West Virginia Specialty Contractor License
The Specialty Contractor License allows you to perform specialty contracting services that:
- Are not covered by these contractor classifications:
How to Get the Specialty Contractor’s License in West Virginia?
- 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:
- 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. - 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
- Register with the West Virginia Secretary of State; candidates can contact a Business Specialist at (866) 767-8683 or (304) 558-8000 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
- 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
- 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
- Pay the contractor license fee by check, money order, or credit card at the Charleston City Service Center Office
- Expect an answer from the Division regarding the license once the process is complete
