How to get a contractor license in Virginia
The short version: 1) Take pre-license education 2) Name a qualified individual 3) Show finances 4) Apply and pay. (source: Virginia DPOR: Board for Contractors (opens in a new tab), source: 18VAC50-22 Board for Contractors Regulations, Part II (opens in a new tab))
Check a license on the DPOR website (official site, opens in a new tab)
How: Enter a name, license number, address or license type in DPOR License Lookup, or use Advanced Search. There is also a Disciplinary Action Search. (source: Virginia DPOR License Lookup (opens in a new tab))
Checked against official Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR) sources. See sources.
Step by step
Qualified individual experience: 1 year (Class C), 3 years (Class B), 5 years (Class A). (source: 18VAC50-22 Board for Contractors Regulations, Part II (opens in a new tab))
- Take pre-license education Complete 8 hours of pre-license education. DPOR runs a free monthly class. (source: Virginia DPOR: Board for Contractors (opens in a new tab))
- Name a qualified individual For each classification: 1 year of experience (Class C), 3 years (Class B) or 5 years (Class A). (source: 18VAC50-22 Board for Contractors Regulations, Part II (opens in a new tab))
- Show finances Class B firms show $15,000 net worth and Class A firms $45,000, or a $50,000 surety bond instead. (source: 18VAC50-22 Board for Contractors Regulations, Part II (opens in a new tab))
- Apply and pay Pay the license fee plus the $25 Recovery Fund assessment. (source: 18VAC50-22 Board for Contractors Regulations, Part II (opens in a new tab))
The exam
An exam is required. (source: 18VAC50-22 Board for Contractors Regulations, Part II (opens in a new tab))
- Class A and B firms need a designated employee who passed a board-approved exam. (source: 18VAC50-22 Board for Contractors Regulations, Part II (opens in a new tab))
- Qualified individuals pass exams for their classification where required. (source: 18VAC50-22 Board for Contractors Regulations, Part II (opens in a new tab))
Costs and fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Class C initial license Plus $25 Recovery Fund assessment. | $235 (source: 18VAC50-22 Board for Contractors Regulations, Part II (opens in a new tab)) |
| Class B initial license Plus $25 Recovery Fund assessment. | $380 (source: 18VAC50-22 Board for Contractors Regulations, Part II (opens in a new tab)) |
| Class A initial license Plus $25 Recovery Fund assessment. | $400 (source: 18VAC50-22 Board for Contractors Regulations, Part II (opens in a new tab)) |
| Add a classification or specialty | $125 (source: 18VAC50-22 Board for Contractors Regulations, Part II (opens in a new tab)) |
Fees are set by the board and can change. Check the official fee page before you pay.
Sources and last verified
Last verified: . Next check due: . Every fact on this page links to one of these official pages.
- Virginia DPOR: Board for Contractors (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Virginia DPOR License Lookup (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Virginia DPOR: Contractor Transaction Recovery Fund (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- 18VAC50-22 Board for Contractors Regulations, Part II (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Code of Virginia 54.1-1100 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Code of Virginia 54.1-1103 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
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