General Contractor Exam Prep

This 42-hour course is designed for those who want to become licensed Residential Contractors in North Carolina. The course will help prepare students to take the N.C. Licensing Exam for the Residential Contractor's License. Course topics include information on the application process, as well as licensing requirements, building and administrative codes, insurance requirements, employment laws, safety, and blueprint reading. Previous construction experience is beneficial. This is not a course on construction skills/techniques. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The cost is:

  • Course registration: $133
  • Book: about $475
  • Total cost: about $608
Payment for class is due at the time of registration.

The next class is planned for the Spring 2025 term.

You must meet specific requirements to become a General Contractor. Make sure you meet these requirements before registering for this class.

To see if you meet the requirements:

  1. Visit nclbgc.org.
  2. Follow the “Laws/Regulations” link.
  3. Download the current list of requirements.
  4. Find page 22.
  5. Read section .0204, “Eligibility.”

You may register online or in person.

Online: Register

In person: Complete the Continuing Education Registration Form and bring it with your payment (check, cash, credit card, or money order) to one of the GTCC campuses.

Registration Locations:

  • Greensboro: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-noon Friday at 3505 E. Wendover Ave., Continuing Education Center
  • High Point: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-noon Friday at 901 S. Main St., H1

Students must purchase books before the first day of class. 

Required books are:

  • ISBN 9781948558297. "NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law, & Project Management, North Carolina General," ninth edition. About $104 in person or online at the GTCC Greensboro campus store.
  • ISBN 9780826904942. "Print Reading for Residential Construction (with CD & 8 plans), Pt. 1," sixth edition. About $96 in person or online at the GTCC Greensboro campus store.
  • ISBN 9781609838249. "NC Residential Code 2018." About $180 in person or online at the GTCC Greensboro campus store.
  • ISBN 9781609838386. "NC State Building Code Administrative Code & Policies 2018."  About $50 in person or online at the GTCC Greensboro campus store
  • ISBN 9789970031504. "2023 NC Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry." About $45 in person or online at the GTCC Greensboro campus store.

Students who successfully complete the General Contractor Exam Preparation class will receive an Award of Completion. 

Requirements for successful completion:

  • Attendance: Must be in class 75% of the class hours.
  • Coursework: Must achieve 80% on coursework.

If you enter after the second day of class, you will not receive credit for taking the class.  Additionally, time absent will be counted against you; students can only miss 10 hours of the total class hours and still pass.

The college will make a 100% refund of registration fees if you officially withdraw from class before the first meeting. Also if the class is canceled or full, GTCC will make a full refund. The college will refund 75% of the registration fee (of tuition only) if you officially withdraw from the class on the first day of class or before the class reaches the census date. The census date varies from class to class. Non-attendance is not a basis for a refund.