What's in a Name?
Three things for general contractors to know if you are considering a business name change.
Written By: Natalia Talbot (researched by Lesley Creamer)

You may want to change the “look and feel” of your company’s branding (i.e., “rebranding”) for the purpose of influencing how your company is perceived by current or potential consumers, the business community, or stakeholders. This marketing initiative might include changing the “look and feel” of your company’s name and/or logo on your website, social medial, letterhead, contracts, company vehicles, commercial office space, and so on. You might think that, as long as the name on your corporate filings, legal documents, or bank accounts doesn’t change, all these other changes are simply “marketing initiatives.” But, for general contractors licensed under North Carolina law (G.S. § 87-1 et seq.), rebranding is more than a marketing initiative.

Here are three things to know if you are a general contractor looking to rebrand or considering a business name change:

(1) A licensed entity must bid, contract, and operate under its licensed name.

A general contractor subject to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 87-1 must bid, contract, and operate under its licensed name. In other words, if your company is licensed as “John Doe General Contractor,” you must use that name on all your legal documents, bid proposals, contracts, and company materials. But let’s say you want to abbreviate or shorten that name (i.e., “J.D. General Contractor” or “J.D.G.C.”), then you must comply with the requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-71.4, which governs the filing of Certificates of Assumed Name. Remember, your new “assumed” name can’t be identical (or confusingly similar) to the name of any other licensee or legal entity registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State. This ensures that the public is not misled or confused by any use of assumed name. (So, if there’s already an entity using the name “J.D. General Contractor,” you can’t use that for your d/b/a).

(2) The licensed entity must report a new assumed name (“d/b/a”) to the Secretary of State and Licensing Board.

To change the name of a licensed general contractor in North Carolina, you must notify the State Licensing Board for General Contractors within 30 days of the name change. This requirement applies to all licensees conducting business in the state. For corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships, you must also submit any necessary documents filed with the North Carolina Secretary of State, such as Articles of Incorporation or Certificates of Authority, to the Licensing Board.

(3) Licenses cannot be transferred between entities.

Let’s say you decide to open a new entity rather than change the name of your current entity. Can you transfer your license between your general contracting entities? No, licenses are granted to specific legal entities and cannot be transferred to other entities. To get a license under a new entity you will need to apply for a new license in the name of the new entity and transfer your examinations. However, you can transfer your qualifying exam to apply for the new license.

Here’s the takeaway: If you want to rebrand, use an assumed name for your general contracting entity, or just start fresh with new entity, remember these three things:

(1) Always bid, contract, and operate your general contractor’s business under its licensed name with the Licensing Board.
(2) Be sure to notify the State Licensing Board of any business name changes within 30 days and comply with the requirements of 66-71.4 if you decide to use an assumed name.
(3) Obtain a new license for a new entity.

For more information on name changes and obtaining a new licensure, visit https://www.nclbgc.org/faq-contractors/ or https://nclbgc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-Laws-And-Regulations-Book.pdf

If you are a general contractor looking to rebrand or considering a business name change, schedule a consultation with Capua Law.

This article was originally published on the NCBA Construction Law Section blog on April 29, 2025 and has been republished here with the consent of the North Carolina Bar Association.