Richmond, VA

Virginia · Richmond

How to Get a Contractor License in Richmond, VA

One statewide license covers Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield - a region growing fast across housing, healthcare, and commercial redevelopment. Here's how to get licensed.

State license via DPORClass A · B · CCBC · RBC · HIC · ELEUpdated for 2026
THE SHORT ANSWER

What you need to work as a contractor in Richmond

To work as a contractor in Richmond, Henrico, or Chesterfield, you need a Virginia state contractor license from DPOR — the same license used statewide. Pick a class by project size:

  • Class C — $1,000–$29,999 per project
  • Class B — $30,000–$149,999 per project
  • Class A — no limit; required at $150,000+ per project or $1M+/year

Class A and B require the PSI Business & Law exam. Depending on your work, you may also add a specialty such as Residential Building (RBC), Home Improvement (HIC), or Commercial Building (CBC).

Why Richmond is a growth market for the trades

Greater Richmond is one of Virginia's strongest growth stories, and that shows up in construction demand across housing, healthcare, and commercial redevelopment.

15–20%
projected population growth for the region
$300M
riverfront redevelopment project underway
VCU
Medical Center expansion driving commercial builds

For contractors, that means steady residential remodeling and home-improvement work in the suburbs plus larger commercial and institutional projects in the city core — spanning the RBC, HIC, CBC, and Class A/B credentials.

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The Richmond Contractor Licensing Checklist

  • Every step from experience to exam to DPOR application
  • Class A/B/C limits, fees, and timelines on one page
  • Which specialty fits your work: RBC, HIC, or CBC
Richmond Contractor Licensing Guide

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Which Virginia license do you need?

Commercial Building Contractor (CBC)

The specialty most relevant to large Richmond commercial jobs.

Virginia CBC exam prep →

Residential Building Contractor (RBC)

Richmond's population growth puts residential specialty in demand.

Virginia RBC exam prep →

Electrician (Journeyman / Master)

A high-demand trade across the Richmond region.

Electrician exam prep →
Building across state lines?

NASCLA Commercial Builder

One accredited exam counts toward licensure in 17+ states.

NASCLA exam prep →

Virginia contractor license classes at a glance

Class Per-project limit Annual gross Experience Financials
Class C $1,000 – $29,999 Under $250,000 1 year No net-worth minimum
Class B $30,000 – $149,999 $250,000 – $999,999 3 years $15,000 net worth (or $50,000 bond)
Class A $150,000 and up $1M and up 5 years $45,000 net worth (or $50,000 bond)

Class A and B require the PSI Business & Law exam. Class C qualified individuals are exam-exempt for most specialties.

Prep once. Pass the first time.

CTC's Virginia exam-prep courses, tabbed & highlighted code books, and cram sessions get you licensed faster.

Browse Virginia exam prep

Cost & timeline (2026)

DPOR application fees run about $425 (Class A), $405 (Class B), and $260 (Class C), plus a technology fee of roughly $7.25 per year effective July 1, 2026. Add the 8-hour pre-license course, PSI exam fees, and either net-worth documentation or a $50,000 bond. After a passing exam and complete application, DPOR processing typically takes several weeks.

Fees, experience rules, and exam details are set by DPOR and can change. Verify current requirements at dpor.virginia.gov before applying. This page is educational and is not legal or licensing advice.

Richmond region local requirements: what to know before you bid

Your Virginia state license works everywhere, but each locality runs its own rules. If you work across the Richmond region, you're dealing with three separate jurisdictions — the City of Richmond plus Henrico and Chesterfield counties.

  1. You need a local business license (BPOL) in each jurisdiction. Each one sets its own threshold, and out-of-town contractors get pulled in once their local work tops $25,000/year. Don't assume one license covers all three.
  2. Permits are local — and each uses a different portal. Richmond's Online Permit Portal, Henrico's Build Henrico, and Chesterfield's ELM portal. You'll set up a separate account for each.
  3. Plan reviews can be rigorous. All three enforce the Virginia Statewide Building Code and review plans closely for new homes, additions, decks, finished basements, commercial work, and fuel gas.
  4. A building permit often isn't enough. You may also need zoning approval, a land-disturbance/grading permit, Health Department sign-off for well/septic, or HOA approval. (No incorporated towns here, unlike Loudoun — one less layer.)
  5. Specialty trades need the right designation. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and gas work require proper specialty licensing and separate trade permits — even when you're the GC.

What doesn't change: the state process. Complete your pre-license education, pass the required exams, meet the experience and financial requirements, and apply through Virginia DPOR.

Frequently asked licensing questions

Do you need a Richmond-specific contractor license?

No. Virginia licenses contractors at the state level through DPOR, so the same license covers Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, and the rest of the state. You choose Class A, B, or C by project size. The City of Richmond and surrounding counties may require a separate local business license to operate, but the contractor license itself is issued by DPOR.

Which contractor license class do I need in Richmond?

It depends on project size, not location. Class C covers $1,000–$29,999 per project, Class B covers $30,000–$149,999, and Class A has no limit (required at $150,000+ per project or $1M+ per year). Richmond's mix of residential remodeling and larger commercial redevelopment means many contractors hold Class B or Class A, plus a specialty such as RBC, HIC, or CBC.

Is there strong contractor demand in the Richmond area?

Yes. The Richmond region is projected to grow significantly, supported by major riverfront redevelopment, VCU Medical Center expansion, and infrastructure investment — driving both residential and commercial construction across the city and the Henrico and Chesterfield suburbs.

What does a Virginia contractor license cost in 2026?

As of 2026, DPOR application fees are roughly $425 (Class A), $405 (Class B), and $260 (Class C), plus a technology fee of about $7.25 per year effective July 1, 2026. Budget also for the 8-hour pre-license course, PSI exam fees, and either net-worth documentation or a $50,000 surety bond. Confirm current fees with DPOR.

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