Virginia Class A Contractor License

Class A is Virginia's highest contractor license tier, required when a single contract reaches $150,000 or more, or when your firm's total annual construction volume exceeds $1 million. The Board for Contractors at DPOR issues and enforces it. Contracting without a valid license is a Class 1 misdemeanor — fines up to $2,500, up to 12 months in jail, and civil penalties up to $500 per day.

When Class A applies

Class A is required when a single contract is $150,000 or more, or when annual volume tops $1 million. Below those thresholds, Class B (single contracts $30,000–$149,999 or annual volume $250,000–$999,999) or Class C (under $30,000 per contract and under $250,000 annually) may apply instead.

Qualification requirements

The firm's Qualified Individual must meet all of these before DPOR will issue the license:

• 5 years of experience in the specific classification or specialty
• $45,000 net worth or equity documented by financial statement or CPA review — or a $50,000 surety bond in the alternative
• Board examinations: Class A applicants must pass DPOR-required exams; verify the current exam structure with PSI (DPOR's testing vendor) before applying
• Pre-license education: Board-approved course required for the member of responsible management

Application fee: $425 ($400 base + $25 Recovery Fund contribution)

Renewal and reinstatement

Licenses renew every 24 months at $300 ($270 base + $30 Recovery Fund). Renew online through DPOR before the expiration date. If the license lapses more than 30 days, renewal closes — reinstatement costs $580 ($550 reinstatement fee + $30 Recovery Fund assessment) and requires demonstrating current qualification before DPOR will reactivate the license.

Specialty classifications define your scope

Class A is a project-size tier, not a trade authorization. Each application lists the specific specialty classifications you're authorized to contract for: building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and others. DPOR authorizes only the specialties listed on the application — performing work outside those classifications is a separate violation.