VA Contractor Licensing

The pre-license education called pre-license course or 8 hours course must be completed by a member of responsible management or designated employee for a VA Class A contractor license or VA Class B Contractor license, or by a member of responsible management for a VA Class C contractor license. The pre-license course is required for anyone who needs a VA contractor license and is a separate requirement from the Class A contractor license and Class B contractor license examinations.

The pre-license education course is a basic business course that covers relevant regulations, statutes, and requirements that are necessary for every business owner. The course is not specific to any particular classification or specialty.

When you are looking for a Virginia Class A contractor license or Class B contractor license we offer a specific course called “complete course.” This course will have the pre-license requirement inside its program as well as the exam prep that allows you to pass the exam.

Once you complete your pre-license course requirement with Academy Conlicense, we will submit electronically your information to the DPOR (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) in order to accredit your training. Also, you will receive your certificate at the end of the course; DPOR strongly encourages you to keep a record of completing the course (i.e. certificate of completion) in case it is requested by the Board office when you apply.

The VA contractor license is issued to business entities (regardless of the number of people employed by the business) and not individuals. Our instructors explain how easy it may be to establish a business entity.

In order to complete your VA contractor License application, our instructors explain the Board for Contractors Regulations and the current statutes or laws (Title 54.1, Chapter 11 of the Code of Virginia) and the regulations of the DPOR Board for Contractors.

Eligibility for a VA contractor license is based on the knowledge, skills, abilities, financial position, and other entry requirements set forth in §54.1-1106, §54.1-1108, and § 54.1-1108.2 (subject to the exemptions in §54.1-1101) of the Code of Virginia.

 

Please note that although a Virginia contractor license may be granted to your business, the business must also comply with local licensing requirements set forth by the localities (cities, towns, and counties) in which your business plans to do work.

 

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 a 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. Conlicense 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 (D.E.) 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 Contracting RBC (Formerly called BLD) or Home Improvement Contracting HIC or Commercial Building Contracting CBC  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 business 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 business examination is a three-part exam consisting of Virginia and general sections (contained in the Class B business exam), as well as, an Advanced Section which tests the candidate’s general administrative and business knowledge necessary to engage in Class A contracting.

Additionally, every firm applying for a Class A or B or C must pass at least one Specialty examination like Residential Building Contracting RBC (Formerly called BLD) or Home Improvement Contracting HIC or Commercial Building Contracting CBC, etc. (This is a requirement since the year 2012).

At CONLICENSE, we prepare you to pass all these examinations, then once you are ready, you will contact PSI Examination services in order to schedule and take your exams.

Qualified Individual Requirements
As we mentioned before, all business entities must have at least one specialty or classification listed in their Virginia Contractor License, for example HIC (Home Improvement), RBC  Residential Building, CBC (Commercial Building), etc.

This specific function must be complied by a Qualified Individual (Q.I.) for each of the classifications and specialties listed on their application.

Qualified Individual Experience:

The Qualified Individual is the person who has the appropriate amount of experience in the classification or specialty being applied for on the application.

Class A Contractor License: 5 years.

Class B Contractor License: 3 years.

Class C Contractor License: 2 years

A person may be a Qualified Individual for more than one classification or specialty. This individual must be either a full-time employee (dependent) or a member of responsible management of the business (Owner, Shareholder, General Partner, etc.).

The firm may have more than one Q.I. (Qualified Individual) listed.

Class A contractor license, Class B contractor license and Class C contractor license applicants must make sure that their Qualified Individuals or themselfs have the appropriate amount of experience.

Our instructors will explain in detail this and other requirements and how a designated employee can get the license for your company without any experience at all for example.

Others do not say that? It’s because they do not know the law and regulations. At CONLICENSE our instructors are highly knowledgeable in the law and regulations pertaining to the Virginia contractor licensing before they can teach.