West Virginia licensing

Who and what this applies to

Contractor licensing under current West Virginia Code Chapter 30, Article 42.

Thresholds and scope

The covered undertaking threshold is $5,000 for residential work and $25,000 for commercial work, subject to statutory exclusions.

The rules

• Section 30-42-3 defines covered contracting by the $5,000 residential and $25,000 commercial thresholds. Its exclusions include materials-only suppliers, a person personally working on property they own or lease, and persons performing landscaping or painting services. Source
• Section 30-42-6(a) requires a license before covered contracting or bidding. For a firm, partnership, corporation, association, or other entity, an officer must hold the required license. Source
• Section 30-42-6(b) requires posting the license or a copy at each construction site and including the license number in contracting advertisements and fully executed binding contracts. Subsection (c) lists additional exemptions, including specified government, utility, employee, and personally performed owner work. Source

Deadlines

Obtain the required license before submitting the covered bid or performing covered work.

Primary sources

• https://code.wvlegislature.gov/30-42-3/
• https://code.wvlegislature.gov/30-42-6/

Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. This guide covers the projects and rules stated above.

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