West Virginia Specialty Contractor License

The Specialty Contractor License allows you to perform specialty contracting services that:

• Are not covered by these contractor classifications:
  • Piping
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Multifamily
  • Residential
  • General Building
  • Heating, Ventilating and Cooling

How to Get the Specialty Contractor’s License in West Virginia?

1. Choose the desired trade, do keep in mind that the mandatory exam(s) depend(s) on the Specialty License:
   • Licenses that only require a Business and Law exam:

     • Asbestos Removal (Specialty 062)
     • Asphalt (Specialty 006)
     • Cable (Specialty 020)
     • Cable Television (Specialty 068)
     • Carpet Installation (Specialty 051)
     • Caulking (Specialty 018)
     • Ceilings (Specialty 084)
     • Communication & Sound (Specialty 019)
     • Crane (Specialty 037)
     • Decks (Specialty 083)
     • Demolition (Specialty 016)
     • Doors (Specialty 017)
     • Drilling (Specialty 036)
     • Drywall (Specialty 001)
     • Environmental/Hazardous Waste (Specialty 079)
     • Fencing (Specialty 023)
     • Finished Carpentry (Specialty 058)
     • Floor Covering (Specialty 027)
     • Foundation Support Systems (Specialty 089)
     • Glass & Glazing (Specialty 082)
     • Gutters (Specialty 030)
     • Highway Striping (Specialty 031)
     • Insulation (Specialty 026)
     • Landscaping (Specialty 003)
     • Land Clearing (Specialty 024)
     • Locksmith (Specialty 060)
     • Low Voltage Systems (Under 50 Volts) (Specialty 012)
     • Painting (Specialty 015)
     • Plastering (Specialty 035)
     • Pressure Washing/Sandblasting (Specialty 053)
     • Residential Pools (Specialty 008)
     • Roofing (Specialty 010)
     • Septic & Sewer Systems (Specialty 063)
     • Sheet Metal (Specialty 025)
     • Siding (Specialty 009)
     • Sign Installation (No Electrical) (Specialty 054)
     • Soil Stabilization (Specialty 088)
     • Storage Tank Removal (Specialty 061)
     • Stucco (Specialty 087)
     • Tile Installation (Specialty 086)
     • Water Well Drilling (Specialty 064)
     • Welding (Specialty 071)
     • Window Installation (Specialty 069)
   • Licenses that require both a trade and Business and Law exam:

     • Concrete (Specialty 007)
     • Excavation (Specialty 002)
     • Manufactured Home Installation (Specialty 013)
     • Masonry (Specialty 004)
     • Remodeling & Repair (Specialty 005)
     • Sprinkler & Fire Protection (Specialty 014)
     • Structural Steel Erection (Specialty 011)
     • Utilities (Sewer & Water) (Specialty 021)
2. Contact the West Virginia Division of Labor Contractor Licensing Board and provide the scope of work to verify the classification and test required to obtain the Specialty Contractor License; send the request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
3. Depending on the license, schedule and take both the trade and business tests, or only the business and law exam; PSI© is the entity in charge of regulating the examination process, candidates may apply online or contact them at (855) 539-0708
   • For entities, get a Business Registration Tax Number; for more details, call the West Virginia Tax Division at (304) 558-3333
4. Register with the West Virginia Secretary of State; candidates can contact a Business Specialist at (866) 767-8683 or (304) 55​8-8000​ to determine if the entity must be enrolled; applicants may also register the business online at WV One Stop Business Portal, in-person at the office located on 13 Kanawha Blvd., W., Suite 201, Charleston, WV 25302, or by visiting one of their Business Hubs
5. Present evidence of Workers' Compensation and Unemployment Compensation for all employees in case of being an entity
   • Contact the Workers' Compensation staff at (304) 558-3386, and the Unemployment Compensation personnel at (304) 558-2451
   • Provide proof of General Liability Insurance Coverage if the candidate’s entity is exempt and West Virginia coverage is not required
6. Send a completed application form and affidavit; a wage bond is a guarantee issued to the Division of Labor to protect employee wages and fringe benefits; if the entity performs commercial construction work with employees, contact the Wage & Hour staff at (304) 558-7890 or by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to verify the wage bond status
   • Note that the State of West Virginia requires a wage bond for a contractor who did not actively engage in construction work in the State for at least one year preceding the completion date of the application/affidavit form
7. Pay the contractor license fee by check, money order, or credit card at the Charleston City Service Center Office
8. Expect an answer from the Division regarding the license once the process is complete