STATE LICENSE
ConditionalWest Virginia Contractor Licensing Board …
The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act — now W. Va. Code Chapter 30, Article 42, after the old Chapter 21, Article 11 sections were repealed — defines a contractor as anyone who, for compensation, undertakes or bids to build, alter, repair, improve, or demolish a structure where the cost of the undertaking is $5,000 or more for residential work or $25,000 or more for commercial work (§ 30-42-3(d)). Above that line, § 30-42-6(a) bars contracting or bidding without a license from the Contractor Licensing Board, and an officer of every firm must hold it. Every applicant must pass the WV Business & Law exam and a written exam in each classification sought, scoring at least 70% (28CSR2 §§ 5.3, 6.1).
The main building classifications are general building, residential, multifamily, and remodeling and repair (projects of two or more classifications up to $40,000); public works such as highways, bridges, and public swimming pools fall under general engineering. The license costs $90 a year (28CSR2 § 5.5, amended effective May 4, 2026), expires one year from issue, and requires sworn compliance with tax, workers' compensation, unemployment, and wage bond law (§ 30-42-5(e)). Jobs of $10,000 or more need a written contract (§ 30-42-10(b)).
The state sets the license floor; the county or city permit office controls filing, inspections, and local rules wherever the job site sits.
W. Va. Code § 30-42-20 bars any municipality, county, or local government from requiring an additional occupational license or other evidence of competence from a holder of a valid state contractor license. Permit offices are the enforcement point: under § 30-42-10(a) and 28CSR2 § 4.4 an applicant for a building permit must show a valid contractor license or file a written affidavit that it is not subject to licensure, and the permit authority may not issue a permit to an unlicensed person when a license is required. Local permit fees and inspections still apply.
The local offices section below names the exact permit desk for every West Virginia county on file.
Each row names the issuing authority, cost, timeline, citation, and status behind the requirement — verified against the official source.
Published fees from the issuing authorities, as of October 2026. Local permit fees vary by project and jurisdiction — the basis is stated where a flat number does not exist.
The threshold is measured against the entire undertaking, all labor and materials (28CSR2 § 3.37) — not just your portion — so splitting a job does not change which side of the line it falls on.
The Contractor Licensing Act is now W. Va. Code § 30-42; the old § 21-11 sections are repealed. Older guides citing § 21-11 or a $2,500 threshold are out of date.
The exam-passer (qualifier) must be in responsible management or a full-time employee; if a qualifier leaves, the entity has 45 calendar days to name a replacement (28CSR2 § 4.5).
A practical sequence for a new general contracting contractor in West Virginia. Actual agency processing times are noted in the ledger above.
Each item names the issuing authority, cycle, and citation.
Statutory consequences with their citations — not estimates, not “commonly cited” guesses.
The Board must order an unlicensed contractor to cease all operations in the state and, after a hearing opportunity, may impose a penalty.
Continuing to contract without a license after the order is served is a misdemeanor.
Undertaking work without a required license on a project whose construction contract totals $25,000 or more.
Inside city limits, the city office listed here issues the permit; the county office serves unincorporated areas. Every office links to its official page.
| County · City | Permit office | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Kanawha County Charleston | City of Charleston Building Department (Building Commission) — Permit Office ↗ Unincorporated: Kanawha County Commission — Planning & Development Department ↗ | — |
Every fact in this file was checked against these official sources on October 2026.
Pending verification: Exam fees charged by ProV, Inc. for the WV Business & Law exam and trade classification exams — 28CSR2 § 6.4 says applicants pay the testing agent directly, but no fee amount is published on the Board's site · The session law and effective date that moved the Contractor Licensing Act from W. Va. Code ch. 21 art. 11 (now all '[Repealed.]') to ch. 30 art. 42, and the date the $5,000 residential / $25,000 commercial threshold took effect (the Board's 2022 rule already cites § 30-42) · Whether the Board requires a minimum general liability limit — the Board's licensing guide lists 'General Liability Insurance' among application steps, but neither § 30-42 nor 28CSR2 states an amount · Out-of-state 'bid purposes only' conditional license details beyond 28CSR2 §§ 4.3 and 5.3.1 (Business & Law exam only; upgrade before starting work)
General information, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements, deadlines, and forms with the issuing authority before filing or contracting.
Store licenses, permits, policies, and renewal dates in one place.