Virginia general contractor license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
—
Not verified yet
Required hours
8
Exam
Class A: the designated employee must pass the required board-approved examination unless exempt; the qualified individual must meet the applicable prerequisite and examination requirements.
Renewal
Licenses issued under this chapter will expire two years from the last day of the month in which they were issued, as indicated on the license.
Before you begin
Agency guidance
Virginia licenses contractor businesses that construct, remove, repair or improve facilities on property owned by others. The license class governs contract value and its classification or specialty governs the work allowed.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
The Board for Contractors licenses businesses engaged in the construction, removal, repair, or improvement of facilities on property owned by others. Contractor licenses consist of two parts: the class of license (A, B, or C), which determines the monetary value of contracts/projects that may be performed, and the classification/specialty, which determines what type of work is allowed.Official source
Agency guidance
Class C qualifier: at least one year of experience in the classification or specialty.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Has a minimum of one year of experience in the classification or specialty for which the individual is the qualifier;Official source
Agency guidance
Class B qualifier: at least three years of experience in the classification or specialty.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Has a minimum of three years of experience in the classification or specialty for which the individual is the qualifier;Official source
Agency guidance
Initial base license fees: Class C $235, Class B $380, Class A $400. A separate $25 Recovery Fund assessment is required with the initial contractor application.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Class C Initial License | with license application | $235 Class B Initial License | with license application | $380 Class A Initial License | with license application | $400 In accordance with § 54.1-1119 of the Code of Virginia, a $25 Recovery Fund assessment is also required with each initial license application.Official source
Agency guidance
Effective July 1, 2026, certain DPOR fees include a separate technology fee of $7.25 per year through June 30, 2030.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Technology Fee: Effective July 1, 2026, certain fees include a separate Technology Fee of $7.25 per year, pursuant to 2026’s House Bill 30. This fee will remain in place through June 30, 2030 and is used solely to upgrade or replace DPOR’s software system.Official source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
Virginia Board for Contractors, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Official agency page
Check the qualifications
Required hours
8
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
In order to become licensed as a Contractor (Class A, Class B, or Class C), applicants must complete eight hours of pre-license education.
Official sourceEducation
Eight-hour business course covering regulations, statutes and business requirements; this is separate from Class A/B exams.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Pre-license education is required for all new contractor licenses and is a separate requirement from the Class A and Class B examinations. The pre-license education course is a basic business course that covers relevant regulations, statutes, and requirements that are necessary for every business owner.
Official sourceAge
Class A qualified individuals must be at least 18.
Experience
Class A qualifier: at least five years in the classification or specialty.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Has a minimum of five years of experience in the classification or specialty for which the individual is the qualifier;
Official sourceBond
Class A: a $50,000 bond can replace the $45,000 net-worth/equity requirement.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
the firm must verify a net worth or equity of $45,000 by submitting a completed financial statement with supporting documentation, a financial statement reviewed by a certified public accountant (CPA), or a CPA audit. In lieu of this requirement, the firm may obtain a $50,000 surety bond on the board's bond form.
Official sourceExam
Class A: the designated employee must pass the required board-approved examination unless exempt; the qualified individual must meet the applicable prerequisite and examination requirements.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Has passed a board-approved examination as required by § 54.1-1106 of the Code of Virginia or has been exempted from the examination requirement in accordance with § 54.1-1108.1 of the Code of Virginia; Has met the appropriate prerequisite and board-approved examination, where applicable, for any classification or specialty service specified in 18VAC50-22-61 or has completed a board-approved examination for all other classifications and specialty services that do not require other certification or licensure.
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
Not verified yet
Exam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
Not verified yet
Apply with the agency
Reciprocity
North Carolina residential and commercial building examination waivers are available subject to the agreement terms and a complete application with verification.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Anyone applying for a license under any of these agreements must meet all of the terms of that agreement in order for their application to be approved. North Carolina RBC Contractor Residential Building Contracting examination waiver. North Carolina CBC Contractor Commercial Building Contractor examination waiver.Official source
Official sources and verification (16)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
In order to become licensed as a Contractor (Class A, Class B, or Class C), applicants must complete eight hours of pre-license education.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Pre-license education is required for all new contractor licenses and is a separate requirement from the Class A and Class B examinations. The pre-license education course is a basic business course that covers relevant regulations, statutes, and requirements that are necessary for every business owner.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Has a minimum of five years of experience in the classification or specialty for which the individual is the qualifier;Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
the firm must verify a net worth or equity of $45,000 by submitting a completed financial statement with supporting documentation, a financial statement reviewed by a certified public accountant (CPA), or a CPA audit. In lieu of this requirement, the firm may obtain a $50,000 surety bond on the board's bond form.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Has passed a board-approved examination as required by § 54.1-1106 of the Code of Virginia or has been exempted from the examination requirement in accordance with § 54.1-1108.1 of the Code of Virginia; Has met the appropriate prerequisite and board-approved examination, where applicable, for any classification or specialty service specified in 18VAC50-22-61 or has completed a board-approved examination for all other classifications and specialty services that do not require other certification or licensure.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
The Board for Contractors licenses businesses engaged in the construction, removal, repair, or improvement of facilities on property owned by others. Contractor licenses consist of two parts: the class of license (A, B, or C), which determines the monetary value of contracts/projects that may be performed, and the classification/specialty, which determines what type of work is allowed.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Has a minimum of one year of experience in the classification or specialty for which the individual is the qualifier;Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Has a minimum of three years of experience in the classification or specialty for which the individual is the qualifier;Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Class C Initial License | with license application | $235 Class B Initial License | with license application | $380 Class A Initial License | with license application | $400 In accordance with § 54.1-1119 of the Code of Virginia, a $25 Recovery Fund assessment is also required with each initial license application.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Technology Fee: Effective July 1, 2026, certain fees include a separate Technology Fee of $7.25 per year, pursuant to 2026’s House Bill 30. This fee will remain in place through June 30, 2030 and is used solely to upgrade or replace DPOR’s software system.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Licenses issued under this chapter will expire two years from the last day of the month in which they were issued, as indicated on the license.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Anyone applying for a license under any of these agreements must meet all of the terms of that agreement in order for their application to be approved. North Carolina RBC Contractor Residential Building Contracting examination waiver. North Carolina CBC Contractor Commercial Building Contractor examination waiver.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (6)
- https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Contractors
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section60/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section40/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section50/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section100/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section110/
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.