North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors

Online

$0

A licensee that wishes to operate as a sole proprietor using a name other than their signature name as reflected in the Board records must apply for Firm Licensure as a Non-Exempt Sole Proprietorship. A sole member LLC or corporation is not a proprietorship. Refer to the Business Firm Chart on the Board website (www.ncbels.org) for more information. 

Professional Corporation Licensure

Professional Limited Liability Licensure

Partnership Licensure

Non-Exempt Sole Proprietorship Licensure

Business Firm Licensure (Corporations and LLC's incorporated or organized before June 5, 1969 ONLY)

Chapter 87 Corporation Licensure

Mail or email to firms@ncbels.org

$100

5-7 business days. Applicants will be notified by mail/email.

Only Corporations and Limited Liability Companies formed prior to June 5, 1969, may qualify as Business Corporations or Limited Liability Companies. All others must qualify as Professional Corporations or Professional Limited Liability Companies and use the Professional Corporation Application or Professional Limited Liability Company Application per North Carolina General Statue 55B (Professional Corporation Act).

Domestic Applicants:

• Ensure that your business entity will meet ownership requirements.

Foreign Applicants:

• Ensure that your North Carolina entity will meet ownership requirements.
• Obtain a certificate of good standing from your business entity's home state (to be filed during the foreign qualification process). The certificate cannot be more than 6 months old when filing foreign qualification documents.

Domestic Applicants:

1. Email an Application for Licensure and entity formation documents to the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors at firms@ncbels.org.
2. Once approved by the board, file the approved entity formation documents with the North Carolina Secretary of State - Business Registration Division.
3. After Secretary of State approved, email proof of entity formation with the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors at firms@ncbels.org.

Foreign Applicants:

1. Email an Application for Licensure and foreign qualification documents to the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors at firms@ncbels.org.
2. Once approved by the board, file the approved foreign qualification documents with the North Carolina Secretary of State - Business Registration Division.
3. After Secretary of State approved, email proof of foreign qualification with the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors at firms@ncbels.org.

• Corporations and LLCs formed prior to June 5, 1969:
  
  • The original firm Articles dating prior to June 5, 1969, must indicate that the firm was practicing engineering/land surveying at time of Incorporation/Organization. If they do not then evidence that the firm was performing engineering/land surveying prior to June 5, 1969, must be submitted
  • Copy of existing or proposed COA from the NC Secretary of State (foreign entities only)
  • Each location of the firm that is or may be offering services should be listed
• Professional Corporations:
  • Copy of proposed Articles of Incorporation and any amendments (domestic entities only)
  • If the firm has already registered with the NC Secretary of State, provide a copy of the valid registration (domestic entities only)
  • Copy of original Articles of Incorporation and any amendments from domicile state (foreign entities only)
  • Certificate of Existence less than 6 months old (foreign entities only)
  • Copy of proposed COA from the NC Secretary of State (foreign entities only)
• Professional Limited Liability Companies:
  • Copy of proposed Articles of Organization and any amendments (domestic entities only)
  • If the firm has already registered with the NC Secretary of State, provide a copy of the valid registration (domestic entities only)
  • Certificate of Existence less than 6 months old (foreign entities only)
  • Certified Copy of original Articles of Organization and any amendments from domicile state (foreign entities only)
  • A copy of the firm's Operating Agreement and any amendments to present. 
• Partnerships: 
  • List all Partner(s) and corresponding ownership. All Partners must be individuals. A firm may only be a Partner if that entity is also licensed with the NC Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.
  • Copy of the recorded Secretary of State Registration (Limited and Limited Liability Partnerships only)
  • If the firm is not currently registered with the NC Secretary of State, submit a copy of the proposed Registration
  • Copy of the original Registration from the firm’s domicile state and any amendments to present (foreign entities only)
  • Copy of a Certificate of Existence less than 6 months old (foreign entities only)
• Non-Exempt Sole Proprietorships: 
  • Assumed Name Certificate with Register of Deeds
• Chapter 87 Corporations: 
  
  • Copy of Articles of Incorporation and North Carolina Contractor License Number (domestic entities only)
  • Copy of Articles of Incorporation from domicile state (foreign entities only)
  • Copy of Certificate of Authority and North Carolina Contractor License Number (foreign entities only)

Online

$75

Annually by June 30.

• If the business firm does not apply for renewal of the Firm License within thirty (30) days after the date of the expiration of such license. In that case, the Firm License shall be automatically suspended. The Firm License may be reinstated within one year upon receipt of the renewal application and payment of the required renewal fee plus the reinstatement fee. 
• Failure of a business firm to renew the license for a period of one (1) year shall require the business firm to submit a new application and meet all other requirements in effect for licensure

• List of license holders who have stock ownership
• List of non-licensed employees who have stock ownership
• List of branch office locations including licensee in responsible charge
• Disclosure of disciplinary actions taken against North Carolina licensees (if applicable)

Business Firm Change Form or Professional Corporate Change Form or Professional Limited Liability Company Change Form

$15 for name changes and professional service changes. No fee is charged for all other changes.

The Board of Examiners must be notified within 30 days of any change in personnel status, locations, etc. contained in the license.

Online

$175

File for renewal online and email the board at firms@ncbels.org to inform them that the late renewal was filed online.

Online

$100

Online

$100

Online

$75

Annually by December 31.