West Virginia Contractor License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 8 min read

A West Virginia contractor license from the Contractor Licensing Board expires one year from the date it was issued, and the expiration date is on the license. Renewal costs $90 a year ($20 for a sole proprietorship working only as an electrical contractor whose owner holds a West Virginia electrician's license and sends the Board proof of it), online with a credit card, by mail with the renewal form, or in person at the Board's Charleston office. The Board renews only once it has verified you're in good standing with the State Tax Department, the Secretary of State, workers' compensation and unemployment, where those apply. A renewal received or postmarked more than 15 calendar days after the expiration date adds a $25 penalty fee, and a license that has lapsed for 90 days or more can't be renewed, with one exception for a dispute with a state agency. Neither the Act nor the Board's current rule sets any continuing education.

At a glance

Who needs it: Anyone who, for compensation and not as someone else's employee, bids on or does construction, alteration, repair, improvement or demolition work where the cost of the undertaking is $5,000 or more for residential work or $25,000 or more for commercial work. The Board says the threshold is based on the entire construction project, including the cost of all labor and materials, not your own contract, so a subcontractor paid less than $5,000 on a $200,000 residential job still needs a license
Qualifiers: A business qualifies for its license through one or more qualifiers, each a member of its responsible management or a full-time employee (at least 30 hours a week), who between them pass the exam for each classification and the West Virginia business and law exam
Classifications: Concrete, electrical, excavation, general building, general engineering, heating, ventilating and cooling, manufactured home installation, masonry, multifamily, piping, plumbing, remodeling and repair, residential, sprinkler and fire protection, structural steel erection, utilities, and other specialty classifications
Expires: One year from the date the license was issued. The expiration date is on the license
Renewal fee: $90 a year. A sole proprietorship engaging in business only as an electrical contractor, whose owner holds a West Virginia electrician's license and sends the Board proof of it, pays $20 a year
Renewal notice: The Board's FAQ says renewal notices are mailed approximately 45 days before expiration. The Act and the Board's rule require one at least 30 days before
Renew: Online at wvclboard.wv.gov with a credit card, by mailing a check or money order with the renewal form (list your license number on the check), or in person at the Board's Charleston office
Good standing: Before a license is renewed you must be in good standing with the West Virginia State Tax Department (business registration), the Secretary of State, the Offices of the Insurance Commissioner (workers' compensation) and WorkForce West Virginia (unemployment), where they apply; the Board's rule also ties renewal to any wage bond requirement that applies to you. If you have employees (other than yourself, partners, managers, members or officers), you must have workers' compensation and unemployment coverage, and the Board's FAQ says verification of that coverage must be received for a renewal to be processed: if you renew online, email the documents to CLBoard@wv.gov or fax them to (304) 558-5174
Late renewal: A renewal application received or postmarked more than 15 calendar days after the license's expiration date adds a $25 penalty fee to the annual renewal fee
Lapsed license: A license not renewed on or before its renewal date lapses, and one lapsed for 90 days or more can't be renewed, unless the licensee is in a dispute with a state agency and is found not at fault. The Board's FAQ says it may qualify for the reapplication/reactivation process instead, and a grandfathered license expired 90 days or more may need exams to reactivate
Continuing education: None. Neither the Contractor Licensing Act (W. Va. Code 30-42) nor the Board's current rule (28CSR2) sets a CE requirement for renewal
Qualifier leaves: If a qualifier leaves the business, name a replacement qualifier within 45 calendar days of the notice, or the Board may remove the classification or inactivate the license. The rule spares a business that loses its business and law exam qualifier from replacing them if it has done contracting work in West Virginia for at least a year and, in the past 12 months, hasn't been on the workers' compensation or unemployment compensation default list or disciplined by the Board
On the job: Keep the license or a copy posted at every construction site where you're working, and put your license number in all contracting advertisements and signed contracts: breaking this can bring a warning, a reprimand or a fine of up to $200. Work of $10,000 or more, labor and materials included, needs a written contract signed by you and the customer
Working unlicensed: Contracting without a valid license brings a cease and desist order, and after a chance for a hearing the Board may impose a penalty of $200 to $1,000. Carrying on after the order is a misdemeanor, with fines up to $5,000: a second offense can also bring up to six months in jail, and a third or later one brings 30 days to a year in jail. On a contract of $25,000 or more the Board also assesses an administrative penalty of up to $200 for each day of the violation
Contact: West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, State Capitol Complex, Building 3, Room 200, Charleston, WV 25305. (304) 558-7890, CLBoard@wv.gov, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm

The contractor license doesn't replace the licenses the people doing the work need: electricians are licensed by the State Fire Marshal, and plumbers and HVAC technicians are certified by the Division of Labor. See the West Virginia electrician, plumber and HVAC guides.

Some work needs no contractor license, such as work done exclusively by government employees, work by a public utility regulated by the Public Service Commission, landscaping or painting, and work you personally do on property you own or lease: see W. Va. Code 30-42-3(d) and 30-42-6(c) for the full lists.

A city, county or other local government can't require any additional occupational license or other evidence of competence as a contractor from someone who holds a valid and current Board license. A building permit, though, needs proof of your license (or an affidavit that you don't need one).

The Board's FAQ says it doesn't issue handyman licenses or temporary licenses.

How to renew

Find your expiration date on your license: it's one year from the date the license was issued. The Board mails a renewal notice ahead of it.
Make sure the business is in good standing with the State Tax Department, the Secretary of State, workers' compensation and unemployment, where they apply, before you renew.
Renew online at wvclboard.wv.gov with a credit card, mail the renewal form with a check or money order (your license number on the check), or renew in person in Charleston. Pay $90, or $20 for a sole proprietorship working only as an electrical contractor whose owner holds a West Virginia electrician's license and sends the Board proof of it.
Have employees and renewing online? The Board's FAQ says verification of workers' compensation and unemployment coverage must be received for a renewal to be processed: email the documents to CLBoard@wv.gov or fax them to (304) 558-5174.
Post a copy of the renewed license at every job site where you're working.

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

60 days outFind your expiration date on the license, and check the business's tax registration, workers' compensation and unemployment accounts are in good standing.
When the notice arrivesRenew online, by mail or in person, and pay $90 (or $20 for a sole proprietorship working only as an electrical contractor whose owner holds a West Virginia electrician's license and sends the Board proof of it). Have employees and renewing online? Email verification of workers' compensation and unemployment coverage to CLBoard@wv.gov or fax it to (304) 558-5174.
Expiration dateRenew by today: a license not renewed on or before its renewal date lapses. A renewal received or postmarked more than 15 calendar days late adds a $25 penalty fee.
90 days lateA license lapsed for 90 days or more can't be renewed (unless a dispute with a state agency is found not to be your fault): contact the Board about reapplication/reactivation.

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 crew's electrician licenses from the State Fire Marshal
Your crew's plumber and HVAC technician certifications from the Division of Labor
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

When does a West Virginia contractor license expire?

One year from the date the license was issued. The expiration date is on the license, and the Board's FAQ says renewal notices are mailed approximately 45 days before expiration.

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

$90 a year. A sole proprietorship engaging in business only as an electrical contractor, whose owner holds a West Virginia electrician's license and sends the Board proof of it, pays $20 a year. A renewal received or postmarked more than 15 calendar days after the expiration date adds a $25 penalty fee.

Do West Virginia contractors need continuing education to renew?

No. Neither the Contractor Licensing Act (W. Va. Code 30-42) nor the Board's current rule (28CSR2) sets a CE requirement for renewal.

What if my West Virginia contractor license expired?

A license not renewed on or before its renewal date lapses, and one lapsed for 90 days or more can't be renewed, unless the licensee is in a dispute with a state agency and is found not at fault. The Board's FAQ says it may qualify for the reapplication/reactivation process instead, and a grandfathered license expired 90 days or more may need exams to reactivate.

When do I need a West Virginia contractor license?

Unless an exemption applies, when the cost of the undertaking is $5,000 or more for residential work or $25,000 or more for commercial work. The threshold is based on the entire construction project, including the cost of all labor and materials, not your own contract.

Official sources

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

West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other West Virginia guides

All West 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.

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West Virginia Contractor License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 8 min read

At a glance

Who needs it: Anyone who, for compensation and not as someone else's employee, bids on or does construction, alteration, repair, improvement or demolition work where the cost of the undertaking is $5,000 or more for residential work or $25,000 or more for commercial work. The Board says the threshold is based on the entire construction project, including the cost of all labor and materials, not your own contract, so a subcontractor paid less than $5,000 on a $200,000 residential job still needs a license
Qualifiers: A business qualifies for its license through one or more qualifiers, each a member of its responsible management or a full-time employee (at least 30 hours a week), who between them pass the exam for each classification and the West Virginia business and law exam
Classifications: Concrete, electrical, excavation, general building, general engineering, heating, ventilating and cooling, manufactured home installation, masonry, multifamily, piping, plumbing, remodeling and repair, residential, sprinkler and fire protection, structural steel erection, utilities, and other specialty classifications
Expires: One year from the date the license was issued. The expiration date is on the license
Renewal fee: $90 a year. A sole proprietorship engaging in business only as an electrical contractor, whose owner holds a West Virginia electrician's license and sends the Board proof of it, pays $20 a year
Renewal notice: The Board's FAQ says renewal notices are mailed approximately 45 days before expiration. The Act and the Board's rule require one at least 30 days before
Renew: Online at wvclboard.wv.gov with a credit card, by mailing a check or money order with the renewal form (list your license number on the check), or in person at the Board's Charleston office
Good standing: Before a license is renewed you must be in good standing with the West Virginia State Tax Department (business registration), the Secretary of State, the Offices of the Insurance Commissioner (workers' compensation) and WorkForce West Virginia (unemployment), where they apply; the Board's rule also ties renewal to any wage bond requirement that applies to you. If you have employees (other than yourself, partners, managers, members or officers), you must have workers' compensation and unemployment coverage, and the Board's FAQ says verification of that coverage must be received for a renewal to be processed: if you renew online, email the documents to CLBoard@wv.gov or fax them to (304) 558-5174
Late renewal: A renewal application received or postmarked more than 15 calendar days after the license's expiration date adds a $25 penalty fee to the annual renewal fee
Lapsed license: A license not renewed on or before its renewal date lapses, and one lapsed for 90 days or more can't be renewed, unless the licensee is in a dispute with a state agency and is found not at fault. The Board's FAQ says it may qualify for the reapplication/reactivation process instead, and a grandfathered license expired 90 days or more may need exams to reactivate
Continuing education: None. Neither the Contractor Licensing Act (W. Va. Code 30-42) nor the Board's current rule (28CSR2) sets a CE requirement for renewal
Qualifier leaves: If a qualifier leaves the business, name a replacement qualifier within 45 calendar days of the notice, or the Board may remove the classification or inactivate the license. The rule spares a business that loses its business and law exam qualifier from replacing them if it has done contracting work in West Virginia for at least a year and, in the past 12 months, hasn't been on the workers' compensation or unemployment compensation default list or disciplined by the Board
On the job: Keep the license or a copy posted at every construction site where you're working, and put your license number in all contracting advertisements and signed contracts: breaking this can bring a warning, a reprimand or a fine of up to $200. Work of $10,000 or more, labor and materials included, needs a written contract signed by you and the customer
Working unlicensed: Contracting without a valid license brings a cease and desist order, and after a chance for a hearing the Board may impose a penalty of $200 to $1,000. Carrying on after the order is a misdemeanor, with fines up to $5,000: a second offense can also bring up to six months in jail, and a third or later one brings 30 days to a year in jail. On a contract of $25,000 or more the Board also assesses an administrative penalty of up to $200 for each day of the violation
Contact: West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, State Capitol Complex, Building 3, Room 200, Charleston, WV 25305. (304) 558-7890, CLBoard@wv.gov, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm

The Board's FAQ says it doesn't issue handyman licenses or temporary licenses.

How to renew

Find your expiration date on your license: it's one year from the date the license was issued. The Board mails a renewal notice ahead of it.
Make sure the business is in good standing with the State Tax Department, the Secretary of State, workers' compensation and unemployment, where they apply, before you renew.
Renew online at wvclboard.wv.gov with a credit card, mail the renewal form with a check or money order (your license number on the check), or renew in person in Charleston. Pay $90, or $20 for a sole proprietorship working only as an electrical contractor whose owner holds a West Virginia electrician's license and sends the Board proof of it.
Have employees and renewing online? The Board's FAQ says verification of workers' compensation and unemployment coverage must be received for a renewal to be processed: email the documents to CLBoard@wv.gov or fax them to (304) 558-5174.
Post a copy of the renewed license at every job site where you're working.

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

60 days outFind your expiration date on the license, and check the business's tax registration, workers' compensation and unemployment accounts are in good standing.
When the notice arrivesRenew online, by mail or in person, and pay $90 (or $20 for a sole proprietorship working only as an electrical contractor whose owner holds a West Virginia electrician's license and sends the Board proof of it). Have employees and renewing online? Email verification of workers' compensation and unemployment coverage to CLBoard@wv.gov or fax it to (304) 558-5174.
Expiration dateRenew by today: a license not renewed on or before its renewal date lapses. A renewal received or postmarked more than 15 calendar days late adds a $25 penalty fee.
90 days lateA license lapsed for 90 days or more can't be renewed (unless a dispute with a state agency is found not to be your fault): contact the Board about reapplication/reactivation.

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 crew's electrician licenses from the State Fire Marshal
Your crew's plumber and HVAC technician certifications from the Division of Labor
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

When does a West Virginia contractor license expire?

One year from the date the license was issued. The expiration date is on the license, and the Board's FAQ says renewal notices are mailed approximately 45 days before expiration.

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

Do West Virginia contractors need continuing education to renew?

No. Neither the Contractor Licensing Act (W. Va. Code 30-42) nor the Board's current rule (28CSR2) sets a CE requirement for renewal.

What if my West Virginia contractor license expired?

When do I need a West Virginia contractor license?

Official sources

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

West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other West Virginia guides

All West 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