North Carolina Contractor License Lookup: NCLBGC Search & Verify

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NCLBGC verification guide · reviewed August 31, 2026

North Carolina Contractor License Lookup: Search the NCLBGC Record, Project Limit, Discipline & Permits

The official regulator for North Carolina general contractors is the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC). For a covered construction undertaking valued at $40,000 or more, the project generally requires an appropriately licensed North Carolina general contractor, subject to statutory exceptions.

A useful lookup goes much further than “the company appeared in search.” You need to match the legal licensee, current record, work classification, Limited/Intermediate/Unlimited project ceiling, qualifier and disciplinary information—and then verify the actual local permit separately.

Official NCLBGC License Search Official NCLBGC Application Official Complaint Portal
Independent navigation guide: ContractorsBoard.org is not NCLBGC and does not issue or verify North Carolina licenses, recommend contractors, approve permits, administer Recovery Fund claims or make legal determinations.
Fast answer

What Should You Check Before Hiring a North Carolina General Contractor?

Record License number
Identity Legal licensee
Work scope Classification
Dollar authority Limitation
Qualification Qualifier
2026 lookup step Discipline PDF
Important July 2026 lookup improvement: NCLBGC says licensee profiles can now link complaint numbers to a Consent Order or Final Decision when a complaint filed in 2022 or later resulted in disciplinary action. After opening a contractor profile, scroll to the bottom and inspect any complaint-number links.
Do not use the old $30,000 figure. The current Board site and the January 2026 NCLBGC Laws & Regulations publication use a $40,000 general-contractor threshold.
Another freshness correction: the current 2026 NCLBGC rules state that 21 NCAC 12A .0308 — Character References was repealed effective September 1, 2025. If an older article tells every new applicant to collect three character-reference letters, check the live application before doing that unnecessary work.
Official License / Qualifier Search Official Current Laws & Regulations Official Summer 2026 Board Update
Search troubleshooting

Can’t Find the Contractor? Try These Search Fixes Before Assuming Anything

Problem Try this Why it matters
Exact company name gives no result Remove LLC, Inc., punctuation or extra words and use the like-sounding-name option. Marketing names and database legal names do not always appear in identical formats.
Contractor gave a personal name Search the person’s first/last name and then determine whether they are the licensee or only a qualifier. A qualifier’s exam record is not automatically a contractor license.
Business uses a DBA Ask for the legal licensed entity and license number; separately trace the business name through the Secretary of State/assumed-name records where appropriate. The payment recipient should connect to the actual licensed entity.
Many similar companies Add city, ZIP, address or license number. Do not choose a record merely because the name looks familiar.
Contractor says license was recently renewed Recheck the live portal and contact Licensing at 919-571-4183 if the record does not reconcile. Do not rely on a screenshot supplied by the contractor when the official current record differs.
Contractor claims another state’s license Search the North Carolina portal anyway. Exam waiver/NASCLA credit is not North Carolina contracting authority.
Read the complete record

What the North Carolina License Profile Should Tell You

Item What to compare What to do if it does not match
License number Official number vs proposal/contract. Ask why the business is using another number before signing.
Licensee name Official legal licensee vs entity signing the contract and taking payment. Resolve the entity relationship before paying.
Current status Live Board status on the day you check. Do not rely on a past year’s license certificate.
Classification Building, Residential, Highway, Public Utilities, Specialty or other scope. Open the official classification rules to determine whether the work is covered.
Limitation Limited, Intermediate or Unlimited compared with project value. Do not assume an active Limited license can take an $800,000 project.
Qualifier Person connected to the license qualification. Remember qualifier status alone is not a contractor license.
Complaint / disciplinary links Complaint numbers at the bottom of the profile. Open linked Consent Orders or Final Decisions and read the actual disposition.
New in July 2026

NCLBGC says complaint numbers in applicable license profiles now link to disciplinary Consent Orders or Final Decisions for complaints filed in 2022 or later that resulted in discipline. This is more useful than searching the company name and stopping at “license found.”
When you see a clickable complaint number:
  1. Open the complaint number.
  2. Identify whether the PDF/document is a Consent Order or Final Decision.
  3. Read the factual findings and the Board’s actual action.
  4. Do not infer that every complaint against a contractor resulted in discipline.
  5. Save the government document if it is material to your hiring decision.
  6. If the disposition is unclear, contact NCLBGC rather than guessing from the complaint number alone.

NC Contractor Record Verification Checklist

This independent tool does not query NCLBGC. It helps you identify which checks you have actually completed.

Government/document checks completed:
Mark only items you independently checked.
Official discovery tool

Find Licensed Contractors Near You Using the NCLBGC Tool

NCLBGC provides a separate Find a License Near Me search that can identify licensed records by classification and geographic distance.

Official Find a License Near Me
After the near-me search opens:
  1. Select the classification relevant to your project.
  2. Enter your ZIP code, city or other requested location.
  3. Select a reasonable search radius.
  4. Use the resulting list only to discover candidate license records.
  5. Open each contractor’s individual profile.
  6. Repeat the status, classification, limitation, qualifier and discipline checks.
  7. Independently obtain multiple detailed bids and project references.
Not an endorsement: appearing in a government license search does not guarantee workmanship, price, availability or suitability for your project.
Threshold + monetary limit

$40,000 North Carolina License Threshold vs $750,000 / $1.5M License Limits

Two different dollar rules are often confused:

  • $40,000: main threshold at which covered general contracting requires licensing, subject to statutory exceptions.
  • $750,000 / $1.5 million: maximum single-project values for Limited and Intermediate licensees.
Situation What the dollar rule indicates Next step
$25,000 remodel Below the main $40,000 general-contractor trigger. Still check permit, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and other separate requirements.
$45,000 addition At/above the principal state licensing threshold. Verify NCLBGC status, classification and limitation.
$700,000 project Within the Limited dollar ceiling by value alone. Classification and current status still must match.
$800,000 project Exceeds the Limited $750,000 project ceiling. Verify appropriate Intermediate or Unlimited authority.
$1.4 million project Within Intermediate ceiling by value alone. Verify classification and live record.
$1.7 million project Exceeds Intermediate’s $1.5 million ceiling. Verify an appropriate Unlimited license.
For license-limitation purposes, NCLBGC’s rule excludes the cost of land and qualifying ancillary costs to improve the land. If your project sits close to a limitation boundary, use the official rule or ask NCLBGC how the calculation applies to the specific transaction.
Official Classifications & Limitations Official N.C.G.S. Chapter 87 Source

NC Project License & Limitation Planner

Enter a conservative estimate of the covered construction undertaking. This tool does not make the statutory land/ancillary-cost adjustments for you.

Enter the expected construction amount and known changes.
Work authority

North Carolina General Contractor Classifications: Match the Work, Not Just the Dollar Limit

Classification High-level work scope Homeowner / applicant check
Building Broad building construction/demolition and related work defined by Board rules. Check that Building appears on the live record and the limitation covers the project.
Residential Residential-unit work subject to the Residential Building Code and listed related work. Use for relevant residential scope; do not assume all specialty trades become unnecessary.
Highway Highway construction and related grading, paving, bridge and drainage work defined in the rules. Do not substitute a generic Building classification.
Public Utilities Specified water, sewer and other utility construction classifications/subclassifications. Check the exact utility subclassification.
Specialty Specialized construction scopes not assigned to another occupational licensing board. Match the exact specialty shown to the proposed work.
Unclassified Broad qualification across classifications under the current Board rules. Still verify limitation and current status.
Classification ≠ skill guarantee. A license establishes regulatory eligibility. Separately examine recent relevant projects, references, detailed bids, contract terms and inspection history.
After opening the classification page:
  1. Find the classification printed on the contractor’s live license record.
  2. Read the Board’s actual scope description.
  3. Compare it with the work in your scope of work—not the contractor’s marketing description.
  4. Then verify the dollar limitation separately.
  5. For electrical/plumbing/heating work, check the separate trade board below.
Owner-builder exception

Can You Act as Your Own General Contractor in North Carolina?

North Carolina law contains an owner-builder exception when its statutory conditions are satisfied. Broadly, it involves an owner constructing or altering a building on land the owner owns for qualifying occupancy by the owner, owner’s family, firm or corporation.

The exception is not “pull the permit for an unlicensed contractor.” Owner-builder status carries actual management and legal responsibility. It also does not remove electrical, plumbing, mechanical, building-code or inspection requirements.
12-month occupancy presumption: current G.S. 87-1 includes a presumption affecting owner-builder status when the building is not occupied solely by the qualifying owner/family/firm/corporation for at least 12 months after completion.
Before signing an owner-builder affidavit:
  1. Read the current owner-builder provisions in the NCLBGC 2026 law book.
  2. Call the inspection department serving the project address.
  3. Ask which owner-builder affidavit/form it requires.
  4. Ask which responsibilities cannot be delegated to an unlicensed person.
  5. Ask which electrical, plumbing, HVAC or other trade permits require licensed professionals.
  6. Do not sign merely because another contractor asks you to “pull the permit for them.”
Official NCLBGC Consumer FAQ Official Owner-Builder Law
Separate licensing boards

NCLBGC Is Not the Only License Search You May Need

North Carolina uses separate occupational boards for several specialty trades. A general contractor license should not be treated as proof that a separate electrical, plumbing, heating or fire-sprinkler credential exists.

Electrical contracting

Authority: North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors.

Verification sequence:
  1. Open the official Electrical Board site.
  2. Use its Active License Database / license-search function.
  3. Search the electrical contractor/entity performing that trade.
  4. Compare the credential with the electrical permit where applicable.
  5. Do not substitute the GC’s NCLBGC record for the electrical credential.
Official NC Electrical Board

Plumbing, heating & fire sprinkler

Authority: North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.

Board phone: 919-875-3612

Verification sequence:
  1. Open the Board’s official public license search.
  2. Search the person/company doing the regulated trade.
  3. Match the correct classification/credential.
  4. Check the trade permit separately with the local inspection office.
Official Plumbing/Heating/Fire Search
Other projects can involve additional regulators—for example asbestos, lead-based paint, landscape contracting or environmental requirements. Start with the actual work scope, not the assumption that one general-contractor license covers every regulated activity.
New applicant cockpit

North Carolina General Contractor Application: What to Prepare Before Opening NCCLiC

The fastest application is usually the one prepared before the applicant starts typing. Decide the legal licensee, classification, limitation, financial method and qualifier first.

Identity / entity

  • Exact applicant legal name.
  • Entity type.
  • Current business registration where applicable.
  • Owners/principals required by the application.
  • Current contact information.

Qualification

  • Classification.
  • Limitation.
  • Qualifying individual.
  • Exam / NASCLA / waiver route.
  • Background-check requirements.

Financial packet

  • Limited financial evidence.
  • Intermediate/Unlimited AUP or audit.
  • Or qualifying surety-bond alternative.
  • Current application fee.

Step-by-step application workflow

Identify the exact legal applicant

Decide whether the license belongs to an individual, corporation, LLC, partnership or other eligible entity. The license belongs to that legal entity; do not casually apply under one name and expect to transfer it to another business later.

Choose the classification

Use the official Classifications & Limitations page and select the scope the applicant intends to perform.

Choose Limited, Intermediate or Unlimited

Base this on intended project size and the financial qualification the applicant can meet.

Select the financial route

Prepare the correct financial evidence or qualifying surety bond for the limitation requested.

Identify the qualifier

The qualifier must have the relationship and examination qualification required under current NCLBGC rules.

Complete current background-check steps

Follow the live applicant portal for the persons who must complete the Board’s current criminal-background process. Do not rely on a years-old checklist.

Start the current online application

Use NCLBGC’s License Applicants page to enter the current NCCLiC application—not an old downloadable form found through a search engine.

Respond to application deficiencies

Monitor the applicant email/portal. NCLBGC says its initial application review commonly takes about two weeks, but timing is not guaranteed.

Wait for exam eligibility

For Board examinations, do not treat PSI as the licensing authority. NCLBGC approves exam eligibility first.

Pass the required exam or document an approved alternative

Use PSI, NASCLA or an examination-waiver route only when it applies to your exact classification/application.

Wait for actual license issuance

A submitted application or passing exam is not contracting authority. Confirm the final license in the public NCLBGC database.

Do not waste time on obsolete character-reference instructions: NCLBGC’s January 2026 rules book states that the Character References rule was repealed effective September 1, 2025. Follow the live application if an older FAQ/checklist conflicts.
Official NCLBGC Applicant Instructions Official NCCLiC Portal Choose Classification & Limitation
Official PDF desk

Official North Carolina Contractor PDFs: What Is Inside & Which Pages Matter

2026 Laws & Regulations Applicable to General Contracting

Current edition: revised January 2026. NCLBGC states this edition supersedes previous editions.

This is the core regulatory source for the $40,000 threshold, owner-builder exception, classification rules, financial eligibility, qualifier/examination requirements, renewals, complaints and Homeowners Recovery Fund procedure.

After opening the PDF:
  1. Use G.S. 87-1 to read the actual general-contractor definition and exceptions.
  2. Use G.S. 87-10 for licensing, limitation and renewal concepts.
  3. Use 21 NCAC 12A .0202 for classifications.
  4. Use 21 NCAC 12A .0204 for financial eligibility.
  5. Review the applicant/exam rules rather than an old blog’s summary.
  6. Note that .0308 Character References is marked repealed effective September 1, 2025.
  7. Use the .0900 rules when researching Recovery Fund procedure.
Open Official 2026 NCLBGC Laws PDF

PSI Candidate Information Bulletin

The Board’s applicant page links the currently designated PSI examination bulletin. Because test fees, identification requirements and locations can change, use the bulletin linked by NCLBGC rather than a saved copy from an exam-prep site.

After opening the bulletin:
  1. Confirm the exact exam named in your NCLBGC eligibility.
  2. Check current examination fee.
  3. Check acceptable identification.
  4. Read scheduling/rescheduling rules.
  5. Check whether books or references are allowed for that exam.
  6. Check calculator or other testing-center restrictions.
  7. Use the testing location printed in your actual appointment confirmation.
Get Current PSI Bulletin From NCLBGC

Homeowners Recovery Fund Brochure & Claim Application

NCLBGC provides an official Recovery Fund page with downloadable brochure and claim application. The program is a last-resort recovery route, not an instant contractor-refund program.

Before filling the claim form:
  1. Read the eligibility section.
  2. Determine whether the property is a qualifying single-family dwelling.
  3. Confirm the loss is the type the Fund can consider.
  4. Review the requirement to exhaust other recovery remedies.
  5. Confirm whether an unsatisfied civil judgment is required in your situation.
  6. Review the filing deadline before waiting any longer.
  7. Call the Recovery Fund at 919-420-7991 if eligibility is unclear.
Official Recovery Fund Documents

Local Permit PDFs & Guides

Several North Carolina jurisdictions publish portal guides, fee documents and inspection instructions separately from NCLBGC.

Before using a locally downloaded PDF:
  1. Start from the jurisdiction’s current permit landing page.
  2. Confirm that the PDF is still linked there.
  3. Check its revision/effective date where shown.
  4. Do not use a stale local document to override the current $40,000 NCLBGC rule.
  5. When the live portal and old PDF differ, call the local permit office.
Financial qualification

Limited, Intermediate & Unlimited Financial Requirements

Limitation Single-project ceiling Current financial route Surety alternative
Limited Up to $750,000. Current assets exceeding current liabilities by at least $17,000 OR total net worth of at least $80,000. $175,000 bond.
Intermediate Up to $1.5 million. At least $75,000 working capital through the required agreed-upon procedures report or audited financial statement. $500,000 bond.
Unlimited No single-project ceiling. At least $150,000 working capital through the required agreed-upon procedures report or audited financial statement. $1,000,000 bond.

Working capital = current assets − current liabilities.

Intermediate and Unlimited applicants are not automatically limited to a traditional audit. Current NCLBGC rules allow the specified agreed-upon procedures report route, while qualifying applicants may also use the surety alternative.
Applicants connected with a bankruptcy within the period covered by current Board rules can face additional financial-document requirements. Do not use the ordinary Limited checklist without reading the bankruptcy provision if it applies.
If your accountant has never prepared an NCLBGC application:
  1. Send them the current NCLBGC Classifications & Limitations page.
  2. Tell them which limitation you are requesting.
  3. Ask them to use the current Board-required format rather than a generic balance sheet.
  4. Do not order an expensive audit automatically if the current AUP route satisfies your requested limitation.
  5. Upload the exact financial documentation requested by the live portal.
Qualifier ≠ license

How North Carolina Qualifying Parties Work

A qualifier is a responsible managing employee, owner, officer, LLC member, partner or other qualifying person whose approved examination is used to qualify a license classification.

The qualifying examination is not an occupational license. The 2026 NCLBGC rules explicitly make this distinction. A person may appear as a qualifier without personally being the legal entity holding the general-contractor license.

If the qualifier leaves

Current North Carolina law provides a 90-day period to replace a qualifying party after the qualifying relationship ends, but the licensee may not simply continue bidding and taking new work as though nothing happened. Read the current statute/rules and contact NCLBGC for the reinstatement/qualification path.

When verifying a qualifier:
  1. Use the NCLBGC public search.
  2. Search Qualifier Number or person name.
  3. Open the associated license records.
  4. Determine which legal entity actually holds the license.
  5. Do not write a contract with the qualifier personally unless that is actually the licensed contracting entity.
Official Qualifier Search Official Contractor FAQ
PSI + NASCLA + waiver

North Carolina General Contractor Exams: Correct Order of Operations

Apply to NCLBGC

Submit the application with the classification and qualifier information.

Wait for exam eligibility

NCLBGC determines eligibility. PSI administers examinations; PSI does not grant the contractor license.

Download the current PSI bulletin

Use the bulletin linked from NCLBGC, not an old bulletin saved by a prep provider.

Schedule the correct examination

Use the exact exam named in the Board eligibility notice.

Pass the examination

Current Board examination rules require a score of at least 70 for a passing result.

Wait for license approval

Passing is not the final step. Confirm actual license issuance in the NCLBGC public search.

NASCLA Building exam

NCLBGC accepts the NASCLA Accredited Building Examination for the Building classification under its current process.

NASCLA is not a national contractor license. Passing NASCLA can satisfy an accepted examination requirement; it does not authorize contracting in North Carolina until NCLBGC actually issues the North Carolina license.

Exam-waiver states

NCLBGC’s current contractor FAQ says North Carolina does not have complete contractor-license reciprocity, but lists examination-waiver arrangements with:

  • South Carolina.
  • Tennessee.
  • Louisiana.
  • Georgia.
  • Mississippi.
  • Alabama.
  • Florida.
If you want an exam waiver:
  1. Confirm your source-state classification matches an available waiver route.
  2. Start the North Carolina application.
  3. Use the current NCLBGC examination-waiver verification procedure.
  4. Have the other state licensing agency verify the license/examination when required.
  5. Complete remaining North Carolina requirements, including Business and Law where applicable.
  6. Wait for North Carolina license issuance before bidding or contracting.
Official Examination Instructions Official Waiver / NASCLA FAQ
Separate risk check

General Liability, Workers’ Compensation & Bonds: What the NCLBGC License Does Not Prove

NCLBGC does not impose one universal general-liability policy as a condition of every general contractor license. A project, owner, lender or local permit authority can independently require coverage.

Likewise, the surety amounts used for NCLBGC financial eligibility are an alternative financial qualification route, not a universal contractor bond every North Carolina GC must carry.

Workers’ compensation

Workers’ compensation is governed separately from NCLBGC general-contractor licensing. The North Carolina Industrial Commission provides a public Insurance Coverage Search.

After opening the Workers’ Compensation Coverage Search:
  1. Enter the employer’s legal name rather than a marketing nickname.
  2. Add city/state to narrow the result.
  3. For historical injury-date research, follow the portal’s date instructions.
  4. If you have them, carrier/policy fields can help narrow the search.
  5. If the record is unclear, call Industrial Commission coverage assistance at 919-807-2506.
  6. Do not treat a search result as a substitute for an insurance certificate: the Industrial Commission warns reporting can lag and its database itself is not proof of coverage.
Official NC Workers’ Comp Coverage Search North Carolina Industrial Commission
Entity verification

Check the Contractor’s North Carolina Business Record Separately

A North Carolina Secretary of State business record is not a contractor license. But when the NCLBGC license belongs to an LLC or corporation, comparing the two records can expose a legal-name mismatch before you sign or send money.

After opening the Secretary of State business search:
  1. Copy the exact legal name from the NCLBGC license profile.
  2. Search that name in the Business Registration Search.
  3. Open the matching business entity.
  4. Compare the legal entity name and current public status.
  5. Compare relevant public address information.
  6. If a DBA or assumed name is used, trace that relationship separately rather than assuming it is the licensed entity.
Renewal problem: administratively dissolved entity. If NCLBGC renewal is blocked by an entity-status issue, the North Carolina Secretary of State Business Registration Division can be reached at 919-814-5400.
Revenue Suspension: NCLBGC’s current contractor FAQ directs licensees with a Revenue Suspension issue to the North Carolina Department of Revenue at 1-877-252-3052 to determine which tax filing or correction is needed.
Official NC Business Search
Annual renewal

North Carolina General Contractor Renewal: December 31, CE, Late Fees & Invalid Licenses

December 31

Annual renewal deadline for the upcoming calendar year.

January 1

A license not renewed for the year expires.

60 days

If not renewed within 60 days after expiration, the license becomes invalid.

4 years

After four years invalid, the old license is archived and new-license requirements apply.

Current annual renewal fees

Limitation Renewal fee
Limited $75
Intermediate $100
Unlimited $125
Late renewal $10 for each month or part of a month after January 1.

Continuing education

For applicable Building, Residential and Unclassified licenses, at least one qualifying qualifier must complete 8 hours of Board-approved CE:

  • 2-hour mandatory Board course.
  • 6 hours of approved elective education.
  • Annual CE period: January 1 through November 30.
  • No CE classes during December.
  • Only NCLBGC-approved providers/courses count.
Do not mail your completion certificate to NCLBGC unless instructed. Current Board guidance says providers report completed credits electronically. Log into the qualifier account at NCCLiC and check the transcript. Providers can have up to seven days after course completion to report credit.
Exact NCCLiC renewal sequence:
  1. Go to NCCLiC.org.
  2. Use the correct license-account login.
  3. Open Renewal.
  4. Confirm the license entity and contact information.
  5. Confirm required CE appears for the applicable qualifier.
  6. Complete the current financial-responsibility/attestation section.
  7. Make sure applicable qualifiers confirm their association with the license.
  8. Resolve Secretary of State dissolution or Revenue Suspension problems if displayed.
  9. Pay the current renewal and late fee, if any.
  10. After processing, return to the public NCLBGC search and confirm the renewed record.
2026 online improvement: NCLBGC says licensees seeking to increase an existing limitation to Intermediate or Unlimited can initiate that process through the online licensing portal.
Paper renewals are no longer accepted. Use the official NCCLiC process.
Official NCCLiC Renewal Portal Official Continuing Education Official Renewal FAQ
Before you pay

North Carolina Homeowner Contract & Payment Checklist

NCLBGC’s consumer and disaster guidance repeatedly emphasizes written scope, multiple estimates, payment controls, permit verification and records.

Contract should identify

  • Licensed legal contractor name.
  • NCLBGC license number where applicable.
  • Complete project scope.
  • Specific materials/products.
  • Total price or pricing method.
  • Payment schedule tied to progress.
  • Start/completion expectations.
  • Permit responsibility.
  • Change-order method.
  • Warranty terms.
  • Cleanup/debris responsibilities.

Before final payment

  • Inspect completed scope.
  • Verify required final inspections.
  • Resolve punch-list items.
  • Confirm subcontractor/supplier payment where relevant.
  • Verify applicable lien releases.
  • Keep receipts and cancelled-payment records.
  • Contractor asks homeowner to pull owner-builder permit so the contractor’s license is not checked.
  • Payment name is unrelated to the licensed entity.
  • Large cash payment requested before meaningful work or materials.
  • Contract omits detailed scope, payment schedule or permit responsibility.
  • Contractor refuses to provide the license number for a $40,000+ covered project.
  • Contractor says an out-of-state or NASCLA credential means no North Carolina license is needed.
    • Official NCLBGC Consumer / Disaster Advice
    Local permit layer

    North Carolina Local Permit Lookup: What to Do After Verifying the State License

    NCLBGC licensing is statewide. Building permits, trade permits, inspections and some local registrations are handled by the city or county serving the project address.

    State license ≠ building permit. Verify both independently.

    Charlotte / Mecklenburg County

    Code Information & Resource Center (CIRC)
    2145 Suttle Avenue
    Charlotte, NC
    Phone: 980-314-2633
    Published hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

    To verify a Charlotte/Mecklenburg project:
    1. Open Charlotte’s Search Projects and Permits page.
    2. For City land-development records, use Accela Citizen Access.
    3. For building-permit information, follow the official link to Mecklenburg County permit search.
    4. Search by property address, permit number or project number.
    5. Open the record and compare scope, status and inspection history.
    6. If you cannot determine which portal controls the project, call CIRC at 980-314-2633.

    Mecklenburg Trade Internet Permitting benefit

    For qualifying trade work that does not require a building permit, Mecklenburg County’s Trade Internet Permitting (TIP) system lets eligible contractors submit, pay and print certain permits online 24/7 and request inspections after work.

    Local fee benefit: Mecklenburg County currently states that sub-permit fees for equipment change-outs on one- and two-family dwellings are reduced to 50% of the primary-trade permit fee because inspections can be grouped using multi-trade inspectors.
    After opening TIP:
    1. Confirm the project is within TIP scope.
    2. Identify the primary trade.
    3. The primary contractor enters and pays applicable sub-trades as instructed.
    4. Print the permit after successful online processing.
    5. Request required inspections when work reaches the inspection stage.
    6. If the project is outside TIP scope, use the separate Submit Permit Application option.
    Charlotte Search Projects & Permits Mecklenburg Trade Internet Permitting Mecklenburg CIRC CIRC Google Map

    Raleigh

    Planning & Development Customer Service Center
    1 Exchange Plaza, Suite 400
    Raleigh, NC
    Permit Helpline: 919-996-2500
    Published hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

    Raleigh Permit & Development Portal workflow:
    1. Open the Permit & Development Portal Help Center.
    2. You can search public project information without creating an account.
    3. For an address search, enter only the street number and street name.
    4. If the address does not appear, remove suffixes such as Drive, Road or Parkway.
    5. Click the search/magnifying-glass control.
    6. Open the project/permit record and review status and inspections.
    7. Create an account when you need to submit/manage a project, pay fees or schedule inspections.
    8. For portal payment instructions, use the City’s current Payment Guide.
    Raleigh’s portal currently supports fee payments, project monitoring and inspection scheduling. The City recommends Google Chrome and also lists Microsoft Edge, Firefox and Safari as supported browsers.
    Official Raleigh Permits Raleigh Portal Help Center Raleigh Permit Office Map

    Greensboro

    Development Services
    300 West Washington Street
    Greensboro, NC 27401
    Phone: 336-373-2155

    Greensboro’s current permit/resources page includes building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permit resources, inspection scheduling documents and an Energy Efficiency Rebate Request Form.

    Greensboro project workflow:
    1. Open Permits, Fees and Procedures.
    2. Select the permit/application matching the project scope.
    3. Use the City’s inspection scheduler or APRIL where applicable.
    4. APRIL can be reached at 336-373-2400.
    5. Keep the permit number available when scheduling inspections.
    6. If seeking an energy-efficiency permit-fee rebate, open the form currently linked by Development Services and call 336-373-2155 before budgeting around it.
    Energy-efficiency rebate freshness warning: Greensboro still links an Energy Efficiency Rebate Request Form from its current permit page, but the downloadable form itself is an older document. It shows rebate provisions including a 50% residential building-permit-fee rebate up to $500 for listed certifications. Because certification programs and local fee policies can change, confirm today’s eligible certification and rebate amount with Development Services before relying on the form.
    Greensboro Permits, Fees & Procedures Greensboro Development Services Map

    Buncombe County / Asheville-area jurisdictions served by Buncombe

    Buncombe County Permits & Inspections
    35 Woodfin Street
    Asheville, NC 28801
    Main: 828-250-5360
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

    Time-saving local detail: Buncombe County says no permit applications or permit fees are processed after 4:00 p.m. even though the office remains open until 5:00 p.m.

    Buncombe County Permits & Inspections serves unincorporated Buncombe County and, under current agreements, Biltmore Forest, Weaverville and Woodfin. An Asheville mailing address alone does not prove which permitting jurisdiction controls.

    After opening the Buncombe Development & Permits Portal:
    1. Confirm that Buncombe County is the permit authority for the property.
    2. Search the project/permit record.
    3. Review inspection results.
    4. If electrical, mechanical or plumbing work is involved, confirm that separate permit route with the office.
    5. Keep the permit number for inspection requests.
    6. Do not allow the permit to lapse through inactivity.
    Permit expiration: Buncombe County states that permits expire six months after issuance if work has not commenced. Once work starts, a permit can expire following 12 months without inspection activity from the last inspection date.
    Helene / flood-damage projects: Buncombe County advises owners in a Special Flood Hazard Area with significant damage to contact the floodplain administrator at 828-250-4830. Structural repairs and trade work can require permits even apart from the $40,000 general-contractor threshold.
    Buncombe Permits & Inspections Buncombe Permit Office Map

    Wilmington / New Hanover County

    Jurisdiction split that saves a wrong-office trip: the City of Wilmington says New Hanover County Department of Permits & Inspections issues building permits within Wilmington. City zoning/historic review and County building permitting are separate steps.

    New Hanover County Permits & Inspections
    230 Government Center Drive, Suite 170
    Phone: 910-798-7308
    Email: coast@nhcgov.com

    City of Wilmington Zoning
    Skyline Center, 929 N. Front Street
    Phone: 910-254-0900

    Wilmington construction sequence:
    1. First check City zoning requirements.
    2. If the property is in a local historic/overlay district, determine whether a Certificate of Appropriateness is needed.
    3. Then use New Hanover County’s COAST permitting portal for the building permit.
    4. Upload required County documents.
    5. Track permit review and inspections through the County system.
    6. Do not assume City zoning approval itself is the building permit.
    Official Wilmington Building Permit Guide New Hanover Permit Office Map
    North Carolina assistance

    North Carolina Home Repair, Weatherization & Efficiency Assistance

    For eligible homeowners, the highest-value contractor decision may be not hiring someone first. Several state-supported programs use local agencies to approve eligibility, define work and sometimes procure/supervise contractors.

    1. NC Weatherization Assistance Program — free eligible energy upgrades

    North Carolina DEQ’s Weatherization Assistance Program provides free weatherization services to eligible households through local service providers.

    Services may include:

    • Insulation.
    • Air sealing.
    • Heating/cooling system repair or replacement.
    • Health and safety repairs needed for weatherization.
    • Other approved energy-efficiency measures.

    DEQ says participating households can save up to about $300 per year after weatherization; actual savings vary by home and energy use.

    2026 income guideline — 200% of federal poverty guideline

    Household size 2026 200% guideline
    1$31,920
    2$43,280
    3$54,640
    4$66,000
    5$77,360
    6$88,720
    7$100,080
    8$111,440

    For households over eight people, the current DEQ table says to add $5,680 per additional person.

    DEQ also lists eligibility for households receiving Work First or Supplemental Security Income and recognizes specified HUD means-tested program eligibility under the current rules. Homeowners and renters with landlord approval may qualify; qualifying housing can include site-built and manufactured homes.

    How to apply instead of hiring a weatherization contractor yourself:
    1. Open the official NC DEQ Weatherization page.
    2. Use Find Your Service Provider.
    3. Select/identify the county where the home is located.
    4. Contact the assigned local weatherization provider.
    5. Complete the provider’s application and income verification.
    6. If renting, prepare landlord approval.
    7. The provider determines eligibility.
    8. The provider performs a home energy assessment/audit.
    9. The provider develops the scope of work.
    10. Approved energy/health-and-safety measures are installed.
    11. A final inspection is completed.
    Health/safety deferral: DEQ warns that significant structural, roof/floor, plumbing/electrical, lead/asbestos, mold or other safety problems can need to be resolved before weatherization work can proceed.
    Official NC Weatherization Program Official 2026 Eligibility Guidelines

    2. NC Housing Finance Agency Urgent Repair Program

    The Urgent Repair Program (URP) finances emergency home repairs for eligible North Carolina homeowners who are elderly or have qualifying special needs and whose incomes are below 50% of area median income.

    Examples described by NCHFA include:

    • Failing septic systems.
    • Dangerous heating systems.
    • Rotten floors.
    • Accessibility modifications after injury or serious illness.

    Approved assistance can be an interest-free deferred loan forgiven at $5,000 per year under the current program description.

    What to do before hiring anyone:
    1. Open the official Urgent Repair Program page.
    2. Find the local government/nonprofit partner serving your area.
    3. Apply through that local organization—not directly to a contractor.
    4. The local partner determines eligibility.
    5. If approved, the local partner contracts for and supervises the work.
    6. Do not assume work you privately authorize before approval will be reimbursed.
    Official NC Urgent Repair Program

    3. Essential Single-Family Rehabilitation Program

    The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency’s Essential Single-Family Rehabilitation (ESFR) program finances major health-and-safety repairs for qualifying homeowners who are elderly or have disabilities and generally have income at or below 80% of area median income.

    Current homeowner guidance says assistance can take the form of an interest-free, deferred and forgiven loan. The current program page states forgiveness can range from $8,000 to $14,000 per year depending on the funding cycle.

    How to check availability in your county:
    1. Open the ESFR homeowner page.
    2. Use the approved-provider / organization-by-county lookup.
    3. Find a current local-government or nonprofit partner serving your county.
    4. Call that partner before obtaining private repair contracts.
    5. The partner determines eligibility.
    6. If approved, the partner contracts for and supervises the work.

    NCHFA general phone: 919-877-5700.

    Official Essential Rehabilitation Program Find Current Community Partners

    4. Renew NC / Hurricane Helene housing recovery status

    Homeowner application window closed

    Renew NC’s Single-Family Housing Program has been repairing, reconstructing and replacing eligible Hurricane Helene-damaged homes in western North Carolina. The homeowner application deadline was January 31, 2026, and the official Renew NC site now states that new Single-Family Housing applications are no longer being accepted.

    If you already applied:
    1. Use the official Renew NC site rather than submitting a duplicate application.
    2. Call 1-888-791-0207 for case assistance.
    3. Keep your case/application information available.
    4. Do not independently authorize work that could conflict with the program’s approved scope without checking with your case manager.
    If you did not apply before the deadline: do not rely on an older 2025 article saying the homeowner program is open. Check current Renew NC programs, DEQ weatherization, NCHFA repair programs and local disaster-recovery resources instead.
    Official Renew NC Status / Assistance
    Last-resort homeowner recovery

    North Carolina Homeowners Recovery Fund: Complaint ≠ Recovery Claim

    The Homeowners Recovery Fund is administered by NCLBGC for certain qualifying losses involving single-family dwellings and dishonest or incompetent conduct by a licensed general contractor—or certain unlicensed contractors who fraudulently represented themselves as licensed.

    Do not start with the Fund application just because the contractor owes you money. The program generally requires exhaustion of other legal recovery remedies first.

    Major qualification checkpoints

    • Qualifying owner or former owner of a single-family dwelling.
    • Qualifying reimbursable loss.
    • Loss linked to dishonest or incompetent contractor conduct.
    • Other applicable recovery sources exhausted.
    • Ordinarily an unsatisfied civil judgment obtained against the contractor.
    • Bankruptcy remedies exhausted where bankruptcy applies.
    • Claim filed within the applicable deadline.

    Important filing periods

    Ordinary judgment route

    NCLBGC states that an application is generally filed within one year after conclusion of all civil proceedings, including appeals, associated with the unsatisfied judgment.

    Bankruptcy / death / dissolution situations

    Special timing provisions can use three years from discovery of qualifying conduct or six years from substantial completion, whichever comes first. Read the exact rule for your situation.

    Recovery Fund task sequence:
    1. Call the Fund at 919-420-7991 if you are unsure the matter can qualify.
    2. Open the official Recovery Fund page.
    3. Download/read the brochure.
    4. Determine which civil remedy must be completed first.
    5. Preserve the contract, payments, repair evidence and loss calculation.
    6. Preserve the lawsuit, judgment and collection-attempt records.
    7. If bankruptcy applies, preserve the bankruptcy case/proof-of-claim records.
    8. After prerequisites are satisfied, download the current claim application.
    9. File before the applicable deadline.
    10. NCLBGC states that the contractor is generally given 30 days to respond after filing/service in the Fund process.
    11. The Review Committee and Board process determines whether assistance is awarded.
    NCLBGC states that Recovery Fund awards are a privilege rather than a right and that items such as attorney fees, court costs, punitive damages and certain other damages are not part of the Fund award calculation.
    Official Homeowners Recovery Fund
    Storm / disaster repairs

    North Carolina Disaster Repair: Five Checks Before Paying a Contractor

    1. Verify the NCLBGC record for covered $40,000+ projects.
    2. Verify the local permit before structural/trade work is concealed.
    3. Get a detailed written contract with payment tied to progress.
    4. Confirm insurance and subcontractor identity when relevant.
    5. Do not let payment get ahead of completed work.
    Possible price gouging or consumer fraud? The North Carolina Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division accepts complaints and publishes disaster-scam information. Consumer Protection: 877-566-7226 (877-5-NO-SCAM).
    If an emergency repair salesperson appears at your home:
    1. Do not sign on the doorstep merely because “materials are available today.”
    2. Photograph the business card/truck information.
    3. Verify the license number yourself.
    4. Get multiple written estimates when conditions permit.
    5. Ask the local permit office whether a permit is required.
    6. Use traceable payments rather than cash.
    7. Retain contract, invoices, photos and communications.
    Official NCLBGC Disaster Protection Guide NC Attorney General Consumer Protection
    2026 paperless complaint system

    How to File a Useful NCLBGC Complaint Instead of a Generic Complaint

    NCLBGC says a complaint may be eligible when the contractor is licensed, or when the contractor is unlicensed and the contract is $40,000 or more.

    2026 change: NCLBGC says its complaint process is now fully paperless. Licensees/current qualifiers receive complaint notifications through the licensing portal rather than ordinary U.S. mail.

    Build this evidence packet before opening the complaint form

    Contractor identity

    • Legal company name.
    • License number.
    • Qualifier if relevant.
    • Project address.

    Money trail

    • Signed contract.
    • Change orders.
    • Invoices.
    • Checks/card records.
    • Payment schedule.

    Work evidence

    • Dated photographs.
    • Permit record.
    • Inspection failures/corrections.
    • Emails/texts.
    • Repair estimates if relevant.
    After the official complaint portal opens:
    1. Select the option to file a new complaint.
    2. Read each acknowledgement before continuing.
    3. Use the contractor’s legal NCLBGC identity where possible.
    4. Enter the project address.
    5. Describe events in date order: contract → payment → work → problem → notice → response → current condition.
    6. Use factual language rather than unsupported accusations.
    7. Upload the strongest documents first.
    8. Name files clearly, such as 01-contract.pdf, 02-payment.pdf, 03-permit.pdf, 04-photo-date.jpg.
    9. Submit once and save the complaint confirmation/case information.
    10. Use the portal for follow-up when directed.
    NCLBGC cannot order a refund or repair in the way a civil court can. The Board’s complaint system states that it cannot require a contractor to reimburse you, finish the project or make repairs, and it does not act as your attorney.

    Current complaint contacts

    Complaints Department: complaints@nclbgc.org
    Main Board: 919-571-4183

    Current NCLBGC contact Published role Phone
    Susan D. Sullivan Director of Complaints & Investigations 919-571-4183 ext. 219
    Kyle Burger Coastal-NE NC Investigator Ext. 303
    Waties Greene Central NC Investigator Ext. 304
    Curtis Huff Upper Piedmont NC Investigator Ext. 302
    Joel A. Macon Coastal NC Investigator Ext. 301
    David Ingle Western NC Investigator Ext. 305

    Investigator assignments and personnel can change. Confirm the Board’s current Administration/Complaints page before relying on a particular investigator.

    Official NCLBGC Complaint Portal Official Complaints Department Current NCLBGC Staff Directory
    Military applicant benefit

    Military-Trained Applicants & Military Spouses

    NCLBGC’s current rules provide specific routes for applicants qualifying under North Carolina’s military occupational-licensing statute.

    Potential initial application-fee benefit: under the current law included in NCLBGC’s 2026 publication, qualifying military-trained applicants and qualifying military spouses under G.S. 93B-15.1 are not charged the Board’s initial application fee for the qualifying license/temporary-practice route. Third-party expenses such as a background check can still apply.

    Military-trained applicant preparation

    • Official/notarized military documentation such as DD-214 or equivalent evidence.
    • Evidence of military occupational specialty and qualifying experience.
    • Current NCLBGC application.
    • Applicable financial and entity requirements.
    • Board proficiency examination when required.

    NCLBGC’s applicant page states that it uses the North Carolina Business and Law Examination as the proficiency examination for the military-trained route it describes.

    Before paying the application fee:
    1. Open the NCLBGC License Applicants page.
    2. Scroll to Military Applicants.
    3. Open/read the current 2026 rules, including the military-applicant rule.
    4. Determine whether you qualify as a military-trained applicant or military spouse under the statute.
    5. Prepare the required documentation.
    6. Ask Licensing how the applicable initial-fee waiver should appear in the portal before paying.
    Official Military Applicant Instructions Official 2026 Licensing Rules
    Official contact center

    NCLBGC Phone Number, Email, Raleigh Address & Google Map

    Main Board phone

    919-571-4183

    Have the license number or applicant legal name ready.

    Official Board office

    North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors
    5400 Creedmoor Road
    Raleigh, NC 27612
    Phone: 919-571-4183

    Before visiting or mailing something:
    1. Check the official NCLBGC site for the current contact/instructions.
    2. Call first if the matter can be handled through NCCLiC or email.
    3. Do not mail an old paper renewal; current Board guidance says paper renewals are no longer accepted.
    4. For a hearing, check the Board calendar because dates can change.
    Official NCLBGC Website Google Maps Directions Current Staff Directory
    Frequently asked questions

    North Carolina Contractor License Lookup FAQs

    What is the official North Carolina contractor license lookup?

    The official general-contractor lookup is the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors Verify License/Qualifier Search. It allows searches using fields including license number, qualifier number, company name, person name, classification, phone, address, ZIP, city and state.

    When is a North Carolina general contractor license required?

    North Carolina’s current general-contractor law generally requires an appropriately licensed general contractor for a covered construction undertaking valued at $40,000 or more, subject to statutory exceptions. Building permits and separately regulated trades can still apply below $40,000.

    What are the Limited, Intermediate and Unlimited North Carolina license limits?

    A Limited license allows a single project up to $750,000, Intermediate allows a single project up to $1.5 million, and Unlimited has no single-project dollar ceiling. Classification and current license status must also fit the project.

    How do I check disciplinary action against a North Carolina contractor?

    Open the contractor’s official NCLBGC license profile and scroll to the bottom. Beginning in July 2026, applicable complaint numbers can link to Consent Orders or Final Decisions for complaints filed in 2022 or later that resulted in disciplinary action.

    Is a North Carolina qualifier the same as a contractor license?

    No. A qualifier is the responsible managing person whose approved examination can qualify the license classification. The qualifying examination is not itself an occupational license, and the actual contractor license belongs to the legal entity shown in NCLBGC records.

    Does North Carolina require general liability insurance for every NCLBGC license?

    NCLBGC does not impose one universal general-liability insurance requirement on every general contractor license. Individual projects, owners, contracts and permit authorities may separately require insurance, and workers’ compensation is governed under separate North Carolina law.

    Does every North Carolina general contractor need a license bond?

    No. The NCLBGC surety bond is an alternative method of satisfying financial eligibility, not a universal bond required of every licensee. Current alternatives are $175,000 for Limited, $500,000 for Intermediate and $1 million for Unlimited, subject to the Board’s full bond requirements.

    Does North Carolina have contractor-license reciprocity?

    NCLBGC says North Carolina does not have full contractor-license reciprocity. It currently lists examination-waiver arrangements with South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. The applicant must still complete the North Carolina licensing process and remaining requirements.

    Does North Carolina accept NASCLA?

    NCLBGC accepts the NASCLA Accredited Building Examination for the Building classification under its current process. NASCLA is not a North Carolina license; the applicant must still obtain the actual NCLBGC license before contracting authority exists.

    How many continuing education hours are required for North Carolina general contractors?

    For applicable Building, Residential and Unclassified licenses, at least one qualifying qualifier must complete eight hours of Board-approved continuing education: a two-hour mandatory course plus six hours of approved electives. The annual CE period runs January 1 through November 30.

    Can I act as my own general contractor in North Carolina?

    North Carolina law contains an owner-builder exception when its statutory conditions are satisfied. Owner-builder status does not eliminate permits, inspections or separate electrical, plumbing and mechanical requirements, and it should not be used merely to allow an unlicensed contractor to manage the project.

    Can NCLBGC make a contractor refund my money or repair my house?

    No. NCLBGC’s complaint process states that the Board cannot require a contractor to reimburse you, finish a project or perform repairs. The licensing complaint process and private civil remedies are separate.

    What is the North Carolina Homeowners Recovery Fund?

    The Homeowners Recovery Fund is a last-resort NCLBGC-administered program for certain qualifying losses involving single-family dwellings and dishonest or incompetent contractor conduct. Claimants generally must exhaust other recovery remedies, including obtaining an unsatisfied civil judgment where required, and an award is not guaranteed.

    What North Carolina programs can help pay for home repairs?

    Depending on eligibility and location, homeowners may be able to use the NC Weatherization Assistance Program, NC Housing Finance Agency Urgent Repair Program, Essential Single-Family Rehabilitation Program or other local/disaster programs. These programs use specific income, property and program rules and often require approval through a local agency before work begins.

    How do I file a North Carolina contractor complaint?

    Use the official NCLBGC paperless complaint portal. Prepare the contractor’s legal name and license number, project address, contract, change orders, payment records, photographs, permit and inspection records and a dated factual timeline before submitting the complaint.

    Official action desk

    Official North Carolina Contractor Links & Exactly What to Do After Opening Them

    Official resource Use it for What to do after opening
    NCLBGC License / Qualifier Search Live general-contractor record. Search license number first; open exact profile; verify name, status, classification, limit, qualifier and disciplinary links.
    Find License Near Me Discover license records by classification and area. Select classification and distance; then independently open and verify every individual record.
    2026 Laws & Regulations $40,000 law, exceptions, rules, renewal and enforcement. Open the current January 2026 publication rather than an older edition.
    Classifications & Limitations Work scope, project ceiling, finances and surety options. Check classification and limitation independently.
    License Applicants New application, PSI bulletin and military applicant information. Determine classification/limitation first; then launch the current online application.
    NCCLiC Portal Licensing account, renewal and qualifier functions. Use the correct license/qualifier account; verify CE and status after processing.
    Continuing Education Mandatory/elective CE and approved providers. Verify provider approval before paying; afterward check the qualifier transcript in NCCLiC.
    Complaint Portal Official contractor complaint filing. Prepare chronological evidence first; submit the complaint once and save confirmation.
    Homeowners Recovery Fund Potential last-resort homeowner recovery. Read prerequisites and deadlines before filling the claim application; call 919-420-7991 if unclear.
    NC Business Registration Search Legal business entity verification. Search the exact legal NCLBGC licensee and compare public entity status.
    Workers’ Comp Coverage Search Coverage-information research. Search the legal employer but obtain independent insurance proof because database reporting can lag.
    NC Weatherization Program Free eligible energy/weatherization work. Find your county service provider and apply before privately authorizing the work.
    Urgent Repair Program Emergency health/safety repair assistance. Find the local program partner; that organization determines eligibility and supervises approved work.
    Essential Single-Family Rehabilitation Major qualifying health/safety rehabilitation. Use the county/provider lookup and contact the local partner before contracting privately.
    Requirement review date: August 31, 2026. This refresh specifically accounts for the current $40,000 threshold, January 2026 rules book, repeal of character references, July 2026 disciplinary-document links, paperless complaint process and current local/assistance resources. Permit fees, application screens, staff assignments, CE offerings and assistance funding can change; recheck the linked official source when taking action.

    Related ContractorsBoard.org resources

    U.S. Contractors Board Directory State Contractor License Board Directory

    The Best NC Contractor Check Uses More Than One Database

    For homeowners: use the sequence NCLBGC live record → legal entity → current status → classification → limitation → qualifier → disciplinary documents → trade license if applicable → workers’ comp/insurance → local permit → written contract.

    For applicants: choose the legal entity, classification and limitation first; prepare financial and qualifier requirements; complete the current background/application process; use PSI/NASCLA/waiver correctly; then wait for actual NCLBGC issuance before contracting.

    Official NCLBGC License Search Official Application Official Complaint Portal
    ContractorsBoard.org is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with NCLBGC and does not verify individual contractors, issue licenses, administer CE, approve permits, provide contractor referrals, determine benefit eligibility or adjudicate disputes.