West Virginia Contractor License Lookup: Verify License & Status

Use the official West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board public verification service at wvclboard.wv.gov/verify/. Search the license number or licensed business, then compare the current status, expiration and classification with the contractor’s bid and contract.

Current W. Va. Code §30-42-3 uses $5,000 or more for covered residential work. Current 28 CSR 2 defines the undertaking around the entire construction project, including labor and materials.

Current W. Va. Code §30-42-3 uses $25,000 or more for covered commercial work, subject to statutory exclusions and exemptions.

No. Older pages may still display $2,500, but current West Virginia contractor law uses $5,000 for residential work and $25,000 for commercial work.

The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act is currently codified in Chapter 30, Article 42 of the West Virginia Code. Current licensing rules include 28 CSR 2. Older contractor-licensing references to repealed Chapter 21, Article 11 should not be used as the current licensing law.

A standard contractor license expires one year from the date it is issued under current §30-42-8.

Current 28 CSR 2 sets the standard annual contractor license fee at $90, with special provisions for qualifying initial fee waivers and a qualifying electrical-only sole proprietor.

Current 28 CSR 2 adds a $25 penalty when the renewal application is received or postmarked more than 15 calendar days after expiration. This does not create a 15-day licensing grace period; current statute says the license lapses when not renewed by the renewal date.

Current §30-42-13 generally states that a license lapsed for 90 days or more may not be renewed, subject to a limited statutory exception involving a state-agency dispute where the licensee is determined not to be at fault.

Current 28 CSR 2 defines Remodeling and Repair contracting around qualifying remodeling, additions and repairs to existing structures requiring two or more classifications where the cost of the undertaking does not exceed $40,000.

The qualifier must be a member of responsible management or a qualifying full-time employee. Current 28 CSR 2 defines the relevant full-time employee as working at least 30 hours per week under the contractor’s control and supervision.

Current 28 CSR 2 generally requires a replacement qualifier to be named within 45 calendar days after notice that the qualifier has severed the relationship, subject to the rule’s specific exceptions.

ProV administers the current West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board examinations. WVCLB determines which examination and contractor classification the applicant needs.

The current WVCLB Candidate Information Bulletin 2026.05.07 lists $59.95 per examination, including retakes.

The current contractor rule and ProV bulletin use a 70 percent passing score.

The current ProV bulletin says there is no waiting period between failed examination attempts. A candidate can schedule the first available testing date and pay the examination fee again.

The current contractor rule generally requires a West Virginia business and law examination in addition to applicable contractor classification examinations unless a specific statutory or rule-based route changes the examination requirement. The current ProV bulletin calls the business/law component the Contractor Licensing Act Exam.

Do not assume NASCLA creates a West Virginia contractor license or universal examination waiver. The current primary materials reviewed for this guide do not establish a universal NASCLA route. Confirm the specific classification with WVCLB.

Current 28 CSR 2 provides a conditional license route for certain out-of-state contractors bidding only. The applicant must satisfy the current conditions, including the West Virginia business and law examination. If awarded the project, the contractor must obtain the applicable full classifications before beginning work or hiring subcontractors.

Yes. Current §30-42-7 includes a new immediate-family transfer process added in 2026. A qualifying spouse, child, sibling or parent may receive a limited transfer under the statutory conditions, generally with a one-year period to complete the examination the Board requires for continued licensing.

Current §30-42-10 requires a licensed contractor performing covered contracting work with an aggregate value of $10,000 or more, including labor and materials, to execute a written contract meeting the statutory requirements. This is separate from the contractor-license thresholds.

Current 28 CSR 2 states that a bid may not be accepted without the contractor’s license number on the face of the bid. Current law also requires license-number disclosure in contracting advertisements and fully executed contracts.

Current law requires the license or a copy to be posted at construction sites, and current 28 CSR 2 explains jobsite posting as keeping a valid license copy readily available for inspection by the Board or public upon request.

Yes. A contractor company can need a WVCLB contractor classification while persons performing regulated HVAC work are subject to separate WV Division of Labor HVAC technician certification requirements.

Yes. Individual plumber certification is administered through the West Virginia Division of Labor and should be verified separately from the contractor business license.

The contracting business may need a WVCLB contractor classification, while individual electrician licensing is administered separately through the West Virginia State Fire Marshal system.

No. A wage bond protects covered employee wage obligations. Workers’ compensation and commercial general liability insurance are separate protections. Local governments or project owners may impose additional insurance requirements.

Current §30-42-20 generally prevents a municipality, local government or county from requiring an additional occupational contractor license or other evidence of contractor competence from a person or entity holding a valid state contractor license. Local business licensing, taxes, permits, zoning and inspections can still apply.

No. A contractor license establishes state contracting authority. Building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, zoning and other permits authorize project-specific work through the applicable local authority.

Use the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board. Current 28 CSR 1 says a complaint should include the complainant’s name and contact information, filing date, licensee information and license number if known, and a description of the alleged violation including applicable dates.

The Board has regulatory and disciplinary authority, but current §30-42-15 states that, except where specifically provided, the Board has no authority to impose or assess damages. Civil remedies are a separate question.

For covered residential construction-defect civil actions, Chapter 21, Article 11A generally requires a detailed written notice of claim at least 90 days before filing the action, subject to the statute’s scope and exceptions. This process is separate from a licensing complaint.

Yes. Approved BUILD WV projects in certified districts can qualify for benefits including a sales/use tax exemption for qualifying project purchases and a 10-year refundable property value adjustment tax credit, plus potential municipal B&O treatment where adopted.

Potentially. WorkForce West Virginia offers programs including WIOA On-the-Job Training and Worker Training Grants. The state’s economic-development incentive system also includes the Governor’s Guaranteed Work Force Program for qualifying expanding employers.

A qualifying West Virginia resident entrepreneur age 18 through 29 can use the Secretary of State Young Entrepreneur Waiver for the initial eligible business registration filing fee. It does not waive contractor licensing, examination or permits.

Qualifying veteran-, military- or eligible spouse-owned businesses can use the Secretary of State Boots to Business fee-waiver program, which can waive initial business registration and the first four years of annual-report fees. West Virginia also launched veteran and military-owned business certification programs in 2026.

The West Virginia Division of Labor’s On-Site OSHA Consultation Program provides eligible employers safety and health consultation services at no direct cost. The consultation program is voluntary and separate from OSHA enforcement.