NCA Contractor Registration in Kenya: NCA1–NCA8 Fees, Value Limits and Requirements

Updated 8 November 2026

NCA contractor registration is mandatory for anyone who carries on business as a contractor in Kenya. Section 15 of the National Construction Authority Act, 2011 says no one may do so unless registered by the Authority’s Board and holding a valid practising licence. The National Construction Authority (NCA) registers firms in eight categories, NCA1 to NCA8, across building, specialist (electrical and mechanical) and civil works. A local applicant pays a KSh 5,000 application fee plus a registration fee of KSh 5,000 (NCA8) to KSh 100,000 (NCA1), then an annual licence fee.

Checked on 8 November 2026 against NCA’s schedule of fees, local contractor registration page and contractor registration FAQs.

Contents: Who must register · Categories · Fees · Requirements · How to apply · Renewal · FAQ

Who needs NCA contractor registration

Any person or firm carrying on the business of a contractor needs registration and a current practising licence. NCA registers five classes of works: water and roads (civil engineering), mechanical and electrical (specialist engineering services) and building works. Some specialist subclasses also need a second licence: electrical installations, generating plants, lifts and escalators need an Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) licence, while radio communication, structured cabling and telecommunication wiring need a Communications Authority of Kenya licence.

NCA1 to NCA8 categories and value limits

The category caps the value of a single contract you can take on. NCA publishes different caps for each type of work:

Pick the category that matches the jobs you realistically bid for. A higher class costs more each year, and NCA assesses qualified staff, equipment, finances and experience against the class you request.

NCA contractor registration fees

NCA’s schedule of fees lists these local (Kenyan) amounts:

On top of that, a new application costs KSh 5,000, as do upgrading to a higher class and an appeal. Foreign contractors pay in US dollars: US$500 to apply, US$2,500 to register at NCA1, US$1,500 a year and US$4,500 for late renewal. The fees page does not list foreign figures for NCA2–NCA8.

Requirements for NCA contractor registration

NCA’s local contractor page lists twelve items. The first five are mandatory for every applicant:

1. Business registration certificate with directors’ ID copies, or certificate of incorporation plus CR12 for companies.
2. Academic certificates and testimonials for technically qualified directors.
3. Academic certificates and testimonials for technically qualified staff.
4. A valid KRA Tax Compliance Certificate.
5. A certified copy of a current business licence.

Electrical applicants add the EPRA licence and communications applicants the CA licence. The rest support your class: proof of past or ongoing projects, plant and equipment holdings, proof of asset ownership, three years of audited accounts certified by an ICPAK-registered accountant, and optional contractors’ association membership. NCA’s FAQs also mention accredited construction workers’ ID cards and bank statements.

How to apply for NCA contractor registration

1. On the NCA website, open Contractors, then “register to be a contractor”, then the contractor registration portal.
2. Create an account and complete the application for your works class and category.
3. Upload the documents above.
4. Open the tracking number, choose “proceed to make payments”, pay the application, registration and any training fee, and click complete.
5. Await evaluation and your certificate and practising licence.

If you plan to bid for reserved government tenders, combine this with AGPO registration; our AGPO tenders guide explains how reserved tenders work.

Renewal and the defaulter fee

The practising licence expires on 30 June every financial year. If you miss renewal, NCA charges a defaulter (late renewal) fee for every financial year you defaulted, which for NCA1 is three times the normal annual fee. Put the June deadline in your compliance calendar alongside your tax compliance certificate renewal.

Choosing the right category before you apply

New contractors often apply for a higher class than their documents can support. NCA evaluates the technical qualifications of directors and staff, equipment, finances and experience against the category you request, so an NCA4 application backed only by a start-up’s paperwork is likely to be placed lower or queried. Starting at a realistic class and paying the KSh 5,000 upgrade fee later is usually cheaper than a refused application.

Think about the annual cost too. Over five years an NCA8 contractor pays KSh 10,000 in application and registration fees plus KSh 10,000 in renewals (four renewals at KSh 2,500), while an NCA4 contractor pays KSh 30,000 upfront and KSh 60,000 in renewals over the same period. Those figures exclude any training fee and the cost of audited accounts.

Finally, match the works class to your trade. A building contractor registered only under building works cannot rely on that licence for electrical installation work, which needs its own class and the EPRA licence.

NCA contractor registration FAQ

How much is NCA contractor registration for NCA8?

KSh 5,000 to apply plus KSh 5,000 to register, then KSh 2,500 a year to renew.

How much is NCA contractor registration for NCA1?

KSh 5,000 to apply plus KSh 100,000 to register, then KSh 30,000 a year.

Which documents are mandatory for NCA contractor registration?

Business or company registration (with CR12 for companies), qualifications of technical directors and staff, a valid KRA TCC and a current business licence.

When does an NCA licence expire?

On 30 June each financial year. Late renewal attracts a defaulter fee for each year missed.

Do electricians need anything besides NCA contractor registration?

Yes. Electrical installation work also needs an EPRA licence.