Contractor licensing by state
How to Get a Contractor License in Virginia
Virginia requires a state license for every trade we track. Virginia issues one main contractor license, which costs $274.50 to start and needs two exams, Designated Employee exams for Class A and B plus Specialty exams for designations such as HIC, RBC, ROC, CEM and ISC. All 10 trades we could rate score the same, 37 of 100.
The Virginia contractor license
| License | Contractor license (Virginia Board for Contractors, DPOR), Class A, B or C with classifications or specialty designations |
|---|---|
| Covers | Foundation repair, general contracting, roofing, plumbing, electrical work, HVAC work, landscape irrigation, concrete flatwork, drainage and detention work, and demolition |
| Fee | $274.50 (Class C initial license ($419.50 Class B, $439.50 Class A), including the technology fee) |
| Exam | Board approved pre-license education course (all classes); Designated Employee exams for Class A and B (General and Virginia; Class A adds Advanced); Specialty exams for designations such as HIC, RBC, ROC, CEM and ISC. |
| Experience | The Qualified Individual needs 1 year (Class C), 3 years (Class B) or 5 years (Class A) of experience in the classification or specialty. |
| Bond | $45,000. Source |
| Background check | Required |
How to apply
- Pick the class by job size (Class C under $30,000 a job and $250,000 a year; Class B under $150,000 a job and $1 million a year; Class A unlimited).
- Pick the specialty designation and name a Qualified Individual with the required experience.
- Complete the Board approved pre-license course.
- Pass the specialty exam and, for Class A or B, the Designated Employee exams.
- Document net worth for Class A or B and file the application with the fee.
Criminal history records must be submitted for applicable convictions. The company must also meet local licensing requirements in each county, city and town where it works. A technology fee of $7.25 a year applies under 2026's House Bill 30.
State license requirements for each trade in Virginia
| Foundation repair | Home Improvement | $274.50 | Designated Employee exams for Class A and B | 1 years | Moderate · 37 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General contracting | Residential Building | $274.50 | Designated Employee exams for Class A and B | 1 years | Moderate · 37 |
| Roofing | Roofing | $274.50 | Designated Employee exams for Class A and B | 1 years | Moderate · 37 |
| Plumbing | Contractor license with the Plumbing | $274.50 | Designated Employee exams for Class A and B | 1 years | Moderate or harder · 37+ |
| Electrical | Contractor license with the Electrical | $274.50 | Designated Employee exams for Class A and B | 1 years | Moderate or harder · 37+ |
| HVAC | Contractor license with the HVAC | $274.50 | Designated Employee exams for Class A and B | 1 years | Moderate or harder · 37+ |
| Irrigation | Landscape Irrigation | $274.50 | Designated Employee exams for Class A and B | 1 years | Moderate · 37 |
| Concrete flatwork | Concrete | $274.50 | Designated Employee exams for Class A and B | 1 years | Moderate · 37 |
| Drainage and detention | Highway/Heavy | $274.50 | Designated Employee exams for Class A and B | 1 years | Moderate or harder · 37+ |
| Demolition | Contractor license | $274.50 | Designated Employee exams for Class A and B | 1 years | Moderate or harder · 37+ |
Tap a column to sort. Difficulty covers the state license only. Checked October 18, 2026.
Details for each trade
Foundation repair
| License | Home Improvement (HIC) specialty or Residential Building (RBC) classification; Concrete (CEM) covers concrete repair work |
|---|---|
| Board | Virginia Board for Contractors |
HIC covers repairs or improvements to dwellings and townhouses and structures annexed to them; RBC also provides this. CEM covers placing, repairing and waterproofing concrete. The class (A, B or C) depends on job size.
The local building official issues the permit under the Uniform Statewide Building Code and decides whether engineered plans are needed.
- Get the HIC or RBC designation at the class that fits your job size.
- Pull the local permit.
Difficulty 37, moderate (exams 15, experience 5, fees 5, bond 8, background check 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against 18VAC50-22-30; DPOR license application.
General contracting (residential remodels, additions and home improvement)
| License | Residential Building (RBC) classification or Home Improvement (HIC) specialty |
|---|---|
| Board | Virginia Board for Contractors |
HIC does not include electrical, plumbing, HVAC or gas work, or new construction beyond the existing structure other than decks, patios, driveways and utility outbuildings.
Permits come from the local building department.
- Pick RBC or HIC and the class.
- Complete the pre-license course and exams.
- Apply to DPOR.
Difficulty 37, moderate (exams 15, experience 5, fees 5, bond 8, background check 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against 18VAC50-22-30.
Roofing
| License | Roofing (ROC) specialty |
|---|---|
| Board | Virginia Board for Contractors |
CBC and RBC classifications and the HIC and CIC specialties also cover roofing.
Reroof permit rules are set by the local building department.
- Get the ROC designation at the right class.
- Check local permits.
Difficulty 37, moderate (exams 15, experience 5, fees 5, bond 8, background check 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against 18VAC50-22-30.
Plumbing
| License | Contractor license with the Plumbing (PLB) classification; the Qualified Individual must hold a Master Plumber tradesman license |
|---|---|
| Board | Virginia Board for Contractors |
Trade designations require a Qualified Individual holding the matching master tradesman license. Tradesman exam and experience rules were not checked here.
Plumbing permits come from the local building department.
- Have a master plumber as Qualified Individual.
- Apply for the PLB designation.
Difficulty 37+, moderate or harder (exams 15, experience 5, fees 5, bond 8, background check 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against DPOR license application.
Electrical
| License | Contractor license with the Electrical (ELE) classification; the Qualified Individual must hold a Master Electrician tradesman license |
|---|---|
| Board | Virginia Board for Contractors |
Tradesman exam and experience rules were not checked here.
Electrical permits come from the local building department.
- Have a master electrician as Qualified Individual.
- Apply for the ELE designation.
Difficulty 37+, moderate or harder (exams 15, experience 5, fees 5, bond 8, background check 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against DPOR license application.
HVAC
| License | Contractor license with the HVAC (HVA) classification; the Qualified Individual must hold a Master HVAC tradesman license |
|---|---|
| Board | Virginia Board for Contractors |
Gas fitting (GFC) is a separate designation.
Mechanical permits come from the local building department.
- Have a master HVAC tradesman as Qualified Individual.
- Apply for the HVA designation.
Difficulty 37+, moderate or harder (exams 15, experience 5, fees 5, bond 8, background check 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against DPOR license application.
Irrigation
| License | Landscape Irrigation (ISC) specialty |
|---|---|
| Board | Virginia Board for Contractors |
ISC covers irrigation and outdoor sprinkler systems and may install backflow devices incidental to the work if the installer had board approved backflow training. PLB and H/H also cover this work.
Ask the local building department and water utility about backflow permits.
- Pass the ISC specialty exam.
- Apply for the ISC designation at the right class.
Difficulty 37, moderate (exams 15, experience 5, fees 5, bond 8, background check 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against 18VAC50-22-30.
Concrete flatwork (driveways, sidewalks and work in the public right-of-way)
| License | Concrete (CEM) specialty |
|---|---|
| Board | Virginia Board for Contractors |
CEM covers placing, finishing, repairing, sawing and sealing concrete. HIC also allows driveways and patios at existing homes.
Ask the locality or road owner what permit work at the street needs.
- Pass the CEM exam.
- Apply for the CEM designation.
Difficulty 37, moderate (exams 15, experience 5, fees 5, bond 8, background check 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against 18VAC50-22-30.
Drainage and detention (grading, drainage, stormwater and detention ponds)
| License | Highway/Heavy (H/H) classification, or Underground Utility and Excavating (UUC) specialty for utility connections |
|---|---|
| Board | Virginia Board for Contractors |
UUC covers water, gas and sewer connections. Which designation covers stand-alone grading and detention ponds was not confirmed; ask the Board.
Land disturbance and stormwater approvals come from the locality.
- Ask the Board which designation fits the job.
- Get local land disturbance approval.
Difficulty 37+, moderate or harder (exams 15, experience 5, fees 5, bond 8, background check 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against DPOR license application.
Demolition
| License | Contractor license; no separate demolition designation appears on the application list |
|---|---|
| Board | Virginia Board for Contractors |
Blasting for demolition needs the Blast/Explosive (BEC) designation with a certification; asbestos work needs the ASB designation. Ask the Board which classification covers ordinary demolition.
Demolition permits come from the local building department.
- Ask the Board which classification covers the job.
- Pull the local demolition permit.
Difficulty 37+, moderate or harder (exams 15, experience 5, fees 5, bond 8, background check 4).
Checked October 18, 2026 against DPOR license application; 18VAC50-22-30.
Exams for a Virginia license
| Virginia Contractor Class A or B (designated employee) | PSI, for the Board for Contractors | $85 for all three portions | $40 for one portion, $72 for two, $85 for all three; a passed portion counts for one year from the first attempt | Open book | Virginia 24, General 50, Advanced 24 (Class A) | 48, 100 and 60 minutes | 18, 35 and 17 correct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia specialty exams (HIC and RBC shown) | PSI, for the Board for Contractors | $85 | $85 | 120 minutes (HIC), 160 minutes (RBC) |
Tap a column to sort. Each exam name opens the provider's bulletin or exam page. A blank cell is a fact not confirmed from the provider, and the linked bulletin has the full rules.
Checked October 18, 2026 against PSI Virginia Board for Contractors Class A and B Candidate Information Bulletin; PSI Virginia Home Improvement Contracting bulletin; PSI Virginia Residential Building Contracting bulletin.
Official sources
- Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors license application (A501-27LIC-v18, 08/01/2026)
- 18VAC50-22-30, specialty definitions
- DPOR, step by step guide to a contractor license
Licensing pages for nearby states cover Maryland, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice. Confirm with the licensing board before you apply or bid.