Nebraska contractor license renewal rules

Classes issued before Sept 9, 1993 that can still be renewed (Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-2118); $187.50 per year, $375 for the 2027-2028 cycle. The 2026 renewal form lists Class A Master and Class B Electrical Contractor; Class B Master appears only on the fee page. These classes cannot be newly issued.

Fee $375.00 for the 2027-2028 license per the 2026 renewal form ($187.50 per year of the 2-year period on the 2025-2026 fee page). Fees are set by unanimous Board vote and may change for later cycles. Individual journeyman, residential wireman, fire alarm and special licenses renew at $75 per cycle. Local jurisdictions (e.g. Omaha) also register electrical contractors and may require a bond. NDOL contractor registration is separate (see general_contractor). Working without a license is a Class IV felony.

No state general contractor license. Local licensing exists: e.g. Omaha Building Contractor licenses with 9 CE hours, insurance of $1,000,000 (Class A and B), $500,000 (Class C) or $300,000 (Class D and E), and a $10,000 bond; Lincoln has its own contractor licensing. Fee: the annual registration fee increased to $40.00 effective August 1, 2026 (statutory cap in 48-2107(1) is $40). Exempt from the fee: self-employed contractors paying no more than $3,000 a year to employ others (48-2107(2)). A separate registration number is needed for each business name.

No state HVAC mechanical contractor license; licensing is local and carries no state fee. Omaha: ACAD (air conditioning) Master and Journeyman licenses are valid up to 2 years and expire December 31 of odd years; Master renewal $160 + $12.80 tech fee with 8 CE hours; late renewal penalty $25 + $2 tech fee at 31 to 60 days past expiration and higher after that. Omaha requires a $10,000 bond for all contractor license types. Lincoln and other cities run their own mechanical licensing. Check with each city.

Nebraska has no statewide HVAC mechanical contractor license. The only state-level HVAC-related credential is this Special Electrician license from the State Electrical Board, limited to electrical installation for heating, A/C and refrigeration equipment; $37.50 per year, $75.00 for the 2027-2028 cycle (renewal form line 'Heating/AC/Refrigeration, Water Well, Sign Installer'). Mechanical HVAC licensing is municipal (see the local HVAC entry). No bond or insurance rule for the special license is stated in the Act or Board rules.

Required for anyone applying structural or lawn-care pesticides (even general-use) for hire (Neb. Rev. Stat. 2-2638). Fee $90 per 3-year license (director may raise by rule up to $150). Initial licensing requires General Standards (core) exam (60 questions, 70% to pass) plus at least one category exam. Non-commercial licences are free. Online payment page (nda.nebraska.gov/online/applicator) may be used only after completing recertification training/exams and receiving NDA's billing postcard with the applicator number; out-of-state reciprocal licensees must first submit an application form to NDA.

No state plumbing license. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 18-1907 and 18-1917, licenses are issued by cities and villages that have plumbing boards (metropolitan-class cities must have one), and sanitary plumbing must be done by a master plumber licensed by the city or village nearest the site, using journeyman-licensed employees. Omaha: Master Plumber renewal $75 + $6 tech fee with 8 CE hours; Journeyman renewal $1 + $19.50 badge + $1.64 tech fee with 8 CE hours; licenses expire December 31 of odd years; $10,000 bond for all contractor license types. There is no state plumbing board.

No state roofing license; roofers register as contractors with NDOL. Cities (e.g. Omaha, Lincoln) may add local licensing. Fee: the annual registration fee increased to $40.00 effective August 1, 2026 (statutory cap in 48-2107(1) is $40). Exempt from the fee: self-employed contractors paying no more than $3,000 a year to employ others (48-2107(2)). A separate registration number is needed for each business name.