Virginia BRK Masonry Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) Board for Contractors licenses masonry contractors statewide under Code of Virginia Title 54.1 Chapter 11 and 18 VAC 50-22. Virginia does not issue a standalone tradesman credential for masons; masonry work is regulated at the business level through a Class A, B, or C contractor license with the BRK (Brick, Block, and Stone) specialty designation. Class selection is determined by project and annual contract value: Class C up to $10,000 per project and $150,000 per year, Class B up to $120,000 and $750,000, Class A unlimited. This page documents the verified path including DPOR reciprocity, Virginia OSHA silica enforcement, and TMS 402/602 plus IBC Chapter 21 compliance.

Regulatory Oversight

This license is issued and enforced by Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation — Board for Contractors (DPOR) pursuant to 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

Who May Apply

At a minimum the applicant has to be 18 years old and supply a valid Social Security Number. No Virginia residency requirement. Out-of-state qualifying individuals must designate a Virginia registered agent.

Good moral character

DPOR conducts a fitness review on every applicant. Felony convictions within the last three years and any contracting-related convictions are reviewed individually.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application. DPOR reviews prior license discipline from any jurisdiction.

Required Experience and Education

Plan to substantiate 2 years of masonry experience for Class C, 3 years for Class B, 5 years for Class A — documenting brick, CMU, stone, anchored veneer, mortar, flashing, weeps, and grouted reinforced masonry work with hard records. Payroll, tax, project logs, and supervisor verification are what the board relies on when it reviews the claim.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

DPOR Experience Verification Form signed by prior employers or licensed contractors
W-2, 1099, or payroll records covering the qualifying period
Project list with addresses, owner contact, and dates

Education substitution

DPOR accepts an associate or bachelor degree in construction-related fields for partial experience credit under 18 VAC 50-22-220.

Examination Requirements

PSI Services LLC under contract to DPOR runs the examination for this credential. Issuance is contingent on passing every part below:

Virginia Contractor Business and Law Examination — 50 questions, 150 minutes, passing score 70%
BRK Brick, Block, and Stone Specialty Trade Examination — TMS 402/602, IBC Chapter 21, brick, CMU, stone, anchored veneer, grouted reinforced masonry — 70 questions, 210 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $85 per PSI exam section ($170 total).

Retake policy: Failed sections may be retaken by paying a new $85 fee. Application remains valid for one year.

Insurance and Financial Requirements

The cited materials impose no contractor license bond for this credential. Bear in mind that specific contracts, permits, or public works can still require their own bonds.

General liability

DPOR does not impose a state-level GL minimum, but the Board requires the GL insurer name on the application. Most commercial owners require $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory under Virginia Code §65.2-800 for any business with three or more employees (including part-time). Sole proprietors with fewer than three workers are exempt but must still disclose on the DPOR application.

Additional financial requirements

Class A requires a minimum net worth of $45,000 verified by financial statement. Class B requires $15,000 net worth. Class C has no net worth minimum.

Licensing Fees

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

Keeping the License Current

Renewal of the Virginia BRK Brick/Block Specialty Contractor — DPOR Board for Contractors comes due every 2 years. As cited, the renewal fee stands at $385. Virginia contractor licenses renew every two years. Late renewal carries a 50% reinstatement fee and reactivation requirements after 12 months lapsed.

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

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and License Transfer

Virginia accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Maryland	Trade exam waiver	Bilateral DPOR–MHIC agreement for active masonry contractors with comparable scope.
North Carolina	No reciprocity	No agreement; NC Licensing Board for General Contractors regulates separately.
West Virginia	Trade exam waiver	Bilateral DPOR–WV reciprocity for active masonry contractors.

Virginia accepts the NASCLA Accredited Commercial Contractor exam in place of the BRK trade exam for commercial masonry applicants.

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

Application Process, Step by Step

Choose Class A, B, or C based on project value. Class C (under $10,000/project), Class B (under $120,000/project), or Class A (unlimited). Class selection drives exam, experience, and financial requirements.
Document masonry experience. Compile signed DPOR Experience Verification Forms (2 years for Class C, 3 for Class B, 5 for Class A).
Complete a DPOR-approved 8-hour pre-license course. 18 VAC 50-22-90 requires a state-approved pre-license education course covering Virginia law.
Pass the PSI Virginia Business and Law exam. Score 70% or better on the 50-question business and law exam.
Pass the PSI BRK trade exam. Score 70% or better on the 70-question BRK specialty exam covering TMS 402/602 and IBC Chapter 21.
Prepare financial statement (Class A and B only). CPA-reviewed statement demonstrating net worth minimum: $45,000 Class A, $15,000 Class B.
Submit the DPOR Contractor Application. File with $385 application fee (Class C), $485 (Class B), or $585 (Class A), BRK specialty designation, insurance, and exam scores.
Implement Virginia OSHA silica written exposure control plan. Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) state plan enforces 29 CFR 1926.1153 with mandatory written plan and Table 1 controls.

Recommended References

These are the preparation and reference materials tied to this credential — cited by the regulator or widely used by applicants. CLR earns nothing from listing them.

Virginia Contractor Reference Manual — Virginia DPOR. Required reference for the Virginia business and law exam.
TMS 402/602 Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures — The Masonry Society. Adopted by reference under IBC Chapter 21 and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code Chapter 21 — Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development. Virginia-amended IBC Chapter 21 covering all masonry construction.

Frequent Application Errors

Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a Virginia Masonry filing.

Wrong class for project value

Class C contractors bidding over $10,000 per project or $150,000 per year trigger automatic DPOR discipline and contract voidance. Upgrade class before bidding.

Missing the pre-license course

18 VAC 50-22-90 requires an 8-hour DPOR-approved pre-license course before exam scheduling. Applicants who skip it are denied exam approval.

Net worth shortfall for Class A/B

Class A requires $45,000 net worth and Class B requires $15,000. DPOR rejects self-prepared balance sheets — CPA review or compilation is required.

Anchored veneer ties at wrong spacing

Virginia SDC B and C zones require corrosion-resistant ties at TMS 402 spacing. Northern Virginia inspectors fail jobs with undersized or uncoated ties.

VOSH silica plan absent

Virginia OSHA is a state plan with stricter recordkeeping than federal. Missing written exposure control plans under 29 CFR 1926.1153(g) draw immediate citations averaging $10,000 per masonry site.

Document Checklist

These are the pieces to lock down before filing with DPOR:

☐ Virginia State Corporation Commission entity registration
☐ DPOR-approved 8-hour pre-license education course
☐ Experience Verification (2, 3, or 5 years by Class)
☐ PSI Virginia Business and Law exam pass certificate (70%+)
☐ PSI BRK Brick, Block, and Stone trade exam pass certificate (70%+)
☐ Financial statement ($15,000 or $45,000 net worth for Class B/A)
☐ GL certificate and workers comp (3+ employees)
☐ VOSH silica written exposure control plan

Other Virginia Trade Licenses

CLR covers other Virginia trades as well — the published guides below may be more relevant:

Questions Applicants Ask

Does Virginia have a dedicated masonry license?

Not as a standalone tradesman credential. Masonry contractors operate as Class A, B, or C contractors with the BRK (Brick, Block, and Stone) specialty designation under 18 VAC 50-22.

How is Class A, B, or C determined?

By project value and annual contract volume. Class C handles projects under $10,000 and $150,000 annual, Class B under $120,000 and $750,000, Class A is unlimited.

Does Virginia accept NASCLA?

Yes for commercial applicants. Virginia accepts the NASCLA Accredited Commercial Contractor exam in place of the BRK trade exam.

Is workers compensation required?

Mandatory under §65.2-800 for any business with three or more employees (including part-time). Fewer than three workers qualifies as exempt under Virginia law.

Does Virginia enforce OSHA silica?

Yes. Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) is a state-plan OSHA enforcing 29 CFR 1926.1153 with stricter documentation requirements than federal.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-06-14 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-12