InBusiness Las Vegas
Q&A December 15, 2006
Pezzillo Robinson PC
Brain J. Pezzillo, Esq.

Q: Does the lack of a contractor's license have any effect on a contractor's ability to be paid for work it provided?

A: Yes. The general rule in Nevada is that companies or people who are acting as contractors must be properly licensed through the Nevada State Contractor's Board. This involves passing a licensing exam and demonstrating financial responsibility. If a contractor fails to acquire an appropriate license then that contractor is not entitled to receive payment for work performed. One exception which has been recognized by the Nevada Supreme Court to this general rule is in the event that you have actual knowledge that the party with whom you have contracted does not possess a valid contractor's license

A contractor's licensing status also involves not only the possession of a contractor's license but also a license of the proper type and monetary limit. There are a variety of different types of contractor's licenses which allow for different types of construction. A contractor will be deemed to be unlicensed if it performs work outside of the authority of its license

Likewise, most contractor's licenses in the State of Nevada have a monetary limit placed upon them. The contractor may not bid on projects nor enter into contracts for work which exceeds this monetary limit. In the event that a contractor exceeds its monetary license limit, that contractor will be deemed to be unlicensed.

Information regarding the licensing status of all contractors is available to the public on the Contractors Board's website at: www.nvcontractorsboard.com.

Articles Main