West Virginia Contractor License Guide

In the state of West Virginia, work performed under $2,500 (materials and labor, total contract) does not require a contractor license. However:

• Electrical Contractor’s License - if a project exceeds $1,000.

Note: The only reciprocity agreements in the state of West Virginia are with North Carolina and Ohio for Master Electricians only.

• Plumbing Contractors License - all plumbing work requires one of three licenses:
  • Master plumber - available with 12,000 hours of plumbing work experience and competence to design plumbing systems. Must be capable of instructing and supervising journeyman plumber trainees.
  • Journeyman plumber - available with 8,000 hours of plumbing/related experience and the competence to instruct and supervise trainees.
  • Plumber in training - for those beginning a plumbing career with fewer than 8,000 hours of experience.

Note: Plumbing work performed over the amount of $2500.00 (total contract, not just the plumbing work) requires the individual/company to obtain a plumbing Contractor’s License.

• Piping License - if you do work related to the installation of:
  • chemical or other kinds of piping, air, oil, liquid petroleum
  • boilers/pressure vessels using joining methods of thread, weld or other methods
• HVAC Contractor's License - required when the project exceeds $1,000.
• General Building Contractor’s License - required in the state when the project exceeds $1,000.
• Multifamily Building License - required when the project exceeds $1,000.
• Residential Contractors License - a person working in construction, repair or improvement of real property used as, or intended to be used for, residential property. License is required when the project exceeds $1,000.

Electrical Contractor

• Fill in and submit the examination application form found here.
• The exam is based on the current National Electric Code Book, which is available for purchase at any electrical supply store.
• You will receive a written notification of acceptance or denial within 14 days of application.
• A passing exam score is 80% or higher.
• Proof of experience is required, dependent on the type of license exam you are applying for:
  • Master electrician - you must present proof of 5 years (10,000 hours) of experience, which should include residential, commercial and industrial work.
  • Journeyman electrician - you must present either proof of 4 years (8,000 hours) of experience, a completed apprenticeship program approved by the US Dept of Labor, or a completed vocational course approved by the WV Dept of Education of no less than 1,080 hours. A copy of your certificate of completion of your apprenticeship or vocational program is also required.
  • Specialty Electrician - 2 years (4,000 hours) of experience in the specialty area that you will be testing for, one of which may be obtained through an approved educational course.

Note: For more information you can contact the Fire Marshal at (304) 558-2191

Plumbing Contractor

The State of West Virginia has delegated the development and administer of the certification examination program for plumbers to Prov, Inc.

• Contact the Contractor’s Licensing office to confirm which tests you need to take. Both computer-based tests and traditional paper/pencil tests are available.
• Complete the examination registration form and submit with examination fees.
• You will receive an admission notice from an exam representative 7 to 10 days prior to the selected examination date.
• Scores are automatically reported to the Contractor Licensing Board within two business days of your examination.

Piping Contractor

• Schedule your exam at Prometric or at 866-720-7768
• For technicians in training, no examination is required

HVAC Contractor

• Schedule your exam at Prometric or at 866-720-7768
• For technicians in training no examination is required

General Building Contractor

• Schedule your exam by contacting PROV or at 866-720-7768
• It is an open book timed test with 80 questions and a 3-hour time limit.
• Topics include: Estimating and Plan Reading, Sitework, Concrete, Masonry, Structural Steel, Carpentry, Roofing, Doors, Windows and Stairs, Interior Finishes, Exterior Finishes and Safety.

Multifamily Building Contractor

• Schedule your exam by contacting PROV or at 866-720-7768
• The exam is a three-hour open book timed test consistent of 75 questions
• The passing grade is 70%

Residential Contractor

• Schedule your exam by contacting PROV or at 866-720-7768
• The exam is a three-hour open book timed test consistent of 60 questions
• The passing grade is 70%

• Electrical Contractor’s License:
  • Applications can be obtained by calling 1-304-558-2191 ext. 219.
  • Temporary License Applications can be found here.
• Plumbing Contractor’s license:
  • Application forms can be found here.
• All other licenses:
  • Applications for all other licenses can be obtained by calling 1-304-558-9551 or downloading the application form here.

• You must complete a Wage Bond Status Affidavit and include it with the application for Contractor’s License.

Note: Licenses will NOT be processed without this form.

• You must be in good standing with all required agencies (Secretary of State, Tax-Business Registration, Worker’s Compensation and Unemployment) before a license will be issued.

Some of the additional requirements include:

• Plumbing Contractor’s license:
  • Certification of your experience
  • Your examination score report
• HVAC Contractor’s license:
  • Submit your examination score report
  • Technicians are required to present proof of 2,000 hours of experience and/or training on HVAC systems, and at least 6,000 hours of experience and/or training in HVAC systems and related work (which includes other sheet metal industry tasks)
  • You must submit a list of employers or customers for whom you performed HVAC work

How to fill out your application

Read each question carefully and print or type your responses in a legible manner. Failure to fully answer all questions will be sufficient grounds for rejection of the application / affidavit.

Licensing and Application Fees

Note: Мake cashier’s check or money order for exam fees payable to the testing agent. (No personal checks, company checks or cash)

• Electrical:
  • Master license application fee - $50.00 annual fee
  • Journeyman license application fee - $50.00 annual fee
  • Apprentice license application fee - $50.00 annual fee
  • All Specialty - $50.00 annual fee
  • Master, Journeyman, All Specialty Licenses examination fee - $25.00
  • Apprentice examination fee - $10.00
  • Retest fee - $10.00 all licenses (only applicable within 12 months of last exam)

Note: Submit the exam fee along with the application. Be advised that the Office of the State Fire Marshal is unable to accept debit or credit cards at this time. Remitted checks that are returned as “insufficient funds” are subject to penalty as allowed by WV State Code.

• Plumbers:
  • Master license application fee - $75.00
  • Journeyman license application fee - $75.00
  • Plumber in Training license application fee - $50.00
  • Examination fee - $42.00

Note: Мake cashier’s check or money order for exam fees payable to the testing agent. (No personal checks, company checks or cash)

• Piping:
  • License application fee - $100.00
  • Examination fee - $42.00
  • Out-of-state testing - $136.67 plus tax
• HVAC:
  • License application fee - $90.00
  • Examination fee - $42.00
• General Building Contractor:
  • License application fee - $90.00
  • Examination fee - $42.00
  • Out of state testing - $136.67 plus tax
• Multifamily Building Contractor:
  • Licensing application fee - $90.00
  • Examination fee - $36.67
• Residential Contractor:
  • Licensing application fee - $90.00
  • Examination fee - $42.00
  • Out of state testing - $136.67 plus tax

Mailing Address

Plumbing contractors - Submit your examination registration form with your examination fees to:

State Capitol Complex
Building 6, Room B-749
Charleston, WV 25305

Prov Inc.
200 Association Drive
Suite 190
Charleston, WV 25311

Submit your plumber’s application form to:

State Capitol Complex
Building 6, Room B-749
Charleston,WV 25305

Electrical contractors - Submit your examination application along with all supporting documentation to:

Office of the West Virginia State Fire Marshal
1207 Quarrier St, 2nd Floor
Charleston, WV 25301

Submit your application form to:

1207 Quarrier St
Charleston, WV 25301

All other licenses - Submit your License application forms to:

State Capitol Complex
Building 6, Room B-749
Charleston, WV 25305

In West Virginia, surety bonds are required for contractor’s licenses and registrations if the applicant is engaged in construction, mining, or the transportation of minerals. The bonds are filed with the agency that handles the particular registration.

• Bonds must be submitted on a West Virginia Division of Labor form
  • Power of Attorney must be attached
• Parts of the bond must be completed by:
  • The insurance company
  • The company obtaining the bond
  • Requires approval by the West Virginia Attorney General’s office
• Required forms:
  • Bond Status Affidavit

How Long Does the Licensing Process Take?

Processing time varies by agency. Once the application is received in a licensing office, licenses are typically issued within ten to fifteen working days via mail. If a completed application is brought to the office, same day processing is possible.