Register as a contractor with the National Construction Authority (NCA)
National Construction Authority · sources read 1 Oct 2026
You can't run a contracting business without NCA registration and a valid practising licence. Apply on the NCA portal with your company registration, directors' and staff certificates, KRA tax compliance certificate and business licence, then pay KSh 5,000 to apply plus a registration fee from KSh 5,000 (NCA 8) to KSh 100,000 (NCA 1).
- Fee
- KSh 5,000Application fee (new application, Kenyan contractor)KSh 100,000Registration fee, NCA 1KSh 75,000Registration fee, NCA 2KSh 50,000Registration fee, NCA 3KSh 25,000Registration fee, NCA 4KSh 20,000Registration fee, NCA 5KSh 15,000Registration fee, NCA 6KSh 10,000Registration fee, NCA 7KSh 5,000Registration fee, NCA 8
- Where
- Online on the NCA portal (from nca.go.ke). NCA head office: 9th Floor, KCB Towers, Nairobi.
What you need
- Company registration certificate with directors' ID copies, or certificate of incorporation and CR12
- Academic certificates and testimonials for the technically qualified directors
- Academic certificates and testimonials for the technically qualified staff
- A valid KRA Tax Compliance Certificate
- A certified copy of your current business licence
- For electrical works: a licence from EPRA
Steps
- Choose your class of works (building, civil such as roads and water, or electrical and mechanical) and the category, NCA 8 (smallest) to NCA 1 (largest).
- Gather your documents. The first five on the list (company papers, directors' and staff certificates, KRA TCC and business licence) are mandatory for everyone.
- On the NCA website, open 'Register to Be A Contractor (Local)' and click 'Register as a Local Contractor' to apply on the NCA portal.
- Once registered, renew your practising licence every year, usually in July.
Watch out
- Your category caps the size of jobs you can take. For building works, NCA 8 goes up to KSh 10 million and only NCA 1 is unlimited.
- To renew, you must have attended at least one NCA continuous professional development (CPD) training that financial year.
- There's also a yearly licence fee, from KSh 2,500 (NCA 8) to KSh 30,000 (NCA 1), and late renewal costs about three to four times more.
Who can apply
- Anyone who wants to carry on business as a contractor in Kenya. This page covers local contractors; foreign contractors have a separate process.
Official sources (3)
- Local Contractor Registration nca.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026
- Schedule of Fees nca.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026
- Renewal Of Practising License nca.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026