You can verify any Virginia contractor in under a minute. Go to dpor.virginia.gov/LicenseLookup, search by business name or license number, and confirm the license status reads Active. If it shows anything other than Active, the contractor is not currently authorized to work in Virginia.
What Virginia requires
Under Virginia Code § 54.1-1100, any contractor performing construction, repair, or removal work on a project at or above $1,000 must hold an active license from the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). This covers general contractors, remodelers, and specialty trade contractors doing residential work throughout Northern Virginia.
DPOR issues three contractor license classes based on the dollar value of work:
Class A: For contractors taking on single contracts at or above $150,000, or with annual gross volume at or above $1 million. Class A contractors must demonstrate a net worth of at least $45,000 or hold a $50,000 surety bond, and must have at least five years of verified experience in the trade (per 18VAC50-22-60).
Class B: For contractors whose single contracts fall between $30,000 and $150,000, or whose annual volume runs between $250,000 and $1 million. Class B requires a net worth of at least $15,000 or a $50,000 surety bond, and at least three years of experience (per 18VAC50-22-50).
Class C: For contractors whose single contracts range from $1,000 to $30,000, with annual volume under $250,000.
A full kitchen remodel in Northern Virginia will typically exceed $30,000, which means your contractor should hold at least a Class B license. Projects at or above $150,000 require a Class A.
How to do the lookup: step by step
- Go to dpor.virginia.gov/LicenseLookup
- The search supports business name, owner name, or license number
- Enter the business name exactly as it appears on the contractor’s estimate or contract
- Confirm all of these in the result:
- Status: Active (not expired, suspended, or revoked)
- The license class matches the scope of your project (Class B or A for most kitchen and bathroom remodels)
- The expiration date extends past your project’s expected completion date
- Write down the DPOR license number and compare it to any number shown on the contractor’s paperwork
If the name returns no result, try a partial search using the first word of the business name. You can also call DPOR directly at (804) 367-8511 or email contractors@dpor.virginia.gov to confirm a contractor’s current status.
Renovexus shows the DPOR license number for each listed contractor so you can cross-check it on the state’s system directly.
What the license class means for your project
Not all license classes authorize all work. A Class C contractor who takes a contract above $30,000 is out of compliance with Virginia law. When you look up a contractor, confirm the class matches the dollar value of your project. If your remodel is budgeted at $80,000 and the contractor holds only a Class C license, that is a compliance issue regardless of how good their portfolio looks.
Class A contractors have met the highest financial standing and experience thresholds under DPOR regulations. They are the appropriate choice for a full gut renovation, a structural change, or a high-specification custom kitchen.
What the contract must include
Virginia does not mandate a single contract form for residential renovation work, but these elements protect you legally:
- Full contractor name, business address, and DPOR license number prominently stated
- A written description of the work, the principal materials, and the scope
- Total price and a clear payment schedule
- Start date and estimated completion date
- Proof of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage
A contractor who will not put these items in writing is showing you something worth noting before any money changes hands.
Red flags to take seriously
- No DPOR license number on the estimate or contract, or refusal to provide one on request
- Status is expired, suspended, or revoked on the LicenseLookup result
- License class does not match the dollar value of your project
- Request for more than one-third of the total price upfront before work begins
- Pressure to skip permits (“we don’t need one for this type of job”)
- No written contract proposed for work over $1,000
- No proof of insurance, or a certificate that expired before your project begins
Any one of these is reason to pause. A contractor who resists transparency on licensing and insurance is showing you how they operate.
What you lose without a licensed contractor
Working with an unlicensed contractor in Virginia removes important protections:
- DPOR cannot investigate complaints or take disciplinary action against unlicensed contractors
- If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor carries no insurance, your homeowner’s policy may be the only source of coverage
- Unpermitted work done by an unlicensed contractor creates problems at sale and may void insurance claims related to the work
- Disputes with unlicensed contractors must be resolved outside DPOR’s consumer protection process, which is slower and more expensive
The lookup takes 60 seconds. Run it before you sign anything.
FAQ
What is the difference between a Class A, B, and C contractor in Virginia?
The classes reflect the dollar value of work a contractor is authorized to take on. Class C covers contracts from $1,000 to $30,000 with annual volume under $250,000. Class B covers $30,000 to $150,000 per contract or $250,000 to $1 million annually. Class A covers contracts at $150,000 and above or annual volume at $1 million and above. A kitchen or bathroom remodel above $30,000 requires at least a Class B contractor.
Do I need to verify the plumber and electrician separately?
Yes. Plumbers and electricians in Virginia hold separate licenses administered by DPOR under their respective boards. You can check a plumber’s or electrician’s license at the same dpor.virginia.gov/LicenseLookup portal by selecting the appropriate license type in the search.
What if the contractor has great reviews but no license comes up in the search?
Strong reviews do not substitute for a current license. Reviews describe past work; a license confirms current standing with the state. Try searching under a shortened version of the business name. If nothing comes up, call DPOR at (804) 367-8511 before proceeding.
Can I ask the contractor to show me their license certificate?
Yes. DPOR-licensed contractors are required to produce their license certificate on request. Asking them to include the license number on your written estimate is standard practice and any licensed contractor will provide it without issue.
Looking for Northern Virginia contractors whose DPOR licenses have already been verified? Find one on Renovexus.