​​​​​The VA Contractor License

The Virginia Contractor license consists of two parts, the class of the license, which determines what, if any restrictions are placed on the size of contracts/projects that may be performed and the classification/specialty, which determines what type of work the licensed contractor is allowed to perform.

The DPOR Board for Contractors issues licenses in one of three classes: Class A contractor license, Class B contractor license and Class C contractor license. In most cases, the type of contractor license you should apply for is based on the value or contract price of the projects your business will be bidding on or engaged in (see the Note below for specific exceptions).

Please read the following definitions before deciding which VA contractor license is suitable for your business.

Class A contractor license performs or manages construction, removal, repair, or improvements when (i) the total value referred to in a single contract or project is $120,000 or more, or (ii) the total value of all such construction, removal, repair, or improvements undertaken by such person within any twelve-month period is $750,000 or more.

Class B contractor license performs or manages construction, removal, repair, or improvements when (i) the total value referred to in a single contract or project is $10,000 or more, but less than $120,000, or (ii) the total value of all such construction, removal, repair, or improvements undertaken by such person within any twelve-month period is $150,000 or more, but less than $750,000.

Class C contractor license performs or manages construction, removal, repair, or improvements when (i) the total value referred to in a single contract or project is over $1,000 but no more than $10,000, or (ii) the total value of all such construction, removal, repair, or improvements undertaken by such person within any twelve-month period is no more than $150,000.

Note: Landscape Irrigation and Water Well contractors must be licensed as a Class A contractor license, Class B contractor license or Class C contractor license regardless of the dollar amount of the project or contract.

The classification or specialty (not to be confused with the license class) defines the scope of practice that may be performed by the licensed contractor. You may find a list of all of the different classifications and specialties issued by the Board for Contractors and a definition of the work that is permitted to be performed by each, in 18 VAC 50-22-20 of the DPOR.

It is important to choose the classification or specialty for your VA Contractor License carefully as if you perform work outside of the scope of practice for your license, you may be subject to disciplinary action by the board. Our Instructors explain more details so you will be able to choose the right classifications or specialties for your company.

Pre License course Education

Effective August 21, 2006, the Designated Employee or a member of Responsible Management of all contractors applying for licensure for an entity that is not currently licensed must successfully complete an eight hour business course approved by the Board for Contractors. This course is called business course or Pre License course as well.

You must request that the course provider electronically submit proof of completion to the Board. This submission will identify the course, course provider, date of completion and the name of the individual who took the class. That’s why you must be sure that your provider it’s approved by the State. 1A Contractor School it is an approved educational provider by the State of Virginia.

Designated Employee Examination Requirement

All business entities seeking a Class A contractor license or a Class B contractor license must declare a Designated Employee who (1) is a full-time employee or one of the business’ Responsible Managers (see Part I of the Board for Contractors Rules and Regulations); (2) is at least 18 years of age; and (3) has successfully completed the examination requirements.

The Designated Employee examination tests the candidate’s general business knowledge, their knowledge of the laws and regulations governing contractors and, if the applicant is seeking the Residential Building Contractor RBC (Formerly called BLD) specialty classification on their license, their knowledge of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

Our Instructors will guide you step by step in order to register with PSI and choose the right examination for your Class A contractor license or your Class B contractor license:

PSI Examination Services

Web Address: www.psiexams.com

The Class B contractor license examination is a two-part exam comprised of a Virginia Section (to test the candidate’s knowledge of Virginia’s laws and regulations governing contractors) and a General Section (to test the candidate’s general administrative and business knowledge). The Class A contractor license examination is a three-part exam consisting of the Virginia and General Sections (contained in the Class B exam), as well as, an Advanced Section which tests the candidate’s general administrative and business knowledge necessary to engage in Class A contracting.

Effective December 1, additional requirements for Qualified Individuals—specifically, a board-approved written exam—will apply to those specialties not already covered.

The reason for the change is to give the board more information to ensure only properly qualified contractors obtain licensure. The previous QI criteria only involved providing references, which does not give enough verification of competency. The new regulations will help make sure the Qualified Individual for all contractors, no matter the specialty, demonstrates minimum competency. 

1A Contractor School offers the TOP specialty Exam Prep. Residential BUILDING Contractor RBC that covers HIC without limitations and all the other more especific specialties that fall under this one, like Painting, Roofing, Landscaping, Flooring, Masonry, etc.

Qualified Individual Requirements:
All business entities must have a Qualified Individual for each of the classifications and specialties listed on their application. The Qualified Individual is the person that has the appropriate amount of experience in the classification or specialty being applied for on the application. A person may be the Qualified Individual for more than one classification or specialty. This individual must be either a full-time employee or a member of Responsible Management of the business.

New Board for Contractors regulations—effective December 1, 2012—amend the eligibility criteria for Qualified Individuals associated with licensed contractors.

As always, every licensed contractor must identify a Qualified Individual (QI) for each specialty on its license. Since the 1990s, many specialties (such as plumbing, electrical, HVAC) already require the QI to hold an individual tradesman license or other approved certification, or to pass an exam.