How hard is the North Carolina General Contractor exam?
The North Carolina General Contractor exam is a serious, studiable test — its difficulty comes less from any single hard idea than from the breadth of material across 11 weighted content areas. Expect 40 questions in 90 minutes. The passing standard is 70%. PrepPass has 409+ free North Carolina General Contractor practice questions with explanations, organized by topic, plus a full timed mock exam.
Last checked 2026-09-24 · Source: PSI — North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors Candidate Information Bulletin (updated 11/19/2025) · Full sourced exam facts
How to make the North Carolina General Contractor exam easier
Work through real practice questions until you consistently clear the standard you need. PrepPass has 409+ free North Carolina General Contractor practice questions with answer explanations and a full timed mock exam — no signup required.
In the North Carolina General Contractor Business & Law guide: A self-check closing each of the 11 chapters, and a named-traps list on 8 of them. Practice here stays free.
The North Carolina General Contractor exam at a glance
The 11 content areas on the North Carolina General Contractor exam
The exam is built from weighted content areas — focus your study time where the weight is. These weights are how PrepPass has organized the material; check the exam authority’s own outline for its published breakdown.
How the North Carolina General Contractor exam is administered
North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) oversees licensing. Confirm the current details with the official authority before you rely on them.
Wondering about pass rates and what happens if you don't pass the first time?
See North Carolina General Contractorpass rate & retake rules →Frequently asked questions
What score do you need to pass the North Carolina General Contractor exam?+
The passing standard for the North Carolina General Contractor exam is 70%.
How many questions are on the North Carolina General Contractor exam?+
The North Carolina General Contractor exam has 40 questions, with a time limit of 90 minutes.
Does North Carolina require a state contractor license?+
Yes. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) licenses general contractors under Chapter 87, Article 1. A license is required for projects at or above the $40,000 threshold (effective Oct 1, 2023), across Limited, Intermediate, and Unlimited limitation levels.
What net worth does North Carolina require for a GC license?+
Working-capital/net-worth requirements scale with the limitation level: roughly $17,000 (Limited), $75,000 (Intermediate), and $150,000 (Unlimited), along with qualifier rules.
What is North Carolina's lien-agent threshold?+
North Carolina lien law (Chapter 44A) includes a $40,000 lien-agent designation threshold. Exam question count, time limit, and passing score are set by the NCLBGC and are not asserted here pending official confirmation.
How should I study for the North Carolina General Contractor exam?+
Focus your time on the heaviest content areas, then drill practice questions by topic until you consistently clear the standard you need. PrepPass has 409+ free North Carolina General Contractor practice questions with full explanations and a timed mock exam.
Exam details verified against the official authority:
North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) →https://nclbgc.org →Last updated: August 2026