Browse West Virginia Contractor Classifications
Exam prep for the West Virginia Division of Labor — Contractor Licensing.
West Virginia Commercial General Building Contractor (NASCLA) Exam Prep
Choose your access term:
Choose Plan & EnrollGetting your West Virginia contractor license? Contractor Pathway offers an original, exam-focused study guide and four full-length practice exams for every West Virginia classification that requires a state board exam — currently 6 courses across Electrical, Plumbing and Building / General Contractor. Choose your classification below and study with 30-, 60-, or 90-day access at $99, $129, and $169.
Who licenses contractors in West Virginia
These are the West Virginia classifications we build exam prep for, each licensed by its responsible board:
| Trade area | Licensing authority | Exam basis |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | West Virginia State Fire Marshal / Electrician Licensing | National Electrical Code (NEC) |
| Plumbing | West Virginia Division of Labor | Adopted plumbing & fuel-gas codes |
| Building / General Contractor | West Virginia Division of Labor | Adopted building code (IBC / IRC) |
Always confirm the current code edition, experience requirements, fees, and passing score with the board and testing vendor before you schedule. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-prep provider and is not affiliated with any West Virginia board or testing vendor.
How to get licensed in West Virginia
- Meet the experience requirement. Each classification requires documented on-the-job hours (and, for senior licenses, time as a licensed journeyman). A registered apprenticeship is a common path.
- Apply to the board for your trade, submit fees and proof of experience, and get approved to test.
- Pass the exam. West Virginia trade exams are typically open book against the adopted code, with a passing score commonly around 70%. Speed at finding and applying the right code section is what separates passers from re-testers.
- Hold and renew the license on its cycle, including any continuing-education and code-update hours.
Choose your West Virginia classification
Each course includes a comprehensive 5,000-plus-word study guide — worked calculations, code-section breakdowns, common exam traps, a glossary, and a 30/60/90-day study plan — plus four full-length practice exams matched to the topic weightings of the West Virginia test.
West Virginia contractor licensing — FAQ
Who licenses contractors in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board, within the Division of Labor. A General Building Contractor license covers both commercial and residential projects.
What exams does West Virginia require?
The Contractor Licensing Act exam (formerly the Business and Law exam) – a 90-question, open-book, 3-hour exam requiring 70% – plus a trade exam. The NASCLA exam can serve as the trade exam (50 questions, 35 correct to pass, 180 minutes).
Who administers the West Virginia exams?
As of September 1, 2024, the testing agent for the Contractor Licensing Board changed from PSI to Prov. Confirm current scheduling and reference details with the Division of Labor.
Which West Virginia licenses do you build courses for?
The Contractor Licensing Act (business and law) exam plus the trade/NASCLA path for the General Building Contractor and specialty classifications.
How long should I study for the West Virginia exam?
Most candidates do well on a 30-, 60-, or 90-day plan depending on experience, which is why we offer access at all three terms ($99 / $129 / $169). Each guide includes a day-by-day study plan.