How much does a General Contractor license cost in Virginia?

Getting a General Contractor license in Virginia costs $790 upfront (exam fee $340, application fee $250, license fee $200). Renewal runs $250 every 2 years.

How much do licensed general contractors earn in Virginia?

Licensed general contractors in Virginia earn a median salary of $71,500/year, compared to $52,800/year without the license.

How many CE hours are required to renew a General Contractor license in Virginia?

Virginia requires 20 continuing education hours every 2 years to renew a General Contractor license.

General Contractor Licenses › Virginia

General Contractor License Cost in Virginia 2026: $790 Fees, $72K Salary

Getting a General Contractor license in Virginia costs $790 upfront. At state-adjusted salaries, that pays back in 0.5 months.

General Contractor License in Virginia — Key Numbers

$790

Upfront Cost

$72K

Median Salary (Licensed)

$250

Renewal (every 2 yrs)

0.5 mo

Payback Period

Salary data: BLS OEWS 2024 state estimates. Fees: state licensing board schedules.

General Contractor License Cost Breakdown — Virginia

Exam fee $340

Application fee $250

Initial license fee $200

Total upfront $790

Renewal fee (every 2 yrs) $250

CE hours required per cycle 20 hours

Salary without license (Virginia) $52,800/yr

Salary with license (Virginia) $71,500/yr

5-year net ROI $93K

Licensing body: Virginia Contractors Licensing Board. Verify current fees before applying — schedules change.

General Contractor License in Virginia — What to Know

Virginia contractor licensing varies by trade — general contractors, electricians, and plumbers typically have separate licensing tracks. The $72K median for licensed GCs in Virginia represents experienced contractors managing residential and commercial projects. Licensing allows you to pull permits and take on projects above the state's unlicensed threshold. Many Virginia GCs start with a specific trade license (electrician, HVAC, plumbing) before adding a general contractor license.

Payback Calculator

Your Current Salary

Total Upfront Cost

Expected Salary with License in Virginia

Other License Costs in Virginia

Real Estate Agent → CPA → Registered Nurse →

← All states: General Contractor License Costs

All certifications in Virginia · Payback period by state

Embed this calculator

Add this free calculator to your website or blog — no signup required.

<iframe
  src="https://certpayback.com/licenses/general-contractor/virginia?embed=true&utm_source=embed&utm_medium=iframe&utm_campaign=widget"
  title="General Contractor License Cost in Virginia 2026: $790 Fees, $72K Salary"
  width="100%"
  height="520"
  style="border:none; border-radius:8px; box-shadow:0 1px 4px rgba(0,0,0,.12);"
  loading="lazy"
  allowtransparency="true"
></iframe>