How often do I need to renew my General Building Contractor (Class B) in West Virginia?

The General Building Contractor (Class B) in West Virginia must be renewed every 12 months.

How much does it cost to renew a General Building Contractor (Class B) in West Virginia?

The renewal cost for a General Building Contractor (Class B) in West Virginia is $90.00.

What happens if my General Building Contractor (Class B) expires in West Virginia?

Operating without a valid license may result in administrative penalties of $200-$1,000. For contracts of $25,000 or more, penalties up to $200 per day may apply. Continued violations after a cease and desist order constitute a misdemeanor with fines up to $5,000 and possible jail time.

West Virginia renewal guide

General Building Contractor (Class B)

If this license is up for renewal, this page gives you the fee, the timeline, and the items that usually hold the filing up.

Start here

What matters before you file.

Check the fee, the renewal window, and the documents or insurance records that can slow approval down.

Issuing authority

West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board

Renewal period

Every 12 months

Renewal fee

$90.00

Late penalty

$25.00

Bond requirement

Yes — $12,000.00

Insurance requirement

Yes — General Liability, Workers' Compensation

Before you renew

Get the filing straight.

1
Make sure the bond still clears

The $12,000.00 bond requirement needs to stay active through the renewal.
2
Check the insurance certificates

Make sure the required policies are current and match what the board or agency expects before you file.
3
File with the board

File through West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board and pay the $90.00 renewal fee once the supporting proof is ready.
Renew online
4
Leave room for processing

Typical processing time is 30 days, so do not wait until the last minute.

If you miss the deadline, the late penalty is $25.00, with a 15-day grace period.

Detailed notes

The fine print is here.

West Virginia General Building Contractor License (Class B)

The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board issues the Class B General Building Contractor license, which authorizes the holder to perform commercial and residential construction projects. This license is required for any construction, alteration, repair, or improvement work with a total project value exceeding $2,500 for residential or $5,000 for commercial projects.

What This License Authorizes

Class B General Building Contractors may perform general construction work on both commercial and residential structures, including new construction, renovations, additions, and repairs. They may subcontract specialty work to appropriately licensed subcontractors.

Examination Requirements

Applicants must pass two examinations:

NASCLA Trade Exam: 125 questions (115 scored), open-book, 5.5 hours. A score of 70% (81/115) is required to pass.
West Virginia Business and Law Exam: 50 questions, 3 hours. A score of 70% (35/50) is required to pass.

Bond and Insurance Requirements

Surety Bond: $12,000 contractor license bond required
Workers' Compensation: Required if you have employees (must show proof before license issuance)
Wage Bond: Required for commercial construction with employees; amount equals four weeks of gross payroll ($1,000-$100,000 range)

Fees

Application Fee: $90
Exam Fee: $51.95 per exam
Annual Renewal Fee: $90
Late Renewal Fee: $25 (if renewed more than 15 days after expiration)

Renewal Process

Renewal Period: Annually (expires one year from date of issuance)
Renewal Fee: $90
Late Fee: $25 if renewed more than 15 days past expiration
No Continuing Education Required: Must remain in good standing with the Secretary of State, Tax Department, Workers' Compensation, and Unemployment agencies.
Lapse Warning: A license expired for 90 days or more cannot be renewed and requires reapplication.

Consequences of Operating Without a License

The Board may impose administrative penalties of $200 to $1,000 for unlicensed contracting. For projects of $25,000 or more, additional penalties of up to $200 per day may be assessed. After a cease and desist order, continued violations are a misdemeanor with fines up to $5,000 and potential jail time of up to one year for repeat offenders.

*Disclaimer: This information is provided for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify current requirements directly with the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board.*

Official links