Nevada Handyman License: How to Get Certified as a Handyman in NV

Does a handyman need a license in Nevada?

Yes, you need a license in Nevada to perform the installation, repair, and maintenance work of a handyman. 

The only exception is for repair or maintenance work totalling less than $1,000 that does not involve plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or refrigeration, and that does not require a building permit. 

The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) uses the term contractor to describe the work of a handyman. They are in charge of handing out licenses for both general and specialty contracting work. These licenses cover fabrication, installation, and repair work on the following: 

• Plumbing systems, pipes, and boilers
• HVAC systems, ducts, and vents
• Electrical components of structures and appliances
• Structures made from concrete, masonry, and plaster
• Frames, trusses, and millwork products
• Solar panel systems and components
• Fire detection and prevention systems

The NSCB also offers exemptions from handyman licensing requirements for individuals that fit the following criteria: 

• Those performing work as authorized by the United States government, state government, or municipalities and regional districts. 
• An officer of the court acting within the scope of their office
• Work performed exclusively by a public utility
• A property owner who is building or improving a residential structure for their own occupancy

More details on contractor licensing exemptions in Nevada are available on the Board website. 

READ MORE: How to become a handyman: Your complete guide

Types of handyman licenses in Nevada

The NSCB provides 4 different types of contractor licenses that allow you to perform handiwork and other tasks requiring technical skill: 

Class A and B license holders can perform a range of services that fall within the domain of their license. If they are qualified to perform work in both classifications, they can earn an AB license.

Class C specialty license holders must hold at least one additional license in any of the specialty classifications for which they qualify. These contractors can hold multiple sub-classifications under their primary contractor license. 

Here is a list of the sub-classifications for the Class C contractor license:

A description of each of the sub-classifications can be found on the Nevada State Contractors Board website or in the candidate bulletin.

READ MORE: Handyman vs. Contractor: What’s the difference?

Nevada handyman license requirements

According to the NSCB, all applicants must meet specific experience requirements to qualify for a contractor license.

Mainly, applicants must be trade qualified, with at least 4 years of experience as a journeyman, forman, supervisor, or contractor in their specific classification out of the last 15 years preceding the filing of the application.

While post-secondary education and formal in-class training are not required for a contractor license, they can be substituted for work experience in the following ways:

• University, college, or equivalent training from a board-accredited program can be used to satisfy up to 3 years of experience. 
• Proof of transferable military training or a master’s certification from a government agency in a similar discipline may be used to satisfy work experience requirements.

The NSCB also accepts proof of your experience through Certification of Work Experience Forms.

You must also submit financial statements with your application with additional information depending on the desired monetary limit of your license: 

• $10,000 or less
• Between $10,000 and $50,000
• Between $50,000 and $250,000
• Over $250,000

To qualify for licensing you will also need to pass both the Business and Law Contractor Management Survey Exam as well as the trade exam corresponding to your license type. A score of 75% is required for the CMS exam and 70% for the contractor exams. 

Additional information about financial requirements is available on the NSCB website.

How do I get a handyman license in Nevada?

Here are the steps that the NSCB has outlined for getting a contractor license:

• Obtain your Nevada Business ID through Nevada’s business portal, SilverFlume. 
• Provide all necessary financial statements based on the monetary limit requested for your license. Review the financial statement requirements to ensure you have included all the necessary financial documents.
• Complete the background disclosure statement and fingerprint authorization form, along with any required accompanying documentation.
• Prove that you have 4 years of experience for the desired contractor classification within the last 15 years. You can use university, college, and other accredited program completion for up to 3 years of experience. 
• Choose whether you are applying for a Class A, B, or C contractor license. Class C applicants, identify which of the 36 primary classes and subclasses you have relevant experience for and submit individual applications for each. A comprehensive listing of all the classifications and subclassifications is listed in Chapter 624.140 of the Nevada Administrative Code. 
• Fill out the Nevada Contractor License Application for all applicable classes and subclasses, making sure to include all forms, accreditations, and work experience listed in the steps above. 
• Submit the application to the Nevada State Contractors Board location listed on the application. Along with the application, an initial non-refundable payment of $300 is required.
• Book and pass the Contractor Management Survey Exam and the relevant trade exam for the corresponding contractor license
• Secure a surety bond of between $1000 and $500,000 (total determined by NSCB based on type of license, monetary limit, experience, etc.)

All forms must be submitted to the Nevada State Contractors Board  office listed on the application, which will be one of the following locations:

Nevada handyman license exam

Contractor exams in Nevada are handled by the testing vendor PSI. All qualifying individuals need to write both the Construction Management Survey Exam and any corresponding trade exams unless they meet the criteria for waiving the trade exam. 

• The Construction Management Survey exam is 2 hours long and contains 60 questions.
• The Class A General Engineering exam is 3 hours long and contains 100 questions.
• The Class B General Building exam is 3 hours long and contains 80 questions.
• There are over 36 Class C specialty and subspecialty exams you can take depending on your experience.

Does my Nevada handyman license work in any other states?

The state of Nevada does not technically have reciprocity agreements with other states, however, licensed contractors can apply for a license by endorsement in order to qualify for experience and exam exemptions.

To apply for a license by endorsement, check the State License Equivalency Chart to see if you qualify. Then, ask your state to fill out a license verification form, and include it with your application, along with the needed license details. You’ll need to be able to prove you’ve been actively licensed for the last 4 years and passed the necessary exam.

Currently, Nevada has license equivalencies with Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Nevada handyman license costs

The cost of getting your Nevada contractor license is subject to change, but you can expect to pay at least $395, depending on the number of licenses and sub-licenses you wish to hold. 

Here’s an overview of the fees associated with getting your contractor license:

If you are a contractor providing services to construct, remodel, repair, or improve a single family residence, you will also need to pay into the Residential Recovery Fund. The fund was created to help families recoup losses from work performed by licensed contractors, and is financed through assessments levied on contractors based on the monetary limit placed on the license.

Currently, the residential recovery fund assessment fee schedule is as follows:

• $200 for monetary limits up to $1,000,000
• $500 for monetary limits over $1,000,000 but limited
• $1,000 for unlimited licenses

The fee is payable before the license is issued and every two years with renewal.

Nevada handyman license renewal

A contractor’s license is initially issued for a two-year period. It will expire two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued. Licenses are renewed every two years and include a $600 fee.

To renew your Nevada contractor license, you can visit the NSCB’s online license renewal portal.

What happens if my license expires?

If you think your contractor license may be expired, the first thing you need to do is stop all your work. You can then go to the NSCB website’s license search page to determine whether your license needs renewal. If it does, you can then visit the online license renewal portal.

Working as an unlicensed contractor is a crime in the state of Nevada; the board website outlines the penalties associated with multiple offenses: 

• The 1st offense is a misdemeanor. The unlicensed individual is subject to a fine of under $1,000 and may be imprisoned in the county jail for 6 months or less.
• The 2nd offense is a gross misdemeanor. The unlicensed individual is subject to a fine between $2,000-$4,000 and may be imprisoned in the county jail for 1 year or less.
• The 3rd or subsequent offense is a category E felony.The unlicensed individual is subject to a fine between $5,000-$10,000 and may be further punished by imprisonment in the state prison for 1-4 years.

Requirements for business owners

Once you’ve gained the necessary experience, submitted the applications, and passed the licensing exams to be a general or specialty contractor in Nevada, you’re ready to take the next step to securing your financial future—opening your own handyman business. 

But first, what exactly do you need to do to start a contractor business in Nevada?

The Nevada state website provides resource pages and checklists that outline all the additional licenses, permits, and registration requirements you’ll need to start your contracting business. These include: 

• Registering with the Nevada Secretary of State through the online portal
• Getting any local city or county business licenses
• Filing for your fictitious business name with the County Clerk’s office
• Familiarizing yourself with the tax forms and processes for Nevada businesses

For an in-depth look at the ins and outs of starting your own contracting business—including getting your financing, buying equipment, and hiring staff—check out our comprehensive guide to starting a handyman business.

READ MORE:300 handyman business names to help you start your business

Does a handyman license increase your handyman earning potential?

Getting your contractor license in Nevada is the first step towards drastically increasing your earning potential and control over your financial future. 

As you progress from a journeyman, foreman, or supervisor to a licensed contractor and begin to build experience, you can expect your salary to jump from $44,000 to well over $60,000. 

If you’re interested in learning more about this lucrative, flexible industry and what the financial prospects are across the country, check out our Essential Handyman Salary Guide and identify where you can put this in-demand skill set to use.  

Originally published in February 2023. Last updated on August 21st, 2024.