Licensed General Contractor in Virginia: How to Verify Before You Hire

Virginia requires general contractors to be licensed by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)at dpor.virginia.gov. Virginia uses a three-tier licensing system — Class A, Class B, and Class C — with different project size limits and bond requirements for each. Understanding which class your contractor holds is critical before authorizing any significant construction project.

What Are Virginia's Contractor License Classes?

Virginia's three contractor license classes correspond to the maximum project size the contractor is authorized to manage. A Class A license is the highest tier, with no cap on project size. Class A requires a $50,000 surety bond and the most rigorous financial qualification. A Class B license limits the contractor to projects between $10,000 and $120,000 per year, and requires a $15,000 bond. A Class C license covers projects under $10,000 with a $2,500 bond.

The class distinctions mean that a contractor with only a Class C license cannot legally manage a $50,000 kitchen renovation in Virginia. Misrepresenting the class of license — or failing to inform a homeowner of the class limitation — is a DPOR violation. When you receive bids, ask each contractor directly what class of license they hold and verify it against DPOR's database.

Virginia also issues specialty licenses for particular trades within the contractor licensing framework. Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and other specialty contractors must hold the appropriate specialty endorsement in addition to the general contractor license. A Class A general contractor is not automatically authorized to self-perform electrical or plumbing work — those trades require separate endorsements or licensed subcontractors.

What Bond Requirements Apply to Virginia Contractors?

Virginia's tiered bond requirements — $50,000 for Class A, $15,000 for Class B, and $2,500 for Class C— reflect the scope of projects in each tier. For a homeowner hiring a Class A contractor for a large renovation, the $50,000 bond provides meaningful financial protection if the contractor abandons the project or causes damage. For a Class C contractor doing a $5,000 repair, the $2,500 bond is a more modest backstop.

The bond must be active and on file with DPOR at the time of your project. Contractors whose bonds have lapsed are in violation of their license conditions and may have their license suspended. DPOR's online database shows bond status alongside license class and expiration date, so you can verify the complete picture in a single lookup.

How Does Virginia's DPOR License System Work?

DPOR licenses contractors under two categories: individual licenses for sole proprietors and responsible management personnel, and business entity licenses for companies. When you hire a Virginia contractor, you should verify both the business entity license and the individual license of the person who will serve as the qualifying agent — the licensed individual responsible for the contractor's work.

Virginia requires each licensed contractor business to have a qualifying agent who holds an individual contractor license. If the qualifying agent leaves the company or their individual license lapses, the business license becomes invalid. This is a common source of confusion — a company may have received a license years ago with a qualifying agent who has since left, rendering the current license invalid even though the business name still appears in old records.

How Do You Verify a Virginia Contractor's License?

Search DPOR's license lookup at dpor.virginia.gov. You can search by individual name, business name, or license number. Confirm the license class (A, B, or C), the current status, expiration date, and bond amount on file. Also search for the qualifying agent's individual license to confirm it is also active.

Virginia's DPOR database includes disciplinary history for licensees. Any suspension, revocation, or consent order should be reviewed carefully before hiring. Virginia DPOR takes consumer complaints seriously and has revoked contractor licenses for fraud, abandonment, and code violations.

CheckLicensed.comsearches Virginia DPOR records for $0.99 per lookup, returning license class, status, bond amount, and disciplinary history. For a state with three license tiers and bond requirements ranging from $2,500 to $50,000, knowing exactly what class your contractor holds — and confirming it is active — is essential before signing a Virginia construction contract.