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Last updated: General North Carolina surety bond information — confirm current requirements with the licensing authority.
North Carolina Surety Bonds

North Carolina Surety Bonds— NCLBGC Contractor Bonds Up to $1M

North Carolina's contractor bond requirements are among the highest in the Southeast. The NC Licensing Board for General Contractors sets bond amounts at $175,000, $500,000, or $1,000,000 depending on license class -- and demands the surety carry an A.M. Best rating of A- or better. Beyond construction, North Carolina requires bonds for auto dealers, landscape contractors, manufactured housing dealers, and dozens of other professions.

We place bonds accepted by the NCLBGC, NC DMV, NC Commissioner of Banks, and every Clerk of Court across all 100 counties.

$1M
Max Contractor Bond
$50K
Auto Dealer Bond
100
Counties Served
Prompt
Submission
Treasury-Listed Sureties
Prompt Submission
All Credit Reviewed

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Contractor, dealer, landscape, and all bond types

Quick answer
North Carolina's contractor bond requirements are among the highest in the Southeast. The NC Licensing Board for General Contractors sets bonds at $175,000, $500,000 or $1,000,000 depending on license class, and applicants can instead show the required net worth. Auto dealers post $50,000 for the first location.
  • Who requires it: NC Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC). NC DMV (N.C.G.S. 20-288) for dealers. NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board (N.C.G.S. 89D-16).
  • Amount: Contractor: $175,000, $500,000 or $1,000,000 by license class. Auto dealer: $50,000 first location, $25,000 each additional. Landscape contractor: $10,000. Manufactured housing dealer: $35,000 first location.
  • Timing: We submit complete applications to the carrier promptly; most quotes within one business day.
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Official North Carolina Requirements

"The applicant shall furnish a surety 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. The surety shall maintain an A.M. Best rating of A- or better."
NC Licensing Board for General Contractors • 21 NCAC 12.0204

NCLBGC Contractor Bond Amounts by License Class

North Carolina offers a bond-in-lieu-of-financials path for general contractor licensure. The bond amount depends on your license classification and the maximum project size you intend to handle. Learn more about NC contractor license bonds, browse all bond types on our surety bonds hub, or estimate your cost with the contractor license bond calculator.

Limited License

$175,000
Projects up to $500,000
  • A.M. Best A- surety required
  • Continuous bond form
  • Premium: 1-5% of bond amount
Most Common

Intermediate License

$500,000
Projects $500K - $1M
  • A.M. Best A- surety required
  • Continuous bond form
  • Premium: 1-5% of bond amount

Unlimited License

$1,000,000
No project limit
  • A.M. Best A- surety required
  • Continuous bond form
  • Premium: 1-3% of bond amount

Bond vs. financial statements: The NCLBGC contractor bond is only required if the applicant chooses to post a bond in lieu of meeting the minimum net worth and financial statement requirements. Contractors who can demonstrate sufficient net worth through audited financials do not need a bond.

Bond Types Unique to North Carolina

These bonds are required by NC-specific licensing boards and statutes

Landscape Contractor Bond

$10,000

Required for all licensed landscape contractors under N.C.G.S. 89D-16. Filed with the NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board (NCLCLB). Unlike the general contractor bond, this is mandatory -- not optional.

Renewal deadlineAugust 1 annually
Premium (good credit)$100 - $300/yr

Manufactured Housing Dealer

$35K + $25K/location

Dealers must post $35,000 for the first location plus $25,000 for each additional location under N.C.G.S. 143-143.11. Protects buyers from dealer fraud, title issues, and warranty failures.

First location$35,000
Each additional$25,000

Irrigation Contractor Bond

$10,000

Required by the NC Irrigation Contractors' Licensing Board (NCICLB) for all licensed irrigation contractors. Annual bond with a December 31 renewal deadline.

Renewal deadlineDecember 31 annually
Premium (good credit)$100 - $300/yr

Electrical contractors -- no bond required: The NC Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC) requires a bonding ability statement, not a traditional surety bond. This statement certifies that the contractor can obtain bonds for specific projects when needed.

NC Auto Dealer Bonds

North Carolina motor vehicle dealers must post a $50,000 surety bond for the first location and $25,000 for each additional location under N.C.G.S. 20-288. The bond is filed on DMV Form LT-409 and covers consumer losses from fraud, title failures, odometer tampering, and other statutory violations.

First Dealer Location$50,000

Required for all new and used vehicle dealers

Each Additional Location$25,000

Per-location bond under N.C.G.S. 20-288

Certificate of Title Bond1.5x Value

Required when vehicle title is lost or damaged (N.C.G.S. 20-76), 3-year term

Learn about auto dealer bonds

NC Financial Services Bonds

The NC Commissioner of Banks oversees bond requirements for mortgage brokers, lenders, money transmitters, and collection agencies. Bond amounts scale with business volume.

Mortgage Broker Bonds

$75K
<$10M volume
$125K
$10-50M
$250K
>$50M

N.C.G.S. 53-244.103

Mortgage Lender Bonds

$150,000 base / $500,000 for volume >$50M

Money Transmitter Bonds

$150,000 - $250,000 (NC Commissioner of Banks)

Collection Agency Bonds

$10,000 domestic / $20,000 alien entity (N.C.G.S. 58-70-20)

All North Carolina Bond Types

Every surety bond required by NC state agencies, courts, and local governments

Construction

Specialty Trades

Dealer & Consumer

  • Auto Dealer Bonds

    $50K + $25K per location

  • Manufactured Housing

    $35K + $25K per location

  • Health Club/Prepaid

    $10K+ per location

  • Telephonic Seller

    Market value of prizes

  • Pawnbroker

    $5,000 (local requirement)

Court & Professional

Local Municipal Bond Requirements

Some NC cities impose their own trade and contractor bond requirements beyond state-level bonds.

Greensboro

$2,000 trade bond for general contractors

Winston-Salem

$2,500 heating/electrical contractor bond

How to Get Your North Carolina Bond

Three steps from application to filing

1

Tell Us Your Bond Type

Specify your license class, bond type, and business details. NCLBGC contractor bonds, dealer bonds, and landscape bonds can all be quoted quickly.

2

Prompt Submission

We match you with Treasury-listed sureties that meet the NCLBGC's strict requirements. Most bonds are quoted within one business day.

3

File with the Board

Receive your bond in the format accepted by the NCLBGC, NC DMV, NCLCLB, or Commissioner of Banks. We email it as soon as the carrier issues it, or have it mailed directly to the agency.

Serving All 100 North Carolina Counties

Bonds filed with state agencies, courts, and local governments statewide

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

North Carolina Surety Bond Questions

NCLBGC rules, NC-specific bonds, and licensing requirements

Is the NCLBGC contractor bond required for every NC general contractor?
No. The NCLBGC gives applicants two paths to licensure: demonstrate the required net worth through audited financial statements, or post a surety bond in lieu of meeting those financial requirements. The bond amounts are $175,000 for a limited license (projects up to $500,000), $500,000 for an intermediate license ($500,000-$1,000,000 projects), and $1,000,000 for an unlimited license. The bond must come from a surety with an A.M. Best rating of A- or better per 21 NCAC 12.0204.
Why does North Carolina require a separate bond for each auto dealer location?
North Carolina requires a $50,000 bond for the first dealer location and $25,000 for each additional location under N.C.G.S. 20-288. The per-location structure ensures consumers at every dealership have bond protection. The bond is filed on DMV Form LT-409 and must remain active as long as the dealer license is valid.
What makes the NC landscape contractor bond different from the general contractor bond?
The landscape contractor bond is a flat $10,000 filed with the NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board under N.C.G.S. 89D-16. It must be renewed by August 1 each year. Unlike the NCLBGC general contractor bond (which is optional if you meet financial requirements), the landscape contractor bond is mandatory for all licensees. The cost is typically $100-$300 per year with good credit.
How does the NC manufactured housing dealer bond work?
Manufactured housing dealers must post a $35,000 surety bond for the first location plus $25,000 for each additional location under N.C.G.S. 143-143.11. This protects consumers purchasing manufactured homes from dealer fraud, failure to deliver titles, and breach of warranty obligations. The graduated structure mirrors the auto dealer bond approach.
What are North Carolina's mortgage broker bond tiers?
NC mortgage broker bonds are tiered by loan origination volume under N.C.G.S. 53-244.103: $75,000 base for originators under $10 million, $125,000 for $10-50 million in volume, and $250,000 for over $50 million. Mortgage lenders face even higher amounts -- $150,000 base or $500,000 for volume exceeding $50 million. The NC Commissioner of Banks oversees both.
Does North Carolina require electrical contractor bonds?
Not in the traditional sense. The NC Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors (NCBEEC) requires a bonding ability statement rather than posting an actual surety bond. This statement from a surety company certifies the contractor has the financial capacity to obtain bonds when needed for specific projects, but the contractor does not pay for or maintain a standing bond.
How are NC court and probate bond amounts calculated?
North Carolina probate bonds follow a sliding scale under N.C.G.S. Ch. 28A: 125% of the estate value for estates under $100,000, and 110% for estates over $100,000. Appeal bonds, attachment bonds, and other court bonds are set by the presiding judge. We place bonds for Superior Courts and Clerks of Court in all 100 NC counties.
Can I get a North Carolina surety bond with bad credit?
Yes. Small bonds like the $10,000 landscape contractor bond or $10,000 notary bond are available to most applicants regardless of credit. For larger bonds like the NCLBGC contractor bonds ($175K-$1M), applicants with lower credit will pay higher premiums -- typically 5-12% of the bond amount versus 1-3% for strong credit. We work with sureties that specialize in higher-risk applicants across all NC bond types.
How do I get a North Carolina surety bond?
Request a quote with the form on this page. A licensed agent submits your application to a Treasury-listed surety carrier; once the carrier issues your bond, file it as the requiring agency directs.
What happens after I apply?
We submit complete applications to the carrier promptly; most quotes come back within one business day. The carrier decides approval and the final premium, and you pay only when your bond is issued.

Official North Carolina Resources

Government sources for NC bond requirements and statutes

NCLBGC -- Classifications and Limitations

License classes, bond amounts, and financial requirements for general contractors (21 NCAC 12.0204)

NCLCLB -- Landscape Contractor Surety Bond Info

$10,000 bond requirement and renewal deadlines for licensed landscape contractors (N.C.G.S. 89D-16)

N.C.G.S. Chapter 20 -- Motor Vehicle Dealer Requirements

Statutory basis for the $50,000 auto dealer bond and DMV Form LT-409

NC Commissioner of Banks -- Mortgage Broker Licensing

Bond tiers for mortgage brokers and lenders (N.C.G.S. 53-244.103)

U.S. Treasury Surety Bond List

Federal listing of Treasury-listed surety companies authorized to write bonds for U.S. government contracts

Eric Drummond, Licensed Surety Producer
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Eric Drummond, Licensed Surety Producer
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All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov). BuySuretyBonds.com works with Treasury-listed surety carriers.

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North Carolina Bond Pages at a Glance

The most-requested North Carolina bonds each have a dedicated page. Start with the one your license, contract or court order names.

BondTypically required for
North Carolina contractor license bondContractor licensing and registration
North Carolina performance bondPublic and private construction contracts
North Carolina auto dealer bondMotor vehicle dealer licensing
North Carolina probate bondExecutors, administrators and guardians appointed by a court
North Carolina freight broker bondProperty brokers registering with FMCSA
North Carolina mortgage broker bondMortgage broker and lender licensing

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Other North Carolina Bonds

Additional surety bonds available in North Carolina

North Carolina Contractor License Bond

Contractor licensing

North Carolina Auto Dealer Bond

DMV dealer licensing

North Carolina Mortgage Broker Bond

NMLS mortgage licensing

North Carolina Performance Bond

Construction & service contracts

North Carolina Probate Bond

Executors, administrators & guardians

North Carolina Freight Broker Bond

FMCSA broker authority

Nearby States

Surety bonds in neighboring states

Georgia Surety Bond

Georgia requirements, statute, and bond amount

South Carolina Surety Bond

South Carolina requirements, statute, and bond amount

Tennessee Surety Bond

Tennessee requirements, statute, and bond amount

Virginia Surety Bond

Virginia requirements, statute, and bond amount

More North Carolina bond requirements

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NCLBGC contractor bonds up to $1M, auto dealer bonds, landscape bonds, and every bond NC requires

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