General Building Contractor (Class B)

A WV Contractor License Is Required for All Contracting Work — No Dollar Minimum

West Virginia requires anyone performing contracting work or submitting bids to hold a WV Contractor Licensing Board license before starting any project. WV Code §30-42-6 sets no dollar threshold: whether the job is a small residential remodel or a major commercial buildout, the General Building Contractor license is required before you work or bid.

The General Building Contractor license covers commercial and residential construction — new builds, renovations, additions, and repairs. Specialty work (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) must be subcontracted to appropriately licensed trades.

Pass Two Exams Before the Board Issues a License

The CLB requires two examinations for the General Building Contractor classification:

• Written trade examination for the General Building Contractor classification — administered by Pro-V, Inc. (provexam.com)
• WV Business & Law Exam — also administered by Pro-V

Both must be passed before the CLB will issue a license. Contact the CLB at wvclboard.wv.gov for current exam fees, registration, and scheduling.

Carry a Surety Bond, Workers' Comp, and a Wage Bond for Construction Employees

All General Building Contractor licensees must maintain:

• Surety bond — $12,000, required before license issuance
• Workers' compensation — required if you employ any workers (WV Code §30-42-5)
• Wage bond — required for construction work with employees (WV Code §21-5-14). The bond equals four weeks of gross payroll at full capacity plus 15%.

The CLB may suspend or revoke a license for failure to keep bond and insurance current.

Renew Annually for $90 — Miss 15 Days and Pay $25, Miss 90 Days and Reapply

The CLB charges $90 for annual renewal. Miss the deadline by more than 15 days and a $25 late fee applies on top of the $90. Let the license lapse for 90 days or more and you cannot renew — WV Code §30-42-13 bars renewal — contact the CLB at wvclboard.wv.gov to begin reapplication.

Fines of $200–$1,000 Escalate to Misdemeanor After a Cease and Desist Order

The CLB may impose administrative fines of $200–$1,000 for contracting without a license. On projects with a total value of $25,000 or more, an additional daily penalty of up to $200 may apply.

After a cease and desist order under §30-42-14, violations escalate in three tiers:

• First offense: fine of $200–$1,000 (no jail)
• Second offense: fine of $500–$5,000, or up to six months in jail, or both
• Third and subsequent: fine of $1,000–$5,000 and mandatory jail of 30 days to one year