It issues state licenses for general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors, HVAC contractors and roofing contractors. Use the official lookup below to check a contractor. Information as of October 6, 2026.
The board's Contractor Search lists license number, company, DBA, address, county, phone, classification and expiration date, and is updated in real time. source The board publishes a list of disciplinary actions with the date of decision, license number, licensee and final order. source Individual plumbers and HVAC technicians can be checked on the Division of Labor License Database Search. source
Confirm the record is active and the class matches the job (General building contractor or General engineering contractor or Residential contractor or Multifamily contractor or Remodeling and repair contractor or Specialty contractor). The board's own record governs. A license is required for jobs above Contractor license needed when the job costs $5,000 or more for residential work or $25,000 or more for commercial work. source
Check the bond and insurance on the record against the state minimums: Proof of workers' compensation and unemployment compensation coverage for all employees working in West Virginia. source
Report an unlicensed contractor, or one working outside their classification, to the board through a Request for Investigation on residential jobs of $5,000 or more or commercial jobs of $25,000 or more. source The board cannot help with building code violations, contract disputes, misappropriation of funds or workmanship issues. source Before the board disciplines a licensed contractor, a certified copy of an unsatisfied court judgment or a favorable arbitrator ruling must be submitted. source Anonymous complaints are not accepted. source
Homeowner protections in West Virginia
A bid for construction must show the contractor license number on its face. source
Get licensed
For a general contractor working in West Virginia.
Apply to West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board as a General building contractor or General engineering contractor or Residential contractor or Multifamily contractor or Remodeling and repair contractor or Specialty contractor.
Written exam in the general building, residential or other selected classification plus the West Virginia business and law exam, passing score 70% on each. source
Carry proof of workers' compensation and unemployment compensation coverage for all employees working in West Virginia. source
Pay the annual contractor license fee of $90, paid at application: $90. source
Contractor license expires one year after it is issued and is renewed annually. source
Written exam in the general building, residential or other selected classification plus the West Virginia business and law exam, passing score 70% on each. source
Experience
Not found on an official source. No experience requirement for the contractor license found on an official source.
Bond
Not found on an official source. No contractor license bond found on an official source.
Insurance
Proof of workers' compensation and unemployment compensation coverage for all employees working in West Virginia. source (checked October 6, 2026)
Renewal
Contractor license expires one year after it is issued and is renewed annually. source (checked October 6, 2026)
Reciprocity
No full reciprocity: applicants licensed under the Universal Licensing Act take only the West Virginia business and law exam, and the board may review other states' exam score report. source
Fees
Annual contractor license fee of $90, paid at application. source
Not found on an official source. Exam fees are charged per classification exam by the board's testing vendor; amount not found on an official source.
ElectricalSources checked May 4, 2026
Exam
Written exam in the electrical contractor classification plus the West Virginia business and law exam, passing score 70% on each. source
Experience
Not found on an official source. No experience requirement for the contractor license found on an official source.
Bond
Not found on an official source. No contractor license bond found on an official source.
Insurance
Proof of workers' compensation and unemployment compensation coverage for all employees working in West Virginia. source (checked October 6, 2026)
Renewal
Contractor license expires one year after it is issued and is renewed annually. source (checked October 6, 2026)
Reciprocity
No full reciprocity: applicants licensed under the Universal Licensing Act take only the West Virginia business and law exam, and the board may review other states' exam score report. source
Fees
Annual contractor license fee of $90, paid at application. source
Reduced annual contractor fee of $20 for a sole proprietor electrical contractor who holds a State Fire Marshal electrician license. source
Not found on an official source. Exam fees are charged per classification exam by the board's testing vendor; amount not found on an official source.
PlumbingSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Written exam in the plumbing contractor classification plus the West Virginia business and law exam, passing score 70% on each. source (checked May 4, 2026)
Experience
Master and journeyman plumber applicants must certify experience for the individual Division of Labor certification (hours not stated on that page); no experience requirement found for the contractor license. source
Bond
Not found on an official source. No contractor license bond found on an official source.
Insurance
Proof of workers' compensation and unemployment compensation coverage for all employees working in West Virginia. source
Renewal
Contractor license expires one year after it is issued and is renewed annually. source
Reciprocity
No full reciprocity: applicants licensed under the Universal Licensing Act take only the West Virginia business and law exam, and the board may review other states' exam score report. source (checked May 4, 2026)
Fees
Annual contractor license fee of $90, paid at application. source (checked May 4, 2026)
Annual renewal fee of $90. source (checked May 4, 2026)
Late renewal penalty of $25 when renewal arrives more than 15 days after expiration. source (checked May 4, 2026)
Duplicate license fee of $10. source (checked May 4, 2026)
Master or journeyman plumber certification fee of $75 (individual, Division of Labor), initial and renewal. source
Plumber in training certification fee of $25 (individual, Division of Labor), initial and renewal. source
Not found on an official source. Exam fees are charged per classification exam by the board's testing vendor; amount not found on an official source.
HVACSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Written exam in the heating, ventilating, and cooling contractor classification plus the West Virginia business and law exam, passing score 70% on each. source (checked May 4, 2026)
Experience
HVAC Technician certification (individual, Division of Labor) requires at least 2,000 hours of HVAC work, training and experience; no experience requirement found for the contractor license. source
Bond
Not found on an official source. No contractor license bond found on an official source.
Insurance
Proof of workers' compensation and unemployment compensation coverage for all employees working in West Virginia. source
Renewal
Contractor license expires one year after it is issued and is renewed annually. source
Reciprocity
No full reciprocity: applicants licensed under the Universal Licensing Act take only the West Virginia business and law exam, and the board may review other states' exam score report. source (checked May 4, 2026)
Fees
Annual contractor license fee of $90, paid at application. source (checked May 4, 2026)
Annual renewal fee of $90. source (checked May 4, 2026)
Late renewal penalty of $25 when renewal arrives more than 15 days after expiration. source (checked May 4, 2026)
Duplicate license fee of $10. source (checked May 4, 2026)
HVAC technician certification fee of $75 (individual, Division of Labor), initial and renewal. source
HVAC residential technician certification fee of $50 (individual, Division of Labor), initial and renewal. source
HVAC technician in training certification fee of $25 (individual, Division of Labor), initial and renewal. source
Not found on an official source. Exam fees are charged per classification exam by the board's testing vendor; amount not found on an official source.
RoofingSources checked May 4, 2026
Exam
West Virginia business and law exam required; whether a separate roofing trade exam applies depends on the classification the board assigns, which was not confirmed. source
Experience
Not found on an official source. No experience requirement for the contractor license found on an official source.
Bond
Not found on an official source. No contractor license bond found on an official source.
Insurance
Proof of workers' compensation and unemployment compensation coverage for all employees working in West Virginia. source (checked October 6, 2026)
Renewal
Contractor license expires one year after it is issued and is renewed annually. source (checked October 6, 2026)
Reciprocity
No full reciprocity: applicants licensed under the Universal Licensing Act take only the West Virginia business and law exam, and the board may review other states' exam score report. source
Fees
Annual contractor license fee of $90, paid at application. source
Not found on an official source. Exam fees are charged per classification exam by the board's testing vendor; amount not found on an official source.
Questions
Does West Virginia require a contractor license?
Yes, in most cases West Virginia requires a state license for general contractors. Contractor license needed when the job costs $5,000 or more for residential work or $25,000 or more for commercial work. The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board issues it as one of several credentials, such as General building contractor, General engineering contractor or Residential contractor.
How do I look up a contractor license in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board keeps the record for general contractors in West Virginia. Use the official lookup linked in the Look up a license table, and treat the board's own record as final.
How do I look up an electrician license in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (contractor); West Virginia State Fire Marshal (electrician license) keeps the record for electrical contractors in West Virginia.
How do I look up a plumbing license in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (contractor); West Virginia Division of Labor (plumber certification) keeps the record for plumbing contractors in West Virginia.
Does West Virginia have an HVAC license?
The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (contractor); West Virginia Division of Labor (HVAC technician certification) keeps the record for HVAC contractors in West Virginia.
Do roofers need a license in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board keeps the record for roofing contractors in West Virginia.