Virginia Class A Contractor License: Requirements, Exams & How to Get Licensed
A Virginia Class A contractor license is the Commonwealth’s highest contractor license class. It is required when a contractor performs or manages a single project valued at $150,000 or more, or when the total value of contracting work reaches $1 million or more during any 12-month period. Unlike Class B and Class C, Class A has no upper monetary limit.
If you meet the requirements, Contractor Exam Preparation generally recommends starting with Class A rather than obtaining a lower class and upgrading later. It provides the greatest long-term flexibility and can help you avoid having to revisit parts of the licensing process as your business grows.
Last reviewed and verified against current Virginia DPOR guidance: September 2026Class A at a Glance
- Virginia’s highest contractor license class
- No upper monetary project or annual-volume limit
- Five years of qualifying experience are required for the Qualified Individual
- The business must generally verify $45,000 in net worth or equity, or use the Board-approved $50,000 surety-bond alternative
- Class A requires a Designated Employee
- The Designated Employee must complete the required Virginia, General and Advanced business-exam portions
- The business must also qualify for at least one appropriate classification or specialty
- Class A contractor licenses are issued to business entities and sole proprietors—not simply to individuals
Official requirements: Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors and Virginia Board for Contractors Regulations.
What Is a Virginia Class A Contractor License?
A Virginia contractor license has two separate parts:
This determines the dollar value of contracting work the business may perform.
This determines the type of work the contractor is authorized to perform.
A Class A license therefore does not mean that a contractor may automatically perform every kind of construction work in Virginia.
Class A determines the monetary scope of the license. The appropriate classification or specialty determines the work the business may legally perform.
Contractors frequently use phrases such as “Class A general contractor license” as though Class A describes the type of construction work they plan to perform.
It doesn’t.
Think of it this way:
Class A answers:
“How much contracting work can my business perform?”
Your classification or specialty answers:
“What kind of contracting work can my business perform?”
Understanding that distinction at the beginning can prevent someone from preparing for the wrong exam or pursuing the wrong application path.
Why Is Class A Usually the Best Choice If You Qualify?
If you can meet the Class A requirements, Class A is generally the strongest long-term choice.
Why?
Because your business is not restricted by the monetary ceilings that apply to Class B and Class C licenses.
A contractor may start small today and be offered a substantially larger project next year. Or several moderate projects may push total contracting volume across a lower class’s annual limit.
Starting with Class A can help prevent your license class from becoming an obstacle to future opportunities.
It can also help you avoid having to later:
- change your license class;
- meet the higher-class requirements at that time;
- complete additional paperwork;
- satisfy additional examination requirements; and
- wait while the change is processed.
If you already qualify for Class A, seriously consider obtaining Class A from the beginning.
Choosing a lower license simply because your current projects are smaller can create unnecessary work later if your business grows.
This is CEP’s practical recommendation—not a DPOR requirement.
Who Should Consider a Virginia Class A Contractor License?
Class A deserves serious consideration if you:
- already meet the Class A experience and financial requirements;
- expect your company to grow;
- want the ability to pursue larger projects;
- anticipate substantial annual contracting volume;
- do not want your license class to limit future opportunities; or
- would prefer to satisfy the higher-class requirements once rather than upgrade later.
A business does not have to currently be performing million-dollar projects to choose Class A.
The more important question is:
Do you qualify, and does Class A make sense for where you expect your contracting business to go?
What Does “Unlimited” Mean for a Virginia Class A Contractor License?
Class A has no upper monetary limit on project value or total contracting volume.
Virginia currently defines Class A contractors as contractors performing or managing:
- a single contract or project valued at $150,000 or more, or
- contracting work totaling $1 million or more during any 12-month period.
But “unlimited” applies to the monetary class.
It does not mean unlimited types of work.
You still need the appropriate Virginia contractor classification or specialty for the work your business performs.
Class A vs. Class B vs. Class C: What Is the Difference?
Virginia currently divides contractor licenses into three monetary classes:
| License Class | Single Contract or Project | Total During Any 12-Month Period |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | $150,000 or more | $1 million or more |
| Class B | $30,000 or more but less than $150,000 | $250,000 or more but less than $1 million |
| Class C | Over $1,000 but less than $30,000 | Less than $250,000 |
The project and annual thresholds work independently. Crossing either threshold can determine the required license class.
Why would someone choose Class B or Class C?
Usually because the applicant does not yet meet the higher Class A requirements or has a more limited immediate business need.
Class A requires more qualifying experience and a higher financial qualification than the lower classes.
But if you already qualify for Class A, CEP generally recommends considering Class A first.
What Are the Requirements for a Virginia Class A Contractor License?
A Class A applicant must satisfy several different requirements involving the business, its financial position, its Designated Employee and the Qualified Individual for each classification or specialty.
How Much Experience Is Required?
For every classification or specialty requested on a Class A license, the business must identify a Qualified Individual with at least five years of experience in that specific classification or specialty.
The Qualified Individual must also be at least 18 and must generally be either:
- a full-time employee of the business, or
- a member of responsible management.
Some specialties require a Board-approved examination. Others may require an existing trade license, certification or other prerequisite.
The important phrase here is “in that classification or specialty.”
Five years of general construction experience does not automatically establish five years of qualifying experience for every specialty.
That distinction matters when selecting your Qualified Individual and documenting experience.
What Is the Class A Financial Requirement?
A Class A applicant must provide information about the firm’s financial position.
Current Virginia regulations require the firm to verify $45,000 in net worth or equity using qualifying financial documentation.
As an alternative, the firm may obtain a $50,000 surety bond using the Board’s required bond form.
DPOR provides the appropriate financial-verification forms for Class A and Class B applicants.
Because financial requirements and forms can change, confirm the current documentation with DPOR before submitting your application.
What Is a Designated Employee?
Class A and Class B contractor licenses require a Designated Employee, often abbreviated DE.
For Class A, the Designated Employee must:
- be at least 18;
- be a full-time employee of the firm or a member of responsible management; and
- satisfy the required Board-approved business examination requirement.
For a Class A application, the required business examination consists of:
- Virginia portion
- General portion
- Advanced portion
The Designated Employee fulfills the license-class examination requirement.
What Is a Qualified Individual?
The Qualified Individual, or QI, qualifies the business for a particular contractor classification or specialty.
Every classification or specialty on the license requires a Qualified Individual who satisfies its requirements.
For Class A, that generally includes:
- being at least 18;
- being a full-time employee or member of responsible management;
- having at least five years of qualifying experience; and
- satisfying the applicable exam, license, certification or prerequisite requirement.
The same person may sometimes fill more than one role if that person independently satisfies the requirements for each role.
Designated Employee vs. Qualified Individual
The easiest way to remember the distinction is:
→ qualifies the business for the Class A/B business examination requirement
→ qualifies the business for the classification or specialty
Is the Virginia Class A Contractor License Issued to a Person or a Business?
The Virginia contractor license is issued to the contracting business entity or sole proprietorship, not simply to an individual person.
DPOR specifically identifies contractor licenses as licenses for Class A, B and C business entities and sole proprietors.
The business may be organized as an appropriate legal entity such as a:
- sole proprietorship;
- partnership;
- corporation;
- limited liability company; or
- another form of organization recognized by Virginia law.
The people connected to the business—responsible management, Designated Employee and Qualified Individuals—then satisfy different components of the licensing requirements.
What Exams Are Required for a Virginia Class A Contractor License?
There are two different examination concepts that applicants frequently mix together:
The Class A Designated Employee must satisfy the Class A business examination requirement.
For Class A, the current examination consists of:
- Virginia;
- General; and
- Advanced portions.
The Qualified Individual must separately satisfy whatever requirement applies to the classification or specialty being requested.
Depending on the specialty, that can involve:
- a Board-approved technical examination;
- an existing trade license;
- another certification; or
- another approved prerequisite.
For specialties requiring a technical examination, the Qualified Individual must obtain Board pre-approval before taking that examination.
Can I Take the Class A Business Exam Before Applying to DPOR?
Yes.
In fact, DPOR’s current contractor application requires the Class A Designated Employee to have successfully completed the appropriate business examinations, and DPOR states that successful completion of the examination is required before applying for licensure.
That means you do not need to wait for DPOR approval before preparing for and taking the Class A Business & Law examination.
This is one reason applicants can often make progress on the licensing process while other paperwork is being assembled.
Learn About CEP’s Virginia Class A/B Business & Law Exam Preparation
Do I Need DPOR Approval Before Taking My Specialty Exam?
For specialties requiring a Board-approved technical examination, yes—the Qualified Individual must receive pre-approval from the Virginia Board for Contractors.
Current application materials require an Experience Verification Form for Qualified Individuals seeking pre-approval for an examination.
This is different from the Class A/B Business & Law exam.
Business & Law: You can move forward without waiting for specialty-exam approval.
Specialty examination: Obtain the required Board pre-approval when applicable.
That distinction can save considerable confusion.
Is the Virginia Class A Contractor Exam Open Book?
The Class A/B contractor business examination uses approved reference materials and is designed around locating and applying information under timed testing conditions.
The current PSI bulletin identifies separate Virginia, General and Advanced portions and provides the approved examination reference information.
“Open book,” however, should not be mistaken for “easy.”
Knowing that an answer exists somewhere in a reference book is very different from being able to:
- recognize what the question is really asking;
- know where to look;
- locate the information quickly; and
- answer accurately under time pressure.
That is why CEP’s Class A/B preparation emphasizes navigation, organization, understanding and speed, rather than trying to memorize entire books.
What Score Is Required to Pass?
PSI’s current DPOR-linked Candidate Information Bulletin lists these passing scores for the Class A business examination:
| Portion | Passing Score |
|---|---|
| Virginia | 18 correct out of 24 |
| General | 35 correct out of 50 |
| Advanced | 17 correct out of 24 |
Always confirm the current examination bulletin before testing because exam content, references and procedures can change.
What Books or Materials Are Used?
The Class A examination uses approved reference materials identified by PSI and DPOR.
Rather than relying on an old book list found somewhere online, use the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin for the exact references permitted for your examination.
CEP’s Class A/B preparation teaches students how to work effectively with the required materials rather than simply handing them a stack of books and wishing them luck.
Does Class A Determine What Kind of Contracting Work I Can Perform?
No.
Class A determines the monetary class of the Virginia contractor license.
The classification or specialty determines the type of work the business is authorized to perform.
Examples include:
- Home Improvement Contracting — HIC
- Residential Building — RBC/BLD
- Commercial Improvement — CIC
- Commercial Building — CBC
- Highway/Heavy — H/H
Depending on the business, a contractor license can carry more than one classification or specialty, provided the business has the appropriate Qualified Individual and satisfies the requirements for each.
Compare Virginia Contractor Classifications and Specialties
Is a Virginia Class A Contractor License the Same as a “General Contractor License”?
People commonly search for a Virginia general contractor license, but Virginia’s system is more specific than that phrase suggests.
Virginia contractor licensing is built around:
License Class + Classification or Specialty
For example, a contractor may hold a Class A license together with the classification or specialty appropriate to the work the business performs.
So when someone says, “I want a Class A general contractor license,” the next question should be:
What kind of work does the business intend to perform?
That determines the classification or specialty side of the license.
How Do I Get a Virginia Class A Contractor License?
The exact path can vary somewhat depending on the classification or specialty, but the overall process looks like this:
-
Complete Virginia’s Required Pre-License Education
Virginia currently requires eight hours of Board-approved pre-license education for new Class A, B and C contractor licenses.
For Class A and B applicants, the course must be completed by a member of responsible management or the Designated Employee.
-
Confirm That Class A Is the Right License Class
Determine whether the business meets the experience, financial and organizational requirements for Class A.
If you qualify, Class A is generally CEP’s preferred long-term choice.
You will also determine the business roles:
- Responsible Management;
- Designated Employee; and
- Qualified Individual or Individuals.
Make sure each person satisfies the requirements for the role being assigned.
-
Complete the Class A Business Examination
The Class A Designated Employee must satisfy the Virginia, General and Advanced examination requirements.
-
Choose the Appropriate Classification or Specialty
Determine what type of contracting work the business plans to perform and select the appropriate Virginia classification or specialty.
-
Assemble and Submit the Contractor License Application
Prepare the required business, identity, employment, experience, financial and disclosure documentation.
For specialties requiring pre-approval for a QI examination, include the required experience-verification materials with the Board process.
Receive specialty exam approval if required.
-
Prepare for and Pass the Required Specialty Examination
Once approved, prepare for and complete the required specialty examination where applicable.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Virginia Class A Contractor License?
There is no single reliable number because several different parties affect the timeline.
A better way to understand it is to separate the process into what you control and what you do not control.
What the Applicant Can Control
You can reduce unnecessary delays by promptly completing:
- pre-license education;
- Business & Law preparation;
- Business & Law testing;
- business formation and documentation;
- Qualified Individual experience verification;
- financial documentation;
- application forms; and
- required disclosures.
What DPOR Controls
DPOR controls matters such as:
- application review;
- deficiency notices;
- qualification determinations;
- specialty-exam pre-approval; and
- final licensing actions.
What PSI Controls
PSI administers the examinations and controls:
- available testing appointments;
- testing-center availability; and
- exam administration.
Where Applications Commonly Slow Down
Delays are more likely when:
- information is missing;
- experience is not adequately documented;
- the business roles are misunderstood;
- financial documentation is incomplete;
- the wrong classification or specialty is selected;
- an applicant waits for DPOR before completing steps that could already be underway; or
- a Qualified Individual attempts to move toward a specialty examination before obtaining required approval.
Do not think of the licensing process as one long line where you must finish one thing before touching anything else.
Several tasks can often move forward while other pieces are being assembled.
Knowing what can happen now and what requires approval first can shorten the amount of time lost between steps.
What Should I Have Ready Before Applying?
Before submitting a Class A contractor license application, review the current DPOR application carefully and be prepared to provide information or documentation concerning:
- the legal business entity;
- FEIN and business information;
- responsible management;
- the Designated Employee;
- Qualified Individual or Individuals;
- full-time employment where applicable;
- pre-license education;
- Business & Law examination completion;
- qualifying experience;
- required certifications or prerequisites;
- Class A financial verification;
- adverse financial history;
- disciplinary history and other required disclosures; and
- the classification or specialties requested.
Do not rely on an old application saved on your computer.
Use the current application available from the Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors.
Common Class A Licensing Mistakes Contractors Make
Mistake #1 — Confusing Class A With the Specialty
Class A does not determine whether you can build houses, perform home improvements, do commercial work or perform highway/heavy contracting.
Class A determines monetary scope.
The classification or specialty determines the work.
Mistake #2 — Assuming Class A Authorizes Every Type of Work
It does not.
A Class A license still requires the proper classification or specialty for the work performed.
Mistake #3 — Treating the Business Exam and Specialty Exam as the Same Thing
They serve different purposes and have different approval requirements.
Mistake #4 — Waiting for DPOR Before Taking the Class A Business Exam
The Class A Designated Employee can complete the required Business & Law exam portions before the contractor license application is submitted.
Mistake #5 — Underestimating the Experience Requirement
For Class A, the Qualified Individual needs five years of experience in the classification or specialty being qualified.
Mistake #6 — Choosing Class B or C Even Though the Business Already Qualifies for Class A
A lower class may seem easier today, but it can mean another licensing change later.
If you already qualify for Class A, consider whether doing it once is more efficient than upgrading later.
Mistake #7 — Assuming Open Book Means Easy
The challenge is usually not whether the information exists.
The challenge is knowing where to find it quickly and using it correctly under exam conditions.
Can I Upgrade From Class B or Class C to Class A Later?
Yes.
Virginia provides a process for changing the class of an existing contractor license.
But moving to Class A means meeting the Class A requirements that apply at the time of the change, including the appropriate experience, financial and examination requirements. DPOR maintains a separate Change in License Class Application for this purpose.
That is precisely why CEP generally recommends:
If you already qualify for Class A, consider Class A from the beginning.
What If I Already Hold a Contractor License in Another State?
Do not assume an out-of-state contractor license automatically transfers to Virginia.
Virginia has specific reciprocity and examination-waiver agreements, and the terms depend on the jurisdiction and credential involved.
DPOR currently lists certain approved agreements and requires applicants using those agreements to satisfy the applicable terms and submit the required verification.
For more detail, see CEP’s guide to transferring or using an out-of-state contractor license in Virginia.
What Happens When a Class A License Is Renewed or Changed?
Virginia contractor licenses must be maintained and renewed according to current Board requirements.
Changes involving responsible management, the Designated Employee, Qualified Individuals, license class or specialties may require notice to or action by DPOR.
For example, current regulations require certain changes in responsible management or the Designated Employee to be reported within specified periods, while changes involving a Qualified Individual have their own reporting requirements.
For a specific change or lapse, confirm the current requirement directly with DPOR rather than relying on an old licensing guide.
Where Does Contractor Exam Preparation Fit Into the Class A Process?
Contractor Exam Preparation is not the Virginia licensing agency and does not issue contractor licenses.
The roles are different:
Establishes and administers contractor licensing requirements.
Administers the contractor examinations.
Provide the application, documentation, qualifications and required individuals.
Helps contractors understand the process and prepare to pass the examinations required along the way.
Why Contractors Choose CEP for Class A/B Exam Prep
Our Class A/B Business & Law preparation is:
- Exclusively live
- In person ONLY
- Instructor-led
- Held at our Tysons Corner training center
- Structured around helping contractors understand what matters, navigate the reference materials and perform under actual exam conditions
We do not offer a self-paced online version of this exam-preparation course.
The live classroom is the method.
What Should I Do Next?
Virginia Class A Contractor License Checklist
Before applying, make sure you have addressed the major pieces of the process:
- Complete required Virginia pre-license education
- Confirm Class A eligibility
- Establish or verify the contracting business entity
- Identify responsible management
- Identify the Class A Designated Employee
- Complete the required Class A business examination
- Choose the appropriate classification or specialty
- Identify the Qualified Individual for each classification or specialty
- Verify the required five years of Class A qualifying experience
- Prepare Class A financial verification or approved surety bond
- Complete required experience-verification documentation
- Submit the current DPOR contractor application
- Obtain QI specialty-exam pre-approval where required
- Pass applicable specialty examination
- Respond promptly to any DPOR requests for additional information
Virginia Class A Contractor License FAQs
What is a Class A contractor license in Virginia?
Class A is Virginia’s highest contractor license class. It applies when a contractor performs or manages a single project valued at $150,000 or more or reaches $1 million or more in contracting work during a 12-month period. It has no upper monetary limit.
How much experience do I need for a Virginia Class A license?
The Qualified Individual for each classification or specialty on a Class A license must generally have at least five years of experience in that classification or specialty.
What net worth is required for a Virginia Class A contractor license?
Current regulations require the firm to verify $45,000 in net worth or equity, or use the Board’s approved $50,000 surety-bond alternative.
What exams does a Virginia Class A contractor take?
The Class A Designated Employee must satisfy the Virginia, General and Advanced business-exam portions. The Qualified Individual must separately satisfy the examination, certification, license or prerequisite requirements associated with the classification or specialty.
Is the Virginia Class A exam open book?
The Class A business examination uses approved reference materials identified in the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin. Successful preparation requires knowing how to locate and apply information within the available time—not simply knowing that the material is in a book somewhere.
Is Class A better than Class B?
If you meet the requirements, Class A generally provides greater long-term flexibility because it does not impose the upper monetary limits that apply to Class B. CEP therefore generally recommends Class A when an applicant already qualifies.
Can I get Class A now even if my current jobs are small?
The regulations establish the qualifications the applicant must meet; they do not require you to wait until you already have a $150,000 project before applying for Class A. If your business satisfies the Class A requirements, Class A can be considered before your project volume reaches those thresholds.
Can an LLC get a Virginia Class A contractor license?
Yes. Virginia contractor licenses are issued to qualifying business entities and sole proprietors. An LLC may apply provided the firm satisfies the applicable Class A licensing requirements.
Can one Class A contractor license have multiple specialties?
Yes, a contractor business may request multiple classifications or specialty designations, provided it supplies a Qualified Individual who meets the applicable requirements for each designation.
Do I need DPOR approval before taking the Class A Business & Law exam?
No. The Class A Designated Employee completes the applicable business examination before the license application is submitted. Specialty/QI examinations may follow a different pre-approval process.
Ready to Move Forward With Class A?
If you qualify for Class A, there is usually little advantage in voluntarily limiting where your contracting business can go.
Get the licensing structure right.
Understand which exam comes next.
Then prepare to pass it.
Contractor Exam Preparation, LLC offers exclusively live, in-person ONLY, instructor-led Virginia Class A/B Business & Law exam preparation at our Tysons Corner training center.
Official Sources Reviewed
Regulatory information on this page was checked against:
- Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation — Board for Contractors
- Virginia Code § 54.1-1100 and Chapter 11
- Virginia Board for Contractors Regulations, including 18VAC50-22-60
- Current Virginia Contractor License Application and Qualified Individual guidance
- PSI Virginia Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin
Always verify any requirement that could materially affect your individual application with the Virginia Board for Contractors.