If you paint walls or hang wallpaper for a living in Virginia, earning a contractor license is one of the most direct ways to open the door to bigger, better-paying work.
Under rules set by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, anyone taking on a construction or home improvement job worth more than $1,000 must hold a valid contractor license. Without one, you can’t legally bid on or complete those projects, which means you may be leaving money on the table. Below, we walk through what it takes to get licensed.
Step 1: Choose the Right License Class
Your first decision is which license class fits your business. Virginia offers three contractor license classes, Class A, Class B and Class C, and each one is defined by the maximum project value the holder plans to handle.
Class A License
Class A sits at the top and places no limit on the value of projects you can take on. In exchange, it carries the toughest requirements: at least five years of experience in the trade and a business net worth of no less than $45,000. Class A license holders also face no cap on revenue.
Class B License
Class B lets you take on single projects worth up to $150,000, making it a solid middle option. You’ll still need to clear some hurdles, though: a minimum of three years of experience and a net worth of at least $15,000. Contractors holding a Class B license are limited to $1,000,000 in yearly revenue.
Class C License
Class C is designed for smaller work and allows you to bid on jobs valued at up to $30,000. Its requirements are the easiest to meet: just one year of experience and no minimum net worth. Total annual revenue under a Class C license is capped at $250,000.
Step 2: Fill the Two Required Roles
Every license application calls for two roles, which you can fill yourself or assign to another person in your company.
- Designated employee: the person who handles administrative oversight, such as completing the application.
- Qualified individual: the person who performs the hands-on painting and wall covering work.
One person can hold both roles, and that’s a common setup for sole proprietors. For instance, if you own the business and have the painting experience yourself, you’re free to name yourself in both positions, even if other qualified individuals work for you.
Step 3: Complete the Education and Exams
The designated employee and the qualified individual each have to demonstrate their knowledge through testing.
The designated employee needs to finish an eight-hour pre-licensing course, which every new Virginia contractor must complete. The good news is that this qualification never expires once you’ve earned it.
For Class A and Class B applicants, the designated employee must also pass the Virginia Contractor Business/Law Exam. Topics on this test include estimating and bidding, project management, labor laws and contracts.
While that exam is being graded and processed, the qualified individual submits an experience-verification form to the state for pre-approval. After that, they sit for the trade exam specific to the painting and wall covering license.
Ready to Take On Bigger Jobs
Larger projects are waiting for painters and wall covering pros who can show they’re qualified. Choose your license class, assign your roles, and prepare carefully for your exams, and you’ll be well on your way to growing your business with a Virginia contractor license.