Contractor License from Illinois to North Dakota: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: North Dakota Secretary of State — Contractor Licensing ↗
North Dakota does not offer contractor reciprocity with any state. Expect a full application to the North Dakota Secretary of State — Contractor Licensing, including North Dakota's exams.
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Verdict
No reciprocity offered
North Dakota recognizes no state's contractor license, so coming from Illinois changes nothing — it is a full application either way. The practical plan: identify which North Dakota license class matches your work, book the business/law and trade exams, and prepare the financial statement and bond early. Nothing about your Illinois license is wasted, but none of it substitutes for North Dakota's process.
What changes, Illinois → North Dakota
| Illinois (current) | North Dakota (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | No reciprocity/endorsement fee exists because there is no reciprocity path; standard plumber licensing fees apply and were not captured. | $100–$450 (Initial license fee by class: Class D (up to $100,000/job) $100, Class C (up to $300,000) $225, Class B (up to $500,000) $300, Class A (over $500,000) $450; renewals $30-$90) |
| Processing time | Not applicable — no reciprocity path. | Board does not publish a stated processing time |
| Licensing authority | Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing Program (general contractors are licensed municipally) | North Dakota Secretary of State — Contractor Licensing |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — North Dakota sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review North Dakota's initial-licensure requirements on the North Dakota Secretary of State — Contractor Licensing website (linked below).
- Expect to meet North Dakota's education/experience requirements and pass its required exams — prior out-of-state licensure may still count toward experience.
- Submit the standard (new applicant) application with fees ($100–$450 (Initial license fee by class: Class D (up to $100,000/job) $100, Class C (up to $300,000) $225, Class B (up to $500,000) $300, Class A (over $500,000) $450; renewals $30-$90)).
- Allow Board does not publish a stated processing time.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does North Dakota accept a Illinois contractor license?
North Dakota does not offer contractor reciprocity with any state. Expect a full application to the North Dakota Secretary of State — Contractor Licensing, including North Dakota's exams.
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
North Dakota's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the Illinois-to-North Dakota move cost and how long does it take?
$100–$450 (Initial license fee by class: Class D (up to $100,000/job) $100, Class C (up to $300,000) $225, Class B (up to $500,000) $300, Class A (over $500,000) $450; renewals $30-$90); processing Board does not publish a stated processing time.
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
If you do commercial general-building work, possibly — about 15 states accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building exam toward licensure. Check whether North Dakota is one on the North Dakota Secretary of State — Contractor Licensing site.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- ND Secretary of State — Contractors (license required when a job exceeds $4,000; NDCC ch. 43-07; fee classes A-D) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing (licensing, forms; reciprocity form is Chicago-only) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Illinois IDFPR — Roofing Contractors (no reciprocity provision) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]