Loading...
Loading...
How to become a licensed general contractor in Virginia. State-level licensing required. Experience: 5 years. Total initial fees: $100-$310. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
Yes
License Required?
5 years
Experience Required
No
Bonding Required?
$100-$310
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
Description
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
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.
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 A: $200, Class B: $100, Class C: $50, per 2 years | $50-$200 |
Total Initial Fees Plus $50 Recovery Fund fee for Class A and B. Class C: $100 total. | $100-$310 |
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
Virginia accepts NASCLA Accredited Examination for Class A and B. Exam waiver reciprocity with North Carolina and Ohio for equivalent license holders.
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.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Virginia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#50 of 51
Salary
#32 of 51
Cost
#28 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (SOC 47-1011)
Entry Level
$61,500
25th percentile
Median
$76,620
-3% vs. national avg ($78,690)Experienced
$93,800
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
24,170 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades" is broader than general contractors specifically. It includes supervisors across all construction specialties.
Source: BLS OEWS – First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.5%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+40,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
55,200
per year (avg.)
729,900 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+24% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$76,620
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$61,610
You are here
Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$76,620
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 268–282 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Virginia Contractor Licensing
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Virginia Contractor Licensing
Study guides and practice tests for the general contractor licensing exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
State requirements, exam prep, bonding and insurance details, business formation, and reciprocity information — delivered to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy.
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Virginia requires state-level contractor licensing. 5 years of experience is required. All licensing is managed through the Virginia Board for Contractors.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.