Businesses

The North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors administers the provisions of the Engineering and Land Surveying Act, Chapter 89C, and certain provisions of the Professional Corporation Act, Chapter 55B, of the North Carolina General Statutes.  Firm licensure is required in addition to the individual professional’s license

The Professional Corporation Act of North Carolina (N.C.G.S. 55B & 57D), requires all Corporations or Limited Liability Companies [Domestic or Foreign (out-of-state)] Incorporated/Organized after June 5, 1969, to qualify in North Carolina as Professional Corporations or Professional Limited Liability Companies. Qualifying as a Foreign Professional Corporation or Foreign Professional Limited Liability Company does not change the way the firm is incorporated/organized in their state.  To qualify, the corporation or limited liability company must meet the requirements of N.C.G.S. 55B, which requires the firm to be at least 2/3 owned by the Licensees (in the profession(s) authorized/or will be authorized in North Carolina). There must be at least one North Carolina Licensee for each profession that will be authorized who is an Officer, Director (Board of Directors) and Shareholder (corporations) or a Member and Manager (Limited Liability Company). Up to 1/3 of the firm may be owned by non-licensed employees (must be employees). No other company may be an owner of the firm. All owners of the firm must be individual persons.

Firm licensure is a 3-step process.  All entities must apply to the Board before filing anything with the NC Secretary of State.  Subsequent to an application being processed by the Board staff, a certificate will be issued and sent to the firm, which is to be used in conjunction with filing the appropriate paperwork with the NC Secretary of State.  Once the Secretary of State paperwork is filed and returned to the firm, a copy of that recorded paperwork must be forwarded to the Board at which time a Firm License will be issued to the firm allowing them to practice in the state.  The documents issued by the NC Secretary of State do not authorize the firm to practice or offer to practice any professional services.

ESOPS are permitted if ALL Trustees are licensees and at least one of the Trustees is licensed in North Carolina.  If this requirement cannot be met, please contact the Director of Business Licensure at firms@ncbels.org.

To determine which application the firm must use to apply for licensure, review the following Business Firm Chart and Application Information.  Click the appropriate link and follow the directions for completing the application.

Businesses currently licensed with the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors that need to update their firm record may print and complete the appropriate change form (see Related Forms) and mail or email with the required fee (if applicable).

Note: No Firm may change its name or the services being offered without first requesting approval from the NC Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.  For information on how to request these changes, please e-mail or call the Director of Business Licensure & Compliance.

Completed applications are typically processed every Thursday and the certificate for filing with the North Carolina Secretary of State is sent to the e-mail address on the application with detailed directions.

If you have additional questions, please contact Director of Business Licensure & Compliance Mark Mazanek by e-mail firms@ncbels.org.