The three main classifications
Nevada law (NRS 624.215) sets up three main branches of contracting. Classification A, General Engineering, covers fixed works such as roads, utilities, grading and other heavy civil work. Classification B, General Building, covers buildings and structures. Classification C, Specialty, covers individual trades such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fire protection, concrete, framing, painting and fencing, each with its own C number.
B subclassifications that matter for commercial work
The Board's regulations (NAC 624.170) divide the B license into subclassifications. The ones you'll see most on commercial projects are:
- B (General Building): buildings of any height.
- B-2 (Residential and Small Commercial): construction and remodeling of structures that do not extend more than three stories above the ground and one story below the ground. The NSCB has reminded licensees that B-2 contractors may not do tenant improvements in commercial buildings taller than that.
- B-6 (Commercial Remodeling): interior remodeling in structures of any height, but without installing, removing or changing structural members, mechanical systems, fire protection or other life-safety systems.
- B-7 (Residential Remodeling): remodeling existing single-family residences without adding enclosed space.
Rules that apply to every B license
According to the NSCB, a general building project must involve three or more unrelated trades where building or remodeling a structure is the main purpose. A B licensee cannot bid a single-trade job that belongs to a specialty contractor. B license holders also can't self-perform electrical, HVAC, fire protection or plumbing work unless they hold the matching specialty license. On a normal commercial project, the general contractor hires licensed specialty subcontractors for those trades.
Monetary limits
Every Nevada license has a monetary limit: the maximum contract value the contractor may take on for one client at one site, in one or more contracts. The Board sets the limit based on the contractor's financial statements, and contractors can apply for a one-time single-project increase or a permanent increase. If your contract is larger than the contractor's limit, the contractor is not authorized to take it, however good they are.
How to verify a license in two minutes
Use the NSCB license search. Search by business name, license number or the qualified individual's name. Check that the license is active, that the classification fits your project, that the monetary limit covers your contract, and that the address and phone match the company you're dealing with. The NSCB recommends calling the phone number on the license record if anything doesn't match.
What this means for Modern Ridge Builders
Modern Ridge Builders LLC holds NSCB license #0095536 in classification B-2, Residential and Small Commercial. That covers the commercial work we focus on: tenant improvements, medical and dental office build-outs, ambulatory surgery centers, offices, retail, restaurants and industrial buildings up to three stories above ground and one below. Licensed specialty subcontractors perform the electrical, mechanical, plumbing and fire-protection work. You can verify our license on the NSCB website.
Sources
- NRS 624.215 (classifications)
- NAC 624.170 (B subclassifications)
- NSCB: Scope of work for B-2 contractors
- NSCB: General Building and Specialty Contractor Classifications
- NSCB license search
Last reviewed 2026-10-24. Rules, fees and review times change, so confirm current requirements with the agency before you rely on them. This article is general information, not legal advice.