West 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
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Not verified yet
Exam
All contractors take the WV Contractor Licensing Act exam; ask the Board which trade examinations the scope requires.
Renewal
A contractor license expires twelve (12) months from date of issuance. The expiration date is on the license.
Before you begin
Agency guidance
The contractor definition covers compensated construction undertakings of $5,000 or more residentially or $25,000 or more commercially; statutory exclusions apply.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
where the cost of the undertaking is $5,000 or more for residential work or $25,000 or more for commercial work.Official source
Agency guidance
Thresholds apply to the total construction project, including all labor and materials, rather than an individual subcontract.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
licensing requirements are based on the entire construction project, including the cost of all labor and materials, not your individual contract.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
West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
“Board” means the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board.
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
A Step By Step Guide For Obtaining A Contractor License
Official sourceCheck the qualifications
Exam
All contractors take the WV Contractor Licensing Act exam; ask the Board which trade examinations the scope requires.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Email the Contractor Licensing Board @ [email protected] to confirm which exam(s) are required. All contractors must take the WV Contractor Licensing Act exam.
Official sourceInsurance
Workers' compensation and unemployment coverage are required for employees other than yourself, partners, managers, members or officers.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
If you have employees (other than yourself, partners, managers, members or officers) you must have workers' compensation and unemployment coverage.
Official sourceBond
Every applicant must submit the Wage Bond Status Affidavit.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Do I need to include the Wage Bond Status Affidavit? Yes, all applicants, regardless of status, must complete this form and include it with the Contractor License application. The application cannot be processed without this form.
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
$90.00
Exam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
Not verified yet
Apply with the agency
Reciprocity
Tennessee reciprocity includes General Building and Residential classifications; the Board also reviews NASCLA and other accredited examination results.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Effective December 17, 2020: Tennessee - (General Building Classification) Effective December 17, 2020: Tennessee - (Residential Classification) National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) exam scores. The Contractor Licensing Board will review and may accept exam scores obtained from an accredited national testing organization.Official source
Official sources and verification (12)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
A Step By Step Guide For Obtaining A Contractor LicenseOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
where the cost of the undertaking is $5,000 or more for residential work or $25,000 or more for commercial work.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
licensing requirements are based on the entire construction project, including the cost of all labor and materials, not your individual contract.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Email the Contractor Licensing Board @ [email protected] to confirm which exam(s) are required. All contractors must take the WV Contractor Licensing Act exam.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
If you have employees (other than yourself, partners, managers, members or officers) you must have workers' compensation and unemployment coverage.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Do I need to include the Wage Bond Status Affidavit? Yes, all applicants, regardless of status, must complete this form and include it with the Contractor License application. The application cannot be processed without this form.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
A contractor license expires twelve (12) months from date of issuance.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
A contractor license expires twelve (12) months from date of issuance. The expiration date is on the license.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Effective December 17, 2020: Tennessee - (General Building Classification) Effective December 17, 2020: Tennessee - (Residential Classification) National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) exam scores. The Contractor Licensing Board will review and may accept exam scores obtained from an accredited national testing organization.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
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (4)
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.