There are a lot of opportunities within the state of Virginia for those who want a career as a contractor. The state requires a license for any work exceeding $1,000, though the type of license may vary.
According to the Virginia Board For Contractors, contractor licenses consist of two parts. First, the class of license which determines if any restrictions are placed on the contracts/projects performed. The second part is the classification or specialty that determines the type of work the licensed contractor may perform. Once you determine the license class you need, you will determine your specialty.
Class A Contractor License
Class A is the largest class of Virginia contractor licenses, with no monetary cap on either the size of the project or the annual revenue for it. Class A license is required for any single contracts or projects worth $120,000 or more or a total of $750,000 in a 12-month period. With this license, contractors also have the ability to demolish or deconstruct any building in addition to constructing.
Requirements for Class A contractors include a net worth of at least $45,000 and a minimum of five years experience.
Class B Contractor License
Class B licensed contractors can perform projects less than $120,000, with a total amount of contracts under $750,000 in a 12 month period. Class B license is required when the construction, repairs or improvement to a single project total $10,000 or more.
Requirements for Class B contractors include a minimum of 3 years of experience and a net worth of at least $15,000.
Class C Contractor License
Class C contractors perform or manage repairs, improvements or construction of a project worth more than $1,000 but less than $10,000 and total amount of contracts worth no more than $150,000 in a 12 month period.
Though there are no minimum net worth requirements for Class C contractors, qualified individuals must have at least 2 years of experience.
Virginia Contractor License Exams
No matter which type of contractor, applicants MUST complete a mandatory 8 hour pre-licensing course prior to submitting the application. As a national leader in online education, our online course is one of the fastest and easiest ways to complete your required training. The course is online and available 24/7 and can be completed in approximately 7 hours.
Class A or Class B contractors must also pass additional exams such as the Business and Law exam as well as an examination specific to your type of work.
There could be separate permitting requirements to obtain your Virginia contractor license based on local towns, cities, municipalities, or even governments that are below the state level, and beyond the Commonwealth of Virginia business registration requirements.
Preparation is essential for the examinations to successfully pass them the first time. Whether you are needing to pass your 8 Hour Pre Licensing Course or your state exam, we have the online training to help you!
