North State Law helps general contractors in North Carolina who have received a complaint or are facing license suspension or revocation by the North Carolina Licensing Board of General Contractors. Our North Carolina general contractor license defense lawyers can help protect your rights and defend your career as you navigate legal proceedings.
If you’re facing disciplinary action from the North Carolina Licensing Board of General Contractors (NCLBGC), you have the right to hire an experienced lawyer to guide you through the process.
Attorney Nick Dowgul is an experienced professional license defense attorney who understands that having your license in good standing is vital to the operation of your day-to-day business and your career. He and his team also understand that having your license is critical for the future of your business and your ability to provide for your loved ones.
Dowgul has experience appearing before many Professional Licensing Boards in North Carolina and has represented countless North Carolina residents facing license violations. If you’re facing disciplinary action, he can put that experience to work for you. Don’t wait to see how the team of attorneys at North State Law can help you navigate complex general contractor license issues.
According to North Carolina General Statute Chapter 87, Article 1, the State Licensing Board for General Contractors is established with nine members. These members are appointed by the Governor and serve staggered five-year terms.
The board consists of five general contractors, one registered engineer specializing in structural engineering, and three public members. Among the general contractor members, one focuses primarily on highway construction, another on public utilities construction, and one on building construction.
The remaining two members primarily specialize in residential construction, with one of them holding an unlimited general contractor’s license. The public members have no affiliations with the construction industry and represent the interests of the general public.
Board members serve until their respective terms expire or until their successors are appointed and qualified. If a vacancy occurs during a term, the Governor appoints a replacement for the remainder of the unexpired term.
The Governor has the authority to remove any board member for misconduct, incompetence, or neglect of duty. Furthermore, no board member can serve more than two complete consecutive terms. Professionals in other regulated fields may also need legal support with Medical License, Medical Board, Nurse Practitioner License, Nurse License, or Dental License matters.
There are many reasons a North Carolina General Contractor may face licensing issues under general contractor license laws. While the following is not an exhaustive list of reasons, it lists common reasons a North Carolina General Contractor may face disciplinary action.
Our team can work with you to determine whether the violation or issue you’re facing is valid and how to move forward with legal proceedings. The firm’s license defense services also address Pharmacist License, Physical Therapy License, Occupational Therapist License, Nursing Home Admin License, Chiropractic License, and Veterinarian License matters.
Every license complaint is different, but all of them follow the same general legal process. Here’s what you can expect as your legal proceeding moves forward:
If you receive a Letter of Inquiry, you should contact our law firm right away. We can help you avoid common mistakes, gather evidence to support your case, and negotiate a settlement during informal interviews or represent you during your hearing. Similar concerns can arise with a CPA License, Real Estate Commission License Defense, Insurance License, Engineer License matters, Engineers & Land Surveyors License Defense or Legal License.
If you are unable to reach a reasonable agreement during negotiations, you may be required to attend a formal hearing. These hearings are conducted before the board or referred to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). They are presided over by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
These hearings are similar to trials, but the burden of proof is less substantial. The board must prove the alleged facts by a preponderance of the evidence. There is no need to prove them beyond a reasonable doubt. You are then responsible for proving an affirmative defense. The hearing should proceed as follows:
Having a lawyer available to represent you during the hearing can make a large difference when it comes to proving your case to the board or ALJ. We can help you collect and present evidence and witness testimony to support your case, improving your odds of a successful outcome when you contest the board’s findings.
If you disagree with the final decision issued by the NCLBCG during the hearing, you have the right to appeal to the Superior Court in your county. You have 30 days to seek a judicial review of the final decision. However, any disciplinary actions, including license suspensions and revocations, remain in place during the appeal process unless your attorney files a successful formal stay of enforcement.
Twenty percent more people applied for general contractor licenses in 2025 compared to 2024. The NCLBGC must keep track of all of these contractors, and it tends to err on the side of caution when it comes to issuing license violations. As a result, you could easily find yourself facing a violation, even if you don’t think you’ve done anything wrong.
When you hire a general contractor license lawyer to help you with your issues, you gain access to an experienced professional who has successfully handled situations similar to yours. Navigating the administrative process with licensing issues is not a simple process. Those who face professional licensing boards alone run the risk of undermining their defense by making simple errors along the way.
Ultimately, hiring an attorney to help you with general contracting licensing issues gives you the knowledge, resources, and experience you need to protect your future.
You should hire an attorney for a general contractor license issue in North Carolina as soon as you’re able to.
If you do not have any experience with professional license defense, you may be unsure how to effectively protect your license and have questions, such as:
These are all common questions of an individual facing disciplinary action from a professional board. While receiving that notification can leave you feeling angry, confused, and worried, it’s important to understand that no final decisions have been made yet. A skilled professional license defense lawyer from our firm can work with you to protect your career and combat the allegations against you.
If you’re unsure if you want to hire a lawyer immediately, you should still consult with one about your situation to better understand your rights and your legal options. Other licensing matters may include Landscape Contractor License, HVAC License Application Assistance, professional license defense and Massage Therapy License Defense.
While you can decide later if you want to hire them, calling and speaking with an experienced lawyer allows you to understand what the allegations may snowball into if not appropriately handled. Educated lawyers can provide you with comprehensive support and advice about your specific case.
The most effective way to defend yourself in a licensing board matter is with the help of a qualified attorney. Mounting an effective defense requires providing a clear response that addresses each allegation based on the facts and includes relevant documentation.
The defense you mount could depend on the type of violation you are facing. For low-level matters and administrative violations, you may just need to show that you were compliant with the board’s requests. For more complex situations, you may need to spend more time strategizing with your attorney regarding how to move forward. Preparing for the hearing is one of the most important steps you can take to defend your license.
You should never respond emotionally or defensively to the board’s accusations. This can often work against you and your case. Instead, remain calm and craft a clear, factual response.
You should have sufficient evidence and witness testimony to back up any claims that you make. Missing documents or unanswered questions may create a poor impression and reduce your chances of a successful outcome in your case. You can call our office to schedule a consultation about Child Care License, GC License Application Assistance, GC Intermediate/Unlimited License Assistance, or GC Business Formation Service.
If you have received a complaint or are facing an investigation or disciplinary action from the North Carolina Licensing Board of General Contractors, contact Nick Dowgul of North State Law to discuss your general contractor license case today.
Our law firm, North State Law focuses specifically on defending professional licenses, and we have assisted countless residents through the process of protecting their general contractor license across the state. While we are based in Raleigh, we are proud to assist clients throughout North Carolina. Visit our office in Raleigh or call us today to learn more about our trusted legal services.
North Carolina Licensing Board of General Contractors
Website
Physical + Mailing Address:
5400 Creedmoor Road
Raleigh, NC 27612
Phone Number(919) 521-8810
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