How to Apply for NCA 3 Registration in Kenya
NCA 3 registration is ideal for contractors seeking to bid for mid-to-large construction projects in Kenya.
In most guides and market practice, NCA3 supports buildings up to KES 300 million and
roads/civil works up to KES 500 million (specialist subclasses can have different limits and may require extra regulator licenses).
NCA 3 Project Value Limits (Typical)
- Buildings: up to KES 300,000,000
- Roads & Civil Works: up to KES 500,000,000
- Specialist Works: commonly up to KES 150,000,000 (varies by subclass)
Note: Contractors applying for certain specialist subclasses may also need licenses from relevant regulators (for example, communications-related works).
Who Should Apply for NCA 3?
- Contractors stepping up from smaller jobs to consistent mid-tier tenders
- Firms with proven experience on completed/ongoing projects
- Companies with qualified technical staff, equipment and financial capacity
- Contractors aiming for stronger credibility with public and private project owners
Important: Under the NCA Regulations, registrations between NCA2–NCA8 are restricted to local contractors.
Can an SME Apply for NCA 3?
Yes. SMEs can apply for NCA 3 where they can demonstrate the required technical staff, compliance status,
equipment access, financial capacity and project track record.
If your current profile is not yet sufficient for NCA 3, you can apply at a lower class and upgrade later.
NCA 3 Requirements Checklist
1) Company & Compliance Documents
- Certificate of Incorporation / registration documents
- Valid business permit/license (where applicable)
- KRA PIN + current Tax Compliance Certificate
- Physical and postal address (include branch offices if any)
- IDs/KRA PINs for directors/partners (as applicable)
- Referees (commonly 3; at least one industry professional is recommended)
2) Technical Capacity
- Qualified director(s) / technical staff in construction-related disciplines (attach CVs + certificates)
- Professional registrations/memberships (where applicable)
- For specialist works: attach the relevant statutory regulator license where required
3) Financial Capacity
- Audited accounts (commonly last 3 years)
- Banking/financial evidence and asset ownership documents
- Proof of ownership or access to key equipment/plant (logbooks, receipts, lease agreements)
4) Experience & Track Record
- List of completed and ongoing projects with supporting documentation (awards, contracts, completion certificates)
- Disclosure of litigation/arbitration history (if any)
NCA 3 Application Process
- Prepare the documents using the checklist above.
- Apply via the NCA contractor portal (online registration is widely used for contractor applications).
- Evaluation: NCA assessments commonly follow three stages—physical mandatory requirements, technical evaluation, and financial evaluation.
- Approval & payment: pay the registration fee once approved, then download/collect your certificate and practicing license.
- Annual renewal: renew the practicing license every year to remain compliant.
How NCA Evaluates Applications (What to Expect)
- Stage 1: Physical evaluation of mandatory documents (proof of existence and tax compliance)
- Stage 2: Technical evaluation (staff, directors, equipment/plant, capability)
- Stage 3: Financial evaluation (financial statements/capacity)
NCA 3 Fees in Kenya
Fees are based on NCA’s published schedules; always confirm current amounts on the NCA “Schedule of Fees” page before paying.
| Fee Type |
Amount (KES) |
| Application fee |
5,000 |
| Registration fee (NCA 3) |
50,000 |
| Annual renewal |
20,000 |
| Late renewal penalty |
60,000 |
Full fee matrix (NCA1–NCA8): NCA Registration Fees (All Classes).
Tip: If you’re unsure about the right class, compare your project history, staffing and audited accounts against the evaluation criteria and apply for the class you can defend during assessment.
Benefits of NCA 3 Registration
- Qualify for mid-to-large public and private tenders
- Boost credibility with project owners, consultants and financiers
- Scale your company reputation beyond small contracts
- Meet compliance expectations for project registration and contracting