Handyman Business 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 C Contractor License (single-project contracts $1,000–$29,999)

   Virginia requires a contractor license for any single project contract valued at more than $1,000. DPOR issues three classes: Class C (single contract $1,000–$29,999, or under $250,000 in any 12-month period), Class B ($30,000–$149,999, or $250,000–$999,999 per 12 months), and Class A ($150,000 or more, or $1 million or more per 12 months). Most handymen need a Class C license at minimum. The license is issued to a business entity, not an individual. Class C requires a qualified individual with at least one year of experience who holds the prerequisite credential or passes a board-approved exam for each classification or specialty sought, a member of responsible management who completes a board-approved basic business course, and disclosure of debts, judgments, and prior licenses. The Class A/B designated-employee business-and-law exam does not apply to Class C.

   Official government source

   $235 + $25 Recovery Fund assessment (Class C application fee, DPOR fee schedule 18VAC50-22-100)·4–6 weeks

   $235 + $25 Recovery Fund assessment (Class C application fee, DPOR fee schedule 18VAC50-22-100)

   4–6 weeks

1. Virginia Beach Business License (BPOL)

   All businesses operating in Virginia Beach must obtain a Business License under the Business, Professional, and Occupational License (BPOL) tax. This applies to home-based handyman businesses. The license fee is based on gross receipts.

   Official government source

   $25/year (≤$25,000), $40/year (≤$100,000), $50/year (≤$200,000) flat tiered fee; above $200,000, taxed at $0.16–$0.36 per $100 of gross receipts depending on whether the Commissioner classifies handyman work as Contracting or General Services.·1–2 weeks

   $25/year (≤$25,000), $40/year (≤$100,000), $50/year (≤$200,000) flat tiered fee; above $200,000, taxed at $0.16–$0.36 per $100 of gross receipts depending on whether the Commissioner classifies handyman work as Contracting or General Services.

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• Virginia DPOR — Board for Contractors
• Virginia Beach — Business License

Related Guides