Licensing Guides
State Contractor License: How to Become a General Contractor in West Virginia
Contractor, WV
Table of Contents
Why Do You Need a Contractor License in West Virginia?
How Can You Get a Contractor License in West Virginia?
Types of General Contractor Licenses in West Virginia
What Are the Requirements of a West Virginia Contractor License?
How Long Does It Take to Get a Contractor License in West Virginia?
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Contractor License in West Virginia?
West Virginia Contractor License Training Programs and Schools
Does West Virginia Reciprocate Contractor Licenses?
Do I Need to Renew my Contractor License in West Virginia?
Are There Any Penalties for Contracting Without a License in West Virginia?
We all need a place to live and work, and those buildings require upkeep and repair. They’re often the biggest investments we make in our lives and keeping them in good condition is essential. We count on professionals to know how to fix damage to or wear and tear on our homes and businesses. General contractors are typically the experts we rely on to help us with these repairs, and we need these people to know what they’re doing.
Many states require contractors to be licensed. Others simply require solid insurance to back up the essential work they perform. There are 520,900 construction managers and 1,599,800 construction laborers and helpers nationwide, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). West Virginia employs 570 managers and 7,580 laborers and helpers. The national number for managers is projected to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033; for laborers and helpers, it’s 8%. In West Virginia, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate for laborers and managers is 6% and 13%, respectively. If you’re thinking about becoming a contractor or you want a job in the field, you need to know the requirements in your state or local jurisdiction. This guide will help you determine what you need before you get started as a licensed contractor in the state of West Virginia.
Why Do You Need a Contractor License in West Virginia?
A contractor license is necessary to perform most work legally in the state of West Virginia. Specifically, according to the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act, a general contractor license is required to perform any residential construction work valued higher than $5,000 or commercial construction work valued higher than $25,000. Licensing is overseen by the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board.
How Can You Get a Contractor License in West Virginia?
The licensing requirements are spelled out on the state website.
You need to pass a Business and Law and classification exam before applying for a license. You also need to obtain a business registration tax number from the West Virginia State Tax Department and to register as a West Virginia business with the West Virginia Secretary of State.
You need to obtain general liability insurance. If you plan to employ anyone, you must provide proof of workers’ compensation insurance and unemployment compensation insurance. Finally, you must post a wage bond with the West Virginia Division of Labor to protect the wages of employees if you do commercial work. The bond must be equal to four weeks gross payroll at full capacity or production, plus 15% for benefits. You can get an exclusion if total assets exceed $100,000, but you still need to fill out the wage bond status affidavit on the license application to verify this exemption.
Types of Contractor Licenses in West Virginia
License classifications relevant to general contracting include:
General Building Contractor: Per West Virginia Code, “A person whose principal business is in connection with any structures built, being built, or to be built for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or movable property of any kind, requiring in the construction the use of more than two contractor classifications, or a person who supervises the whole, or any part, of the construction.”
Multi-Family Contractor: “A person who is engaged in construction, repair, or improvement of a multifamily residential structure.”
Remodeling and Repair Contractor: “A contractor whose principal business is the general remodeling, additions, and repairs to existing structures requiring the use of two or more classifications where the cost of the undertaking does not exceed $40,000 and includes all rough and finish general carpentry work, the installation of related hardware and accessories, and all minor repairs and replacement of pre-manufactured items on existing structures.”
Residential Contractor: “A person whose principal business is in connection with construction, repair, or improvement of real property used as, or intended to be used for, residential occupancy.”
There are also classifications for:
Concrete Contractor
Electrical Contractor
Excavation Contractor
General Engineering Contractor
Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling Contractor
Piping Contractor
Plumbing Contractor
Manufactured Home Installation Contractor
Masonry Contractor
Sprinkler and Fire Protection Contractor
Structural Steel Erection Contractor
Utilities Contractor (Sewer and Water)
You can also apply as a Specialty Contractor, which West Virginia Code defines as “a person who engages in specialty contracting services which do not substantially fall within the scope of any contractor classification.”
Getting a general contractor license
The bottom line is you need to be licensed to do any kind of initial residential construction, repair, or maintenance work valuing more than $5,000 and commercial construction, repair, or maintenance work valuing more than $25,000 in West Virginia. Here’s the process for becoming a licensed contractor in West Virginia.
DETERMINE CLASSIFICATION: Email the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board at CLBoard@wv.gov with your scope of work to verify the classification(s) and exams required for obtaining your contractor license.
PASS EXAMS: Schedule to take license exams with ProV, Inc. by contacting them at (866) 720-7768 or visiting their website at www.provexam.com. The Business and Law exam is required for all license types and costs $59.95. You also have to take a contractors exam specific to your chosen classification, which costs $59.95.
REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS: Register your business with the West Virginia Secretary of State and obtain a business registration tax number from the West Virginia State Tax Department.
OBTAIN REQUIRED INSURANCE: All applicants need general liability insurance. If you plan to have employees, you need workers’ compensation and unemployment compensation insurance. You also need to fill out a wage bond status affidavit.
APPLY FOR LICENSE: Fill out the contractor license application online or download a fillable PDF to submit via email, mail, or fax. There’s a $90 application fee that can be paid online or via check or money order to the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board.
You can also consult our guides to getting your HVAC technician license, journeyman plumber or master plumber license, or electrician license in the state of West Virginia.
What Are the Requirements of a West Virginia Contractor License?
The requirements for licensure as a contractor in West Virginia are all intended to demonstrate that an individual who will be serving the public is properly prepared to do the job right. To that end there are knowledge/experience, and financial prerequisites.
You need a business registration tax number from the West Virginia State Tax Department and to register with the West Virginia Secretary of State.
Take and pass all parts of the licensing examination.
Pay all fees.
File evidence of general liability insurance, and workers' compensation insurance and unemployment compensation insurance if you have employees.
Post a wage bond with the West Virginia Division of Labor if you do commercial work.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Contractor License in West Virginia?
Since there are no advanced education or experience requirements for contractor licensing in West Virginia, it’s relatively quick to complete the application process and receive a license. Once a completed application is received by the Contractor Licensing Board, the application is processed, and the license is mailed within 24 hours.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Being efficient in the contracting world, no matter where you are in your licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one contracting software gives workers and business owners in residential field service, commercial contracting, or new construction the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it effectively.
ServiceTitan features:
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Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.
Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive the average ticket.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Contractor License in West Virginia?
The application fee is $90, and each exam costs $59.95. That makes the total cost $209.90, plus any costs associated with obtaining the required insurance and bond.
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West Virginia Contractor License Training Programs and Schools
There are no specific educational or course requirements to get a West Virginia contractor license. However, there are training programs throughout the state that can help you prepare for a career in construction.
If you choose to start your career path at a college or university, you can pursue a degree in construction management or construction engineering. There are a couple higher education options throughout the Mountain State that offer these types of programs. They include:
If you don’t attend any formal schooling or training, but want to learn on the job, you may want to consider an apprenticeship. Through an apprenticeship, you work, accumulate necessary experience, and can earn money all at the same time. The length of time to complete an apprenticeship depends on the trade and program. Apprenticeship opportunities are available through West Virginia Building and Construction Trades.
Does West Virginia Reciprocate Contractor Licenses?
West Virginia offers reciprocity agreements with Tennessee for the General Building, Multi-Family, and Residential classifications. In addition, The Contractor Licensing Board accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors administered by PSI Services, Inc. in place of the classification exam for General Building Contractors. Applicants would still have to take the Business and Law exam and meet all other requirements.
Do I Need to Renew my Contractor License in West Virginia?
Yes, West Virginia contractor licenses expire one year from date of issuance. The expiration date is on the license. Renewal notices are mailed approximately 45 days prior to expiration. You can renew online with a credit card, in person at the Charleston office, or mail a check or money order for $90 with the renewal form to WV Contractor Licensing Board, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, State Capitol Complex - Building 3, Room 200, Charleston, WV 25305.
Are There Any Penalties for Contracting Without a License in West Virginia?
Yes, contracting without a license in West Virginia can result in significant penalties. If the Board finds out a person is contracting without a valid license, they will issue a cease-and-desist order requiring the person to immediately cease all operations in the state. In addition, the unlicensed contractor will incur a penalty fine between $200 to $1,000.
A second offense incurs a fine of $500 to $5,000, confinement in jail for up to six months, or both. A third offense results in a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 and confinement in jail for at least 30 days and up to a year.
National Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. There are many professional organizations that offer certification. These certifications are not required but can add to your marketability and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money.
Some of the top construction certifications are:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Safety Certificate
Construction Management Association of America Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP) Certified Safety Manager (CSM) certification
National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER)
Continuing Education
Though West Virginia does not require continuing education to renew your license, you will want to stay informed about emerging technology in the industry. There are many ways to keep yourself current in regard to the technology put to use in construction, roofing, energy and environmental designs, efficiency standards and more. For example, distributors want you to know about their company’s latest offerings and will often hold training sessions about new and changing equipment and parts. Another option is the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) which provides continuing education courses.
Resources
You can stay up to date on contracting industry news several ways:
Check top blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your business.
Listen to top podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
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