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General Contractor
Total cost: $100-$310
Yes
License Required?
5 years
Experience Required
No
Bonding Required?
$100-$310
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
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Residential contractor license for Virginia. Covers construction, remodeling, and repair of residential properties.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $1,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Commercial contractor license for Virginia. Covers construction of commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $1,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Virginia contractor classes: Class A (over $120,000 or combined >$750,000/12 months), Class B ($10,000-$120,000 single or $150,000-$750,000/12 months), Class C ($1,000-$10,000 single or up to $150,000/12 months). Class C has NO exam and NO bond/financial requirements.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $1,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Specialty contractor license for Virginia. Covers specialized trades and construction activities. Categories: Class A (over $120,000), Class B ($10,000-$120,000), Class C (up to $10,000).
Additional Requirements
Experience & Documentation
Verified5
Years Required
Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
Minimum 5 years of documented experience in the construction trade
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Trade Exam
Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
PSI (855-340-3910)
Passing Score
70%
Open Book
Yes
Trade Exam Details
Class A and Class B: Trade and business/law exams required (PSI or NASCLA accepted). Class C: NO exam required — only 8-hour pre-license education course needed.
Business & Law Exam Details
Business and law examination covering contract law, lien law, and business management
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a waiting period. Contact the board for specific retake policies.
Overall licensing difficulty: 15/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Contractor Licensing Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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General Contractor Licensing Exam
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
PSI (855-340-3910)
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the General Contractor Licensing Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Contractor's License Exam
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Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Not Required
Surety bonds protect consumers by providing financial recourse if a contractor fails to complete a project or violates licensing regulations. Bond costs are typically 1-3% of the bond amount annually.
Insurance & Workers' Comp
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
Required
Workers' Compensation
Minimum Coverage
General liability insurance required per state regulations
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 3 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
Virginia requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 3 or more employees. Sole proprietors may be exempt but coverage is recommended.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Class A: $310, Class B: $200, Class C: $100 | $100-$310 |
Exam Fee Required for Class A and B; not required for Class C | $65 |
License Fee Same as application (included) | $100-$310 |
Renewal Fee Class C renewal fee per DPOR (every 2 years). Class A renewal: $270. | $235 |
Total Initial Fees Plus $50 Recovery Fund fee for Class A and B. Class C: $100 total. | $100-$310 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$210
Regulatory Board
Contractor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Many states require continuing education covering building codes, safety practices, business law, and energy efficiency standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Not Accepted
Reciprocity Type
NASCLA exam accepted; waivers with specific states
Transfer Details
NC RBC exam waiver, NC CBC exam waiver, and Ohio Business/Law & Virginia Advanced/General Law exam waiver are available. NASCLA exam accepted for Class A/B business exam.
General contractor license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states recognize ICC certifications, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials. Always verify current policies with the state licensing board.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Virginia with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Virginia Class C contractors ($1K-$10K) need NO exam — just an 8-hr pre-license course. NASCLA accepted for Class A/B. Recovery Fund $50 fee for A/B. Reciprocity waivers with NC and OH.
Virginia has 3 contractor classes: A (>$120K), B ($10K-$120K), C ($1K-$10K).
Class C has NO exam requirement — only an 8-hour pre-license education course. No bond or financial statement needed for Class C.
8-hour pre-license education course required for ALL classes (A, B, and C).
Class A and B require trade exam + business/law exam (PSI or NASCLA accepted).
Recovery Fund contribution: $50 for Class A and B (not Class C).
NASCLA Accredited Examination accepted. Exam waivers available for NC and OH licensed contractors.
2-year renewal cycle. CE not required for renewal.
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 150 days after completion
Virginia construction lien law: Preliminary notice is required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 150 days after completion.
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Official Sources
General Contractor requirements in Virginia verified against Board for Contractors, March 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
General Contractor Schools in Virginia
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.