To do construction work in Virginia a contractor will need a contractor license or certificate from the Virginia Board for Contractors.

Construction Contractor License

There are three (3) classifications of licenses in these trades

• Building
• Highway
• Electrical,
• Plumbing
• HVAC

Class A Contractor

• Works on contracts, each one being  $70,000 or more,  or contracts totaling $500,000 or more over a one (1)-year period
• Company must have a net worth of at least $45,000
• Five (5) years experience

Class B Contractor

• Works on contracts, each one being $7,500 or more but less than $70,000, or contracts totaling $150,000 or more but less than $500,000 over a one (1)-year period.
• Three (3) years experience

Class C Contractor

• Works on single contracts, each one being $1,000 or more but less than $7,500, or contracts totaling less than $150,000 over a one (1)-year period.
• Two (2) years experience
  

• Alarm/Security Systems 
• Alternative Energy System
• Home Improvement
• Equipment/Machinery
• Landscape Irrigation
• Radon Mitigation
• Billboard, Sign     
• Farm Improvement
• Landscape Service
• Recreational Facility
• Blast, Explosive   
• Fire Alarm Systems
• Commercial Improvement           
• Refrigeration
• Marine Facility     
• Fire Sprinkler
• Electronic/Communication Service
• Sewage Disposal Systems
• Asbestos   
• Fire Suppression
• Elevator/Escalator
• Vessel Construction
• Modular/Mobile/Manufactured Building
• Gas Fitting
• Environmental Monitoring Well  
• Water Well/Pump
• Asphalt Paving and Sealcoating  
• Concrete
• Environmental Specialties            
• Lead Abatement
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas
• Masonry
• Natural Gas          
• Painting and Wall Covering
• Roofing    
• Swimming Pool Construction

Trade Licenses

The Tradesman Licensing Section of the Board for Contractors is responsible for issuing journeyman and master licenses for:

• Electrical,
• Plumbing,
• HVAC,
• Gas fitting,
• Natural gas fitting
• Liquid petroleum gas fitting trades.

Journeyman Trade License

To qualify for the is license an applicant must have of:

• Four (4) years of practical trade experience and 240 hours of vocational training. Each year of experience (after the four years) can be substituted for 80 hours of training, up to 200 hours
• Associate degree from a Department-approved program plus two (2) years of practical experience
• Bachelor's degree from a Department-approved program plus one (1) year of practical experience
• Ten (10) years of documented Department-approved practical experience

Master Trade License

To qualify for the is license an applicant must have of:

• One (1) year of experience as a licensed journeyman
• Ten (10) years of documented Department-approved practical experience

Asbestos Abatement Contractor License

An asbestos contractor and the company’s employees must be familiar with all EPA, OSHA, and Virginia laws. Only licensed asbestos personnel can be hired.

Worker

• Department-approved course: Initial training
• Education and/or asbestos work experience: None

Supervisor

• Department-approved course: Initial training
• Education and/or asbestos work experience: None

Inspector

• Department-approved course: Inspector training
• Education and/or asbestos work experience: One (1)of the following:
1. Bachelor's degree in a related field and six (6) months of work experience;
2. Two (2) years college and one (1) year of work experience;
3. High school diploma or the equivalent of  two (2) years of work experience

Management Planner

• Department-approved course: Management planner training
• Education and/or asbestos work experience: One (1) of the following:
1. Bachelor's degree in a related field and six (6) months of work experience;
2. Two (2) years college and one (1) year of work experience;
3. High school diploma or the equivalent of  one (1) years of work experience

Project Monitor

• Department-approved course: Project monitor training
• Education and/or asbestos work experience: One (1)of the following:
  1. High school diploma or equivalent plus 160 hours of work experience;
  2. Bachelor's degree in a related field plus 160 hours of work experience

Project Designer

• Department-approved course: Project designer training
• Education and/or asbestos work experience: One (1) of the following:
1. Bachelor's degree in a related field and six (6) months of work experience;
2. Two (2) years college and one (1)year of work experience;
3. High school diploma or equivalent two (2) years of work experience

The Board for Asbestos and Lead has reciprocity agreements with North Carolina, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

Consumers are advised to check for additional local municipal contractor license requirements as contractor laws can differ from county to county. It is also advised to double check with the state’s requirements before hiring a contractor.