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WVState License RequiredNASCLA Accepted

West Virginia Contractor License

West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board

West Virginia requires a state-level contractor license for projects above $2,500 or more (labor and materials combined). Exam required. NASCLA accepted. Administered by West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board.

Licensing & Bidding in West Virginia

West Virginia requires a state contractor license through the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board for any construction work valued at $2,500 or more, counting labor and materials combined. That low threshold means most commercial and many residential jobs fall under licensure, so confirm you hold a valid license before bidding anything beyond minor work. An exam is required, but West Virginia accepts the NASCLA exam, which is a real advantage for multi-state contractors who can apply an existing NASCLA credential rather than sitting a separate state trade exam.

West Virginia's distinctive compliance feature is the wage bond. Commercial contractors with employees must post a wage bond equal to four weeks of gross payroll plus 15% for benefits — a cost that scales with your crew size and must be priced into your bid and bonding capacity before you commit. An asset exemption is available if your total assets exceed $100,000, which can relieve the wage bond burden for established firms, so evaluate whether you qualify early in your bid planning. Continuing education of 5 hours per year is required to keep the license current, a modest but real ongoing obligation.

Out-of-state bidders benefit from West Virginia's reciprocity with a strong regional network including Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, plus NASCLA acceptance — making cross-border entry relatively straightforward for licensed contractors from those states. Bidding unlicensed carries serious consequences: a misdemeanor charge, fines up to $1,000, imprisonment up to six months, and loss of mechanics lien rights. Forfeiting lien rights undermines your ability to collect on a contested project, so secure your license, wage bond, and CE compliance before you submit a West Virginia bid.

Key Facts

GC License Required
Yes
Threshold
$2,500 or more (labor and materials combined)
Exam Required
Yes
NASCLA Accepted
Yes
Official Board Website

Fees

Application Fee
$90
License Fee
$59.95 per exam
Renewal Fee
$90 annually ($25 late fee if missed)

Key Facts

  • License required for construction work valued at $2,500 or more
  • Wage bond required for commercial contractors with employees
  • Wage bond must equal 4 weeks gross payroll + 15% for benefits
  • Asset exemption available if total assets exceed $100,000

Insurance Requirements

General Liability
$300,000 minimum
Workers Comp
Required for all contractors with employees
Surety Bond
$10,000+ (wage bond for commercial work: 4 weeks gross payroll + 15% benefits)

Continuing Education

5 hours per year

Reciprocity States

ALMSNCOHSCTNVA

Specialty Licenses Required

ElectricalPlumbingHVACFire Protection

How to Apply

  1. 1Submit application to the WV Contractor Licensing Board with $90 fee
  2. 2Pass the trade exam and business/law exam ($59.95 each; NASCLA accepted)
  3. 3Obtain general liability insurance ($300,000 minimum)
  4. 4Obtain workers compensation insurance for employees
  5. 5Post wage bond for commercial work (4 weeks payroll + 15%)
  6. 6Complete wage bond status affidavit on application

Penalties for Unlicensed Work

Misdemeanor; fines up to $1,000; imprisonment up to 6 months; loss of lien rights

Related Templates

Pre-Qualification QuestionnaireCOI Request FormSubcontractor Agreement

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. West Virginia requires a state-level contractor license for projects above $2,500 or more (labor and materials combined). The administering board is West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board.
Yes. West Virginia requires a licensing exam. The state accepts the NASCLA standardized exam as an alternative to the state-specific exam.
General Liability: $300,000 minimum. Workers Comp: Required for all contractors with employees. Bond: $10,000+ (wage bond for commercial work: 4 weeks gross payroll + 15% benefits).
Misdemeanor; fines up to $1,000; imprisonment up to 6 months; loss of lien rights
West Virginia requires a state contractor license for any work valued at $2,500 or more, combining labor and materials. That low threshold captures most commercial and many residential projects, so secure a valid license before bidding. An exam is required, but the NASCLA exam is accepted in place of a separate state trade exam.
Commercial contractors with employees must post a wage bond equal to four weeks of gross payroll plus 15% for benefits. The amount scales with crew size, so factor it into bonding capacity and bid pricing. An asset exemption is available for firms with total assets exceeding $100,000, which can relieve the wage bond requirement.
Yes. West Virginia recognizes reciprocity with Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, and accepts the NASCLA exam. This makes entry relatively simple for licensed contractors from those states, though you must still meet West Virginia's wage bond and continuing education requirements to bid and perform work.

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