Options for Licensure as a NC Irrigation Contractor

• NC Irrigation Contractors’ Licensing Exam
$100 application fee
$340 first time test fee
$240 subsequent retest fee

• Reciprocity – for individuals with an active license in another State that has comparable requirements and testing as North Carolina. In addition, you are required to answer ten (10) questions related to NC State Law that will be emailed to you. In order to complete the licensure process, at least seven (7) questions must be answered correct out of the ten (10).
$100 application fee
$250 reciprocity fee

• CIC certification – for individuals that have taken and passed the CIC through the Irrigation Association on or AFTER 11/20/2009. The CIC certification must be active at the time of application in order to qualify for license as a NC Irrigation Contractor without examination. In addition, you are required to answer ten (10) questions related to NC State Law that will be emailed to you. In order to complete the licensure process, at least seven (7) questions must be answered correct out of the ten (10).
$100 application fee
$200 license fee

• Licensure for Military Trained & Military Spouse Applicants
The Board shall issue a license for military trained applicant seeking licensure as an irrigation contractor in North Carolina upon the applicant demonstrating the qualifications as prescribed by the provisions of Gen. Stat. § 93 B-15. – 15.1.
$100 application fee waived
$340 exam fee

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS (some instructions may not apply to military trained applicants)

The first step in this process is to print the “Application for Irrigation Contractor License“, which requires supporting documentation including client or employer verifications proving three years of irrigation-related field experience, three (3) references vouching for your good character, and the application fee.

All of the forms on this site are form-fill so that you may type into the form prior to printing. If you prefer you may print the forms and hand write on the application. Be sure to print clearly and legibly. The application form and supporting documentation must be mailed to the Board along with the $100 application fee. Any business entity, other than a sole proprietor, must also complete the corporate license application and register your company with the NC Secretary of State. A sole proprietor must register their company with the Register of Deeds in their county if the company is located in North Carolina. The Board suggests you wait until you have your individual license before applying for your corporate license or purchasing a surety bond. All forms may be found below.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR EXAM CANDIDATES

Read the attached Instructions for Licensing before completing the Application for Irrigation Contractor License.

Application for Individual Irrigation Contractor License – This is the application you must complete in order to sit for the Irrigation Licensing Exam, to apply for reciprocity, to reinstate your license, or to qualify for licensure through having taken the CIC.

Application for Corporate Irrigation License – This application should be completed after passing the exam if your business entity is a corporation, LLC or partnership and will engage in the practice of irrigation construction or irrigation contracting, or the business will advertise using any title or description that implies licensure. Part of the process is to register with the NC Secretary of State and provide proof of that registration.

Application Update for Irrigation Contractor License – This application should be completed when it has been over a year since you originally filled out your application and you remain unlicensed.

Client Verification Form – Part of the exam application process, is to prove three years of irrigation experience. A minimum of three client verifications are required, or may be combined with an employer verification. Each individual may fill out either a client verification or a confidential reference.

Employer Verification Form –  You may only use this form if you were in the employment of a company where you performed irrigation services. This form may be used in place of, or in combination with the client verification, as needed to prove three years of irrigation experience. An owner or partner of a company may not use this form for proof of irrigation experience.

Confidential Reference Form – As part of the exam application process, three confidential references are required. At least one of these references must be completed by one of the following licensed professionals: Irrigation Contractor, General Contractor, Plumber, Landscape Architect, Professional Engineer. No other licensed professional will be accepted. The other two references that are required should be completed by any unrelated individual that will vouch for your character. These individuals cannot be a fellow employee or your employer. Do not use any of the same individuals that submitted a client verification. Each individual may fill out either a client verification or a confidential reference. Confidential references must be sent directly to Board administration and should not be seen by the applicant.

Surety Bond Form – In order to complete the licensing process once you have passed the exam, you are required to obtain a $10,000 surety bond or a $10,000 irrevocable letter of credit from a bank. The surety bond must be completed by a bonding company and the ORIGINAL bond must be returned to the Board’s office along with the Power of Attorney which is provided by the bonding company.

Your $10,000 bond or $10,000 letter of credit must remain continuously in force. If there are changes to your bond, the ORIGINAL bond must be mailed to the NCICLB office within 30 days of the change. The surety bond must be signed by the licensee AND the business owner.

There are two types of bond forms; individual, and business entity:

• Individual Bond Form – For individuals that are sole proprietors or individuals that are contracting irrigation in their own name with no business entity affiliation.

• Business Entity Bond Form – For individuals who are affiliated with a Business Entity (corporation, LLC or partnership). The owner of the business may choose to have the licensed employee(s) obtain their own surety bond. In this case, the name of the business entity is required to be listed on the bond, along with the individual licensee’s names. In most instances, the business entity will obtain the bond and list all of their licensed employees on one bond. In this case, each licensee covered on the bond must be listed by name AND sign the original form. The owner or the person authorized to act on behalf of the business entity must also sign the bond form. Another option for the business owner is to add and omit names on the bond when there are employment changes. The bonding company will simply send the Board a rider when the bonding company is notified a change occurs. If a licensee employed by a business entity chooses to contract irrigation on his own time, in addition to the work they do for the business entity, they are required to purchase the Individual Bond Form to cover them for any personal liability.

Sample individual bond form
Sample business entity bond form