Virginia Contractor License Renewal (DPOR)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 5 min read

Virginia Class A, B and C contractor licenses are issued to the firm by the Board for Contractors, part of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). A license lasts two years. DPOR gives you 30 days after the expiration date to renew at the regular fee, but the license isn't valid during those 30 days, and after them you have to reinstate it instead.

At a glance

Renews every: 2 years: a license expires two years from the last day of the month it was issued, as shown on the license
Renewal notice: DPOR mails one to your address of record. Not getting it doesn't excuse a late renewal: without it, you can send the fee with your license number, no earlier than 60 days before expiration
Deadline: Renew before the expiration date to keep contracting. DPOR still renews at the regular fee if it receives the renewal and fee no later than 30 days after the expiration date, going by the date it receives them, not the postmark
30-day grace period: That's not an extension: the license isn't valid during it, and you can't contract in Virginia once the license has expired
What renewal takes: The firm must still meet the requirements for its class, including a qualified individual for each classification or specialty, and for Class A and B a designated employee and either the required net worth ($45,000 Class A, $15,000 Class B) or a $50,000 surety bond
Fee: $220 for Class C, $260 for Class B or $270 for Class A, plus a $30 Recovery Fund assessment. Since July 1, 2026 certain DPOR fees also include a separate Technology Fee of $7.25 per year, so check DPOR's current fees before paying
Renew: Online (contractor firms only), by returning the renewal card with payment, or with DPOR's credit card payment form by mail or fax. Not by phone
After the 30 days: You reinstate instead of renewing: meet all renewal requirements and pay the reinstatement fee, $460 for Class C or $550 for Class B or A (the renewal fee included), plus the $30 Recovery Fund assessment. A reinstated license keeps its number and expires two years from its previous expiration date, so renewing late gains no time
After 24 months: The license can't be reinstated: the firm applies as a new applicant and meets the entry requirements in place at the time

If your license has been expired for more than 30 days, DPOR says to contact Board staff at (804) 367-8511 or Contractors@dpor.virginia.gov for guidance.

Contracting after the expiration date may count as unlicensed activity: the license isn't valid during the 30 days.

How to renew

Find the expiration date on your license or DPOR's license lookup: two years from the last day of the month it was issued.
Check the firm still meets its class requirements: a qualified individual for each classification or specialty, and for Class A and B the designated employee and the net worth or $50,000 bond.
Renew online (firms only) or return the renewal card with payment before the expiration date. If the card never came, send the fee with your license number, no earlier than 60 days before expiration.
Make sure DPOR receives it in time: the date it arrives counts, not the postmark.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

90 days outFind the expiration date on your license: two years from the last day of the month it was issued.
60 days outWatch for DPOR's renewal notice by mail. No notice? You can send the fee with your license number from now on.
45 days outCheck your qualified individuals, designated employee and net worth or bond still meet your class requirements.
30 days outRenew online or return the renewal card with payment: DPOR goes by the date it receives it, not the postmark.
Expiration dateNot renewed? The license is no longer valid and you can't contract. You have 30 days to renew at the regular fee.
31 days afterStill not renewed? It now takes reinstatement and the reinstatement fee ($460 Class C, $550 Class B or A, plus the $30 Recovery Fund assessment). Contact Board staff first.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your qualified individual's own license: electrical, plumbing, HVAC and gas fitting firms need a qualifier with a current master tradesman license, which renews separately from the firm's license
Surety bond, if your Class A or B firm uses one in place of net worth
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do you renew a Virginia contractor license?

Every two years. A license expires two years from the last day of the month it was issued, as shown on the license.

Is there a grace period for a Virginia contractor license?

DPOR still renews at the regular fee if it receives the renewal and fee no later than 30 days after the expiration date. That's not an extension: the license isn't valid during it, and you can't contract in Virginia once the license has expired.

What if I didn't get my Virginia renewal notice?

DPOR mails one to your address of record. Not getting it doesn't excuse a late renewal: without it, you can send the fee with your license number, no earlier than 60 days before expiration.

How much does it cost to renew a Virginia contractor license?

$220 for Class C, $260 for Class B or $270 for Class A, plus a $30 Recovery Fund assessment. Since July 1, 2026 certain DPOR fees also include a separate Technology Fee of $7.25 per year, so check DPOR's current fees before paying.

Can I reinstate an expired Virginia contractor license?

After the 30 days, you reinstate instead of renewing: meet all renewal requirements and pay the reinstatement fee, $460 for Class C or $550 for Class B or A (the renewal fee included), plus the $30 Recovery Fund assessment. After 24 months, the license can't be reinstated: the firm applies as a new applicant and meets the entry requirements in place at the time.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR)

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Virginia guides

Virginia Tradesman License Renewal (DPOR)

All Virginia guides on one page

General contractor guides for other states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for general contractors

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet

Virginia Contractor License Renewal (DPOR)

Last reviewed October 2026 · 5 min read

At a glance

Renews every: 2 years: a license expires two years from the last day of the month it was issued, as shown on the license
Renewal notice: DPOR mails one to your address of record. Not getting it doesn't excuse a late renewal: without it, you can send the fee with your license number, no earlier than 60 days before expiration
Deadline: Renew before the expiration date to keep contracting. DPOR still renews at the regular fee if it receives the renewal and fee no later than 30 days after the expiration date, going by the date it receives them, not the postmark
30-day grace period: That's not an extension: the license isn't valid during it, and you can't contract in Virginia once the license has expired
What renewal takes: The firm must still meet the requirements for its class, including a qualified individual for each classification or specialty, and for Class A and B a designated employee and either the required net worth ($45,000 Class A, $15,000 Class B) or a $50,000 surety bond
Fee: $220 for Class C, $260 for Class B or $270 for Class A, plus a $30 Recovery Fund assessment. Since July 1, 2026 certain DPOR fees also include a separate Technology Fee of $7.25 per year, so check DPOR's current fees before paying
Renew: Online (contractor firms only), by returning the renewal card with payment, or with DPOR's credit card payment form by mail or fax. Not by phone
After the 30 days: You reinstate instead of renewing: meet all renewal requirements and pay the reinstatement fee, $460 for Class C or $550 for Class B or A (the renewal fee included), plus the $30 Recovery Fund assessment. A reinstated license keeps its number and expires two years from its previous expiration date, so renewing late gains no time
After 24 months: The license can't be reinstated: the firm applies as a new applicant and meets the entry requirements in place at the time

If your license has been expired for more than 30 days, DPOR says to contact Board staff at (804) 367-8511 or Contractors@dpor.virginia.gov for guidance.

Contracting after the expiration date may count as unlicensed activity: the license isn't valid during the 30 days.

How to renew

Find the expiration date on your license or DPOR's license lookup: two years from the last day of the month it was issued.
Check the firm still meets its class requirements: a qualified individual for each classification or specialty, and for Class A and B the designated employee and the net worth or $50,000 bond.
Renew online (firms only) or return the renewal card with payment before the expiration date. If the card never came, send the fee with your license number, no earlier than 60 days before expiration.
Make sure DPOR receives it in time: the date it arrives counts, not the postmark.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

90 days outFind the expiration date on your license: two years from the last day of the month it was issued.
60 days outWatch for DPOR's renewal notice by mail. No notice? You can send the fee with your license number from now on.
45 days outCheck your qualified individuals, designated employee and net worth or bond still meet your class requirements.
30 days outRenew online or return the renewal card with payment: DPOR goes by the date it receives it, not the postmark.
Expiration dateNot renewed? The license is no longer valid and you can't contract. You have 30 days to renew at the regular fee.
31 days afterStill not renewed? It now takes reinstatement and the reinstatement fee ($460 Class C, $550 Class B or A, plus the $30 Recovery Fund assessment). Contact Board staff first.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your qualified individual's own license: electrical, plumbing, HVAC and gas fitting firms need a qualifier with a current master tradesman license, which renews separately from the firm's license
Surety bond, if your Class A or B firm uses one in place of net worth
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do you renew a Virginia contractor license?

Every two years. A license expires two years from the last day of the month it was issued, as shown on the license.

Is there a grace period for a Virginia contractor license?

What if I didn't get my Virginia renewal notice?

DPOR mails one to your address of record. Not getting it doesn't excuse a late renewal: without it, you can send the fee with your license number, no earlier than 60 days before expiration.

How much does it cost to renew a Virginia contractor license?

Can I reinstate an expired Virginia contractor license?

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR)

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Virginia guides

Virginia Tradesman License Renewal (DPOR)

All Virginia guides on one page

General contractor guides for other states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for general contractors

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet