Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in Charleston, WV

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. West Virginia State Tax Department — Business Registration

   Before engaging in business activity in West Virginia every individual or business entity must obtain a Business Registration Certificate from the WV Tax Division (WV Code §11-12-1 et seq.), applied for through the Business for West Virginia portal at business4.wv.gov or on form BUS-APP. A separate certificate is needed for each business name and each location. The certificate is permanent — it does not expire — until the legal name, location or ownership changes, and it must be surrendered when the business stops operating in West Virginia. It also authorises you to collect the 6% state sales tax plus any municipal sales tax of up to 1%.

   Official government source

   $30 one-time Business Registration Certificate fee, per business name and location·1–5 business days when filed online through the Business for West Virginia portal (business4.wv.gov); longer by paper BUS-APP

   $30 one-time Business Registration Certificate fee, per business name and location

   1–5 business days when filed online through the Business for West Virginia portal (business4.wv.gov); longer by paper BUS-APP

1. West Virginia Division of Labor — Plumber Certification

   Individuals performing plumbing work in West Virginia must hold a Plumber Certification from the WV Division of Labor (WV Code §21-14) at the Master, Journeyman or Plumber in Training level. The business itself must separately hold a Plumbing contractor license from the independent WV Contractor Licensing Board once a job reaches $5,000 residential or $25,000 commercial; that requires passing a Pro V trade exam and showing insurance, workers' compensation and a wage bond affidavit.

   Official government source

   $75 Master or Journeyman Plumber, $25 Plumber in Training (same fee initial and renewal); WV Contractor Licensing Board plumbing contractor license is $90/year (statutory cap $150)·4–8 weeks

   $75 Master or Journeyman Plumber, $25 Plumber in Training (same fee initial and renewal); WV Contractor Licensing Board plumbing contractor license is $90/year (statutory cap $150)

   4–8 weeks

2. City of Charleston Office of the City Collector — Business Registration / General Business License

   Charleston requires businesses within city limits to register with the Office of the City Collector and obtain a General Business License (flat $20 fee), plus pay the city's Business & Occupation (B&O) privilege tax on gross receipts (rate varies by classification) and a City Service Fee of $3/week per employee working within city limits. Renewed annually and displayed at the place of business.

   Official government source

   $20 flat General Business License fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $3/week per employee City Service Fee·1–3 weeks

   $20 flat General Business License fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $3/week per employee City Service Fee

   1–3 weeks

3. City of Charleston Plumbing Permit (per project)

   A plumbing permit must be obtained from the City of Charleston Building Department (915 Quarrier St, Suite 5; 304-348-6833) before starting each job, with inspections required including a final. Fees are itemized on the Plumbing Permit Application. Projects of $10,000 or more require a copy of the executed contract. Working without a permit draws a minimum $100 penalty or double the normal fee, whichever is greater, plus at least a 3-month suspension of the contractor's city license. Plumbing contractors must also hold a City of Charleston Contractor's License ($90/year; Journeyman Plumber $25/year) and register with the City Collector for the 2% contracting B&O tax.

   Official government source

   Itemized: $10.00 rough-in plumbing; $5.00 per fixture for the first 5 fixtures, $2.00 each additional, $8.00 per hot water tank; sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water and gas line installations billed per the Building Department Schedule of Permit Fees.·1–5 business days

   Itemized: $10.00 rough-in plumbing; $5.00 per fixture for the first 5 fixtures, $2.00 each additional, $8.00 per hot water tank; sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water and gas line installations billed per the Building Department Schedule of Permit Fees.

   1–5 business days

Official Sources

• West Virginia Division of Labor — Plumbing Contractor License
• City of Charleston Business License Division

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