Facing Criminal Charges, Online Ad Citations, or an NSCB Summons in Nevada?
In Nevada, engaging in construction work or home improvements without an active license issued by the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) is a serious crime. The state strictly regulates the construction industry to protect homeowners, meaning operating outside the law carries severe legal, financial, and professional consequences.
If you have received an administrative citation, a Cease-and-Desist order, or a criminal summons under NRS 624.700, your freedom and your future livelihood are on the line.
The Wright Law Group, P.C. offers a rare and powerful advantage. Our founding attorney is AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell in both Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense—the highest possible peer review rating for legal ability and ethical standards. We represent clients throughout Clark County who need to fight criminal charges while protecting their path to a legitimate career in construction.
Do not speak to investigators without counsel. Call The Wright Law Group, P.C. today at 702-405-0001 for a confidential consultation.
1. Contracting Without a License in Nevada
What Constitutes the Offense?
Under Nevada law (NRS 624.700), it is unlawful for any person or business entity to engage in the business or act in the capacity of a contractor without an active license.
You can face charges under NRS 624.700 if you perform any of the following actions without a valid license:
- Bidding on projects: Submitting a formal proposal or bid for any work requiring a contractor’s license.
- Physical construction: Constructing, altering, repairing, adding to, subtracting from, improving, moving, wrecking, or demolishing any building or structure.
- Project oversight: Acting as a construction manager, consultant, or coordinator on an active job site.
The Handyman Myth vs. The $1,000 Exemption Limit
Many tradespeople in Clark County believe they can operate safely without a license as a “handyman.” Under Nevada law, the handyman exemption allows you to perform work only if the total value of the project stays under $1,000 (including labor and materials).
However, this exemption completely vanishes if your project meets any of these criteria:
- Permits required: A single aspect of the project requires a local building permit.
- Specialized trades: The job involves specialized trades like plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, or HVAC.
- Scope changes: A homeowner expands the scope of work or a project runs over budget past $1,000.
- Improper marketing: You post an advertisement online without the exact required legal disclaimers.
Criminal Penalties
Contracting without a license is a progressive offense in Nevada, meaning the penalties increase drastically with subsequent violations:
- First Offense (Misdemeanor): Up to a $1,000 fine and up to 6 months in jail.
- Second Offense (Gross Misdemeanor): Up to a $2,000 fine and up to 364 days in jail.
- Third or Subsequent Offense (Category E Felony): Mandatory probation for first-time felons, but can include 1 to 4 years in a Nevada state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
2. Unlawful Advertising & Digital Sting Operations
What Constitutes the Offense?
You do not even have to touch a tool to break the law. Under NRS 624.720, it is strictly unlawful to advertise your services—whether on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Angi, TaskRabbit, or a physical truck wrap—without a valid license number clearly displayed. If you are performing minor, exempt repairs under $1,000, your advertisements must explicitly state that you are not a licensed contractor.
How Enforcement Works
- Digital tracking teams: The NSCB employs digital tracking teams that actively scan online classifieds to entrap unlicensed operators.
- Field investigators: Investigators aggressively patrol active job sites, spot unmarked work trucks, and conduct surprise audits to verify that all workers hold a legitimate W-2 from a licensed entity.
A first-offense advertising violation is generally charged as a misdemeanor, carrying fines up to $1,000 and potential jail time.
3. NSCB Administrative Citations and Cease-and-Desist Orders
In addition to or instead of immediate criminal prosecution, the Nevada State Contractors Board has the authority to issue administrative citations directly to unlicensed individuals.
The Citation and Cease-and-Desist Order
When the NSCB intercepts an unlicensed contractor or illegal advertisement, they will issue an administrative citation. This citation typically includes financial penalties ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars per violation, along with an Order of Abatement / Cease-and-Desist legally directing you to immediately stop all contracting and advertising activities.
What Happens if You Violate a Cease-and-Desist?
Ignoring or violating an NSCB cease-and-desist order escalates the situation immediately:
- Separate criminal charges: A violation is considered a separate and distinct offense.
- Prosecutorial referral: It dramatically increases the likelihood that the Board will forward your case directly to the local District Attorney (DA) or the Nevada Attorney General (AG) for formal criminal prosecution.
- Stricter judicial penalties: Continued violations demonstrate a willful disregard for state law, which the courts weigh heavily when determining jail time and maximum statutory fines.
4. Understanding Local Clark County Jurisdiction Procedures
Unlicensed contracting charges are handled differently depending on where the alleged work or advertising took place. Navigating the specific court system requires localized experience:
- Las Vegas Municipal Court / Justice Court: Handles cases within the city limits and greater Las Vegas valley. These courts handle a massive volume of code enforcement and NSCB referrals, meaning cases move quickly.
- Henderson Municipal Court / Justice Court: Known for strict compliance enforcement. Henderson prosecutors heavily scrutinize local business licensing and past administrative citations.
- North Las Vegas Municipal Court / Justice Court: Frequently handles enforcement surrounding rapid residential remodeling and unpermitted home additions.
Our firm deeply understands the differing local policies, distinct prosecutor formatting, and judicial expectations across all Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas courts.
5. Navigating Restitution & Valuation Disputes
When an unlicensed contracting case enters the criminal justice system, the issue of restitution quickly becomes the central focus. Under Nevada law, prosecutors will seek full restitution to return funds or compensate homeowners for property issues.
Because unlicensed operators occupy a vulnerable legal position, complaining homeowners frequently attempt to exploit the situation. They may demand massive, inflated payouts for complete property overhauls (like an entire backyard replacement) that far exceed the actual scope of work originally performed.
This is where our extensive construction litigation background becomes your greatest shield. Unlike most general criminal practitioners or prosecutors, we understand the technical realities of construction bids, material costs, and project scopes. We can parse through a replacement estimate with precision, identifying exactly where a homeowner is attempting to secure an unwarranted windfall. By educating the District Attorney’s office on the true valuation metrics and separating legitimate repairs from opportunistic upgrades, we protect you from being financially abused in the restitution process and help guide the state toward a fair, reasonable resolution.
6. The Danger of Connected Lawsuits: Defective Workmanship & Chapter 40
A citation for unlicensed contracting rarely stops with the Contractors Board or a criminal court. Oftentimes, these cases are directly connected to civil lawsuits for defective workmanship or formal Nevada Chapter 40 construction defect claims.
If a homeowner alleges that your work caused property damage, structural flaws, or code violations, they can initiate complex construction defect litigation. This places you in a crossfire between criminal prosecutors wanting jail time, the NSCB issuing fines, and civil attorneys demanding hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages.
Why Wright Law Group is the Ultimate Fit for Contractors
Most law firms only handle one piece of the puzzle. A criminal defense lawyer cannot help you with a construction defect lawsuit. A civil litigator cannot keep you out of jail.
At Wright Law Group, P.C., we offer a comprehensive, full-service solution. We are a lifetime partner for contractors, handling every legal challenge your business will ever face:
- Criminal Defense: Fighting your unlicensed contracting or advertising charges in court.
- Licensing & Board Discipline: Navigating NSCB applications, citations, administrative hearings, and disciplinary actions.
- Chapter 40 & Construction Defect Litigation: Defending you against civil lawsuits and claims of defective workmanship.
Whether you are trying to get legal for the first time or protecting an established construction firm, we handle the entire spectrum of criminal, administrative, and civil construction law under one roof.
7. Protecting Your Future License: Compliance as a Defense
An unlicensed contracting conviction creates an immediate roadblock to ever getting a legitimate license. The NSCB requires all applicants to disclose background history and fingerprint records; a recent conviction is a frequent cause for immediate application denial and delayed eligibility for years.
If you believe you have no defense, do not despair. Our approach goes beyond just fighting charges in court—we work to solve the root of the problem. What we strive to do is coordinate directly with the District Attorney, the Attorney General, and the NSCB to bring you into full compliance as a means of resolving the criminal case.
The New B-7 Restricted License Pathway
The NSCB introduced the B-7 Restricted License (Residential Remodeling) specifically to bridge this gap. This classification allows experienced individuals to legally bid on residential remodeling projects up to $7,000 with a streamlined, two-year experience requirement and no traditional trade exam.
We do not just defend your criminal case—we actively help you transition into compliance. We handle the application process for the new B-7 license, using your proactive steps toward legal licensure as powerful leverage to show the court that you are a legitimate business owner striving to follow the law.
8. Criminal Record Sealing for NSCB Applicants
If you have a past criminal record, the NSCB may deny your application during the background check phase. We help clients clear this hurdle before it happens. Presenting a clean or sealed record dramatically improves your credibility during the licensing interview process.
Our firm has a deep, proven history in record sealing. We represented the appellant in the landmark Nevada Supreme Court case Finley v. City of Henderson, 457 P.3d 263, which shaped record-sealing law in the state. We use this exact experience to seal your past record, cleaning up your background so you can successfully apply for and receive your Nevada contractor’s license.
To learn more about how the process works, visit our comprehensive guide on Nevada Record Sealing at Wright Law Group.
Protect Your Future. Contact The Wright Law Group, P.C.
An unlicensed contracting conviction, an unlawful advertising record, or a Chapter 40 construction defect claim can ruin your chances of ever running a legal construction business in Nevada. Let an elite, AV-rated firm navigate both the criminal courts and the administrative rules for you.
Our dual expertise in criminal defense and business-related commercial litigation means we know exactly how an administrative charge impacts your commercial livelihood, and we know how to fight to protect both.
Contact The Wright Law Group, P.C. today to schedule your consultation at 702-405-0001, or fill out our online consultation form below.