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Virginia Board for Contractors · checked 2026-10-21
Virginia General contractor License Requirements
Statewide contractor license in three classes (A, B and C) issued to the firm, which names a qualified individual for each classification such as residential (RBC) or commercial (CBC) building. Class A Contractor: 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- 1C · Class C Contractor 1 year
- 2B · Class B Contractor 3 years
- 3A · Class A Contractor 5 years
License levels in Virginia
The Virginia path has 3 steps on this page: Class C Contractor, Class B Contractor and Class A Contractor. The source states the time in years.
| Level | Experience | Classroom | Time from start | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C Class C Contractor | 1 year | — | 1 year | Not stated | Initial license $235 |
| B Class B Contractor | 3 years | — | 3 years | Yes | Initial license $380 |
| A Class A Contractor | 5 years | — | 5 years | Yes | Initial license $400 |
Class C Contractor (C)
The qualified individual must be at least 18 and have at least one year of experience in the classification or specialty; a member of responsible management completes a board-approved basic business course; board-approved exams where the classification requires them. Source: 18 VAC 50-22-40.
Class B Contractor (B)
The qualified individual needs at least three years of experience in the classification and must pass the board-approved exam; the designated employee passes the board-approved exam (§ 54.1-1108) and the firm shows a net worth or equity of $15,000 or more, or a $50,000 surety bond instead; basic business course. Source: 18 VAC 50-22-50.
Class A Contractor (A)
The qualified individual needs at least five years of experience in the classification; the designated employee passes the board-approved exam (§ 54.1-1106); the firm shows a net worth or equity of $45,000, or a $50,000 surety bond instead; basic business course. Source: 18 VAC 50-22-60.
Exam
2 of the 3 levels listed here require an exam: Class B Contractor and Class A Contractor. The source does not print a pass mark.
Fees
- Class C Contractor: initial license $235.
- Class B Contractor: initial license $380.
- Class A Contractor: initial license $400.
Each initial license application also carries a separate $25 Recovery Fund assessment (18 VAC 50-22-100). The class dollar limits per contract are defined in a section that was not read, so they are not shown. Fee source: 18 VAC 50-22-100.
Reciprocity
The Virginia sources read for this trade name no reciprocity agreement and no route for out-of-state licensees.
How Virginia compares
Among the 8 states on this site that state a minimum time to the top general contractor credential, Virginia ranks 8 of 8 from shortest (2 years) to longest (5 years). No other state here sets exactly 5 years.
Same trade elsewhere: California · Florida · Pennsylvania · North Carolina · Michigan. All states side by side: General contractor license requirements by state.
Other trades in Virginia
- Electrician: Master Electrician Tradesman: 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- Plumber: Master Plumber Tradesman: 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
- HVAC: Master HVAC Tradesman: 5 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
All covered trades on one page: Virginia trade licenses.
Background reading: From apprentice to master: how long each state takes · What the license fees add up to.
Questions
Who issues the general contractor license in Virginia?
Virginia Board for Contractors, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Statewide contractor license in three classes (A, B and C) issued to the firm, which names a qualified individual for each classification such as residential (RBC) or commercial (CBC) building.
How long does it take to qualify for the Class A Contractor in Virginia?
5 years by this site's count. The qualified individual needs at least five years of experience in the classification; the designated employee passes the board-approved exam (§ 54.1-1106); the firm shows a net worth or equity of $45,000, or a $50,000 surety bond instead; basic business course.
Does Virginia have general contractor license reciprocity?
The Virginia sources read name no reciprocity agreement for this trade.
What are the Virginia general contractor license fees?
Class C Contractor: initial license $235. Class B Contractor: initial license $380. Class A Contractor: initial license $400.
Sources and last checked
| What | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Virginia Board for Contractors, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) | 2026-10-21 |
| C requirements | 18 VAC 50-22-40 | 2026-10-21 |
| B requirements | 18 VAC 50-22-50 | 2026-10-21 |
| A requirements | 18 VAC 50-22-60 | 2026-10-21 |
| Law cited | 18 VAC 50-22-40, -50, -60 (class requirements) and 18 VAC 50-22-100 (fees) | 2026-10-21 |
This page summarises what the Virginia source said on 2026-10-21. It is general information, not legal advice; the board's own page and the statute are the authority and can change. Confirm with Virginia Board for Contractors before applying. The free official route is the board itself: its page, application forms and staff answer eligibility questions.