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General Contractor
Total cost: $220
Yes
License Required?
3 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$220
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
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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, Inc. (ProV)
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.
Overall licensing difficulty: 9/100
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
Prov, Inc. (ProV)
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the General Contractor Licensing Exam.
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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 |
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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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare West Virginia with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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.
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General Contractor requirements in West Virginia verified against West Virginia Division of Labor - Contractor Licensing Board, March 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-22
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Accessed 2026-03-06
General Contractor Schools in West Virginia
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.