Virginia Construction Requirements

To do construction work in Virginia you need a license or certificate from the Virginia Board for Contractors. To get an application, contact:

The Board issues three types of contractor's licenses or certificates -- Class A, B, or C. Usually the type of license you get will be based on the value of contracts your business will work on. Here's a description of each class:

Class A Contractor works on single contracts for $70,000 or more or contracts totaling $500,000 or more over a one-year period (company must have a net worth of at least $45,000).

Class B Contractor works on single contracts for $7,500 or more but less than $70,000 or contracts totaling $150,000 or more but less than $500,000 over a one-year period.

Class C Contractor works on single contracts for $1,000 or more but less than $7,500 or contracts totaling less than $150,000 over a one-year period.

The Board issues these three types of licenses in each of these general trades -- building, highway/heavy, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. It also recognizes the following specialty trades: alarm/security systems, alternative energy system, home improvement, equipment/machinery, landscape irrigation, radon mitigation, billboard, sign, farm improvement, landscape service, recreational facility, blast, explosive, fire alarm systems, commercial improvement, refrigeration, marine facility, fire sprinkler, electronic/communication service, sewage disposal systems, asbestos, fire suppression, elevator/escalator, vessel construction, modular/mobile/manufactured building, gas fitting, environmental monitoring well Water well/pump, asphalt paving and sealcoating Concrete, environmental specialties, lead abatement, liquefied petroleum gas, masonry, natural gas, painting and wall covering, roofing, swimming pool construction.

To get a license you must specify a full-time employee or manager from your company to be a "qualified individual" for each trade you want to have on your license. Each person you pick must have the following experience, depending on the class of license you're applying for:

 

 

 

 

For electrical, plumbing, HVAC, gas fitting, liquefied petroleum gas fitting and natural gas fitting the qualified individual of the company also has to get a tradesman license.

It cost $60 to take the Class A exam. The Class B exam costs $40. A Class A license costs $230 and a Class B license is $205, both nonrefundable. A Class C certificate costs $150 nonrefundable. All are good for two years.

If you have a valid license in another state the Board may grant you a Virginia license by reciprocity. Requirements for this vary so you'll need to check with the Board.