General Contractors License NE | Nebraska Contractors License Guide

Nebraska General Contractor License Requirements

In comparison to other states, Nebraska’s general contractor license requirements are fairly unique. All registration is done through the Nebraska Department of Labor’s online Contractor Registration portal.

Who Needs a Contractors License?

According to the Nebraska Department of Labor’s website, a contractor is “any person who engages in the business of construction and includes subcontractors, general contractors and any other person arranging for the performance of work on real property.”

Additionally, “construction” means “work on real property and annexations, including new work, additions, alterations, reconstruction, installations and repairs on real property that may be performed at one or more different sites but does not include the construction of water wells or installation of septic systems.”

Exemptions to these rules include any persons who perform work or who has performed work on their own property, or persons who earn less than $5,000 a year. Electricians are required to obtain a separate license, while plumbers in Nebraska are regulated at the local or municipal level, rather than by the state.

What Do You Need To Become a General Contractor in Nebraska?

What Nebraska requires of contractors is relatively little, compared to other states. There is no required exam, but you are required to register with Nebraska’s Department of Labor (DOL) via their website, providing specific business and identity information.

Licensing and Registration Fee Summary

Nebraska requires an annual fee of $40.00 that can be paid either via online payment portal or by check sent through mail. Individual permit fees may apply and will vary, as will the cost of separate liability insurance premiums.

Nebraska Contractors Exam

Nebraska currently doesn’t require applicants take or pass an exam to become general contractors.

Nebraska Contractors License Application

All registration is done through the Nebraska Department of Labor’s online Contractor Registration portal. Here’s a brief outline of what you’ll need to provide to become a contractor in Nebraska, according to the Nebraska DOL’s Contractor Registration User Manual:

1. Identity Information:
  - First and last name
  - Date of birth
2. Business Information:
  - Business entity type (LLC, sole proprietorship, etc.)
  - Federal Tax ID Number
  - Social Security Number (if applicable)
  - Business name DBA
  - Official business name (if applicable)
  - Business mailing address
  - Business phone number, cell phone number
3. Services and Employee Information:
  - Description of contracting services and principal products provided, or NAICS code
  - Number of employees the business has
4. Officers, Members, and Subcontractor Information:
  - Job title
  - First and last name
  - Subcontractors you are using
5. Insurance Information:
  - Nebraska Unemployment Insurance Number
  - Proof of Workers’ Compensation Insurance
    - Name of Workers’ Compensation Insurance Agent
    - Phone number of Workers’ Compensation Insurance Agent
  - Contractors liability insurance coverage

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Tax Option:
- Option 1 Contractor — Collects and remits sales tax — tax-free inventory:
  - Select this option if you plan to purchase building materials and fixtures tax-exempt and collect sales tax on the retail selling price of them. With this option, you must not charge tax on your separately stated contractor labor charges, and you must obtain a sales tax license from the Nebraska Department of Revenue and remit the sales tax collected. You must also pay sales tax or remit use tax on all purchases and rentals of tools, equipment, barricades, and supplies used in the completion of your projects (even exempt entities).
- Option 2 Contractor — Tax Paid Inventory
  - Select this option if you plan on paying Nebraska sales tax on your purchase of building materials and fixtures that will be annexed to real property or used for repairs or improvements to real property. You’ll have to pay use tax on all purchases, including building materials, when Nebraska sales tax has not been collected by the seller. You must also pay sales tax or remit use tax on all purchases and rentals of tools, equipment, barricades, and supplies used in the completion of your projects (even exempt entities).
- Option 3 Contractor — Remits Use Tax — Tax-Free Inventory
  - Select this option if you plan to purchase your inventory items tax-exempt and will remit use tax to the Nebraska Department of Revenue when the materials and fixtures are withdrawn from inventory to be annexed to real property or used for repairs or improvements to real property. You must obtain a use tax license from the Nebraska Department of Revenue and remit use tax at the rate in effect at the time and place those materials are withdrawn from inventory, as you will not collect sales tax from your customers. You must also pay sales tax or remit use tax on all purchases and rentals of tools, equipment, barricades, and supplies used in completion of your projects (even exempt entities).
E-Signature Affirming Authenticity of Information

After clicking “Submit Registration” you will be prompted either to add another business, or continue to the payment option page. This online portal will be the same place that you file project permit information.

8. Surety Bonds:

Unlike most states, Nebraska has very few surety bond requirements. With that being said, some businesses may require them upon license application to ensure overall project quality and to hold each party accountable. The cost of the surety bond will vary based on a variety of factors like the bond’s total amount, applicant’s finances, and the contractor’s cost. Check with your local bond company to find the best bond rate for you.

Nebraska Contractor Registration and Permitting Requirements

Nebraska contractors that are covered by the state are still required to get construction permits at the city and county level, which can be applied for via the same online portal. Information that you must provide includes:

Nebraska county where the project is located
Anticipated project start and end date
Address
Total awarded contract amount in dollars
Whether or not you’re using subcontractors

Once you file the permit it will be displayed in your business dashboard.

Nebraska Business Licenses and Registration

All new businesses in Nebraska must register their business name with the Department of Revenue, as well as adhere to other compliance regulations. New business registration information can be found here.

Nebraska Business Registration

For those who wish to register a new business in Nebraska, the application can be found here.

Nebraska Tax Identification Numbers and Registration

The online application to register a new businesses in Nebraska will include creation of a Nebraska Tax ID Number. You will likely need a Federal EIN as well, obtained via the IRS.

Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Insurance Requirements and Forms

According to the Nebraska DOL labor standards:

“All contractors with one or more employees must provide a current Workers’ Compensation Certificate of Insurance (ACORD 25) with the Department of Labor listed as the certificate holder. Each contractor is responsible for making sure an updated Certificate of Insurance is on file with the Department of Labor. Any contractor whose records indicate their coverage has expired will be removed from the list of registered contractors until an updated certificate is received from the contractor’s insurance agency.”

This certificate can either by sent by mail, email, or faxed to:

Nebraska Department of Labor, Labor Standards
550 S. 16th Street
Lincoln, NE 68509
Fax: 402-471-5039
ndol.contractorregistration@nebraska.gov

Nebraska Contractor License Lookup and Verification

The Nebraska DOL Search Contractors Page can help you look up contractors by DBA Name, Corporation Name, Registration Number, City, State, or Zip Code, and other parameters.

See General Contractor Licensing Information in Nearby States

For More License and Career Guides

To find out how to become a General Contractor in another state, start here.

For information on other trades in Nebraska, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements: