Virginia Landscaping Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Virginia regulates landscaping contractors through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) Board for Contractors. Any landscaping project of $1,000 or more requires the contractor to hold a Class C license; $10,000+ requires Class B; $120,000+ requires Class A. Landscape work is designated as the Landscape Service Contractor (LSC) specialty. Separately, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Office of Pesticide Services issues commercial pesticide applicator certifications under the Virginia Pesticide Control Act.

The Licensing Authority

Licensing for this trade is governed by Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation — Board for Contractors (DPOR), the agency that issues and regulates the credential 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 applicant must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No residency requirement.

Good moral character

DPOR conducts a fitness review.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure.

Experience and Education Requirements

The experience bar is two years of landscape contracting experience for the qualified individual, 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
Employer letters
W-2s or 1099s

Education substitution

Associate degree in horticulture or landscape architecture substitutes for one year.

The Licensing Examination

Testing is handled by PSI Services (for Class A/B; Class C is exam-waived for LSC). The applicant has to pass each part listed here before the credential is granted:

Virginia Contractor Business and Law exam — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%
VDACS Pesticide Core + 3A Ornamental exam (separate track) — 100 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $20 DPOR trade fee + $100 PSI exam for Class A/B.

Retake policy: Re-test allowed after 30 days.

Financial Security and Insurance

No statewide contractor license surety bond is required for this credential in the cited sources. Project-specific, permit, or public-works bonds may still apply, so confirm bonding before bidding a given job.

General liability

No state minimum. Commercial clients typically require $1,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Mandatory under §65.2-800 for any business with three or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

Class A requires $45,000 net worth; Class B requires $15,000; Class C has no minimum.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$385
Examination	$100
Initial license	$385
Renewal (every 2 years)	$200

License Renewal

The Virginia DPOR Class A/B/C Contractor — Landscape Service (LSC) Specialty must be renewed every 2 years. The fee to renew is presently $200. DPOR contractor licenses renew every two years.

Continuing education: Three hours of DPOR-approved CE per cycle.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Virginia Landscaping 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
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

Virginia has no specific landscape reciprocity; general contractor reciprocity is available with Maryland, North Carolina, and West Virginia through DPOR.

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

The Licensing Roadmap

Document two years experience. Landscape contracting experience.
Determine license class (A, B, or C). Based on largest single contract and gross revenue.
Pass Virginia Business and Law exam. Required for Class A and B.
Complete DPOR pre-license education. Eight hours for Class A and B applicants.
Submit DPOR application with LSC designation. Application with financial statement.
Obtain workers comp (3+ employees). Virginia mandate.
Obtain VDACS commercial applicator license (if applying pesticides). Core + Category 3A.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Before submitting to DPOR, the applicant should have each of the following ready:

☐ Two years documented experience
☐ DPOR Class A/B/C application with LSC specialty
☐ Business and Law exam pass (Class A/B)
☐ Pre-license education (8 hours)
☐ Financial statement per class
☐ Workers comp (3+ employees)
☐ VDACS Core + 3A applicator license (if applicable)

Common Application Pitfalls

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

Working above class threshold

Doing a $15,000 job on a Class C license is a violation with penalties and void contracts.

Ignoring $1,000 threshold

Any landscape project of $1,000 or more requires licensure.

Missing pre-license education

Class A and B require 8 hours before application.

Applying pesticides without VDACS

Virginia Pesticide Control Act penalties up to $1,000 per violation.

No net worth documentation

DPOR rejects applications without acceptable financial statement.

Preparation Resources

The list below collects the board's cited references and the materials applicants typically study from. CLR is not paid to recommend any of them.

Virginia Contractor Business and Law Manual — DPOR. Official exam reference.
VDACS Pesticide Applicator Core Manual — Virginia Tech Extension. Core exam study.
Virginia Turf and Ornamental Pest Management Guide — Virginia Tech. Category 3A reference.

Other Virginia Trade Licenses

For a different Virginia credential, see these companion guides published by CLR:

Answers to Common Questions

Do I need a DPOR license for landscaping?

Yes if any single project is $1,000 or more. Under $1,000 per project is exempt.

What class should I apply for?

Class C for projects $1,000 – $10,000; Class B for $10,000 – $120,000; Class A for unlimited.

Is a trade exam required for LSC?

DPOR does not administer a separate LSC trade exam. Business and Law is required for Class A/B.

Do I need VDACS for pesticides?

Yes. Any commercial pesticide application requires VDACS certification.

What is the net worth requirement?

$45,000 for Class A; $15,000 for Class B; no minimum for Class C.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-04-27 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-26