General Contractor License Requirements in West Virginia
| Licensing Authority | West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (WVCLB) |
| License Type | Class B - General Building |
| Experience Required | 5 years of construction experience for Class A and Class B; 3 years for Class B-2 (Residential) and B-3 (Multi-Family) |
| Education Substitute | Construction management degree may substitute for up to 2 years of experience |
| Exam Required | Yes — WV Business and Law Exam + Trade Exam (Class B General Building) |
| Bond Required | Yes — Mandatory Wage Bond Affidavit required for all applicants. Contractors not actively engaged in WV construction for 5+ consecutive years must obtain a Wage Bond covering 4 weeks gross payroll at full production plus 15%. Contractors performing only residential single-family work may be exempt from the wage bond requirement. |
| Insurance | General liability: recommended. Workers comp: required |
| Continuing Education | Not required |
| Processing Time | 6-10 weeks |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $90 |
| Exam Fee | $120 |
| Exam fee per section | $60 |
| Est. Initial Total | $270 |
Renewal: $90 every 1 year
Exam Requirements
WV Business and Law Exam
50 questions2 hoursPass: 70%
West Virginia construction lawLien lawsSafety regulationsBusiness management
Trade Exam (Class B General Building)
115 questions5.5 hoursPass: 70%
Building codesProject managementEstimatingSafety
Exam provider: PSI
License Tiers
Class A - General Engineering
5 years construction experience
Exam: Required
Class B - General Building
5 years construction experience
Exam: Required
Class B-2 - Residential
3 years residential construction experience
Exam: Required
Class B-3 - Multi-Family
3 years multi-family construction experience
Exam: Required
License Reciprocity
This state has reciprocity agreements with 2 states. You may be able to skip the trade exam if you hold a valid license from one of these states.
tennesseeReciprocity for Electrical, General Building, HVAC, Multi-Family, Plumbing, Residential, and Sprinkler/Fire Protection classifications. Must pass WV Business and Law exam. Must meet financial and insurance requirements and provide official license verification from Tennessee.
virginiaReciprocity for multiple contractor classifications; must pass WV Business and Law exam and meet bonding/insurance requirements
Notes
- NASCLA exam accepted for Class B (General Building) trade exam
- 2025 Universal Professional Licensing Act: contractors licensed in another state for 1+ years in good standing may practice in WV without re-examination
- WV is one of 16 NASCLA-accepting states
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a general contractor license in West Virginia?
Yes, West Virginia requires a statewide general contractor license through the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board.
How much does a general contractor license cost in West Virginia?
The estimated initial cost is $210, including application, exam, and license fees.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: WVCLB