Exam Overview

• The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board mandates a minimum of $300,000 in general liability (GL) coverage for all licensed contractors, including general engineering contractors.
• This coverage must be active and listed on a Certificate of Insurance when applying for or renewing a contractor license.

Even though the state minimum is $300,000, the real-world requirement for most commercial and engineering projects in West Virginia is:

• $1,000,000 per occurrence
• Often paired with $2,000,000 aggregate

This higher limit is commonly required by:

• Commercial project owners in Charleston and Huntington
• Industrial and energy-sector projects (coal, natural gas, renewables)
• Large general contractors and public works contracts

To get your West Virginia General Building Contractor License (Classification: Building – “B”), you must follow a specific, ordered process set by the WV Contractor Licensing Board. Here’s the full step‑by‑step path, presented clearly so you know exactly what to expect.

1. Register Your Business: Form your business entity and register with the West Virginia Secretary of State, then obtain a WV Tax ID and Unemployment Compensation Number.
2. Obtain Workers’ Comp Coverage: Secure workers’ compensation insurance or an exemption certificate, which is required before applying for a contractor license.
3. Submit Contractor License Application: Apply to the WV Contractor Licensing Board and pay the application fee; approval is required before you can schedule exams.
4. Pass the Business & Law Exam: Take the mandatory WV Business and Law Exam through PSI, covering regulations, contracts, safety, and financial management.
5. Pass the General Building Contractor Exam: Schedule and pass the trade exam for the Building (B) classification, demonstrating knowledge of structural, code, and construction practices.
6. Receive Your Contractor License: Once all requirements are met and exams passed, the Broad issues your official WV contractor license.

Exam Overview

The West Virginia General Building Contractor Exam is an open book 180-minute exam that requires a 70% score to pass. To use your time efficiently in the exam, it is extremely helpful to prepare in-depth and have your book tabbed and highlighted prior to the exam. Highlighting, tabs and written notes in reference materials are permitted prior to arriving at the test site. However, during the exam you may not write in the reference materials.

Exam Topics

• Sitework & Excavation — grading, soil types, compaction, erosion control, and earthwork safety.
• Concrete — formwork, reinforcement, placement, curing, concrete properties, and structural requirements.
• Masonry — block, brick, mortar types, reinforcement, and wall construction standards.
• Carpentry & Framing — structural framing, load paths, sheathing, and rough carpentry.
• Metals & Structural Steel — steel framing, welding basics, connections, and erection safety.
• Thermal & Moisture Protection — waterproofing, insulation, vapor barriers, roofing systems.
• Doors, Windows & Glazing — installation requirements, hardware, energy performance.
• Finishes — drywall, flooring, painting, interior systems.
• Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Coordination — reading MEP plans, sequencing, code coordination (not trade-level installation).
• Plan Reading — interpreting drawings, symbols, specifications, and construction documents.
• Estimating & Bidding — quantity takeoffs, cost components, overhead, labor, materials.
• Project Management — scheduling, subcontractor coordination, documentation, change orders.
• Safety — OSHA standards, fall protection, hazard communication, jobsite safety practices.
• Building Codes — IBC-based requirements, structural, fire protection, accessibility, and life-safety provisions.

The exam is generally timed, and you will need to achieve a passing score to obtain your contractor’s license. Each state may have its own exam structure and content, so it’s essential to check with the West Virginia Board for Licensing Contractors or the relevant licensing authority for the most up-to-date information on the exam’s specific requirements.

Before taking the exam, it’s advisable to study relevant reference materials and gain practical experience in the construction field to increase your chances of success.

Exam Overview

• Highlighting guides
• Practice quizzes
• Math, Calculations and Theory
• Instructor Support
• Test Taking Tips

Our courses are designed to help you become familiar with the references and allow you to find the information quickly as the exams are timed. We offer highlighting guides to draw attention to key points throughout the book and tabs (sold separately) to allow you to find key sections quickly. We encourage you to take the practice exams multiple times as the questions on the test change each time.