The species of Scirtidae from North America, described both formally and informally, are reviewed and cataloged. Select nomenclatural acts from an unpublished 1967 dissertation are validated and manuscript names from this dissertation are matched with currently described species. Contacyphon pusillus (LeConte, 1853), status restored, new combination is brought out of synonymy with Contacyphon padi (Linnaeus, 1758). Two species are formally listed in their valid genus for the first time: Contacyphon modestus (LeConte, 1853), new combination and Contacyphon punctatus (LeConte, 1853), new combination. Three additional new combinations are proposed based on examination of specimens in light of modern generic definitions: Herthania exigua (Horn, 1880), new combination [from Contacyphon Gozis, 1886]; Herthania obscura (Guérin-Méneville, 1843), new combination [from Contacyphon]; Hiekecyphon spinulosus (Klausnitzer, 1976), new combination [from ?Yoshitomia Klausnitzer, 2013]. Four new synonyms are proposed at the species level: Helodes nebulosa LeConte, 1853 and Helodes picea LeConte, 1853 with Contacyphon pubescens (Fabricius, 1792), new synonyms; Contacyphon fuscescens (Klausnitzer, 1976) with C. punctatus, new synonym; Contacyphon neopadi (Klausnitzer, 1976) with C. pusillus, new synonym. Hemicyphon LeConte, 1866 is recognized as having priority over Exneria Klausnitzer, 2013, new objective synonym, resulting in Hemicyphon ruficollis (Say, 1825), new combination. State- and province-level distributions are provided for all species, and original references along with type localities are given for all genus- and species-group names and nomenclatural acts.