Do you Need a Contractor License in Virginia?
In the State of Virginia, contractor licenses are issued to business entities instead of individuals. Suppose your business is trying to engage in the construction, removal, repair, or improvement of facilities on property owned by others. In that case, The Board of Contractors will be in charge of processing your request. Contractor Licenses consist of two parts: choosing the license class type (A, B, or C), which determines the financial worth of contracts/ projects that may be achieved, and the classification/ specialty, which decides what type of work is allowed. The board also licenses merchants, individuals, and firms compromised in residential building energy analysis, which implicates the evaluation of energy consumption and recommendations to enhance energy efficiency.
List of Contractor Licenses Available in Virginia:
- Accessibility Services – LULA (ASL)
- Alternative Energy System (AES)
- Asbestos (ASB)
- Asphalt Paving and Sealcoating (PAV)
- Backflow Prevention Device Worker
- Billboard/Sign (BSC)
- Blast/Explosive (BEC)
- Certified Accessibility Mechanic
- Commercial Building (CBC)
- Commercial Improvement (CIC)
- Concrete (CEM)
- Drywall (DRY)
- Electronic/Communication Service (ESC)
- Elevator/Escalator (EEC)
- Elevator Mechanic
- Environmental Monitoring Well (EMW)
- Environmental Specialties (ENV)
- Equipment/Machinery (EMC)
- Farm Improvement (FIC)
- Finish Carpentry (FIN)
- Fire Alarm Systems (FAS)
- Fire Sprinkler (SPR)
- Fire Suppression (FSP)
- Flooring and Floor Covering (FLR)
- Framing Subcontractor (FRM)
- Glass and Glazing (GLZ)
- Highway/Heavy (H/H)
- Home Improvement (HIC)
- Industrialized Building (IBC)
- Insulation and Weather Stripping (INS)
- Journeyman Alternative Onsite Sewage System Installer
- Journeyman Alternative Onsite Sewage System Operator
- Journeyman Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator
- Journeyman Conventional Onsite Sewage System Installer
- Journeyman Conventional Onsite Sewage System Operator
- Journeyman Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator
- Journeyman Electrician
- Journeyman HVAC
- Journeyman Gasfitter
- Journeyman LP Gasfitter
- Journeyman Natural Gasfitter
- Journeyman Plumber
- Journeyman Water Well Systems Provider
- Landscape Irrigation (ISC)
- Landscape Service (LSC)
- Lead Abatement (LAC)
- Lead Inspector
- Lead Risk Assessor
- Lead Supervisor
- Limited Use/Limited Application Elevator Endorsement
- Manufactured Home (MHC)
- Marine Facility (MCC)
- Masonry (BRK)
- Master Alternative Onsite Sewage System Installer
- Master Alternative Onsite Sewage System Operator
- Master Alternative Onsite Soil Evaluator
- Master Conventional Onsite Sewage System Installer
- Master Conventional Onsite Sewage System Operator
- Master Conventional Onsite Soil Evaluator
- Master Electrician
- Master HVAC
- Master Gasfitter
- Master LP Gasfitter
- Master Natural Gasfitter
- Master Plumber
- Master Water Well Systems Provider
- Miscellaneous (MSC)
- Painting and Wallcovering (PTC)
- Radon Mitigation (RMC)
- Recreational Facility (RFC)
- Refrigeration (REF)
- Residential Building (RBC)
- Residential Building Energy Analysts
- Roofing (ROC)
- Steel Erection (STL)
- Swimming Pool Construction (POL)
- Tile, Marble, Ceramic, and Terrazzo (TMC)
- Underground Utility and Excavating (UUC)
- Vessel Construction (VCC)
- Water Well/Pump Contracting (WWP)
- Waste Management Facility Operator Class I
- Waste Management Facility Operator Class II
- Waste Management Facility Operator Class III
- Waste Management Facility Operator Class IV
- Water Well System Providers
- Waterworks Class 1 Operator
- Waterworks Class 2 Operator
- Waterworks Class 3 Operator
- Waterworks Class 4 Operator
- Waterworks Class 5 Operator
- Waterworks Class 6 Operator
What is the application process in Virginia?
Virginia Contractors are managed by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), an executive branch agency that oversees 18 regulatory boards and programs and their policy boards. The Board for Professional and Occupational Regulation (BPOR) is embodied in practitioners and citizens assigned by the governor. They are responsible for running certain professions and occupations, as decided by the General Assembly. Candidates who preferred Class A must pass the General, Virginia, and advanced segments. Class B aspirants must complete and successfully pass the General and Virginia sections of the examination. And for Class C, candidates are only expected to pass the trade exam.
Class A: Class A contractors perform or manage construction, removal, repair, or improvements when the total value pertained to in a single contract or project is $120,000 or more, or the full value of all such as construction, removal, repair, or improvements embraced by such person within any 12 months is $750,000.
Class B: Class B contractors implement or supervise construction, removal repair, or improvements when the total value related to a single contract or project is $10,000 or more but less than $120,000, or the entire worth of all such as construction, removal, repair or improvements undertaken by such person within any 12 months is $150,000 or more, but less than $750,000.
Class C: Class C contractors fulfill or oversee construction, removal, repair, or improvements when the total worth related to a single contract or project is over $1,000 but less than $10,000 or the total cost of all such construction, removal, repair, or improvements accepted by such person within any 12 months is less than $150,000. The Board must require a master merchants license as a stipulation of licensure for electrical, plumbing and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contractors.
Contact Information for the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
If you would like to obtain more information on the licensure requirements and process, you may contact the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations at:
Email:
Phone:804-367-8500
Mailing Address:
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400
Richmond, VA 23233