General Contractor License in Virginia - Exam Required

What the Virginia General Contractor Record Shows

Virginia requires general contractor contractors to hold a Class A/B/C Contractor License before performing licensed work. Of 36 US states that license general contractor work, Virginia's regime applies all three primary screens, exam, bond, and insurance, placing it among the more protective jurisdictions for this trade. Licensing is administered through the Virginia Board for Contractors, which issues the credential, maintains the public license roster, and adjudicates consumer complaints.

The specific entry requirements for general contractor contractors in Virginia are: a qualifying exam, 5 years of documented work experience, a surety bond of $50,000, liability insurance with at least $50K in coverage, and 12 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle. License fees in this classification run $200-$500. Additional notes from the licensing board: Three classes: A ($120K+), B ($10K-$120K), C ($1K-$10K).

For homeowners in Virginia, verification is straightforward: use Virginia Board for Contractors's official license lookup to confirm the license number is active, matches the contractor's legal business name, and has no disciplinary history attached. Ask for a copy of the license and the certificate of insurance before signing a contract, and request the surety bond provider if bonding is required. If defective work or non-performance occurs, the state complaint process is the formal path to recovery, file promptly, document everything, and retain copies of contracts, invoices, and correspondence.