North Carolina Engineering Industry Licensing

• 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 web site (www.ncbels.org) for more information. 

License Application

Mail or email to firms@ncbels.org

$100

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

• This application may only be used for Non-Exempt Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, Business Corporations or Limited Liability Companies that meet the exception in NCGS 55B-15(a)(1).
• If the Corporation or Limited Liability Company was formed after June 5, 1969, it does not qualify for this exception and the firm should not use this application. Refer to the Business Firm Chart on the Board web site (www.ncbels.org) for more information.
• Only Corporations and Limited Liability Company’s formed prior to June 5, 1969, may qualify as Business Corporations or Limited Liability Company’s. All others must qualify as Professional Corporations or Professional Limited Liability Company’s 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.

• All entities
  • A copy of Form B-09 
  • 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
  • Each location of the firm that is or may be offering services should be listed
• Foreign PLLC's:
  • Certificate of good standing from domestic jurisdiction (less than 6 months old)
  • Certified copy of Articles of Organization and any amendments to present (original, not a photocopy)
  • A copy of the firm's Operating Agreement and any amendments to present. 
• Domestic Entities:
  • A copy of the firms original North Carolina Articles and any amendments to present. 
  • If the firm has already submitted and obtained a NC Certificate of Authority, a copy must be provided with the application. 
• Foreign Entities
  • a copy of the corporations' original Articles of Incorporation and any Amendments to present from its State of formation, a copy of a Certificate of Existence less than (6) months old and a copy of the proposed North Carolina Certificate of Authority (Form B-09)
  • *If the firm has already submitted and obtained a NC Certificate of Authority, a copy must be provided with the application. 
• Partnerhsips 
  • 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.
  • If filing as a Domestic Partnership, along with the application, submit a copy of the recorded Secretary of State Registration. If the firm is not currently registered with the NC Secretary of State, submit a copy of the proposed Registration.
  • If filing as a Foreign Partnership (Non-North Carolina Entity), submit a copy of the original Registration from the firm’s home state of registration and any amendments to present. Also submit a copy of a Certificate of Existence less than (6) months old.

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.

Application for Corporate License

$55

Renewal Form

$25

Annually by June 30.