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How to become a licensed general contractor in West Virginia. State-level licensing required. Experience: 3 years. Total initial fees: $220. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
Yes
License Required?
3 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$220
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
Description
Residential contractor license for West Virginia. Covers construction, remodeling, and repair of residential properties.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $2,500
Additional Requirements
Description
Commercial contractor license for West Virginia. Covers construction of commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $2,500
Additional Requirements
Description
General contractor license/registration for West Virginia. Covers a broad range of construction activities.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $2,500
Additional Requirements
Description
Specialty contractor and R&R (Repair and Remodel) Contractor classifications. R&R Contractor: limited to projects up to $40,000 — reduced requirements. Categories: Building, Highway, Residential, Specialty, R&R.
Additional Requirements
Experience & Documentation
Verified3
Years Required
Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
Minimum 3 years of documented experience in the construction trade
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Trade Exam
Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
Prov (provexam.com)
Passing Score
70%
Open Book
Yes
Trade Exam Details
West Virginia contractor exams administered by Prov (provexam.com), NOT PSI. Includes trade-specific exam. NASCLA Accredited Examination also accepted.
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 Required
$5,000
Surety Bond Amount
Bond Types
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
West 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 Application fee | $90 |
Exam Fee Per exam attempt | $100 |
License Fee | $60 |
Renewal Fee Per 2 years | $60 |
Total Initial Fees Approximate total of application, exam, and license fees | $220 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$60
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
Transfer Details
West Virginia accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination. Out-of-state contractors with NASCLA exam may have streamlined application process.
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.
West Virginia uses Prov (not PSI) for exams. NASCLA accepted. Has unique R&R (Repair & Remodel) contractor class capped at $40K. Landscaping and painting exempt. Wage bond affidavit required.
West Virginia contractor exams administered by Prov (provexam.com), NOT PSI.
NASCLA Accredited Examination accepted — West Virginia is a NASCLA state.
R&R (Repair & Remodel) Contractor classification: limited to projects ≤$40,000 with reduced requirements.
Landscaping and painting are EXEMPT from contractor licensing.
Wage bond affidavit required for all licensed contractors.
Application fee: $90. Categories: Building, Highway, Residential, Specialty, R&R.
Workers' compensation required for 3+ employees.
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 100 days after completion
West Virginia construction lien law: Preliminary notice is required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 100 days after completion.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in West Virginia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#31 of 51
Salary
#19 of 51
Cost
#10 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
$60,820
25th percentile
Median
$80,360
+2% vs. national avg ($78,690)Experienced
$105,190
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
5,550 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+26% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$80,360
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$63,850
You are here
Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$80,360
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: 164–178 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides and practice tests for the general contractor licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-06
West Virginia requires state-level contractor licensing. 3 years of experience is required. All licensing is managed through the West Virginia Division of Labor - Contractor Licensing Board.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.