Electrical Contractor Permit Requirements in Virginia Beach, VA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Virginia Class A, B, or C Contractor License (Electrical Specialty)

   Virginia requires all electrical contractors to hold a state contractor license issued by the Virginia DPOR with an electrical specialty classification (master tradesman qualifier required). Class C: single contract $1,000–$29,999 (or 12-month total under $250,000). Class B: single contract $30,000–$149,999 (or 12-month total $250,000–$999,999). Class A: single contract $150,000+ (or 12-month total $1,000,000+). Pass a board exam for Class A/B and for the electrical specialty, provide financial verification, and post a bond if required.

   Official government source

   Class C $235 + $25 Recovery Fund fee; Class B $380 + $25; Class A $400 + $25 (application fees per DPOR fee schedule, eff. Sept. 2025); biennial renewal·4–8 weeks

   Class C $235 + $25 Recovery Fund fee; Class B $380 + $25; Class A $400 + $25 (application fees per DPOR fee schedule, eff. Sept. 2025); biennial renewal

   4–8 weeks

2. Virginia Contractor Financial Requirement (Class A/B only)

   Virginia electrical contractors do not face a fixed surety-bond-by-class or DPOR-mandated liability insurance requirement. Class A applicants must show $45,000 net worth (financial statement/CPA review) OR obtain a $50,000 surety bond on DPOR's bond form instead. Class B applicants must show $15,000 net worth OR the same $50,000 bond option. Class C applicants have no such requirement.

   Official government source

   $0 if net worth verified by financial statement; bond premium if the $50,000 bond option is used instead (varies by surety, typically 1-5% of bond amount/year)·1–3 days

   $0 if net worth verified by financial statement; bond premium if the $50,000 bond option is used instead (varies by surety, typically 1-5% of bond amount/year)

   1–3 days

3. Virginia Business Entity Registration (if applicable)

   LLCs and corporations must register with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

   Official government source

   $100 (LLC filing fee)·1–5 business days

   $100 (LLC filing fee)

   1–5 business days

1. City of Virginia Beach Business License

   All businesses operating in Virginia Beach must obtain a Business License from the City of Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue. Electrical contractors are classified under the Contracting category: $25 flat fee for gross receipts ≤$25,000; $40 for ≤$100,000; $50 for ≤$200,000; and $0.16 per $100 of gross receipts for receipts ≥$200,000.

   Official government source

   $25 (gross receipts ≤$25,000); $40 (≤$100,000); $50 (≤$200,000); $0.16 per $100 (≥$200,000) — Contracting category·1–5 days

   $25 (gross receipts ≤$25,000); $40 (≤$100,000); $50 (≤$200,000); $0.16 per $100 (≥$200,000) — Contracting category

   1–5 days

2. Virginia Beach — Electrical Contractor Registration

   Electrical contractors must register with the City of Virginia Beach Department of Planning and Community Development before obtaining permits. The Virginia state contractor license must be verified. No separate city electrical exam is required.

   Official government source

   No additional fee·1–3 days

   No additional fee

   1–3 days

Official Sources

• Virginia DPOR — Contractors Board
• City of Virginia Beach — Department of Planning

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