Virginia Alternative Energy System (AES) Contractor License

The Alternative Energy System (AES) Contractor License allows you to do the installation, repair or improvement of:

  • Customer's meter
  • Alternative energy generation systems
  • Supplemental energy systems
  • Associated equipment connected to real property
  • This service does not include the installation of emergency generators powered by fossil fuels
  • No other classification or specialty service provides this function
  • This specialty does not provide for electrical, plumbing, gas fitting, or HVAC functions

The General, Virginia, and Advanced portions must be passed by the applicant interested in the Class A class type. Class B applicants must complete the General and Virginia portions of the examination. Applicants applying for Class C class type are only required to take a trade exam.

How to Get the Alternative Energy System (AES) Contractor’s License in Virginia?

  1. Have a business entity
  2. Choose the desired classification:
    • Class A: No monetary restrictions
    • Class B: Restricted to contracts/projects of less than $120,000, with the total amount of all contracts/projects performed in a twelve-month period remaining below $750,000
    • Class C: Restricted to contracts/projects of less than $10,000, with the total amount of all contracts/projects performed in a twelve-month period remaining below $150,000
  3. Fulfill the classification requirements:
    • Be at least 18 years of age
    • Be a full-time employee or a business manager
    • Complete one of the board-approved basic business courses
    • Obtain approval for the examination or have been exempt from the exam required by § 54.1-1106 of the Code of Virginia
    • For a Class A license, a minimum of five years of experience is required. Class B requires a minimum of three years, and Class C requires two years in the classification or specialty selected
    • Disclose information about the firm, such as the members of the responsible management, the designated employee, and the qualified individual for the firm:
      • Financial information. Excluding any property owned as tenants by the entity, the firm shall state a net worth or equity of $45,000 for Class A, and for Class B, any property with a net worth or equity of $15,000 or more
      • Attach information on past debt, outstanding tax obligations, defaults on bonds pending, or past bankruptcies for the past five years
      • Disclose any monetary penalties, fines, suspensions, revocations, or surrender of a license in connection with disciplinary action
      • Inform all non-marijuana misdemeanor convictions within three years of the date of application
      • Report all felony convictions that ever occurred in life
  4. Complete a pre-licensure education course from one of the DPOR-approved providers. For more information on the pre-approval process, contact the Virginia Board of Contractors:
    • By phone: 804-367-8511
    • By email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  5. Fill out and submit a completed application, as well as an experience verification form and send them to the DPOR with the corresponding fee
  6. Await a response from the department, which can take up to 30 days
  7. Be pre-approved and register for the PSI© exams by mail or online
    • If applying by phone, contact 855-340-3910
    • If applying by mail, send the application along with the required fee to 3210 East Tropicana Las Vegas NV-89121
    • If applying by fax, send the registration form to this number: (702) 932-2666, along with a credit card number and expiration date
  8. Take and pass both the trade examination and the Designated Employee A/B exam
  9. If approved, a contractor license will be issued by the DPOR and sent via mail to the address listed on the application

Please note that pre-approval is required, and the examination must be passed in order to acquire this license.

Virginia Alternative Energy System (AES) Contractor License Exam Prep Courses

Virginia Alternative Energy System (AES) Contractor License Exams

Below is all the information related to the trade and Designated Employee Class A/B exams, including the official reference lists.

Virginia Alternative Energy System (AES) Contractor Trade Exam

  • Testing Method: Computer-based testing
  • Testing Company: PSI©
  • Number of Questions: 60
  • Types of Questions: Multiple choice
  • Time Allowed: 150 Minutes
  • Minimum Passing Score: 43 Questions
  • Subjects Involved (No. of Questions):
    • Photovoltaics (23)
    • Estimating, Calculations, and Designs (13)
    • Electrical Theory and Knowledge (9)
    • Wind Generated Power (10)
    • Safety (5)
  • PSI© Alternative Energy System (AES) Official Content Outline

Virginia Alternative Energy System (AES) Contractor Designated Employee Class A/B Exam

  • Testing Method: Open book
  • Testing Company: PSI©
  • Number of Questions: 98
  • Types of Questions: Multiple choice
  • Time Allowed: 208 Minutes
  • Minimum Passing Score:
    Virginia Portion (18 out of 24)
    General Portion (35 out of 50)
    Advanced Portion (17 of 24)
  • Subjects Involved (No. of Questions):
    • Virginia Portion (24)
      • Regulation of Contractors (7)
      • Board Rules and Regulations (5)
      • Building Codes (5)
      • Transaction Recovery Fund (5)
      • Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations (2)
    • General Portion (50)
      • Business Organization (2)
      • Estimating and Bidding (10)
      • Contract Management (10)
      • Project Management (7)
      • Risk Management (3)
      • Safety (5)
      • Labor Laws (3)
      • Financial Management (5)
      • Federal and State Taxes (4)
      • Lien Laws (1)
    • Advanced Portion (24)
      • Estimating and Bidding (1)
      • Contract Management (4)
      • Project Management (1)
      • Risk Management (2)
      • Safety (2)
      • Labor Laws (4)
      • Financial Management (5)
      • Federal and State Taxes (4)
      • Lien Laws (1)
  • PSI© Designated Employee Class A/B Official Content Outline

Virginia Alternative Energy System (AES) Contractor Book Set

This set of books includes all required references for the Alternative Energy System (AES) and Designated Employee Class A/B exams. Orders placed before 2 PM are shipped the same day via UPS and a tracking number is emailed before 3 PM.

  • VIRGINIA ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEM (AES) - BOOK SET WITHOUT TABS INCLUDES ALL BOOKS FOR TRADE AND BUSINESS EXAMS

    Sales price: $689.81
  • VIRGINIA ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEM (AES) - BOOK SET WITH TABS INCLUDES ALL BOOKS FOR TRADE AND BUSINESS EXAMS

    Sales price: $769.81

Virginia Alternative Energy System (AES) Contractor Exam Books

Books Allowed in Testing

Virginia Alternative Energy System (AES) Designated Employee Class A/B Exam Books

Books Allowed in Testing