West Virginia General Contractor License Requirements

Official classification: General Building Contractor · Issued by the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board.

🏗️ General ContractorWV ✔ Verified 2026-07-11

In West Virginia, general contractors must hold the General Building Contractor, issued by the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board, and a surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed general contractor in West Virginia

Follow these steps to earn your General Building Contractor. Every figure is verified against the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. No state-mandated minimum experience requirements
Pass the General Building Contractor Exam and Business and Law Exam exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. West Virginia requires Wage bond required unless the employer has been actively engaged in construction work in WV for at least 1 year before posting (exemptions include single-family-only work, no WV employees, $100,000+ in available assets, or 5+ years in business in another state).
Check the insurance rules. Workers' compensation: Required if employees.
Clear the background check. A prior conviction can disqualify an applicant only if it bears a rational nexus to the work, weighing its nature and seriousness, time elapsed and evidence of rehabilitation (W. Va. Code 30-1-24).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board — $90 application fee, plus a $90 license fee. Processing time: 24 hours for fully completed applications.
Keep the license active. Renewal: 1 year.

For the general path in every state, see the General Contractor guide →

West Virginia general contractor license lookup

To confirm a general contractor is properly licensed in West Virginia — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official wvclboard.wv.gov database →

License types

Contractor license by classification — Licensed by trade classification (such as General Building, Remodeling & Repair, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Multi-Family); there are no dollar-value classes (W. Va. Code 30-42-3; Contractor Licensing Board classification notice)

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	No state-mandated minimum experience requirements
Application fee	$90
License fee	$90
Renewal fee	$90
Renewal period	1 year
Continuing education	—
Bond required	Wage bond required unless the employer has been actively engaged in construction work in WV for at least 1 year before posting (exemptions include single-family-only work, no WV employees, $100,000+ in available assets, or 5+ years in business in another state).
Liability insurance	—
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Required if employees
Background check	A prior conviction can disqualify an applicant only if it bears a rational nexus to the work, weighing its nature and seriousness, time elapsed and evidence of rehabilitation (W. Va. Code 30-1-24).
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	Tennessee · compare all states
Processing time	24 hours for fully completed applications

What a West Virginia general contractor license costs

Application fee	$90.
License fee	$90.
General Building Contractor Exam	$59.95.
Business and Law Exam	$59.95.
Surety bond	Wage bond required unless the employer has been actively engaged in construction work in WV for at least 1 year before posting (exemptions include single-family-only work, no WV employees, $100,000+ in available assets, or 5+ years in business in another state).
Renewal fee	$90.
Renewal period	1 year.

Exams

General Building Contractor Exam	Provider: Prov Exam Services · Passing: 70% · Fee: $59.95
Business and Law Exam	Provider: Prov Exam Services · Passing: 70% · Fee: $59.95

Renewing a West Virginia general contractor license

The General Building Contractor renews on a fixed cycle set by the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	1 year
Renewal fee	$90
Continuing education	—
Where to renew	West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board

Frequently asked questions

How much does a West Virginia general contractor license cost?

Application: $90. License: $90. Renewal: $90.

How do I look up a general contractor license in West Virginia?

Search the official license database at wvclboard.wv.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do general contractors in West Virginia need a surety bond?

Wage bond required unless the employer has been actively engaged in construction work in WV for at least 1 year before posting (exemptions include single-family-only work, no WV employees, $100,000+ in available assets, or 5+ years in business in another state).

What experience is required for a West Virginia general contractor license?

No state-mandated minimum experience requirements

Is insurance required for general contractors in West Virginia?

Workers' compensation: Required if employees.

How long does it take to get a West Virginia general contractor license?

Processing time: 24 hours for fully completed applications.

Is a background check required for general contractors in West Virginia?

Background check: A prior conviction can disqualify an applicant only if it bears a rational nexus to the work, weighing its nature and seriousness, time elapsed and evidence of rehabilitation (W. Va. Code 30-1-24).

How often must a West Virginia general contractor license be renewed?

1 year.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-07-11 — always confirm current requirements directly with the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board before applying. This is not legal advice.