Virginia General Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) Board for Contractors licenses general contractors statewide under Code of Virginia Title 54.1 Chapter 11. Virginia issues three monetary classes — Class A (no project value cap), Class B (up to $120,000 per project, $750,000 annual), and Class C (up to $10,000 per project, $150,000 annual) — across multiple specialty designations including RBC (Residential Building Contractor), CBC (Commercial Building Contractor), and BLD (Building Contractor for both). Each class requires a different financial statement, and Class A requires PSI examinations for both the trade and the Virginia business and law portion.

The Licensing Authority

Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation — Board for Contractors (DPOR) is the statutory authority responsible for issuing and enforcing this license under Code of Virginia Title 54.1 Chapter 11; 18 VAC 50-22 (Board for Contractors regulations). DPOR Board for Contractors licenses general and specialty contractors statewide, adopts the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code by reference, and conducts disciplinary proceedings.

Official portal: https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Contractors/
Address: 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, VA 23233
Phone: (804) 367-8511

Baseline Eligibility

The threshold requirements are straightforward: age 18 or above, plus a valid Social Security Number. No Virginia residency requirement.

Good moral character

DPOR conducts a fitness review on every qualifying individual. Felony convictions and prior license revocations are reviewed individually.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application; DPOR may request additional documentation.

Experience and Education Requirements

The experience bar is two years of practical experience for the qualifying individual in the specialty designation applied for; five years for Class A, and it must be backed by verifiable records — typically payroll, tax, project, or supervisor documentation covering the claimed period.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

DPOR Experience Verification Form signed by each prior employer
W-2 statements, pay stubs, or 1099 records covering the qualifying period
Notarized affidavits from prior supervising contractors

Education substitution

Accredited construction-related college coursework may substitute for portions of the experience requirement on a sliding scale set by DPOR rule.

The Licensing Examination

PSI Services LLC (under contract to DPOR); pre-license education through DPOR-approved providers administers the required examination. Each part below must be passed before the license will issue:

PSI Virginia Class A Trade Examination — RBC, CBC, or BLD trade portion — 70 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 70%
PSI Virginia Advanced Contractor License Examination — business and law (Class A only) — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $85 per PSI exam part paid on the day of testing.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be re-taken individually by paying a new $85 fee. Each application remains valid for one year.

Financial Security and Insurance

There is no statewide surety bond tied to this credential in the cited record. Bonding can still surface at the project level — permit, license, or public-works bonds — so check before you bid.

General liability

DPOR does not impose a state-level general liability minimum. Most commercial owners contractually require $1,000,000/$2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory in Virginia under §65.2-800 et seq. for any business with three or more employees (including part-time).

Additional financial requirements

Class A: $15,000 net worth or equity. Class B: $15,000 net worth or equity, with project value capped at $120,000 single project, $750,000 annual. Class C: no minimum net worth, capped at $10,000 single project, $150,000 annual. Net worth is verified by financial statement at application.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$385
Examination	$170
Initial license	$385
Renewal (every 2 years)	$385

License Renewal

The Virginia Class A, B, or C Contractor (RBC, CBC, or BLD) must be renewed every 2 years. The fee to renew is presently $385. Virginia contractor licenses renew every two years.

Continuing education: Three hours of DPOR-approved continuing education each two-year renewal cycle for the qualifying individual.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Virginia General Contractor License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

Virginia grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Maryland	Trade exam waived	Bilateral DPOR–Maryland Home Improvement Commission and MHIC reciprocity for active residential contractors.
North Carolina	Trade exam waived	Bilateral DPOR–NCLBGC reciprocity for active general contractors in good standing.
West Virginia	Trade exam waived	Bilateral DPOR–West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board reciprocity.

DPOR does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for general contractor licensure. The Virginia business and law exam is required even when the trade exam is waived through reciprocity.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares General Contractor license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Licensing Roadmap

Choose the class and specialty. Class A (no cap), B (up to $120,000 per project), or C (up to $10,000 per project). Specialty: RBC residential, CBC commercial, or BLD both.
Document the qualifying individual's experience. Two years for Class C and B; five years for Class A. The qualifying individual must be a full-time employee, owner, or officer of the business.
Complete the DPOR-approved pre-license education. 8-hour Virginia Contractor Business Course required for all classes before applying.
Prepare the financial statement. Class A and B require a $15,000 net worth or equity financial statement. Class C has no minimum.
Submit the DPOR application. File with the application fee, qualifying individual designation, financial statement, and proof of experience and education.
Pass the PSI examinations at 70%. Class A requires both the trade exam and the Advanced Contractor License Examination. Class B and C require only the trade exam.
Receive the DPOR license. DPOR issues the license after the exam is passed and all documentation is complete. The license must be renewed every two years.

Preparation Resources

These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (current edition) — Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the PSI test center.
NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management — Virginia edition — NASCLA. Standard reference for the business and law portion.
Code of Virginia Title 54.1 Chapter 11 and 18 VAC 50-22 — State of Virginia. Licensing law and rules.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Ahead of submission to DPOR, confirm every item on this short list:

☐ DPOR application with $385 fee and qualifying individual designation
☐ 8-hour DPOR-approved Virginia Contractor Business Course completion certificate
☐ Experience verification covering two years (Class B/C) or five years (Class A)
☐ Financial statement showing $15,000 net worth (Class A and B only)
☐ PSI Virginia trade exam pass certificate at 70%+
☐ PSI Advanced Contractor License Examination pass certificate (Class A only)
☐ Workers compensation coverage certificate for any business with three or more employees

Common Application Pitfalls

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a Virginia General Contractor application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Choosing the wrong class

A Class C contractor who bids a $20,000 project is operating outside the licensed scope. Upgrading mid-project requires a new application, exam, and financial statement.

Confusing the qualifying individual with the owner

The qualifying individual must be a full-time employee, owner, or officer of the business. Borrowed qualifiers are not allowed.

Skipping the pre-license education

The 8-hour Virginia Contractor Business Course must be completed before applying. DPOR will reject applications missing the course completion certificate.

Underestimating the financial statement

Class A and B both require a $15,000 net worth statement. Class A requires a CPA-prepared statement; informal balance sheets are not accepted.

Missing the workers compensation threshold

Virginia requires workers compensation for any business with three or more employees including part-time. The threshold is stricter than many neighboring states.

Other Virginia Trade Licenses

Looking at a different trade? CLR also publishes these Virginia licensing guides:

Answers to Common Questions

When do I need a Virginia contractor license?

Any contracting work valued at $1,000 or more requires a DPOR license under Code of Virginia §54.1-1103. Projects below $1,000 do not require a license but must still comply with local building codes and permitting.

What are the three Virginia contractor classes?

Class A has no project value cap and requires $15,000 net worth plus the Advanced Contractor License Examination. Class B is capped at $120,000 single project and $750,000 annual. Class C is capped at $10,000 single project and $150,000 annual.

What is the difference between RBC, CBC, and BLD in Virginia?

RBC (Residential Building Contractor) authorizes residential building work. CBC (Commercial Building Contractor) authorizes commercial building work. BLD (Building Contractor) covers both residential and commercial.

Does Virginia accept the NASCLA exam?

No. DPOR does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for general contractor licensure. The PSI Virginia trade exam is required.

How often does the Virginia contractor license renew?

Every two years. Renewal requires three hours of DPOR-approved continuing education.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-04-16 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-15