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State files updated Oct 27, 2026
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West Virginia contractor licenseRequirements, cost, exam

West Virginia licenses general contractors through the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board. You need a contractor license for any job that costs $5,000 or more for residential work or $25,000 or more for commercial work.1

West Virginia · general contractor

State license required

Experience
West Virginia sets no work-experience requirement for the license.1
Exam
You must pass the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act exam plus an exam in each trade classification you want.2
Bond
There is no surety bond for the license itself.3
Insurance
West Virginia sets no general liability insurance minimum for the license.1
Fees
The license fee is $90 a year.4
Renewal
The license lasts one year.4

West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board

How do you get a West Virginia contractor license?

  1. Check that you need a license

    You need a contractor license for any job that costs $5,000 or more for residential work or $25,000 or more for commercial work.1

  2. Meet the experience rule

    West Virginia sets no work-experience requirement for the license.1

  3. Apply to the board

    The license fee is $90 a year.4

    West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board site
  4. Pass the exam$59.95

    You must pass the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act exam plus an exam in each trade classification you want.2

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

    There is no surety bond for the license itself. West Virginia sets no general liability insurance minimum for the license.3

    West Virginia bond and insurance rules
  6. Get the license, then renew$90

    The license lasts one year.4

    Renewal and CE
Board fees$149.95Bond premium and insurance cost extra.

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC licenses in West Virginia

Which license class do you need in West Virginia?

West Virginia licenses by classification: concrete, electrical, excavation, general building, general engineering, heating/ventilating/cooling, manufactured home installation, masonry, multifamily, piping, plumbing, remodeling and repair…4

Does West Virginia have license reciprocity?

The board may license contractors from other states with similar licensing in the same or an equivalent classification without a written exam, if it is shown their qualifications equal West Virginia's and they pay the fee.1

Do you need workers' comp?

Required: you must be registered with the state workers' compensation fund and the unemployment fund and swear to it by affidavit before the license is issued.1

West Virginia insurance and bonds

Sources

  1. West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board: who needs a license (wvclboard.wv.gov, 2026-10-27)
  2. West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board: exam (labor.wv.gov, 2026-10-27)
  3. West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board: bond (code.wvlegislature.gov, 2026-10-27)
  4. West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board: fees (wvclboard.wv.gov, 2026-10-27)
  5. West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (wvclboard.wv.gov, 2026-10-27)