Quick answer: Virginia requires a state contractor license from DPOR for any construction, repair, or improvement work valued at $1,000 or more. The license class (Class C, B, or A) is set by the size of your projects, and each firm must add the correct classification or specialty designation (for example, Roofing (ROC) or Painting and Wallcovering (PTC)). Individuals doing plumbing, electrical, or HVAC work must also hold a Journeyman or Master tradesman license. There is no separate "handyman" license, and general cleaning is not regulated.
Virginia licenses construction contractors by the dollar value of their work and licenses individual tradespeople in the mechanical trades, both through the DPOR Board for Contractors.
Which trades need a license in Virginia?
| Trade | State license required? | Licensing body |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | State license required | Individuals performing plumbing work must hold a Virginia tradesman license as a Journeyman or Master plumber issued by the DPOR Board for Contractors. A firm bidding plumbing contracts also needs a contractor license with the Plumbing (PLB) classification, and any work of $1,000 or more requires the appropriate contractor class (A, B, or C). A newer Residential Plumbing license (effective April 1, 2025) offers a path with less experience than a full journeyman license. |
| Electrician | State license required | Individual electricians must hold a Virginia Journeyman or Master electrician tradesman license from the Board for Contractors. A firm offering electrical work needs a contractor license with the Electrical (ELE) classification, plus the correct monetary class (A, B, or C) for work of $1,000 or more. |
| HVAC | State license required | Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning work requires an individual Journeyman or Master HVAC tradesman license. A firm needs a contractor license with the HVAC (HVA) classification and the correct monetary class (A, B, or C) for jobs of $1,000 or more. A Residential HVAC Mechanic license (effective April 1, 2025) offers an entry path requiring less experience than a journeyman license. |
| General Contractor | State license required | Anyone who contracts to perform or manage construction, removal, repair, or improvement of real property for $1,000 or more must hold a Virginia contractor license. DPOR issues three classes by dollar value: Class C (single projects over $1,000 but under $30,000), Class B ($30,000 to under $150,000), and Class A ($150,000 or more, or over $1 million in a 12-month period). Firms select a classification such as Residential Building Contractor (RBC) or Commercial Building Contractor (CBC). |
| Roofer | Contractor license required (specialty) | Roofing has no separate tradesman/exam license, but a firm performing roofing work of $1,000 or more must hold a DPOR contractor license (Class A, B, or C) carrying the Roofing (ROC) specialty designation. Below $1,000, no state contractor license is required. |
| Painter | Contractor license required (specialty) | Painting is not a licensed tradesman trade, but a painting firm doing work of $1,000 or more needs a DPOR contractor license (Class A, B, or C) with the Painting and Wallcovering (PTC) specialty designation. Small painting jobs under $1,000 do not require a state contractor license. |
| Carpenter | Contractor license at $1,000+ | Carpentry is not separately licensed as a tradesman trade. However, carpentry work of $1,000 or more requires a DPOR contractor license (Class A, B, or C) under a building classification (RBC or CBC) or, for trim and finish work, the Finish Carpentry (FIN) specialty designation. Work under $1,000 does not require a state contractor license. |
| Landscaper | Depends on work and value | Basic lawn care and garden maintenance generally do not require a state license. Landscape construction (such as grading, hardscaping, or structural landscape work) of $1,000 or more requires a DPOR contractor license (Class A, B, or C) with the Landscape Service (LSC) specialty designation; irrigation work uses the Landscape Irrigation (ISC) specialty. |
| Handyman | Contractor license at $1,000+ | Virginia has no separate "handyman" license. Home repairs and improvements of $1,000 or more require a DPOR contractor license (typically Class C with the Home Improvement (HIC) specialty designation). Jobs under $1,000 do not require a state contractor license, but the work must still comply with local permit and building-code rules and must not include licensed trade work (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or gas fitting) beyond the worker's licensing. |
| Cleaner | No state license required | General cleaning services (residential or commercial janitorial and housekeeping) are not a regulated construction trade and do not require a DPOR contractor or tradesman license. A local business license and standard business registration may still apply. Specialty environmental work such as asbestos or lead abatement is separately regulated. |
Dollar thresholds and specialty designations are set by the Virginia Board for Contractors; always confirm current requirements and any local licensing with DPOR and your locality.
The DPOR framework: who regulates contractors in Virginia
Construction licensing in Virginia is administered statewide by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) through its Board for Contractors. The Board licenses both contracting firms (by monetary class and by classification/specialty) and individual tradesmen in the mechanical trades. Under the Code of Virginia § 54.1-1100, a “contractor” is anyone who, for a fixed price, fee, commission, or percentage, undertakes to perform or manage the construction, removal, repair, or improvement of a building, structure, or real property.
Contractor classes A, B, and C and the $1,000 rule
A Virginia contractor license is required once work is valued at more than $1,000. The Board sets the license class by the dollar value of the contractor’s projects, per Code of Virginia § 54.1-1100:
- Class C — single contract or project over $1,000 but less than $30,000, or less than $250,000 of work in any 12-month period.
- Class B — single contract or project of $30,000 or more but less than $150,000, or $250,000 to less than $1 million in any 12-month period.
- Class A — single contract or project of $150,000 or more, or $1 million or more of work in any 12-month period (no upper limit).
Tradesman licenses: plumbing, electrical, and HVAC
In addition to the firm’s contractor license, individuals who perform plumbing, electrical, or HVAC (and gas fitting) work must hold a personal tradesman license from the Board for Contractors as a Journeyman or Master. These require board-approved vocational training, qualifying experience, and passing an exam. As of April 1, 2025, Virginia also offers Residential Plumbing and Residential HVAC Mechanic licenses that require less experience and training than a full journeyman license.
Specialty designations: roofing, painting, and other trades
Many trades do not have an individual exam-based license but must be performed under a contractor license carrying the correct specialty designation. Examples defined in 18 VAC 50-22-20 include Roofing (ROC), Painting and Wallcovering (PTC), Finish Carpentry (FIN), Landscape Service (LSC), Landscape Irrigation (ISC), and Home Improvement (HIC). A firm doing this work at $1,000 or more needs both a monetary class (A/B/C) and the matching specialty.
Trades that need no state license (and local rules)
Some services are not regulated construction trades in Virginia. General cleaning and janitorial work needs no DPOR license. Painting, carpentry, and basic landscaping need no tradesman license and no state contractor license when the work is under $1,000, and there is no dedicated “handyman” license. However, all work is still subject to local building permits, inspections, and business-license requirements imposed by your city or county, and licensed trade work (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, gas fitting) always requires the proper credentials regardless of value.
How to get licensed in Virginia
- Determine your role and dollar volume: decide whether you need a contractor firm license, an individual tradesman license, or both, and estimate your typical project size and 12-month volume.
- Pick your class and classification/specialty: choose Class C, B, or A by project value, then the classification (e.g., RBC, CBC, ELE, PLB, HVA) or specialty designation (e.g., ROC, PTC, HIC) that matches your work.
- Meet prerequisites: complete required experience, and for tradesman or Master licenses finish board-approved vocational education and pass the applicable exam; designate a qualified individual and, for Class A/B, a designated employee.
- Submit your application to the DPOR Board for Contractors with the required fee, and take any required pre-license class (basic business law) for the contractor license.
- Confirm local requirements: obtain the local business license, building permits, and inspections required by your city or county before starting work.
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Frequently asked questions
At what dollar amount do I need a contractor license in Virginia?
A DPOR contractor license is required for construction, repair, or improvement work valued at more than $1,000. Below $1,000, a state contractor license is not required, though local permit and business rules may still apply and licensed trade work still needs the proper credential.
What is the difference between Class A, B, and C contractor licenses?
The classes are set by project value under Code of Virginia 54.1-1100. Class C covers single projects over $1,000 but under $30,000; Class B covers $30,000 to under $150,000; and Class A covers $150,000 or more (or $1 million or more in a 12-month period) with no upper limit.
Do plumbers, electricians, and HVAC techs need a separate license?
Yes. Individuals performing plumbing, electrical, or HVAC work must hold a personal Journeyman or Master tradesman license from the Board for Contractors, in addition to the firm's contractor license with the matching classification (PLB, ELE, or HVA).
Is there a handyman license in Virginia?
No. Virginia has no dedicated handyman license. Home repair or improvement jobs of $1,000 or more require a DPOR contractor license (often Class C with the Home Improvement (HIC) specialty). Smaller jobs need no state contractor license but must still follow local codes and cannot include licensed trade work beyond the worker's credentials.
Sources: Virginia DPOR - Board for Contractors, Virginia DPOR - Tradesmen (Board for Contractors), Code of Virginia 54.1-1100 (definitions; Class A/B/C thresholds), 2025. Licensing rules change — always confirm current requirements with the relevant state board and your local city before you work.