Keep the NSCB license and insurance in good standing.
City of Las Vegas year-round permit amnesty
The City of Las Vegas currently advertises a year-round amnesty program for homeowners who self-disclose nonpermitted or non-code-compliant residential work.
- Confirm the property is inside City of Las Vegas jurisdiction.
- Call Building Customer Service at 702-229-6251.
- Describe the existing unpermitted work.
- Ask exactly what plan review, permit fees, corrections and penalty treatment apply.
- Do not demolish or conceal the work before receiving city direction.
Local planning tools that reduce surprises
- Las Vegas: permit-fee estimator, Express Plan Review options and jurisdiction check.
- Henderson: permit-fee estimators and Development Services Center help.
- Reno: Planner of the Day and online permitting.
- Washoe County: OneNV portal plus virtual/phone/in-person Development Services expert meetings.
These tools do not replace final fee calculations or approvals but can help scope a project before a contractor gives a final price.
What Nevada’s Home Improvement Bill of Rights Tells You to Check
The current official Bill of Rights PDF is useful before obtaining bids and again before making final payment.
Before signing
- Verify the contractor’s pocket/license information against the live NSCB database.
- Obtain comparable bids based on the same project scope.
- Check references and prior work.
- Make sure the contract identifies the license number and monetary limit.
- Define specific labor and materials.
- Include start/completion expectations.
- State who obtains required permits.
- Use a written payment schedule.
- Review lien and Recovery Fund notices.
- Check whether the contractor carries commercial general liability insurance and which carrier is identified.
During and after the job
- Put changes in writing.
- Keep a project file with contracts, permits and payment records.
- Do not let payments get materially ahead of completed work.
- Avoid cash payments when they undermine a clear record.
- Identify subcontractors and verify required licenses.
- Obtain appropriate unconditional lien releases for completed paid phases.
- Track delivered materials and project progress.
- Keep as-built drawings and warranty documents where applicable.
- Use the first-page checklist while comparing bidders.
- Use the contract checklist before signing.
- Use the payment/lien-release section before every significant progress payment.
- Save the PDF with your signed contract so the protections are available during the project.
Nevada Residential Improvement Down-Payment Rule
For covered residential-improvement work on an existing completed owner-occupied single-family residence, Nevada’s ordinary down-payment rule generally limits the initial payment to $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less.
A larger amount can be allowed when the contractor has the separate $100,000 Residential Improvement Consumer Protection Bond or another applicable statutory/Board exception.
Residential Down-Payment Planning Calculator
For a covered ordinary residential-improvement contract, this shows the lower of 10% or $1,000 before a verified exception.
How to File a Strong Nevada Contractor Complaint Packet
NSCB’s current September 2025 complaint checklist is very specific: incomplete submissions can be returned, so organize the complete package before filing.
Licensed contractor complaint packet
- Complete required complaint pages.
- Detailed Statement of Fact.
- Consent for Electronic Service when used.
- Signed contract, proposals or bids.
- Signed change orders.
- Invoices and billing statements.
- Payment proof: canceled checks, card/bank records, or supported electronic-payment screenshots.
- Written correspondence and dated phone/in-person notes.
- Photos of defects/incomplete work.
- Permits, inspection records and correction notices.
- Subcontractor/supplier information where relevant.
- Lien/preliminary-notice documents where relevant.
Unlicensed contractor evidence
- Advertisement or solicitation.
- Written agreement/contract.
- Front and back of checks or electronic payment records.
- Detailed description of what the person offered/performed.
- Photographs.
- Messages and emails.
- Three written licensed-contractor estimates for correction/completion when requested for restitution documentation.
What happens after a licensed complaint
NSCB acknowledges and screens the complaint
The Investigations Office evaluates whether allegations fall within Board jurisdiction and whether a jobsite inspection is needed.
The licensee receives the complaint
Nevada law requires notification of the investigation, and the contractor receives the complaint information through the official process.
A jobsite visit may be scheduled
When workmanship needs inspection, the Board can schedule the consumer and contractor for a jobsite review.
A Notice to Correct may follow
NSCB’s current complaint guidance explains that a valid correction issue can result in a Notice to Correct, commonly followed by an identified correction period and later follow-up.
Nevada Residential Recovery Fund: Pre-Claim Eligibility and Evidence Checklist
The Recovery Fund is not a general warranty and does not cover every contractor dispute. Current Board material ties eligibility to qualifying residential work performed by an appropriately licensed residential contractor.
Check these items before building a claim
- The contractor was actively licensed at the relevant time.
- The license classification covered the qualified residential services.
- The contract fit within the contractor’s monetary limit.
- The licensed business name/license number matches the contract.
- Payments were made to the appropriate licensed contractor/business.
- The property and claimant meet the single-family residence / owner requirements.
- Required permits were obtained under the proper contractor/project route rather than an improper owner-builder workaround.
- The claim is filed within the applicable Recovery Fund deadline.
Documents the current Recovery Fund packet asks you to organize
| Evidence | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Claim form | Current original completed/signed claim materials and required verification form. |
| Contract | Original contract plus change orders, credits, refunds and discounts. |
| Payment records | Canceled checks, receipts, bank/card records and documentation for cash/electronic payments. |
| Loss calculation | Clear explanation of how the claimed actual loss was calculated. |
| Photos | Dated, organized photos showing incomplete/defective work. |
| Completion / correction bids | Current packet requests three properly licensed contractor bids for completion/correction. |
| Judgment | If using the judgment route, certified judgment and supporting final-proceeding documentation. |
Normal Fund complaint timing
Current NRS 624.480 generally requires an injured person seeking Recovery Fund relief to file within 4 years after completion of qualified services.
Judgment route
NRS 624.490 provides a separate application route within 2 years after obtaining a qualifying final judgment.
Individual claim maximum
Current NSCB guidance lists a maximum of $40,000 for an individual qualifying claim.
Official Nevada PDFs Worth Opening — and What to Extract From Each
These documents answer different questions. Do not download all of them blindly; use the one that matches your task.
New Contractor License Application — Rev. 03/2026
Use for: standard application checklist, B-7 information, entity, qualifier, experience, exams, financial requirements and disclosures.
- Read the first-page “Before You Submit” checklist.
- Use Section 3 to lock the classification.
- Use qualifier/experience pages before asking references to sign.
- Use monetary-limit/financial section before ordering CPA work.
- Read the fingerprint instruction before being fingerprinted.
Consumer Complaint Form + Checklist — Rev. 09/2025
Use for: exact complaint pages and evidence packet.
- Read the checklist before filling the narrative.
- Gather payments and contract first.
- Write an itemized Statement of Fact.
- Add permits, inspection reports and written correspondence.
- Submit one complete package because incomplete submissions can be returned.
Residential Recovery Fund Claim — Rev. 02/2025
Use for: claimant eligibility, contractor-license checks, contract/payment evidence and claim submission.
- Complete the eligibility screen before calculating a claim.
- Confirm license/classification/monetary limit.
- Match payment recipient to licensed contractor.
- Gather three licensed-contractor bids when required.
- Prepare notarized/current verification documents before submission.
Home Improvement Bill of Rights
Use for: bidder comparison, contract review, payments, permits and lien-release practices.
- Use it before selecting a bidder.
- Compare the written contract with the checklist.
- Use the payment section at every progress draw.
- Save lien releases and project records with the contract.
Spanish Contractor Examination Expansion
Use for: confirming which Nevada exams were added in Spanish beginning in late 2025.
- Find your exact classification.
- Confirm it appears in the Spanish-language list.
- Wait for NSCB exam eligibility.
- Confirm Spanish availability when scheduling with PSI.
Forms & Applications Master Desk
Use instead of an old bookmarked PDF when you need:
- Certificate of Work Experience
- Resume of Experience
- Background Disclosure Statement
- DPS Fingerprint Background Waiver
- Bank Verification Form
- Financial Statement forms
- Permanent Raise in Limit
- Single Project Limit Increase
- Change/Add Qualified Individual
- License Verification Form
- Public Works Preference Certificate
- Recovery Fund Exemption Affidavit
Nevada State Contractors Board Offices, Local Numbers and Google Maps
Use Licensing/Customer Service for application, classification, qualifier and status questions. Use Investigations for complaint/enforcement matters.
Southern Nevada — Las Vegas
Nevada State Contractors Board
8400 West Sunset Road, Suite 150
Las Vegas, NV 89113
Licensing / Customer Service:
702-486-1100
Investigations:
702-486-1160
Northern Nevada — Reno
Nevada State Contractors Board
5390 Kietzke Lane, Suite 102
Reno, NV 89511
Licensing / Customer Service:
775-688-1141
Investigations:
775-688-1150
Licensing / Customer Service email
Investigations email
Related ContractorsBoard.org Licensing Guides
If the project is outside Nevada or you are comparing multi-state licensing requirements, use the all-state directory rather than transferring Nevada’s classification, monetary-limit or bond rules to another state.
Nevada Contractor License Search FAQs
How do I search for a Nevada contractor license?
Use the official Nevada State Contractors Board License Search. Search the exact license number first when available. Otherwise use company name or principal/qualified individual. Open the exact record and compare the legal business, current status, classification and monetary limit with the contract.
What should I check after I find the Nevada contractor?
Check the licensed business name, current status, classification, monetary limit, qualified individual and available bond information. Then search the exact licensee in NSCB’s separate Public Disciplinary Actions database and verify local project permits.
What if a Nevada contractor does not appear in the search?
Recheck the license number, search the company without punctuation or LLC/Inc., try a distinctive partial business name and search the principal or qualified individual. If the business still claims an active Nevada license but no defensible match appears, contact NSCB before signing or paying.
What is a Nevada contractor monetary limit?
The monetary limit is the maximum contract authority approved for the license for one or more contracts at a single construction site or subdivision site for a single client. Compare the complete contract with the current limit shown by NSCB.
How much experience is required for a standard Nevada contractor license?
The normal Nevada application route generally requires four years of qualifying journeyman, foreman, supervising-employee or contractor experience in the requested classification within the 15 years immediately before application. Board-accepted education or training can substitute for up to three years.
How much does the standard Nevada contractor license application cost?
The current standard application fee is $300 and is nonrefundable. After approval, the current standard biennial license fee is $600. Examination fees, bond costs and any applicable Residential Recovery Fund assessment are separate.
How long is a standard Nevada contractor license valid?
The ordinary Nevada contractor license is generally valid for two years and renewed biennially. A license not renewed by its renewal date is automatically suspended under current Nevada law.
Does Nevada require a contractor exam?
The qualifying individual generally must pass Nevada’s Construction Management Survey / Business and Law examination and an applicable trade examination unless an official waiver or classification-specific exception applies. The applicant must first submit the application and receive NSCB examination eligibility before scheduling required PSI tests.
How many times can I take a Nevada contractor exam?
Current NSCB guidance allows three attempts per required examination. After an unsuccessful attempt, the candidate must wait two weeks before retesting. A third failure voids the application under the applicable rule, and a new application may be filed after the stated waiting period.
Are Nevada contractor exams available in Spanish?
Yes for the examinations included in NSCB’s December 2025 expansion. PSI offers Spanish-language testing for the Construction Management Survey and 13 listed Nevada classifications including A, B-2, B-7 and selected C specialty classifications. Confirm language availability for the exact authorized examination when scheduling.
Does Nevada accept the NASCLA Commercial General Building exam?
For an applicable general-building application, the NASCLA Accredited General Building examination can support waiver of the Nevada trade examination when current NSCB requirements are met. NASCLA is not a Nevada contractor license; the applicant must still satisfy all remaining Nevada requirements and receive the Nevada license.
How much is the Nevada contractor license bond?
Every Nevada contractor license requires a Board-approved surety bond or cash deposit. NSCB currently determines the ordinary license bond from $1,000 to $500,000 based on factors including license type, monetary limit, financial responsibility, experience and character.
Is Nevada general liability insurance the same as the contractor bond?
No. The license bond is a regulatory financial-protection requirement. Commercial general liability insurance is a separate coverage. Nevada homeowner guidance tells consumers to check whether the contractor carries commercial general liability insurance and identify the carrier.
Does a handyman need a Nevada contractor license for work under $1,000?
Not automatically. A limited exemption can apply to qualifying repair or maintenance work under $1,000 including labor and materials, but permit-triggering projects and excluded work such as electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, heating and air conditioning should not be treated as exempt merely because the price is low.
What is the Nevada B-7 restricted contractor license?
The B-7 restricted residential-remodeling route is a narrower Nevada license path that uses at least two years of qualifying experience, restricted residential scope, special business-counseling and bond requirements and a low monetary limit. It is not equivalent to an unrestricted general-building license.
What is Nevada’s residential-improvement down-payment limit?
For a covered ordinary residential-improvement contract, the initial down payment generally cannot exceed $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less, unless the contractor qualifies for an applicable exception such as the separate $100,000 consumer-protection bond.
How long do I have to file a complaint against a licensed Nevada contractor?
Current NRS 624.331 generally requires a written disciplinary complaint to be filed with the Board within four years after the act or omission. Civil, warranty, lien, bond and Residential Recovery Fund deadlines can differ.
How much can the Nevada Residential Recovery Fund pay?
Current NSCB guidance states that an individual qualifying Residential Recovery Fund claim cannot exceed $40,000. Eligibility and payment are not guaranteed and depend on the statutory facts, actual damages and compensation from other sources.
Does a Nevada contractor license prove that a building permit exists?
No. The NSCB license regulates the contractor. A building or trade permit authorizes project-specific work through the appropriate city, county or other authority. Verify the permit separately for the project address.
Are there free Nevada programs that help contractor-license applicants?
Yes. NSCB provides free Application Assistance Programs, license-analyst help and a Pre-Submittal Application Review. It also offers a Veterans Assistance Program for qualifying veterans and military spouses. NSCB states that paid third-party licensing services are not required or recommended by the Board.
Are there local Nevada rebates that may affect contractor projects?
Yes for qualifying projects. In Southern Nevada, the Water Smart Landscapes program offers turf-conversion rebates and tree incentives. Applicants must apply and complete the required pre-conversion site visit before removing grass or the conversion can become ineligible.
Before You Hire: Complete the Nevada Seven-Record Check
1. Exact licensed business. 2. Current status. 3. Correct classification. 4. Sufficient monetary limit. 5. Qualified individual and bond. 6. Public disciplinary history. 7. Local business-license and permit record.
Applicants should similarly confirm the exact classification, application route, qualifier, experience, financial-statement level and exam requirements before submitting the nonrefundable application.