Virginia contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
Virginia contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (DPOR), how to check one online, the license types, and 3,746 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in Virginia?
| Who licenses them | Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), Board for Contractors |
|---|---|
| License types | Class A Contractor, Class B Contractor, Class C Contractor |
| When a license is required | License required for jobs over $1,000: Class C over $1,000 to under $30,000 per job (under $250,000 a year); Class B $30,000 to under $150,000 (or $250,000 to under $1 million a year); Class A $150,000+ (or $1 million+ a year); residential jobs need a signed written contract before work starts or payment is accepted |
Residential contracts must list start and completion dates, total cost, the contractor's license number and class, and a notice about the Virginia Contractor Transaction Recovery Fund, which can compensate homeowners harmed by a licensed contractor. Check that the license class covers your job size and the specialty you need.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in Virginia?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Virginia contractor license lookup run by DPOR.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact DPOR.
What contractor licenses does Virginia issue?
- Class A Contractor
- Class B Contractor
- Class C Contractor
How do you get a contractor license in Virginia?
Licenses are issued by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), Board for Contractors. Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official DPOR source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Virginia city is the job in?
How many home improvement contractors are there in Virginia?
The Census Bureau counted 3,746 residential remodelers with employees in Virginia in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Fairfax County | 630 |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach city | 267 |
| Prince William County | 238 |
| Loudoun County | 182 |
| Chesterfield County | 173 |
| Henrico County | 130 |
| Chesapeake city | 88 |
| Richmond city | 81 |
What do Virginia homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in Virginia was built in 1984, 33% of households rent and 73% of homes are single-family houses. 32% of homes heat with utility gas and 57% with electricity, and 3% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in Virginia?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: Virginia licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.