Skip to main content
Last Updated:|Reflects current North Carolina surety bond requirements
2026 Requirements Verified
North Carolina Surety Bonds

North Carolina Surety BondsUp to $1 Million for Unlimited Licenses

North Carolina has some of the highest contractor bond amounts in the Southeast. The Licensing Board for General Contractors offers a bond-in-lieu-of-financials option that reaches $1,000,000 for unlimited licenses -- and demands the surety carry an A.M. Best rating of A- or better. Landscape contractors face their own $10,000 bond requirement. Between these, auto dealer bonds, and an active court bond market across 100 counties, North Carolina keeps surety professionals busy.

Same-Day Approval
A.M. Best A-Rated
100 Counties

Get Your NC Bond

Contractor bonds, landscape bonds, and more

Trusted Bond Specialists
⚡ Quick Response Guaranteed
Secure|No Obligation|Takes 2 Minutes
Get Your Notary Quote in Minutes
Join thousands who trust us to find the best rates from A- minimum rated carriers

Which describes your situation best?

Instant Bonds Available
24-hour approval
A- minimum rated carriers

Official North Carolina Requirements

"The applicant shall maintain the bond in the amount of $175,000 for a limited license, $500,000 for an intermediate license, and $1,000,000 for an unlimited license."
NC Licensing Board for General ContractorsNCLBGC Rules

NC Contractor Bond Amounts by License Class

Bond required only when used in lieu of meeting financial requirements

License ClassBond AmountProject Limit
Limited License$175,000Up to $500,000
Intermediate License$500,000$500,000 - $1,000,000
Unlimited License$1,000,000No limit

Surety rating requirement: The NCLBGC requires the surety to maintain an A.M. Best rating of A- or better. Not all surety companies qualify.

Most-Requested NC Bonds

NC General Contractor Bonds

Starting at $1,000

The NC Licensing Board for General Contractors accepts a surety bond in lieu of meeting minimum financial requirements. Bond amounts: $175,000 (limited), $500,000 (intermediate), or $1,000,000 (unlimited license).

  • $175K limited license
  • $500K intermediate
  • $1M unlimited
  • A.M. Best A-rated surety
Get Your Bond

NC Landscape Contractor Bonds

Starting at $100

North Carolina landscape contractors must post a $10,000 surety bond for a one-year term under the NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board requirements.

  • $10,000 bond amount
  • 1-year term
  • Filed with NCLCLB
  • Fast approval
Get Your Bond

North Carolina Court Bonds

Quote required

Probate bonds, appeal bonds, and fiduciary bonds for NC Superior Courts and Clerk of Courts across all 100 counties.

  • Superior Courts
  • Clerk of Court
  • Estate bonds
  • Appeal bonds
Get Your Bond

NC License & Permit Bonds

Varies by type

Auto dealer bonds ($50,000), mortgage broker bonds, plumbing/HVAC bonds, and professional license bonds required by North Carolina state agencies.

  • Dealer bonds ($50K)
  • Mortgage broker bonds
  • Plumbing/HVAC bonds
  • Tax bonds
Get Your Bond

How to Get Your NC Bond

1

Provide Your License Details

Tell us your license class (limited, intermediate, or unlimited) and whether you need a contractor bond, landscape bond, or other bond type.

2

Get Approved

We only use sureties with A.M. Best ratings of A- or better, as the NCLBGC requires. Most bonds are quoted and approved the same business day.

3

File with the Board

Receive your bond in the Board-accepted format. Download immediately or have it mailed directly to the NCLBGC or NCLCLB.

Serving All 100 North Carolina Counties

Charlotte
Raleigh
Greensboro
Durham
Winston-Salem
Fayetteville
Cary
Wilmington
High Point
Asheville
Concord
Gastonia

NC Surety Bond Questions

NCLBGC rules and North Carolina-specific requirements

When does North Carolina require a contractor to post a surety bond?
North Carolina only requires a surety bond if you are using it in lieu of meeting the minimum financial requirements for licensure. The NCLBGC gives applicants the choice: demonstrate the required net worth through audited financial statements, or post a surety bond. The bond amounts are $175,000 for a limited license, $500,000 for an intermediate license, and $1,000,000 for an unlimited license. Most contractors who cannot meet the net worth threshold choose the bond option.
What surety rating does North Carolina require for contractor bonds?
The NCLBGC requires that the surety maintain a rating from A.M. Best of either Superior (A++ or A+) or Excellent (A or A-). This is stricter than many states, and means only financially strong surety companies can write NC general contractor bonds. We exclusively partner with sureties that meet this requirement.
What does the NC general contractor bond cover?
The bond lists the State of North Carolina as obligee and covers damages caused by the contractor's breach of a construction contract, breach of a contract for furnishing labor, materials, or professional services, or any unlawful act or omission in performing construction work. This is broader than many states' bonds, which only cover consumer losses.
Is the NC contractor bond continuous?
Yes. The bond must be continuous in form and maintained for as long as the contractor holds an active license. The surety may cancel the bond, but the licensee and the Board must receive proper notice. If the bond lapses without a replacement or proof of meeting the financial requirements, the license will be suspended.
How much does the NC landscape contractor bond cost?
The $10,000 landscape contractor bond typically costs $100-$300 per year for applicants with good credit. Applicants with credit challenges may pay $500-$1,000. The bond is filed with the NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board and must be renewed annually.
What is the North Carolina auto dealer bond amount?
North Carolina requires a $50,000 surety bond for motor vehicle dealers, filed with the NC DMV. This applies to new and used vehicle dealers. The bond protects consumers from dealer fraud, failure to deliver clean titles, odometer tampering, and other statutory violations.

Official NC Resources

Government sources for North Carolina bond requirements

NCLBGC -- Classifications and Limitations

License classes, bond amounts, and financial requirements for general contractors

NCLCLB -- Landscape Contractor Surety Bond Info

$10,000 bond requirement for licensed landscape contractors

Written by BuySuretyBonds.com
Surety bond specialists operating nationwide with direct integrations to Treasury-certified surety carriers. Our platform enables instant approval for license and notary bonds, with 24-48 hour underwriting for commercial bonds. All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov) and reviewed by bond industry experts.

Nearby States

Surety bonds in neighboring states

Get Your North Carolina Bond Today

Contractor bonds up to $1M, landscape bonds, and every NC bond type