6-Step Process to Get Your Virginia Contractor License

There are six steps you need to take to get your Contractor License in the Commonwealth of Virginia, regardless of your specialty or types of projects you perform. Please review these steps first, to see where you are in the process ... then come back to this page.

How to get the VA Contracting License, 6 Steps

Get all the benefits of a live, in-person class, without all the travel and expense!

Our Live, Interactive Video Conference Pre-license course allows you to interact with a Master Instructor just as you would in person, but from the convenience of your own home or office. 

Ask Questions. Get Answers ... in real-time!

What you'll need:

   1. Smart phone, tablet or computer

   2. Ability to download and install a small video conferencing

       application (You'll receive detailed instructions.)

   3. Ability to take a picture and send email

Check out the available dates below ... and sign up now.

Virginia Mandatory 8-Hour Online Pre-License Course for VA Contractor Licensing

We've partnered with Stautzenberger College to bring you the convenience of an online course for your Virginia Mandatory 8-Hour Pre-Licensing Course for VA Contractor Licensing.

This Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations (DPOR) certified "8-hour" online course can be completed in significantly less than 8 hours from the convenience of your home.  No need to get dressed, travel and sit in a classroom for eight long, tiring hours.

Who Is Required to take the Mandatory 8-Hour Pre-Licensing Course for VA Contractor Licensing?

The pre-license education must be completed by a member of responsible management or designated employee for a Class A or B Contractors license, or by a member of responsible management for a Class C license.
 
Pre-licensing education is required for all new contractors’ licenses, and is a separate requirement from the Class A and B examinations.

The pre-licensing education course is a basic business course that covers relevant regulations, statutes, and requirements that are necessary for every business-owner.

The contracting prelicense course is not specific to any particular classification or specialty. A Board-approved advanced contractor class will also meet the requirements for the pre-license education course.

 VA Contractor License Information

• Process:  How to Get a Contracting License in the state of Virginia – 6 Steps
• Process: How to Get a Maryland Residential Contractor License, MHIC License - 4 Steps
  
• Visit our VA Contracting License Frequently Asked Questions page

Pre-License Course for Virginia Contractor License

The PreLicense Training course goes by several names.  It is also called the 8-Hour Prelicensing Course, the Mandatory 8-Hour Course and other variations.  Some mistakenly refer to it as the Virginia Class C Contractor license training course.  This is a mandatory course for all classes of Virginia licenses for contracting, VA Class A license, VA Class B license and the VA Class C license. This is a mandatory foundation course that helps Virginia contractor licensees understand much about running a successful construction business in Virginia.  It also details your relationship, as a licensed Virginia contractor, with the government, local and state.

Classes of and Requirements for a Contracting License in the state of Virginia

The differences in the classes of contractor licenses in Virginia ultimately comes down to two basic things: money and experience.  Below, we’ve shared the differences between the VA contractors license, VA Class A, VA Class B and VA Class C.

Class A Contractor License.  This is the largest class of Virginia contracting license.  There is no monetary limit on the size of individual projects nor on the annual revenue. Requirements for Class A contractor license in Virginia is a net worth of at least $45,000.  Also, the qualified individual, the person in the company who actually knows the hands-on, field work, must have a minimum of 5 (five) years of verifiable experience..  The qualified individual can simply be an employee or a member of management.

Class B Contractor License. This is the mid-range Virginia contracting license. With the VA Class B license, there is the opportunity for larger projects and more revenue than the VA Class C license, but falls short of the potential of the VA Class A license.  Projects just under $120,000 can be contracted.  The maximum annual revenue with this class of Virginia license is just under $750,000.  Requirements for Class B contractor license in Virginia is a net worth of at least $15,000.  Also, the qualified individual, the person in the company who actually knows the hands-on, field work, must have a minimum of 3 (three) years of verifiable experience.  The qualified individual can simply be an employee or a member of management.

Class C Contractor License. This is sometimes thought of as the ‘starter’ license.  This is the smallest of the three contracting licenses in Virginia.  Projects just under $10,000 can be contracted.  The maximum annual revenue with this class of license is just under $150,000.  For the Class C license in Virginia, there is no minimum net worth requirement.  However, the qualified individual, the person in the company who actually knows the hands-on, field work, must have a minimum of 2 (two) years of verifiable experience. .  The qualified individual can simply be an employee or a member of management.

The Contractor License Business Exam – For Class A Contractors License and Class B Contractors License (Taken by the Designated Employee)

To apply for and obtain a license for contracting in Virginia as a Class A or a Class B contractor, your designated employee must pass an examination or test, often called the ‘Virginia business exam’. 

In total, there are three portions of the exam:  the Virginia Portion, the General Portion, and the Advanced Portion.  A Class B license applicant needs only to pass two portions, the Virginia and the General Portions.  A Class A license applicant must pass all three portions.   A Class C license applicant is not required to take any portion of this contractors business examination.  The Designated Employee can be a full-time employee or a member of responsible management.

VA Contractors License Specialties

The class of contractor license in Virginia (i.e.-Virginia Class A license) is independent of the specialties the licensee is approved to perform. There are over 40 VA contractor licensing specialties (i.e.-Painting and Wallcovering) that licensees can be approved to perform.  Some specialties are very specific and limited, whereas others are ‘umbrella’ construction specialties that encompass a number of smaller specialties.  Some of the ‘umbrella’ Virginia contractor specialties are the VA Home Improvement Contracting (HIC), VA Residential Building Contracting (RBC), VA Commercial Improvement Contracting (CIC), VA Commercial Building Contracting (CBC) and the VA Highway Heavy (H/H).  Typically, it is best to apply for the largest specialty you are qualified for, as this can open the door for increased opportunities in the future without the need to take additional specialty exams.

The VA Contractor Licensing Specialty Exam (Taken by the Qualified Individual)

The focus of this exam is to test your Qualified Individual’s knowledge of the type(s) of projects you will be approved to perform as a licensed Virginia contractor.   The length of the exams, the reference materials allowed, and the subject matter vary greatly, depending on the specialty. 

As of March 1, 2016, the Qualified Individual must be pre-approved to sit for all specialty/technical exams.  The approval process can sometimes take months, so we encourage you to schedule any specialty exam course with us ONLY AFTER you’ve received your approval to sit for the Virginia contractor technical exam.

Dispelling a False VA Contractor Licensing Myth

It is not a requirement that a contractor first start with a Class C license in Virginia and then move up or upgrade.  If a contractor meets the qualifications for a Class A contractors license or a Class B contractors license, they can apply directly for them.

Maryland Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC) Exam Prep Course

Virginia Contractor License Highway Heavy Exam Preparation Course (H/H)

VA Contractor License Class A/B Contractor Exam Preparation Course

Contractor License Virginia Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Specialty Exam Prep Course

Contractor Licenses VA Commercial Improvement Contractor (CIC) Specialty Exam Prep Course

Virginia Contractor License Commercial Building Contractor (CBC) Specialty Exam Prep Course

VA Contractor License Building Technical (BLD) Specialty (Now known as the Residential Building Contractor Specialty (RBC)) Exam Prep Course

Contractor License Student Testimonials

MHIC (Maryland Home Improvement Commission) FAQs and Helpful Information

Virginia Contractor License ... Frequently Asked Questions/Helpful Information

DPOR Board of Contractors Application Process: How to get Your Virginia Contractor License ... In 6 Steps

MHIC Contractor License for Home Improvement: How to Get Your MHIC License ... In 4 Steps

We reserve the right to refuse entrance to any student for any reason.  The total remedy will be the refund of the course fee.