Virginia Contractor Pre-License Courses

If you want to do contracting work in the state of Virginia, you'll need a license. And we're not just talking about a driver's license to validate your identification. Instead, the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) requires that you get a license through them. 

That means figuring out what license type you need, completing a specific number of pre-license education course hours, submitting your application, and paying the necessary fees. All told, getting your Virginia contractor license is a bit of work. But don't worry. We built this guide to teach you everything you need to know about getting your Virginia contractor license. 

First off, you're probably wondering if you technically need a license to do your work. 

Do I need a Virginia contractor license?

You should have a DPOR-issued contractor license if you're 'engaged in the construction, removal, repair, or improvement of facilities on property owned by others.' In other words, you don't need a contractor's license to do work on your own house. But if you're working on someone else's property and getting paid $1,000 or more for it, you probably need to go through the DPOR to get your license first.

There are a few exemptions listed in the state code. Go through that list. If none of the exemptions apply to you, get your license to avoid getting hit with a misdemeanor. And make sure you don't repeatedly violate the DPOR's regulation in this area or you could even get stuck with a felony. 

Another important note: the DPOR issues Virginia contractor licenses to businesses, not individuals. Be ready to give the department all of your business info when you apply. And if you haven't established your business yet, you'll want to do so before you apply for your contractor license. 

If you do need a Virginia contractor license, you need to determine which type of license is right for you. 

What are the different license types?

The DPOR issues four different contractor license types:

Class A Contractor License

If you're going to be taking on single projects with a value of $120,000 or more or you'll take on projects valued at $750,000 or more in a single year, you'll need a Class A license. 

You'll also need to name a designated employee who has five or more years of experience. And you'll need to show that your business has a net worth of $45,000. You can do this with a bond if need be. 

Class B Contractor License

If your projects range from $10,000 to $119,999 each or the total value of all of your projects during a 12-month period falls between $150,000 and $749,999, you need a Class B license. 

You'll also need to name a designated employee, but this individual only needs three years of experience. You'll need to show a company net worth of $15,000 but, again, you can use a surety bond. 

Class C Contractor License

If you're working on projects worth more than $1,000 but less than $10,000 and your annual project total is less than $150,000, a Class C license is for you. 

Virginia Tradesmen License

If you specialize in a specific trade 'like plumbing or electrical work' you'll go through the DPOR's tradesman program to get the certification you need to do your work. 

What are license specialties and classifications?

On top of your Class A, B, or C license, you can also have a license classification or specialty designation. You can get any of the following designations with your DPOR license:

• ASB: Asbestos 
• ASC: Accessibility services 
• ASL: Accessibility services with LULA 
• ELE: Electrical 
• EEC: Elevator/escalator 
• GFC: Gasfitting 
• HVA: HVAC 
• LAC: Lead abatement 
• LPG: Liquefied petroleum gas 
• NGF: Natural gas fitting provider 
• PLB: Plumbing 
• SDS: Sewage disposal system 
• WWP: Water well/pump 

You'll need to be pre-approved and pass an exam to add these classifications or specialties to your license:

• AES: Alternative energy systems 
• PAV: Asphalt paving and seal coating 
• BSC: Billboard/sign 
• CBC: Commercial building 
• CIC: Commercial improvement 
• CEM: Concrete
• DLR: Drug, lab, remediation  
• DRY: Drywall 
• ESC: Electronic/communication service 
• EMW: Environmental monitoring well 
• ENV: Environmental specialties 
• EMC: Equipment/machinery
• FIC: Farm improvement 
• FIN Finish carpentry contracting 
• FAS: Fire alarm systems 
• FSP: Fire suppression 
• FLR: Flooring and floor covering contracting 
• FRM: Framing subcontractor 
• H/H: Highway/heavy 
• HIC: Home improvement 
• IBC: Industrial building contracting 
• ISC: Landscape irrigation 
• LSC: Landscape services 
• MCC: Marine facility 
• BRK: Masonry 
• PTC: Painting & wall covering 
• RBC: Residential building 
• REF: Refrigeration 
• RFC: Recreational facility 
• ROC: Roofing 
• POL: Swimming pool construction 
• VCC: Vessel construction 
• GLZ: Glass and glazing contracting 
• INS: Insulation and weatherstripping contracting 
• STL: Steel erection contracting 
• TMC: Tile, marble, ceramic and terrazzo contracting 
• UUC Underground utility and excavating contracting

For the following classifications and specialties, you'll need a specific certification:

• BEC: Blast/explosive 
• SPR: Fire sprinkler 
• MHC: Manufactured home contracting 
• RMC: Radon mitigation

You can also get a miscellaneous contracting (MSC) designation with special approval from the DPOR. 

How do I get a contractors license in Virginia?

The DPOR outlines the ten-step process to get your contractor license in this document. To save you the hassle of going through all five pages of instructions, we'll quickly outline the steps here. 

1. Establish your business entity. Because VA contractor licenses go to businesses, not individuals, you need to set up a business in order to get your license. This guide can help you explore the different entity types and the steps you'll need to take with each. It walks you through choosing your business name, registering with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), and getting your tax ID numbers, which you'll need for your Virginia contractor license application. 
2. Register your business. That Business One-Stop page we just listed shows you how to register your business with the SCC. You can do this online with their registration portal. Choose the 'New User' button to get started.
3. Pick your license type and specialty. Decide whether you need to get a Class A, B, or C license based on the value of projects you anticipate taking on. If you choose to add a specialty, know that you'll need to list a Qualified Individual (QI) for the specialty. That individual 'whether it's yourself or someone else' will need to meet eligibility requirements and may need to pass an exam, depending on the specialty type.  
4. Name your responsible management. Basically, this is the person or people responsible for the contractor license. Most likely, you'll act as your responsible management. 
5. Name your qualified individuals. Again, be ready to name the QIs for any specialties or designations on your license. And, just to reiterate, for many license specialties, the QI will need to take and pass an exam. 
6. Name your designated employee. If you're getting a Class A or Class B license, you need to name a designated employee. This person will need to take and pass the DPOR's contractor exam.
7. Complete the pre-license education. Someone from your named responsible management or your designated employee (if you're Class A or Class B and have one) needs to take eight hours of DPOR-approved pre-license education. Fortunately, these hours are available on-demand online. It makes sense to have your designated employee (again, assuming you have one) take these hours because the courses can help that individual prepare for the contractor exam. 
8. Fill out the application. The application is only six pages long, but it's pretty involved. Make sure you pay special attention to the attachments checklist on the last page. If you miss any of those add-ons, the DPOR will request them from you and your approval will have to wait until you get those items in. In addition to the application itself, you might need to attach:
   1. Your Financial Statement or your Surety Bond form (for Class A and Class B licenses only)
   2. An Experience Verification form for your designated employee or for specific license designations/specialties
9. Send it in with the right fee. More on this in the next section. We'll go into the details because fees vary by license type. 
10. Wait for approval. The DPOR usually takes about a month to process license applications, but it could take longer. Be patient and be ready to submit any additional information they request. 

What fees will I need to pay to get a Virginia contractor license?

The license fee you owe to the DPOR depends on the type of license you're trying to get. Here's the fee breakdown:

• Class A: $385
• Class B: $370
• Class C: $235

Make your check or money order out to the Treasurer of Virginia. The fees you pay are non-refundable.

Don't assume your fee is a one-and-done thing, either. You'll need to pay for certain things throughout the application process, like any required exams and your pre-license education hours. 

Your contractor license will expire every two years, so make sure you stay on top of your renewal. 

Using this guide, you should be well-informed about the process you'll go through to get a Virginia contractor license. Good luck!