Which construction trades in Virginia need a contractor license?
Virginia contractor's licenses go through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; contractor licenses are issued to business entities, not individuals. Applicants must complete eight hours of pre-license education in order to become licensed as a Contractor. There are three classes to consider by which the contractor licenses are categorized—class A, B, and C. These are determined by the monetary value of projects and their specialty, establishing what type of work is allowed. You can find more information about Class A, B, and C here. As part of the licensing requirements, the business entity must identify a Qualified Individual(QI) or a Designated Employee to complete the corresponding examination. Once the application is submitted to the DPOR, the applicant must approve the contractor's exam so the license will be issued.
The following are the trades issued by the DPOR that required a contractor license.
- 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
Contact Information
If you have a question regarding licensing issues, the examination, application status, etc., please get in touch with any of the following:
PSI© Exam Online Services
3210 East TropicanaLas Vegas NV-89121
855-579-4635
Virginia Board for Contractors
Licensing Section
804-367-8511
Education Section
804-367-2224
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
9960 Mayland Drive Suite 400 Richmond, VA 23233
804-367-2785
FAX: 866-430-1033
