How to get a general contractor license in Virginia
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) licenses general contractors in Virginia. A Class C contractor license is needed once a single contract or project is over $1,000 (Class B from $30,000, Class A from $150,000). The Virginia DPOR regulant list: Class A Contractor (list 2701) lists 23,985 active general contractor business records as of October 5, 2026.
Who licenses general contractor work in Virginia
| Credential | State license |
|---|---|
| Board | Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) official statement |
| Official lookup | Search general contractor licenses |
| When a license is needed | A Class C contractor license is needed once a single contract or project is over $1,000 (Class B from $30,000, Class A from $150,000). source |
| License types | Class A, Class B, Class C, Commercial Building Contractor (CBC), Residential Building Contractor (RBC), Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) |
How to get licensed
- Apply to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation for a credential such as Class A, Class B or Class C.
- Exam required before applying: the designated employee of a Class A or B firm passes the contractor business exam and the qualified individual passes a specialty exam where required, all through PSI. source
- Experience: 1 years (Qualified individual needs at least one year of experience in the classification or specialty for Class C (three years for Class B, five for Class A)). source
- Post a no bond is required for Class C; Class A and Class B firms may post a $50,000 surety bond instead of proving net worth ($45,000 for Class A, $15,000 for Class B). source
- Pay the class C initial license fee, with application: $235. source
- Contractor firm licenses expire two years from the last day of the month of issue. source
General contractor requirements in Virginia
| Exam | Exam required before applying: the designated employee of a Class A or B firm passes the contractor business exam and the qualified individual passes a specialty exam where required, all through PSI. source |
|---|---|
| Experience | 1 years (Qualified individual needs at least one year of experience in the classification or specialty for Class C (three years for Class B, five for Class A)). source |
| Bond | No bond is required for Class C; Class A and Class B firms may post a $50,000 surety bond instead of proving net worth ($45,000 for Class A, $15,000 for Class B). source |
| Insurance | No state liability insurance minimum found in the Class A, B or C entry requirements (18VAC50-22-40, 50 and 60); localities may set their own. |
| Renewal | Contractor firm licenses expire two years from the last day of the month of issue. source |
| Reciprocity | No full reciprocity for general contractors; examination waivers exist for North Carolina RBC and CBC licensees and for Ohio business and law exam. source |
| Fees |
|
Hiring a general contractor?
See every official lookup in Virginia, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.
Questions
- Do you need a general contractor license in Virginia?
- Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) licenses general contractors in Virginia. A Class C contractor license is needed once a single contract or project is over $1,000 (Class B from $30,000, Class A from $150,000).
- How do I check a general contractor license in Virginia?
- The Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) keeps the record for general contractors in Virginia. Use the official lookup on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.
- How much does a general contractor license cost in Virginia?
- $235 (Class C initial license fee, with application). $380 (Class B initial license fee, with application). $400 (Class A initial license fee, with application). $25 (Recovery Fund assessment due with each initial license application). $220 (Class C renewal fee). $260 (Class B renewal fee). $270 (Class A renewal fee). $30 (Recovery Fund assessment due with each contractor license renewal). $7.25 (DPOR technology fee per year added to certain fees from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030). $40 (Contractor exam fee paid to PSI, one portion). $72 (Contractor exam fee paid to PSI, two portion). $85 (Contractor exam fee paid to PSI, three portions or a qualified individual specialty exam).
- How much experience do you need for a general contractor license in Virginia?
- 1 years (Qualified individual needs at least one year of experience in the classification or specialty for Class C (three years for Class B, five for Class A)).
- How often does a general contractor license renew in Virginia?
- Contractor firm licenses expire two years from the last day of the month of issue.
Other trades in Virginia
- Electrical license in Virginia
- Plumbing license in Virginia
- HVAC license in Virginia
- Roofing license in Virginia
- All Virginia trades
General contractor license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- 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
Sources
- https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Contractors
- https://dporweb.dpor.virginia.gov/LicenseLookup/Search
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter11/section54.1-1103/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter11/section54.1-1100/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section40/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section60/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section110/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section100/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/chapter22/section140/
- https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/RegulantLists
This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.