Virginia Contractor License Courses & Exam Prep

Frequently Asked Questions

• NASCLA vs. Virginia state license — which is right for me?

  The Virginia state licensing exam for CBC is equivalent to the NASCLA Commercial Building Contractor exam. Applicants applying with CBC exam scores and those using NASCLA exam transcripts receive the exact same state license. The only difference is that CBC exam transcripts have no reciprocal agreements with other state boards, while the NASCLA Commercial Builder exam is accepted by over 16 state boards. If applying to any of those states in the future, the applicant can provide exam scores from the NED database and waive that state's licensing exam (which is also equivalent to the NASCLA exam), including North Carolina Building Contractor, Georgia Unlimited Building Contractor, South Carolina Unlimited Builder, Florida Certified General Contractor, and others.

• Electrical: Journeyman, Master, and NASCLA — what’s the difference?

  Journeyman Electrician: Entry-level licensed electrician. You can perform electrical work under a Master’s supervision. Requires 2–7 years experience or apprenticeship.

  Master Electrician: Run your own electrical contracting business in Virginia. Supervise journeymen, pull permits. Requires 1 year as Journeyman + the Master exam.

  NASCLA Electrical Contractor: NASCLA exams are accepted by more states than Virginia Electrical Exams.

  The Virginia Electrician Exam currently has reciprocal agreements with Alabama, Washington, D.C., Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, and Washington.

  Keep in mind that reciprocity for the Virginia Electrician Exam differs from the states that accept NASCLA Electrical Exam transcripts. Some states that accept Virginia exam scores do not accept NASCLA Electrical Exam transcripts, and vice versa.

  For the most current lists, review:

  • NASCLA Electrical Participating State Agencies
  • Virginia Tradesman Reciprocal Agreements

• What are the steps to get a Virginia contractor license?

  1. Set up your business entity — VA contractor licenses are issued to businesses, not individuals. Register with the Virginia State Corporation Commission and designate your qualified individual, designated employee, and responsible manager.
  2. Complete the 8-Hour Pre-License Course — Required for Class A, B, and C. DPOR-approved, online and self-paced.
  3. Pass the Business Law exam — Class B requires the Virginia and General portions. Class A requires all three, including the Advanced portion.
  4. Submit your application to DPOR — Include all required documentation and your licensing fee ($385 for A, $370 for B, $235 for C). Allow approximately 30 days for board review and approval.
  5. Take and pass your technical licensing exam — Once DPOR approves your application, your qualified individual takes the trade-specific exam through PSI.
  6. Get insured and start working — Secure liability insurance before accepting your first job.

• Do I need the 8-Hour Pre-License Course for a Class C license?

  Yes. The 8-Hour Pre-License Course is required for Class A, Class B, and Class C contractor licenses.

• How do PSI exams works?

  Booking your exam: For Class A/B Business law exams, schedule directly with PSI after completing your 8-Hour Pre-License Course. For construction and tradesman licensing exams, schedule your exams after receiving license application approval from DPOR.

  What you can bring: Most construction licensing exams are open-book — which means the real skill isn’t memorization, it’s knowing how to find answers fast under pressure. You may bring approved reference books with permanent tabs, highlighting, and underlining (no loose papers or removable tabs).

  That’s why our books come pre-tabbed and pre-highlighted: so you’re not scrambling to find answers during the exam. They ship PSI-compliant and ready to use.

• Can I take the Virginia licensing exam without an exam prep course?

  Yes — exam prep isn't required. But CTC students pass at a 90% first-time rate. Self-studiers navigating the material without a structured, exam-aligned system see significantly lower results. The exam is specific; winging the prep rarely is.

• How long is a Virginia contractor license valid? Is continuing education (CE) required for renewal?

  Virginia contractor licenses must be renewed every two years.

  Construction licenses do not have any CE requirements in Virginia.

  Tradesman license holders must complete CE during each two-year renewal cycle as follows:

  • Plumbers — 3 hours
  • Electricians — 3 hours
  • HVAC Technicians — 3 hours
  • Gas Fitters — 1 hour (1 hour total for NGF, LPG, or GFC licenses)
  • Certified Elevator Mechanics — 8 hours*
  • Certified Water Well Systems Providers — 8 hours*

  *Certified elevator mechanics and certified water well systems providers should contact the Licensing Staff at 804-367-8511 if they need information on continuing education requirements for their certificates/licenses.

  All continuing education requirements must be completed during the two-year license term. For example, if your license expires on December 31, 2012, all required continuing education hours must be completed before that date. Your next renewal cycle would run from January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2014, and all continuing education requirements for that term must be completed before the December 31, 2014 expiration date.