Tradesmen Program

The Board for Contractors regulates individual tradesmen who engage in the trades of electrical; plumbing; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); gas fitting; water well construction; elevator mechanics; backflow prevention; and building energy analysis. (Although the term "certified" is used, state certification of these trades is mandatory, not optional.) Individual tradesmen may also be subject to local ordinances, laws, or other requirements imposed by other state agencies, courts, or certain localities. Questions about local ordinances, etc. should be directed to the community in which the individuals plan to engage in their trade.

Important Update

License Lookup now shows the continuing education (CE) hours needed to renew active tradesman licenses. Remember, all CE courses must be board-approved to count toward the renewal requirements, so check the list before scheduling your training class.

1. Select your application format: Working with Interactive and Static forms
2. Read and understand the Tradesmen Regulations
3. Application Instructions: English | Spanish
4. Learn about reciprocity/exam agreements with other states
5. Application fees are not refundable

APPLY FOR LICENSE

ADD/CHANGE License Information (for current licensees only)

INACTIVATE/ACTIVATE License

• renewal fees must still be paid while on inactive status
• activation requires meeting continuing education requirement

RENEW

• Renewals cannot be processed over the phone.
• If your license has been expired for more than 30 days, you must contact Board staff at (804) 367-8511 or tradesmen@dpor.virginia.gov for further guidance.

EDUCATION PROVIDER FORMS

• FAQs for education providers

OTHER FORMS

DPOR Boards only accept the most current versions of the applications and forms as provided above. DPOR is not responsible for processing delays associated with forms that do not conform to this requirement.

Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by registering here.

Statutes

• Chapter 11 of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia

Regulations

• Tradesmen Regulationsonline | PDF
• Contractors Regulationsonline | PDF
• Guidance Documents on Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
  • Contractors Board Policies & Interpretations
  Meetings & Minutes

  Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by registering here.

  The Virginia Regulatory Town Hall provides access to the board's meeting schedule, agendas, and past meeting minutes.

  Education & Exams

  Pre-License Education

  In order to become licensed/certified as a tradesman, backflow prevention device worker, or water well systems provider, applicants must complete pre-license education.

  • Approved Tradesmen Vocational Education Schools/Courses(Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Gas Fitting)
  • Approved Elevator Mechanic Vocational Education Schools/Courses
  • Approved ACCESSIBILITY Elevator Mechanic Vocational Education Schools/Courses
  • Approved Water Well Vocational Education Schools/Courses
  • Approved Backflow Prevention Device Worker Education Schools/Courses

  Continuing Education

  • NEW!License Lookup now shows the continuing education (CE) hours needed to renew active tradesman licenses. Remember, all CE courses must be board-approved to count toward the renewal requirements, so check the listbefore scheduling your training class.

  As a condition of renewal, all individuals holding a journeyman or master tradesman license are required to complete a continuing education course in each discipline in which they hold a license. Continuing education must be completed before the expiration date on your license.

  For example, an individual holding a master electrician license must complete an approved electrical continuing education course. An individual holding a master electrician and master plumbing license must complete an approved continuing education course in electrical and plumbing.

  For the trades of plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, the course must be three hours in length. For gas-fitting, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas, the course must be one hour each. Certified Elevator Mechanics must complete eight hours of continuing education, from courses approved by the Board for Contractors (which include NEIEP- and CET-level courses).

  ALL continuing education courses must be approved by the Board for Contractors in order for them to be used as part of the renewal requirements. Be sure to check the list of approved courses before scheduling your training class.

  • Approved Tradesmen Continuing Education Schools/Courses
  • Approved Elevator Mechanic Continuing Education Schools/Courses
  • Approved Water Well Systems Provider Continuing Education Schools/Courses

  Examinations

  • Pre-approval from the Board is required to sit for the exam.
  • Exam vendor updates re: COVID-19: https://www.psionline.com/important-notice-update-concerning-covid-19-coronavirus/

  TRADESMEN BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE WORKERS ELEVATOR MECHANICS	WATER WELL SYSTEMS PROVIDERS
  Exam Administrator	PSI (855) 340-3910	PSI (855) 340-3910
  Frequency and Dates of Exam	Daily* Contact PSI (855) 340-3910 *"daily" typically means Mon.-Fri.	Daily* Contact PSI (855) 340-3910 *"daily" typically means Mon.-Fri.
  Deadline for Application and Fee	No application deadline.	No application deadline.
  Exam Fees (paid directly to PSI)	Journeyman Tradesman $100 Master Tradesman $125 Elevator Mechanic $100 Backflow Prevention Device Worker $100	$95
  Exam Location	Charlottesville, VA Richmond, VA Roanoke, VA Vienna, VA Virginia Beach, VA Johnson City, TN Salisbury, MD	Charlottesville, VA Richmond, VA Roanoke, VA Vienna, VA Virginia Beach, VA Johnson City, TN Salisbury, MD
  Questions About Exam Scheduling or Registration?	Candidate Information Bulletin (PDF)