Virginia requires tradesman licenses for electrical, plumbing, HVAC and all gas fitting. The Virginia Board for Contractors licenses work at three levels, beginning with jobs of $1,000. Applicants need to complete eight hours of pre-license education before they may receive one.

Class C contractors perform or manage 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.

We offer a wide range of exam prep books for the construction fields. Visit our bookstore to begin.

Licensing costs vary depending on the type of license you need. For example, some trades will cost more than others and some licenses, like the general contractors license, require additional certification. Those additional certifications add to the cost. If you have a specific question about the cost of study materials for your license, contact us. Our support team is here to help.

There may be additional permitting requirements established by local cities, towns, municipalities or governments below the state level beyond the Commonwealth of Virginia business registration requirements as well as the DPOR Board for Contractors licensing requirements. These vary and it remains the contractor’s responsibility to know and follow all registrations and permitting requirements pertinent to their specialty and industry.

According to Virginia state law, a general handyman does not need a license to perform basic repair and maintenance tasks for homeowners. However, if an unlicensed handyman does any work falling into the scope of a licensed contractor, he or she is subject to fines and possible prosecution. The major purpose of licensing is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Check with your licensing department for specific rules, but err on the side of caution as it’s better to be safe than sorry.

According to the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, all applicants must be over 18 years old and have some experience in order to receive their license. At the lowest level, or Class C license, you must have at least two years experience in the specialty. For Class B, you need 3 years. For Class A you need 5 years experience.

According to the Virginia DPOR, applications are processed on a first in – first out basis. The average processing time for most applications is approximately 30 days. This is just an average and it can be more or less depending on a number of factors.

The license will be issued at the initial review and will be mailed to you if your application is complete and you have met all of the eligibility requirements. If your application is incomplete, then a letter will be sent to you outlining what was missing and what is needed to finish the review and issue your license.