Virginia Roofing License Requirements (2026)

The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) Board for Contractors licenses roofing contractors under Code of Virginia Title 54.1 Chapter 11. Any contracting work valued at $1,000 or more requires a DPOR license. Roofing falls under the Roofing (ROC) specialty classification. DPOR issues three monetary classes: Class C ($0–$10,000 single contract / $150,000 annual), Class B ($10,001–$120,000 single / $750,000 annual), and Class A (unlimited). Each class has a corresponding net worth requirement: Class C $0, Class B $15,000, Class A $45,000. The qualifying party must complete a pre-license education course, pass the PSI Virginia Roofing trade exam, and pass the Virginia Business and Law exam.

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 VA residency requirement.

Good moral character

DPOR reviews fraud and construction-related offenses under 18 VAC 50-22-260.

Background investigation

Disclosure on application.

Experience and Education Requirements

A minimum of two years of roofing experience for the qualifying party (Class C); five years for Class B; five years for Class A under 18 VAC 50-22-220 must be documented and verified. Unless the board publishes a different lookback period, applicants should keep payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records that support the claimed experience.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

DPOR Experience Verification form signed by previous employers
Project list
W-2/1099 corroboration

Education substitution

Bachelor's in construction management or related field may substitute for two years.

The Licensing Examination

The exam, administered by PSI Services LLC, breaks into the parts shown below — all must be passed before licensure:

Virginia Roofing (ROC) Trade Exam — IBC Chapter 15, NRCA practices, hot-mop fire safety — 70 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 70%
Virginia Contractor Business and Law Exam — 60 questions, 150 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $85 per exam paid to PSI.

Retake policy: Failed exams retaken at $85; pre-license course valid two years.

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 set a state minimum, but most municipal permits require $300,000–$1,000,000 GL.

Workers' compensation

Mandatory for every VA employer with three or more employees under §65.2-101. Subcontractors count toward the three.

Additional financial requirements

Net worth statement required: Class C $0, Class B $15,000, Class A $45,000. Surety bond may substitute for net worth deficiency.

Fee Schedule

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

License Renewal

The Virginia DPOR Class A/B/C Contractor License — Roofing (ROC) Specialty must be renewed every 2 years. The fee to renew is presently $385. Biennial renewal.

Continuing education: Class C 3 hours, Class B 6 hours, Class A 6 hours of DPOR-approved CE per renewal cycle.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

Virginia honors the NASCLA Accredited Examination toward this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
North Carolina	Trade exam waived	Bilateral DPOR–NCLBGC endorsement.
Maryland	Trade exam waived	Bilateral DPOR–MHIC endorsement.
West Virginia	Trade exam waived	Bilateral DPOR–WV CLB endorsement.

NASCLA accreditation waives the trade exam. Business and Law never waived.

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

The Licensing Roadmap

Choose the monetary class (A, B, or C). Class ties to maximum project value and net worth.
Document qualifying party experience. Two years (Class C), five years (Class B/A).
Complete the DPOR pre-license education course. 8 hours (Class C), 8 hours (Class B), 8 hours (Class A) — Board-approved provider.
Pass the PSI Roofing trade and Business and Law exams. 70% on each.
Submit the DPOR application + $385 fee. Plus net worth statement matching the class.
Bind general liability and workers compensation. Workers comp mandatory at three employees under §65.2-101.
Receive license and renew biennially. Two-year cycle with continuing education.
Comply with VA Uniform Statewide Building Code. IBC/IRC adoption with state amendments.

Common Application Pitfalls

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

Coastal high-wind fastening

VA Tidewater counties (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News) enforce ASCE 7 wind loads. Six-nail patterns and ring-shank fasteners required.

Hurricane secondary water barrier

Coastal reroofs require self-adhering underlayment. Standard felt fails post-storm inspections.

Working under the $1,000 threshold loophole

DPOR exempts only projects under $1,000. Splitting a $5K reroof into smaller contracts is bid-splitting and unlicensed contracting.

Net worth deficiency at renewal

DPOR audits net worth at renewal. Class A applicants who fall below $45K must post a surety bond or downgrade.

OSHA fall protection

VA OSH plan enforces fall protection at six feet with state penalties. Aggressive inspection on residential reroof sites.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Have each of the following squared away before the packet goes to DPOR:

☐ DPOR pre-license course completion certificate
☐ PSI Roofing trade pass certificate (70%+)
☐ PSI Virginia Business and Law pass certificate (70%+)
☐ DPOR application + $385
☐ Net worth statement matching class
☐ General liability certificate of insurance
☐ VA workers compensation declaration page (3+ employees including subs)

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 Contractor Reference Manual — PSI Services. Primary exam reference.
Code of Virginia Title 54.1 Chapter 11 and 18 VAC 50-22 — Commonwealth of Virginia. Licensing law and rules.
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) — VA DHCD. Roof assembly requirements.

Other Virginia Trade Licenses

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

Answers to Common Questions

What is the Virginia threshold?

$1,000. Any contracting work valued at $1,000 or more requires a DPOR license under Code of Virginia 54.1-1103.

What are the contractor classes?

Class C ($0 net worth, ≤$10K single / $150K annual), Class B ($15K net worth, ≤$120K single / $750K annual), Class A ($45K net worth, unlimited).

Does VA accept NASCLA?

Yes for the trade exam. Business and Law never waived.

Is workers comp mandatory?

Yes at three or more employees (including subcontractors) under §65.2-101.

When does the license renew?

Every two years with three hours of CE for Class C, six hours for Class B, and six hours for Class A.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-04-22 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-21