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State files updated Oct 27, 2026
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Virginia contractor license (DPOR)Requirements, cost, exam

Virginia licenses general contractors through the VA Board for Contractors (DPOR). A license is required to contract for any construction, removal, repair or improvement of a building or structure (Va. Code 54.1-1103).1

Virginia · general contractor

State license required

Experience
Qualified individual for each classification or specialty needs at least 1 year (Class C), 3 years (Class B) or 5 years (Class A) of experience in it (18VAC50-22-40, -50, -60), documented on the Contractor Experience Verification form.2
Exam
The designated employee (age 18+, full-time employee or in responsible management) of a Class A or B firm must pass the board-approved business exam (Va. Code 54.1-1106(E), 54.1-1108; 18VAC50-22-50 B, -60 B).3
Bond
No license bond.4
Insurance
No general liability insurance is required for licensure in the Class A, B, C entry rules or renewal rule (18VAC50-22-40, -50, -60, -130).2
Fees
Initial license (nonrefundable): Class C $235, Class B $380, Class A $400, plus $25 Recovery Fund assessment (18VAC50-22-100).5
Renewal
Licenses expire two years from the last day of the month issued.6

VA Board for Contractors (DPOR)

How do you get a Virginia contractor license?

  1. Check that you need a license

    A license is required to contract for any construction, removal, repair or improvement of a building or structure (Va. Code 54.1-1103).1

  2. Meet the experience rule

    Qualified individual for each classification or specialty needs at least 1 year (Class C), 3 years (Class B) or 5 years (Class A) of experience in it (18VAC50-22-40, -50, -60), documented on the Contractor Experience Verification form.2

  3. Apply to the DPOR

    Initial license (nonrefundable): Class C $235, Class B $380, Class A $400, plus $25 Recovery Fund assessment (18VAC50-22-100).5

    DPOR site
  4. Pass the examup to $200

    The designated employee (age 18+, full-time employee or in responsible management) of a Class A or B firm must pass the board-approved business exam (Va. Code 54.1-1106(E), 54.1-1108; 18VAC50-22-50 B, -60 B).3

    What's on the exam
  5. File the bond and insurance

    No license bond. No general liability insurance is required for licensure in the Class A, B, C entry rules or renewal rule (18VAC50-22-40, -50, -60, -130).4

    Virginia bond and insurance rules
  6. Get the license, then renew$235–$400 / 2 years

    Licenses expire two years from the last day of the month issued.6

    Renewal and CE
Board feesFrom $435Lowest tier of each fee. Bond premium and insurance cost extra.

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC licenses in Virginia

Which license class do you need in Virginia?

Three license classes by job size: Class A, B, C (54.1-1100).1

Classes with the most active holders in the state file, 2026-10-277.

All 32 classes

CEM Concrete Service · Class BRK · Class ESC · Class EMC · Class ISC · Class PAV · Class FAS · Class FIC · Class IBC · Class AES · REF Refrigeration · Class ASB · Class BSC · Class POL · Class SPR · Class RFC · Class ADS · Class ENV · Class FIN · Class FLR

Does Virginia have license reciprocity?

Firms licensed in a state with a reciprocal agreement, or whose criteria are substantially equivalent, may be licensed under that agreement's terms (18VAC50-22-70).8

Do you need workers' comp?

Not a license condition in 18VAC50-22.2

Virginia insurance and bonds

Sources

  1. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): who needs a license (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  2. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): experience (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  3. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): exam (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  4. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): bond (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  5. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): fees (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  6. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): renewal (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  7. VA DPOR regulant list 2705 (contractor firms) (dpor.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  8. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): reciprocity (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  9. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): Section130 (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  10. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): Section140 (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  11. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): Section20 (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  12. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): Section30 (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  13. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): Section300 (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  14. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): Section60 (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  15. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): Section61 (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  16. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): Section80 (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  17. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): Section120 (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  18. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): Section54.1 1103 (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  19. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): Section54.1 1108 (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  20. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): Section65.2 801 (law.lis.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)
  21. VA Board for Contractors (DPOR): A501 27EXINFO (dpor.virginia.gov, 2026-10-27)