Virginia General Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) Board for Contractors licenses contractor businesses statewide under Code of Virginia Title 54.1 Chapter 11. The current statutory classes are Class A ($150,000 or more for one project, or $1 million or more in a 12-month period), Class B ($30,000 to under $150,000 for one project, or $250,000 to under $1 million in 12 months), and Class C (over $1,000 to under $30,000 for one project, with less than $250,000 in 12 months). The license also needs a classification or specialty such as RBC (Residential Building Contractor), CBC (Commercial Building Contractor), or BLD (Building Contractor for both). Class, work designation, Qualified Individual, and—on Class A or B—the Designated Employee are separate parts of the application.

Regulatory Body

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

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Applicants must provide a 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

The experience bar is One year for Class C, three years for Class B, or five years for Class A as the Qualified Individual in the requested classification or specialty, 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 for each designation that requires examination preapproval
• I-9, W-2, or recent pay stub when a Qualified Individual is a full-time employee rather than a member of Responsible Management

Education substitution

The current Class A, B, and C rules state fixed one-, three-, and five-year experience minimums; they do not publish a general degree-for-experience substitution.

Exam Requirements

Testing provider or authority: PSI Services LLC (under contract to DPOR); pre-license education through DPOR-approved providers. The following examination requirements cover the pathways described in this guide; follow each part's classification, waiver, and local-scope conditions. Unpublished format details do not remove an examination requirement:

• PSI classification or specialty examination — RBC, CBC, BLD, or other requested designation (Qualified Individual, where applicable) — question count: confirm with the authority, timing: confirm with the authority, passing score 70%
• PSI Virginia business examinations — General and Virginia for Class B; Advanced, General, and Virginia for Class A (Designated Employee) — question count: confirm with the authority, timing: confirm with the authority, passing score 70%

Examination fee: PSI charges $40 for one examination portion, $72 for two portions, or $85 for three portions, according to DPOR’s current exam table.

Retake policy: A failed portion must be scheduled and paid for again through PSI. Confirm the current candidate bulletin for the selected classification or specialty before registering.

Insurance and Bonds

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 applicants document at least $45,000 in net worth/equity and Class B applicants at least $15,000, using the current financial-statement, surety-bond, or CPA-review/audit route allowed by DPOR. Class C has no listed minimum. The monetary classes are separate: A begins at $150,000 per project or $1 million annually; B covers $30,000 to under $150,000 per project or $250,000 to under $1 million annually; C covers over $1,000 to under $30,000 per project while remaining below $250,000 annually.

Fee Schedule

To turn these board fees into a realistic year-one budget — bond premium, liability insurance, and exam prep included — open the cost calculator preloaded for Virginia general contractor.

Renewal and Continuing Education

The Virginia Class A, B, or C Contractor (RBC, CBC, or BLD) must be renewed every 2 years. The fee to renew is presently $264.50. Licenses renew every two years. The current all-in Class C renewal is $264.50; Class B is $304.50 and Class A is $314.50, including the $30 Recovery Fund assessment and two years of the temporary technology fee.

Continuing education: The current Board for Contractors renewal rules do not list a recurring continuing-education requirement for Class A, B, or C contractor firms.

Reciprocity

Virginia honors the NASCLA Accredited Examination toward this classification.

Virginia’s current application treats the NASCLA examination as equivalent for the CBC and CIC technical designation only, but still requires compatible experience. It is not a blanket substitute for the Virginia firm license, class requirements, or the Class A/B Designated Employee examinations.

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

General Contractor Licensing in Neighboring States

Contractors working near a state line, or weighing where to qualify first, should compare Virginia's requirements against the bordering jurisdictions before committing to an application:

• District of Columbia General Contractor License Requirements — DC General Contractor/Construction Manager or Home Improvement Contractor Basic Business License
• Kentucky General Contractor License Requirements — Kentucky General Contractor (no state license)
• Maryland General Contractor License Requirements — Maryland Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC) License
• North Carolina General Contractor License Requirements — North Carolina General Contractor (Limited, Intermediate, or Unlimited)
• Tennessee General Contractor License Requirements — Tennessee Contractor License — Building Classifications (TBLC)
• West Virginia General Contractor License Requirements — West Virginia Contractor License

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

1. Choose the class and specialty. Use Class A for $150,000 or more per project or $1 million or more annually; Class B for $30,000 to under $150,000 per project or $250,000 to under $1 million annually; and Class C for over $1,000 to under $30,000 per project while remaining below $250,000 annually. Then select RBC, CBC, BLD, or the exact specialty needed.
2. Document the qualifying individual's experience. One year for Class C, three years for Class B, or five years for Class A. The Qualified Individual must be a member of Responsible Management or a bona fide full-time employee working at least 30 hours per week for the business.
3. Complete the DPOR-approved pre-license education. A current Board-approved pre-license business course is required for every new Class A, B, or C contractor firm. Use DPOR’s approved-provider list; this course is separate from the Class A and B Designated Employee examinations.
4. Prepare the financial statement. Class A requires at least $45,000 in net worth/equity and Class B at least $15,000 through a current DPOR-approved financial verification route. Class C has no listed minimum.
5. Submit the DPOR application. File with the application fee, qualifying individual designation, financial statement, and proof of experience and education.
6. Pass the PSI examinations at 70%. Meet the technical prerequisite for each requested work designation. The Class A Designated Employee completes the Advanced, General, and Virginia portions; Class B uses the General and Virginia portions. Class C does not use a Designated Employee business examination.
7. 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.

Application Checklist

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

• DPOR application with the current class fee: $439.50 Class A, $419.50 Class B, or $274.50 Class C; CBC/CIC-only applications are $25 lower
• Current Board-approved pre-license business course completion certificate
• Experience verification covering one year (Class C), three years (Class B), or five years (Class A)
• Financial verification showing at least $45,000 net worth/equity for Class A or $15,000 for Class B
• Passing result for each required QI classification or specialty examination, or documentation supporting an accepted waiver
• Designated Employee examination results: General and Virginia for Class B; Advanced, General, and Virginia for Class A
• Workers compensation coverage certificate for any business with three or more employees

Progress is saved in this browser, so you can return to this checklist while your application is in flight.

Common Filing Mistakes

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 $40,000 project is outside Class C’s current single-project range. Select the class using both the project value and the rolling 12-month total before bidding.

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

Every new contractor firm needs a current Board-approved pre-license business course completion. For Class C it must be completed by a member of Responsible Management; for Class A or B it may be completed by a member of Responsible Management or the Designated Employee.

Underestimating the financial statement

Class A requires at least $45,000 in net worth/equity and Class B at least $15,000 through one of DPOR’s accepted financial-verification routes. Do not reuse the former $15,000 figure for Class A.

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.

Study and Reference Materials

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.

Other Virginia Trade Licenses

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

• Virginia Electrician License Requirements
• Virginia Plumber License Requirements
• Virginia HVAC Technician License Requirements
• Virginia Roofing Contractor License Requirements
• Virginia Painting Contractor License Requirements
• Virginia Landscaping Contractor License Requirements
• Virginia Masonry Contractor License Requirements
• Virginia Concrete Contractor License Requirements
• Virginia Carpentry Contractor License Requirements
• Virginia Solar Installer License Requirements
• Virginia Low-Voltage Technician License Requirements
• Virginia Fire Sprinkler Contractor License Requirements
• Virginia Home Inspector License Requirements
• Virginia Pool Contractor License Requirements
• Virginia Handyman License Requirements
• Virginia Pest Control License Requirements
• Virginia Septic Contractor License Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I need a Virginia contractor license?

Virginia’s Class C definition begins when a single contract or project is over $1,000. The statute measures fair market value and treats contract price as prima facie evidence of value. Local permits and separately licensed work can still apply below that amount.

What are the three Virginia contractor classes?

Class A covers $150,000 or more per project or $1 million or more annually. Class B covers $30,000 to under $150,000 per project or $250,000 to under $1 million annually. Class C covers over $1,000 to under $30,000 per project while total annual value remains below $250,000.

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?

Only in a limited way. The current DPOR application says the NASCLA examination is equivalent for the CBC and CIC technical designation, but the Qualified Individual must still document compatible experience. It does not replace the Virginia firm application, class requirements, or the Class A/B Designated Employee examinations.

How often does the Virginia contractor license renew?

Every two years. The current contractor renewal rules require the renewal filing, applicable fee, and continued satisfaction of the class qualifications; they do not list a recurring continuing-education requirement for the contractor firm.

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