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How to become a licensed Painting Contractor in Virginia. DPOR Contractor License (Class A: $120,000+, Class B: $10,000-$120,000, Class C: up to $10,000) required. Total initial fees: $430-$960. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Painting Contractor — PC
Governing Authority
Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
38% of data points are verified against official sources. 21 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
License Required
Class A/B/C
License Type
Yes
Exam Required
2 years
Experience Required
$10,000-$50,000 (varies by license class)
Bonding Required
$430-$960
Total Initial Fees
State contractor licensing requirements for painting contractors
VerifiedLicense Required
Yes
License Type
DPOR Contractor License (Class A: $120,000+, Class B: $10,000-$120,000, Class C: up to $10,000)
Class: Class A/B/C
License Threshold
$1,000 (Class C threshold)
Exemptions
Virginia requires a contractor license for painting work. Requirements are administered by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Always verify current requirements directly with the licensing authority.
Experience, Education & Examination Requirements
Mostly verifiedExperience Required
2 Years
2 years of experience in the classification applied for, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Exam Required
Yes
Trade-specific exam and/or business and law exam depending on license class
Education
High school diploma or equivalent typically required
Virginia requires passing an examination to obtain a painting contractor license. Exams typically cover trade knowledge, business practices, and state law. All painting contractors working on pre-1978 homes should obtain EPA RRP certification for lead paint safety.
Insurance & Bonding Requirements
Mostly verifiedGeneral Liability
Required — $100,000-$500,000
Workers' Compensation
Required for employers with 3+ employees
Surety Bond
Required — $10,000-$50,000 (varies by license class)
Insurance requirements vary by state. Even in states that do not mandate insurance for painting contractors, carrying general liability insurance ($1,000,000+ recommended) and workers' compensation insurance is strongly recommended to protect your business and clients. Surety bonds protect consumers if a contractor fails to complete work or meet obligations.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
License Application Fee Application fee for contractor license | $100-$200 |
License Fee License issuance fee | $150-$350 |
Exam Fee Exam administration fee | $80-$160 |
Bond Cost Surety bond face amount (annual premium is typically 1-10% of bond amount) | $10,000-$50,000 (varies by license class) |
Business License Fee General business license/registration fee for Virginia | $100-$250 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, license, exam, and business license fees. Bond premiums and insurance costs are additional. | $430-$960 |
Renewal Requirements & Ongoing Obligations
Mostly verifiedBiennial
Renewal Period
$150-$350
Renewal Fee
8 Hours
Continuing Education
CE Details
8 hours of continuing education required per renewal period
Painting contractor licenses in Virginia must be renewed biennial. Ensure all insurance and bonding requirements remain current between renewal periods. EPA RRP certification must be renewed every 5 years.
Virginia requires contractor licensing through DPOR based on project value: Class A ($120,000+), Class B ($10,000-$120,000), or Class C (up to $10,000). Two years of experience and exams are required.
Virginia requires DPOR Contractor License (Class A: $120,000+, Class B: $10,000-$120,000, Class C: up to $10,000) for painting contractors.
License is required for projects valued at $1,000 (Class C threshold).
EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule certification is required for work on pre-1978 homes that disturbs lead-based paint. This is a federal requirement that applies in all states.
Workers' compensation insurance is required in Virginia: Required for employers with 3+ employees.
A surety bond of $10,000-$50,000 (varies by license class) is required for contractor licensing.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Virginia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#25 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Painters, Construction and Maintenance (SOC 47-2141)
Entry Level
N/A
25th percentile
Median
$44,200
-4% vs. national avg ($46,080)Experienced
N/A
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Source: BLS OEWS – Painters, Construction and Maintenance (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2022-2032
Projected Growth
+3%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
N/A
over 10 years
Annual Openings
N/A
per year (avg.)
N/A currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2022-2032 (September 2023)
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.
Source: Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
Estimated total: 6–10 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
6-10 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
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Accessed 2025-01-15
Virginia requires DPOR Contractor License (Class A: $120,000+, Class B: $10,000-$120,000, Class C: up to $10,000) for painting contractors. License is required for projects valued at $1,000 (Class C threshold). An examination is required. A surety bond of $10,000-$50,000 (varies by license class) is required. All painting contractors working on pre-1978 homes must obtain EPA RRP certification. Licensing is managed through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR).
Requirements vary by state and locality. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.