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General contractor · Local (city/county) licenses

How to become a general contractor in Nebraska

State law and licensing-board sources · Last reviewed October 11, 2026

Journeyman level Licensed by cities or counties, not the state What's a journeyman?

Nebraska doesn't license general contractors at the state level. Instead, the Contractor Registration Act requires contractors and subcontractors to register with the Nebraska Department of Labor before doing construction work, unless they earn less than $5,000 a year from it. Registration costs $40 a year, takes no exam, and the department says it doesn't ensure quality of work. Omaha adds its own building contractor license, with exams for most classes, and electrical, plumbing and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) work need separate trade licenses. [1][2][3][4][5][6]

New to the trade?

Starting from zero in Nebraska

You don't need any state card to start as a construction worker in Nebraska: get hired by a contractor as a laborer or carpenter's helper, or join a registered apprenticeship such as ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) Nebraska/South Dakota's program. Contractor registration with the Department of Labor comes later, once you work for yourself; the department treats you as an employee unless you truly run your own independent business. [1][2][13]

  • High school diploma or GED

    Not required by the state for construction work or contractor registration: the registration application asks for business, tax and insurance details, not education. No diploma rule was found on ABC Nebraska/South Dakota's apprenticeship page. [9][13]

  • Minimum age

    No age is set for contractor registration. The Nebraska Department of Labor says registered apprentices must be at least 16. [9][14]

  • Register before you start work

    Workers employed by a contractor don't register. If you work for yourself, you must register with the Department of Labor before performing construction work, unless you earn less than $5,000 a year from it or work only on your own property. Register online at dol.nebraska.gov/conreg The fee is $40 a year as of August 1, 2026. [1][2]

  • Helper jobs

    The Department of Labor assumes you're an employee unless you own and operate your own business independently, register as a contractor before doing work, choose your own jobs and how you do them, market your services to others, and carry your own profit and loss. [2]

  • Workers' compensation

    Once you're a contractor with one or more employees, you must keep a current workers' compensation certificate (ACORD 25) on file with the Department of Labor or you're removed from the registered list. [2][9]

  • Pay while you learn

    The Nebraska Department of Labor says registered apprentices earn wages from the start, with raises as their skills grow. ABC Nebraska/South Dakota says its apprentices earn progressive wages Its classes charge tuition (level 1 first semester $1,600 at ABC member pricing). [13][14]

  • Still in high school?

    The Nebraska Department of Labor says registered apprentices must be at least 16 and promotes youth Registered Apprenticeships for ages 16-24 In May 2024 six high schools were partnering with employers. The Nebraska Department of Education's Skilled and Technical Sciences career field includes an Architecture and Construction cluster, and its state model programs of study promote dual-credit courses. Omaha's building contractor continuing education can include outreach to K-12 students, but no rule was found that counts high school classes toward a contractor license. [4][14][16][17][18]

Where to apply in NebraskaHow to get an apprenticeshipHelper jobs

Licensing office Contractor Registration, Nebraska Department of Labor (Labor Standards) · (402) 471-2239 [2][7]

Nebraska contractor license at a glance

State general contractor license
None State registration instead [1][2]
Who must register
Contractors and subcontractors doing construction work in Nebraska, except those earning under $5,000 a year from it or working on their own property [1][2]
Registration fee
$40 a year (raised effective August 1, 2026) [2][3]
Exam or experience for registration
None The application asks for business, tax and workers' compensation information [9]
Omaha building contractor license
Classes A to E Exam required for A, B and C; $10,000 bond; $300,000 to $1,000,000 liability insurance; 9 hours CE [4][11]
Trade licenses
Electrical work needs a state electrical license Plumbing and HVAC are licensed by cities such as Omaha and Lincoln [4][5][6][12]
On this page
  1. At a glance
  2. Starting from zero
  3. The license pathway
  4. No state license, but state registration
  5. Omaha building contractor licenses
  6. Trade licenses you can't skip
  7. Apprenticeships and training
  8. Steps to get licensed
  9. Where to get the hours
  10. Licensed in another state?
  11. Questions people ask

The license pathway in Nebraska

  1. 1

    Construction worker or apprentice (no license)

    • Registered apprenticeships include classroom instruction (ABC Nebraska/South Dakota: 144+ hours a year)

    You work for a contractor while you learn. In a registered apprenticeship you earn wages from the start. [2][13][14]

  2. 2

    Registered contractor (state)

    • $40 a year
    • Yearly

    Required before you perform construction work in Nebraska as a contractor or subcontractor. You need workers' compensation proof (or a statement that you're not required to carry it) and a separate registration for each business name. [1][2][9]

  3. 3

    Building contractor (Omaha), Class A to E

    • Yes for Classes A, B and C; Class E needs no exam; Class D is renewal-only
    • Class A/B $300 + $24 tech fee; Class C $200 + $16; Class E $100 + $8
    • Same fees; 9 contact hours of CE

    Omaha licenses building contractors by class. You also need a $10,000 license and permit bond and liability insurance ($1,000,000 for Class A and B, $500,000 for C, $300,000 for D and E). [4][11]

No state license, but state registration

Nebraska's Contractor Registration Act says the Legislature intends "that all contractors doing business in Nebraska be registered" with the Department of Labor, but not to endorse the quality of any contractor's work. Before performing any construction work in Nebraska, a contractor must be registered. "Contractor" covers businesses that build, alter, repair or demolish buildings, roads and other structures, including subcontractors.

You aren't a contractor under the act if you work only on your own property or earn less than $5,000 a year from construction services. Each business name needs its own registration number.

The application asks for your name and tax ID, business address and phone, business type, owners or officers, and proof of workers' compensation coverage (or a signed statement that you're not required to carry it). There's no exam and no experience requirement. If your workers' compensation coverage lapses, the department revokes your registration. Call (402) 471-2239 with questions. [1][2][7][8][9][10]

Omaha building contractor licenses

Omaha's Planning Department licenses building contractors in Classes A through E:

Every class needs a $10,000 license and permit bond naming the City of Omaha. To renew, building contractors show 9 contact hours of continuing education, such as college construction courses or classes from agencies certified through the ICC (International Code Council), AIA (American Institute of Architects), NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) or AGC (Associated General Contractors). Apply through the city's licensing page. [4][11]

Trade licenses you can't skip

[4][5][6][12]

Apprenticeships and training

More: carpenter apprenticeships and how to get an apprenticeship. [13][14][15]

Steps to get licensed in Nebraska

  1. Learn the trade on the job

    Get hired by a contractor or join a registered apprenticeship, such as ABC Nebraska/South Dakota or one found through the Apprenticeship Finder. [13][15]

  2. Register with the Department of Labor before contracting

    Create a profile at dol.nebraska.gov/conreg and apply. Have your business, tax and workers' compensation information ready; the fee is $40 a year. [2][9]

  3. Get the local license where you'll build

    In Omaha, apply for the right building contractor class, pass the exam if your class requires one, and file the bond and insurance certificate. Check other cities' rules before you bid. [4][11]

  4. Hire licensed trades

    Electrical work must be done by state-licensed electricians; plumbing and HVAC work by workers licensed in that city, such as Omaha or Lincoln. [4][5][6][12]

  5. Keep your registration and license current

    Renew your state registration each year and keep insurance on file; Omaha building contractors also need 9 hours of CE to renew. [2][4]

Where to get the hours

Programs that train general contractors in or for Nebraska, from their own official pages. Listed by type, not ranked.

Licensed in another state?

  • Omaha building contractor (reciprocal license)

    Omaha may issue a reciprocal building contractor license if you hold a valid contractor's license from another jurisdiction, show proof of examination, and get Building Board of Review approval; the fee is $100 + $8. [4]

Open the reciprocity map · How reciprocity works

AlaskaAK MaineME VermontVT New HampshireNH WashingtonWA IdahoID MontanaMT North DakotaND MinnesotaMN IllinoisIL WisconsinWI MichiganMI New YorkNY Rhode IslandRI MassachusettsMA OregonOR NevadaNV WyomingWY South DakotaSD IowaIA IndianaIN OhioOH PennsylvaniaPA New JerseyNJ ConnecticutCT CaliforniaCA UtahUT ColoradoCO NebraskaNE MissouriMO KentuckyKY West VirginiaWV VirginiaVA MarylandMD DelawareDE ArizonaAZ New MexicoNM KansasKS ArkansasAR TennesseeTN North CarolinaNC South CarolinaSC District of ColumbiaDC OklahomaOK LouisianaLA MississippiMS AlabamaAL GeorgiaGA HawaiiHI TexasTX FloridaFL
NE Listed here (agreement or endorsement)

Questions people ask

Do you need a license to be a general contractor in Nebraska?

Not from the state. You must register with the Nebraska Department of Labor before doing construction work (unless you earn under $5,000 a year from it), and cities such as Omaha license building contractors. [1][4]

How much does Nebraska contractor registration cost?

$40 a year, effective August 1, 2026. Register or renew online at dol.nebraska.gov/conreg. [2]

Is there an exam for Nebraska contractor registration?

No. The application covers business, tax and workers' compensation information. Omaha's Class A, B and C building contractor licenses do require an exam. [4][9]

Sources (18)
  1. Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-2104, Registration required, Nebraska Legislature. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  2. Who Needs to Register (Contractor Registration), Nebraska Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  3. Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-2107, Fees, Nebraska Legislature. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  4. Licensing Information, City of Omaha Planning Department. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  5. Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-2108, Wiring or installing; license required, Nebraska Legislature. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  6. Neb. Rev. Stat. 18-1907, Plumbing license; examination, Nebraska Legislature. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  7. Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-2102, Legislative intent, Nebraska Legislature. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  8. Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-2103, Terms, defined, Nebraska Legislature. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  9. Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-2105, Registration; application; contents, Nebraska Legislature. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  10. Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-2110, Failure to maintain workers' compensation insurance; revocation, Nebraska Legislature. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  11. Building Contractor Insurance and Bond Requirements, City of Omaha Planning Department. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  12. What it Takes to Become a Licensed Trade Professional, City of Lincoln Building and Safety Department. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  13. Apprenticeship Programs, Associated Builders and Contractors, Nebraska/South Dakota Chapter. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  14. Registered Apprenticeship, Nebraska Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  15. Apprenticeship Finder, U.S. Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  16. Nebraska Businesses Encouraged to Offer Youth Apprenticeship Programs (May 16, 2024), Nebraska Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  17. Skilled and Technical Sciences, Nebraska Department of Education. Accessed October 11, 2026.
  18. State Model Programs of Study, Nebraska Department of Education. Accessed October 11, 2026.