NEVADA – Nevada State Contractor Board
LINK: http://www.nvcontractorsboard.com/
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Click the link below to go directly to listed section.
What are the State license requirements?
What licenses are available?
What are the license requirements for Electrical Contractor?
What are the license requirements for Low Voltage?
What are the license requirements for Security Systems?
What are the license requirements for Sign Installation?
What are the license requirements for General Contractor?
What are the municipal contractor license requirements?
What are the license requirements by Statute?
Trade License Requirement Summary
What are the License Exemptions?
What are the QI Qualifications & Experience required?
What are the Exam requirements?
What Reciprocity does Nevada have?
What are the Financial Requirements?
What are the Background & Bonding Requirements?
What is the Timeline for Licensing and Application Deadlines?
What are the Business Registration, Application and Licensing Fees?
What Enforcement and Penalties does Nevada have?
STATE LICENSE REQUIREMENT:
Nevada requires an individual or company to be licensed when offering to undertake or bid any work over $500.00 including Labor and Materials (no permit required) or over $1,000 if a permit is required. Any sub-contractor hired must be licensed. Licenses are required to hire subs and manage a project for pay as a consultant.
*Each trade classification is issued a separate license in Nevada. Due to this, separate bonds are required on each license, in addition to; application and license fees, fingerprints, background checks financial statements and fully completed application packets.
STATE CONTRACTOR LICENSES AVAILABLE for each trade in the scope of work
C-2 Electrical (Covers All Electrical Work)
including Low Voltage under 91 volts
C-2c Fire Detection
C-2d Low Voltage Systems (OPTIONAL SUB CATEGORY NOT NEEDED IF YOU HAVE THE C-2)
C-2d includes Tel, Cable, Sound, CCTV, Satellite, Temperature Controls, Computer Networking and Landscape Lighting
C-2 covers incidental work such as (installation of racks for network gear)
C-6 Sign (Includes electrical and non-electrical signs and appropriate foundations)
OPTIONS FOR LICENSING
C-41 Fire Protection Contracting (OPTION for installing fire protection equipment, such as sprinklers, chemicals, etc. DIFFERENT THAN FIRE DETECTION Covered by C-2c)
C-42 Video Networks (OPTION – also covered by C-2d Low Voltage Systems)
GENERAL CONTRACTOR LICENSE: Can only be used to bid two or more trades. May not perform electrical or low voltage work, must sub out to properly licensed contractors.
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C-2 Electrical Contracting Definition
Link to Description of Classifications: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-624.html#NAC624Sec140
NAC 624.200 Classification C-2: Electrical contracting; subclassifications. (NRS 624.100, 624.220)
1. The Board will grant to qualified applicants a license in the specialty of electrical contracting. The Board designates such a license as “classification C-2.” A person who has a license designated classification C-2 may:
(a) Install any electrical wires, fixtures, appliances, apparatuses, raceways and conduits;
(b) Install, modify and maintain systems that convert wind energy into electricity if such work is for residential and commercial installations and not scaled or intended solely for the commercial production and sale of electricity; and
(c) Perform any other work authorized for the subclassifications of a license designated classification C-2.
2. The subclassifications of a license designated classification C-2 and the work authorized for persons licensed in the respective subclassifications are:
(a) ELECTRICAL WIRING (subclassification C-2a): The installation, alteration and repair of electrical wires, fixtures, appliances and apparatuses, and the performance of any related wiring on existing structures.
(b) INTEGRATED CEILINGS (subclassification C-2b): The installation, alteration and repair of wiring, fixtures, suspensive systems, ducts and other related apparatuses of integrated ceilings which:
(1) Are primarily used for interior electrical illumination;
(2) Are usually composed of modular units, each unit containing an electrical lighting fixture; and
(3) Usually contain incidental acoustical tile or a similar material.
(c) FIRE DETECTION (subclassification C-2c): The installation, alteration and repair of electrical sensors and alarms used to detect heat and smoke, including all appurtenances and related wiring.
(d) LOW VOLTAGE SYSTEMS (subclassification C-2d): The installation, alteration and repair of systems that use fiber optics or do not exceed 91 volts, including telephone systems, sound systems, cable television systems, closed circuit video systems, satellite dish antennas, instrumentation and temperature controls, computer networking systems and landscape lighting.
(e) LINES TO TRANSMIT ELECTRICITY (subclassification C-2e): The installation, alteration and repair of overhead or underground secondary lines which transmit electricity, including the installation of poles, towers, anchors, guys, transformers, substations, circuit breakers and any other related hardware, equipment or systems.
(f) RESIDENTIAL WIRING (subclassification C-2f): The installation, alteration and repair of electrical wires, fixtures, appliances and apparatuses whose electrical current does not exceed 600 volts on new or existing structures which do not exceed more than three stories above the ground.
(g) PHOTOVOLTAICS (subclassification C-2g): The installation, alteration and repair of photovoltaic cells, batteries and invertors used in the conversion of solar energy into electricity, but not the installation, alteration or repair of electrical wires beyond the service panel, if such work is for residential and commercial installations and not scaled or intended solely for the commercial production and sale of electricity.
(Added to NAC by Contractors’ Bd., eff. 8-26-83; A 11-6-85; 10-17-86; 11-10-87; 9-13-91; 3-14-94; R048-03, 12-4-2003; R123-04, 9-23-2004; R095-12, 6-23-2014)
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C-42 VIDEO NETWORKS
NAC 624.574 Classification C-42: Constructing, altering or improving video service networks. (NRS 624.100, 624.218, 624.220) The Board will grant to qualified applicants a license in the specialty of constructing, altering or improving video service networks. The Board designates such a license as a “classification C-42” license. A person who holds a classification C-42 license may construct, alter or improve video service networks.
FIRE MARSHAL LINK: http://fire.nv.gov/bureaus/FPL/Licensing/ Installation of Fire Prevention requires licensure through the State Fire Marshal’s office. Includes Sprinklers, Chemicals and equipment installation.
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NAC 624.572 Classification C-41: Fire protection contracting; subclassifications.
(NRS 624.100, 624.220)
1. The Board will grant to qualified applicants a license in the specialty of fire protection contracting. The Board designates such a license as a “classification C-41” license. A person who holds a classification C-41 license may perform any of the work authorized for the subclassifications of the classification C-41 license.
2. The subclassifications of the classification C-41 license and the work authorized for persons licensed in the respective subclassifications are:
(a) AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLERS (subclassification C-41a): The fabrication, installation, alteration, repair and service of fire protection systems using water, including required pressure and storage tanks, fire pumps and drivers, sprinkler heads and nozzles, and all associated valves and piping. Included in this subclassification is control wiring, any required excavation, backfilling and grading, and piping to a water supply which is not on the premises but is adjacent to the property with the fire protection system.
(b) FIXED FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS (subclassification C-41b): The fabrication, installation, repair and service of fire protection systems using foam, gas or dry chemicals, including pressurized storage tanks, valves, associated piping and sensing and control devices.
(c) FIRE ALARMS (subclassification C-41c): The installation, alteration, repair and servicing of electrical sensors and alarms used to detect heat and smoke, including all appurtenances and related wiring.
(d) PRIVATE FIRE HYDRANTS (subclassification C-41d): The inspection, testing, maintenance and repair of existing privately owned fire hydrants, including the replacement of parts within the barrel of a fire hydrant up to and including the first flange directly below the fire hydrant and above the elbow.
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C-6 ERECTING SIGNS
Link to Erecting Signs: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-624.html#NAC624Sec140
TRADE LICENSE REQUIREMENT: Nevada’s C-6 Signs classification allows the contractor to install all types of signs including electrical signs, which is a sub classification. Foundations designed to support a sign are part of this classification.
No other trade licenses exist for sign installation in Nevada. However, if the foundation size and structure is designed to support more than the sign, an engineering contractor license, concrete or structural steel license may be required to construct the foundation structure.
NAC 624.240 Classification C-6: Erecting signs; subclassifications. (NRS 624.100, 624.220)
1. The Board will grant to qualified applicants a license in the specialty of erecting signs. The Board designates such a license as a “classification C-6” license. A person who holds a classification C-6 license may fabricate, install and erect signs and perform the wiring necessary for electrical signs.
2. The subclassifications of the classification C-6 license and the work authorized for persons licensed in the respective subclassifications are:
(a) OUTDOOR ADVERTISING (subclassification C-6a): The fabrication and erection of billboards and outdoor signs in such a manner and with such materials as are generally accepted by contractors for outdoor advertising, but not the installation of electrical lighting in any form for the illumination of the billboards or signs.
(b) ELECTRICAL SIGNS (subclassification C-6b): The fabrication, installation and erection of electrical signs and the installation of any related wiring.
(c) SHEET METAL (subclassification C-6c): The work with sheet metal which is necessary and incidental to the construction or erection of signs.
(d) PAINTED SIGNS (subclassification C-6d): The painting of art and advertising messages on signs.
(Added to NAC by Contractors’ Bd., eff. 8-26-83; A 9-13-91)
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General Contractor Definition
Link to General Contractor Definition: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-624.html#NRS624Sec215
A General Contractor’s license’s principle purpose is the construction or remodel of buildings and structures. However, it is possible for this license to be used by Bailiwick to bid and sub work out to properly licensed contractors. Electrical work of any kind may not be performed unless the proper license class is held.
NRS 624.215 Contracting business
1. For the purpose of classification, the contracting business includes the following branches:
(a) General engineering contracting.
(b) General building contracting.
(c) Specialty contracting.
Ê General engineering contracting and general building contracting are mutually exclusive branches.
2. A general engineering contractor is a contractor whose principal contracting business is in connection with fixed works, including irrigation, drainage, water supply, water power, flood control, harbors, railroads, highways, tunnels, airports and airways, sewers and sewage disposal systems, bridges, inland waterways, pipelines for transmission of petroleum and other liquid or gaseous substances, refineries, chemical plants and industrial plants requiring a specialized engineering knowledge and skill, power plants, piers and foundations and structures or work incidental thereto.
3. A general building contractor is a contractor whose principal contracting business is in connection with the construction or remodeling of buildings or structures for the support, shelter and enclosure of persons, animals, chattels or movable property of any kind, requiring in their construction the use of more than two unrelated building trades or crafts, upon which he or she is a prime contractor and where the construction or remodeling of a building is the primary purpose. Unless he or she holds the appropriate specialty license, a general building contractor may only contract to perform specialty contracting if he or she is a prime contractor on a project. A general building contractor shall not perform specialty contracting in plumbing, electrical, refrigeration and air-conditioning or fire protection without a license for the specialty. A person who exclusively constructs or repairs mobile homes, manufactured homes or commercial coaches is not a general building contractor.
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MUNICIPAL CONTRACTOR LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Nevada allows for municipalities to impose additional requirements for licensing of contractors. Additional research is needed to determine all municipal requirements.
NRS 624.035 County or municipality may impose additional requirements for contractor’s license. The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to prevent the governing body of any county or incorporated city requiring an additional contractor’s license within such political subdivision issued subject to the applicant meeting such additional standards as are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the public in the political subdivision.
Fire Alarms, Security Alarm Systems and Low Voltage Technicians may need to be licensed in each municipality, in addition to being licensed through the Nevada Contractors Board. [5:Art. VIII:186:1941; added 1955, 378]
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LICENSE REQUIREMENT BY STATUTE
Link to Nevada Statutes and Rules: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-624.html
NRS 624.020 “Contractor” synonymous with “builder”; “contractor” defined:
1. “Contractor” is synonymous with “builder.”
2. A contractor is any person, except a registered architect or a licensed professional engineer, acting solely in a professional capacity, who in any capacity other than as the employee of another with wages as the sole compensation, undertakes to, offers to undertake to, purports to have the capacity to undertake to, or submits a bid to, or does himself or herself or by or through others, construct, alter, repair, add to, subtract from, improve, move, wreck or demolish any building, highway, road, railroad, excavation or other structure, project, development or improvement, or to do any part thereof, including the erection of scaffolding or other structures or works in connection therewith. Evidence of the securing of any permit from a governmental agency or the employment of any person on a construction project must be accepted by the Board or any court of this State as prima facie evidence that the person securing that permit or employing any person on a construction project is acting in the capacity of a contractor pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
3. A contractor includes a subcontractor or specialty contractor, but does not include anyone who merely furnishes materials or supplies without fabricating them into, or consuming them in the performance of, the work of a contractor.
4. A contractor includes a construction manager who performs management and counseling services on a construction project for a professional fee.
5. A contractor does not include an owner of a planned unit development who enters into one or more oral or written agreements with one or more general building contractors or general engineering contractors to construct a work of improvement in the planned unit development if the general building contractors or general engineering contractors are licensed pursuant to this chapter and contract with the owner of the planned unit development to construct the entire work of improvement.
NRS 108.22184 “Work” defined. “Work” means the planning, design, geotechnical and environmental investigations, surveying, labor and services provided by a lien claimant for the construction, alteration or repair of any improvement, property or work of improvement whether the work is completed or partially completed.
LINK TO NRS 108: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-108.html#NRS108Sec22188
NRS 108.2214 “Lien claimant” defined. “Lien claimant” means any person who provides work, material or equipment with a value of $500 or more to be used in or for the construction, alteration or repair of any improvement, property or work of improvement. The term includes, without limitation, every artisan, builder, potential claimant under NRS 608.150, contractor, laborer, lessor or renter of equipment, materialman, miner, subcontractor or other person who provides work, material or equipment, and any person who performs services as an architect, engineer, land surveyor or geologist, in relation to the improvement, property or work of improvement.
NRS 108.22188 “Work of improvement” defined. “Work of improvement” means the entire structure or scheme of improvement as a whole, including, without limitation, all work, materials and equipment to be used in or for the construction, alteration or repair of the property or any improvement thereon, whether under multiple prime contracts or a single prime contract except as follows:
1. If a scheme of improvement consists of the construction of two or more separate buildings and each building is constructed upon a separate legal parcel of land and pursuant to a separate prime contract for only that building, then each building shall be deemed a separate work of improvement; and
2. If the improvement of the site is provided for in a prime contract that is separate from all prime contracts for the construction of one or more buildings on the property, and if the improvement of the site was contemplated by the contracts to be a separate work of improvement to be completed before the commencement of construction of the buildings, the improvement of the site shall be deemed a separate work of improvement from the construction of the buildings and the commencement of construction of the improvement of the site does not constitute the commencement of construction of the buildings. As used in this subsection, “improvement of the site” means the development or enhancement of the property, preparatory to the commencement of construction of a building, and includes:
(a) The demolition or removal of improvements, trees or other vegetation;
(b) The drilling of test holes;
(c) Grading, grubbing, filling or excavating;
(d) Constructing or installing sewers or other public utilities; or
(e) Constructing a vault, cellar or room under sidewalks or making improvements to the sidewalks in front of or adjoining the property.
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TRADE LICENSE REQUIREMENT SUMMARY
Nevada’s C-2 Electrical classification provides the contractor the ability to perform all voltage of electrical work in Nevada including: Low Voltage, Security Alarms, Fire Alarms, Network Cabling and 110v and up. Companies that specialize in one of the subcategories can be licensed in only that sub category if desired.
Cabinets and Racking for the support of electrical and low voltage equipment can be installed by the C-2 electrical contractor.
Low Voltage/Alarms, Fire Alarms, and Network Cabling work can be performed by Sub Classes of the C-2 as follows: C2c-Low Voltage/Alarms and Network Cabling, C2dFire Alarms
*Fire Alarm allows “detection” only. No Prevention such as sprinklers, chemicals etc..
Security Alarm and Fire Alarm – Salesmen, Technicians and Company may be required to obtain additional licenses in various municipalities within Nevada. Las Vegas proper as well as surrounding cities have such requirements.
NEVADA LICENSE EXEMPTIONS
NRS 624.031 LINK: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-624.html#NRS624Sec218
Any work under $1,000 that does not require a permit is legal to perform without a license.
No exemptions exist for electrical, low voltage, alarms or sign installation.
QI QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
NO CEUs or PRE-License Courses are required in Nevada
No apprenticeship requirements exist for electrical or plumbing experience
NRS 624.260 Applicant or licensee to demonstrate experience, knowledge and financial responsibility; qualifications concerning experience and knowledge; limitations on qualifications of natural person.
6. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 7, in addition to the other requirements set forth in this section, each applicant for licensure as a contractor must have had, within the 10 years immediately preceding the filing of the application for licensure, at least 4 years of experience as a journeyman, foreman, supervising employee or contractor in the specific classification in which the applicant is applying for licensure. Training received in a program offered at an accredited college or university or an equivalent program accepted by the Board may be used to satisfy not more than 3 years of experience required pursuant to this subsection.
8. As used in this section, “journeyman” means a person who:
(a) Is fully qualified to perform, without supervision, work in the classification in which the person is applying for licensure; or
(b) Has successfully completed:
(1) A program of apprenticeship for the classification in which the person is applying for licensure that has been approved by the State Apprenticeship Council; or
(2) An equivalent program accepted by the Board.
RESIDENCE
No Residency is required for licensees or QIs, however Social Security Numbers or Tax Identification numbers will be required to be reported on all officers, members listed.
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Exams
PSI provides testing for Nevada applicants. Registration Fees are $140 for both Law & Trade exams.
Pre-Approval is required by the board before registering for and taking the exams.
Exams can be scheduled on any date convenient for the applicant at any PSI location in the country.
Business Law Exam, Trade Exams are required for: Electrical, Low Voltage, Sign Installation.
RECIPROCITY
Nevada has reciprocity with California, Arizona and Utah, however not in Electrical, Plumbing or Fire Protection.
Nevada requires that the applicant have passed the exam and have been licensed in good standing for at least five years out of the last seven to qualify for reciprocity.
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FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS – Nevada sets monetary limits on how much work can be contracted for during a fiscal year. $10,000 or less, $50,000 or less, $250,000 or less, $250,000 or more.
Reviewed or Audited financials are required for monetary limits of $250,000. Compiled for $50,000 or less. Statements must be less than 12 months old and must be a full financial with CPA notes.
The maximum amount of work allowed is based on a calculation done by the board. Financially they calculate 10 times Net Worth and 5 times Working Capital, whichever is less. They also take into consideration experience of the team.
NRS 624.263 Financial responsibility of applicant or licensee: Standards and criteria for determination.
1. The financial responsibility of a licensee or an applicant for a contractor’s license must be established independently of and without reliance on any assets or guarantees of any owners or managing officers of the licensee or applicant or any person who qualifies on behalf of the licensee or applicant pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS 624.260, but the financial responsibility of the following persons may be inquired into and considered as a criterion in determining the financial responsibility of the licensee or applicant:
4. Before issuing a license to an applicant who will engage in residential construction or renewing the license of a contractor who engages in residential construction, the Board may require the applicant or licensee to establish financial responsibility by submitting to the Board:
(a) A financial statement that is:
(1) Prepared by a certified public accountant; or
(2) Submitted on a form or in a format prescribed by the Board together with an affidavit which verifies the accuracy of the financial statement; and
(b) A statement setting forth the number of building permits issued to and construction projects completed by the licensee during the immediately preceding year and any other information required by the Board. The statement submitted pursuant to this paragraph must be provided on a form approved by the Board.
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BACKGROUND
Fingerprint cards or Live Scan Fingerprinting in Nevada must be provided for a background check on each individual listed on the contractor’s license. A fee of $36.25 is required to be submitted to the Nevada Dept of Public Safety for the background check on each card.
No Credit Reports are required for Nevada
BONDING
All contractors are required to have a Contractor’s License Bond in Nevada to have an active license.
The amount of your company’s bond is set by the board after your application is approved.Top
TIMELINE FOR LICENSING
It takes approximately 3 to 4 months to go through the application and exam process at the Nevada board. It takes approximately 8 weeks to have a pre-qualified application approved. Expedite can result in license issued within 4 to 5 weeks.
BOARD MEETINGS & APPLICATION DEADLINES
No application deadlines or board reviews occur in Nevada.
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APPLICATION & LICENSE FEES
Each Trade Classification is issued a separate license in Nevada. This requires separate Application & License Fees, Bonding and Fingerprinting also.
Application Fee $300
License Fee $600
Renews Every Two Years
ESTIMATE OF COSTS
Business Registration
$75.00 Registration Fee
$125.00 Expedite Fee
$150 Initial List of Members Filing Fee
$200 Business License Fee (For LLCs)
$599 Registered Agent & Annual Report Services (NCLA ALM)
Tax ID Registration (No Fee)
UI/Withholding Tax Registrations (No Fee)
Contractor License Registration $900
Fingerprinting Fees
(Livescan and Ink Card Printing) costs between $60 & $90
Livescan can only be done in the state applying for.
All individuals listed on the license will be required to submit to fingerprinting.
Background Check Fees ($36.25 per person)
All individuals listed on the license will be required to submit to background checks.
Annual License Maintenance $599 (NCLA ALM) noted above
Includes Registered Agent Services (CT)
Includes Annual Report Filing (CT)
Client pays state Annual Report Fees
Fees are billed 60 days in advance
Renewal Reminder Emails for Insurance, bonds, CEUs, AR, Contractor License
Contractor License Renewal Assistance
Guidance on all other renewals
Annual License Review
LICENSES RENEW every 2 years. $600 Renewal Fee
EXAM REGISTRATION FEES: $95 for one or $140 for both Law & Trade
EXAM PREPARATION FEES: $495 for Law & Trade classroom, books
OTHER COSTS
Audited Financial Statements less than 12 months from end of fiscal year.
Timing of financials is important
*Each trade classification is issued a separate license in Nevada. Due to this, separate bonds are required on each license, in addition to; application and license fees, fingerprints, background checks financial statements and fully completed application packets.
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ENFORCEMENT
Nevada’s license board has an enforcement division that pursues complaints against contractors as well as performs stings on unlicensed contractors by setting up residential homes for bid and advertising on craigslist and at Home Depots around the state. Nevada’s board has two state offices, however, the enforcement division of the Nevada board takes up the Henderson location.
The most likely time for Bailiwick to be caught working without a license is when a competitor complains about losing a bid. All complaints are investigated and pursued by the board.
PENALTIES
Contracting in Nevada without a license can be prosecuted as a felony. However, the first conviction is charged as a misdemeanor.
Monetary Fines, jail time, license suspension, forced to get licensed, disciplinary bonds and other actions can be imposed.
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