The Virginia DPOR Contractor License Application (Form A501-27LIC) is the form a business uses to get a Class A, B, or C contractor license from the Virginia Board for Contractors, the licensing arm of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Any business that builds, removes, repairs, or improves property owned by others in Virginia must hold this license before it bids or signs a contract.
This form does one big job: it proves your company, its owners, and its experts meet the state’s rules so you can work legally. Get it wrong, and your packet bounces back, your fee sits in limbo, and your first paid job slips away. The current version is A501-27LIC-v16, revised 09/01/2025, so make sure the PDF you print shows that date in the footer. The Board reports that the average application takes about 30 days to process, but incomplete packets add weeks, and a missing signature or ID copy is one of the most common reasons for delay.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 What each license class (A, B, C) lets you do and which one fits your work
- ✍️ How to fill in every box on Form A501-27LIC, line by line, in plain English
- 📎 Which documents and ID copies you must attach so your packet is not returned
- 💵 The exact fees, payment methods, and mailing address for the Board
- ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that delay or deny applications, and how to dodge them
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form A501-27LIC is the official application a business entity files to become a licensed contractor in Virginia. The license is always issued to a business, never to a person, so a sole proprietor, LLC, partnership, or corporation is the actual applicant. The form is filed with the Board for Contractors at DPOR, the agency that grants, denies, and disciplines contractor licenses across the Commonwealth.
The law behind this form is Title 54.1, Chapter 11 of the Code of Virginia, with the entry rules spelled out in §54.1-1106, §54.1-1108, and §54.1-1108.2. The Board’s regulations, found at 18VAC50-22, set the experience, exam, and financial bars you must clear. These rules work together: the statute says you must be licensed, and the regulation says how you prove you qualify.
You must file this form if your company performs any contracting work where the single contract is $1,000 or more, or where the work involves a trade like electrical, plumbing, gas, or HVAC at any dollar amount. Skipping the license is not a small slip. Working without a license is a violation that can bring fines, criminal charges, and the loss of your right to collect payment through the courts. For example, Tidewater Decks LLC builds a $12,000 deck without a license, the homeowner refuses to pay, and the unlicensed firm cannot sue to recover the money.
A common misconception is that a Virginia license covers local rules too. It does not. Your business must still register with each city, town, or county where it works and check with the local Commissioner of the Revenue and Building Official. The state license is the floor, not the whole house.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Filling out this form goes faster when every document sits in front of you first. The Board returns packets that are missing attachments, and each missing item adds days or weeks to your wait. Gather these before you write a single box.
- Your business entity papers. You need proof your company legally exists, because the license is issued to the entity, not to you. A missing entity means no license.
- State Corporation Commission (SCC) registration number. Every business operating in Virginia, including out-of-state firms, must register with the SCC. Without this, the Board cannot match your company to state records.
- Fictitious name certificate. If you use a “trading as” name, attach the certificate filed under §59.1-69. A missing certificate stalls the name check.
- Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). Any business that is not a sole proprietor or solely owned LLC must provide a FEIN by law. Leaving it blank triggers a hold.
- Government photo ID copies. You need a clear, legible copy for every member of Responsible Management, the Designated Employee, and each Qualified Individual. Missing IDs are a top cause of returns.
- Pre-license education certificate. All classes require an eight-hour Board-approved course; attach the completion certificate. No certificate means no license.
- Experience records for your Qualified Individual. Some specialties need an Experience Verification Form proving 1, 3, or 5 years of work. Thin records can sink a specialty.
- Financial proof (Class A and B only). You need a Financial Statement Form, a CPA review or audit, or a Board surety bond showing $45,000 net worth for Class A or $15,000 for Class B. No proof, no Class A or B license.
- Exam pass records (Class A and B only). Your Designated Employee must pass the PSI business exams; have the dates ready for box 13.
- Your fee payment. A check or money order to the Treasurer of Virginia, or a completed credit card insert, must ride along. Packets with no fee are returned untouched.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You download Form A501-27LIC straight from the Board for Contractors page. The official PDF lives on the DPOR site, and you should always pull a fresh copy so you get the current v16, 09/01/2025 revision rather than an old printout that may use outdated fees or fields.
Go to the Forms and Applications page, then open the Board for Contractors section, or jump directly to the License Application PDF. The form is a fillable PDF, so you can type into the boxes on screen, which keeps your entries clean and easy to read. The Board prefers legible entries because handwriting that staff cannot read causes the same delays as a blank box.
The application is eight pages long and includes the instructions, the fee chart, the field boxes, the full specialty list, and the signature page. Print all the pages you need and read every instruction line before you start, since some answers force you to attach an extra reporting form. If you have a question about any box, the Board’s licensing staff answer at (804) 367-8511 or by email at contractor@dpor.virginia.gov.
A note on channels: new firm license applications are filed by mail with a paper packet and fee. While DPOR offers online services for renewals and some requests through its portal, the new contractor license packet, with its required wet signatures and attachments, is built to be mailed to Richmond.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form A501-27LIC Line by Line
Work through the form in the order the boxes appear. Each box below shows what it asks, how to answer, a sample entry, a tricky edge case, the common mistake, and the myth to drop.
License Type Selection (Top of Page 1)
This box asks which class of license you want: Class A, Class B, or Class C. You mark one box only, then note the matching transaction code and initial license fee printed beside it. The fees are $425.00 for Class A (code 1022), $405.00 for Class B (code 1021), and $260.00 for Class C (code 1020).
To answer, pick the class that fits the size of your contracts. Class C covers single projects under $30,000 and under $250,000 total in a year, Class B covers single projects under $150,000 and under $1 million a year, and Class A has no dollar limit. Greenline Landscaping LLC expects small jobs, so it marks Class C and writes fee $260.00.
The edge case here is the Commercial Building (CBC) or Commercial Improvement (CIC) only path. If you apply for CBC or CIC and nothing else, your fee drops because the Contractor’s Recovery Fund fee is removed, making it $400.00 (A), $380.00 (B), or $235.00 (C).
A common mistake is choosing Class A because it sounds best, then failing the $45,000 net worth test, which gets the application denied with no refund. The misconception to drop is that you can upgrade your class for free later. Moving up means a new application, new exams, and new financial proof.
Box 1 – Business Entity / Sole Proprietor Name
This box asks for the exact legal name of the business or, for a sole proprietor, the person’s full legal name. You must write it the same way it appears on your government ID or your organization documents, with no nicknames or shortcuts.
To answer, copy the name letter for letter from your SCC filing or your driver’s license. A corporation writes Riverbend Builders, Inc., while sole proprietor Marcus Allen Reed writes his own full legal name here, not his company name.
The edge case is the sole proprietor: your personal legal name goes in box 1, and your company or “trading as” name goes in box 2 below. A common mistake is a name that does not match SCC or ID records, which forces the Board to pause and verify before going further. The myth to drop is that a close match is good enough. A missing middle initial or a dropped “Inc.” can trip the cross-check.
Box 2 – Assumed or Fictitious Name
This box asks for the “trading as” or fictitious name your business uses, if any. It is the brand name customers see, which may differ from the formal entity name in box 1.
To answer, write the fictitious name exactly as registered, and attach the certificate filed with the SCC under §59.1-69. Marcus Allen Reed operates as Reed Quality Roofing, so he writes that here and clips on the certificate.
The edge case is a company with no fictitious name; if you trade under your exact legal name, you leave this box blank. A common mistake is using a fictitious name that hints at work your license does not cover, like calling a roofing-only firm “Builders,” which the Board will reject. The misconception is that you can register the name later. You must attach proof of the name with the application.
Box 3 – Type of Business Entity and SCC Number
Part A asks you to select one business type: Sole Proprietorship, General Partnership, Solely Owned LLC, Limited Liability Company, Corporation, Limited Partnership, or Other. Part B asks for your SCC number if you have one.
To answer, check one box in 3A, then write your SCC number in 3B. Riverbend Builders, Inc. checks Corporation and enters its SCC number 07654321. Every Virginia business, including out-of-state firms, must register with the SCC.
The edge case is “Other,” which covers associations, joint ventures, nonprofits, and similar entities; you must specify the type. A common mistake is leaving the SCC number blank when the entity must have one, which stalls the verification. The myth is that sole proprietors always need an SCC number. A sole proprietor with no fictitious name registered through the SCC may not have one.
Box 4 – Identification Number (FEIN, SSN, or DMV Control Number)
This box asks for one identifying number: a business FEIN, the sole proprietor’s Social Security Number, or a Virginia DMV Control Number. The number ties your application to tax and identity records.
To answer, enter the FEIN in the 12-3456789 format if your business needs one. State law requires a FEIN for every applicant that is not a sole proprietor or a solely owned LLC. Sole proprietor Marcus Allen Reed without a FEIN enters his SSN as 123-45-6789.
The edge case is a solely owned LLC with no FEIN, which may use an SSN or DMV Control Number instead. A common mistake is a partnership or corporation entering an SSN instead of the required FEIN, which the Board rejects as noncompliant. The misconception is that this number is optional for privacy reasons. It is mandatory and the application cannot proceed without it.
Box 5 – Mailing Address
This box asks for the address where the Board sends your mail, and it is the address printed on your license. A P.O. Box is accepted here.
To answer, write the full street or box address, city, two-letter state code, and ZIP. Riverbend Builders, Inc. enters P.O. Box 1180, Richmond, VA 23218. This is the address the public sees on your license record.
The edge case is using a P.O. Box, which is fine for mailing but not for the physical address in box 6. A common mistake is entering an old or temporary address, which means your license and any deficiency letters go to the wrong place and you miss deadlines. The myth is that mailing and physical addresses must match. They can differ, which is exactly why the form has two boxes.
Box 6 – Street Address (Physical Location)
This box asks for your physical business location, and a P.O. Box is not accepted. If it matches your mailing address, you simply check the box instead of rewriting it.
To answer, write the real street where your business sits, or check the “same as mailing” box if they match. Greenline Landscaping LLC works from 425 Oak Ridge Road, Roanoke, VA 24011 and writes that here.
The edge case is a home-based business; you still list your home street address as the physical location. A common mistake is putting a P.O. Box here, which the Board flags because the physical address must be a real location. The misconception is that the physical address is private. It is part of the licensing record and used to confirm the business is real.
Box 7 and 8 – Contact Numbers and Email
Box 7 asks for your phone numbers, primary first, then an alternate and fax if you have them. Box 8 asks for your email address.
To answer, list your best phone number first so staff can reach you fast, then add a backup. Greenline Landscaping LLC writes primary 540-555-0143 and email office@greenlinelandscaping.com.
The edge case is having only one phone; just fill the primary and leave the rest blank. A common mistake is a typo in the email, which matters because the Board uses it to send updates and deficiency notices. The misconception is that your email stays private. Email is a public record and the Board must disclose it on request, so use a business address, not a personal one you want hidden.
Box 9 – Out-of-State Licenses
This box asks whether your business, Designated Employee, Qualified Individual, or Responsible Management holds any contractor license, certification, or registration from outside Virginia. You check No or Yes.
To answer, check No if none apply, or check Yes and fill the table with the name, state, license number, and expiration date. Coastal Mechanical Corp holds a North Carolina HVAC license, so it checks Yes and lists NC, Lic. 42119, exp. 06/30/2027.
The edge case is seeking reciprocity or experience credit; you must also attach a Certification or Letter of Good Standing from the other state’s board. A common mistake is hiding an out-of-state license, which can surface during the background check and look like a false statement. The myth is that out-of-state credentials count automatically. They only help if you document them properly.
Box 10 – Responsible Management
This box asks you to list everyone who is Responsible Management: the sole proprietor, general partners, the managing partner of a limited partnership, officers or directors of an association, LLC managers or members, or corporate officers. These are the people legally answerable for the license.
To answer, list each person’s full legal name, title, address, SSN or VA DMV Control Number, and date of birth, and attach a legible photo ID copy for each. Riverbend Builders, Inc. lists president Janet Marie Cole, 03/14/1979, with her ID attached.
The edge case is a single-member LLC, where one person is the only Responsible Management listed. A common mistake is leaving out an owner or officer, which the Board treats as incomplete disclosure and which delays the file. The misconception is that only the main owner must appear. Every officer, member, or partner the rules name must be listed, with ID.
Box 11 – Pre-License Education
This box asks for the person who completed the Board-approved eight-hour pre-license education course, with the completion date and provider name. Every class of license requires this course.
To answer, enter the full name, date of birth, SSN or DMV number, the course completion date in MM/DD/YYYY form, and the provider, then attach the certificate. Janet Marie Cole enters course date 02/10/2026 and provider Contractor Training Center.
The edge case is Class A and B firms, where the Designated Employee or a member of Responsible Management may complete this course. A common mistake is thinking this course replaces the PSI business exams; it does not, and the form says so plainly. The misconception is that any business class counts. Only courses on the Board’s approved list satisfy the rule, so confirm your provider is listed.
Box 12 – Classification, Specialty, and Qualified Individual
This is the heart of the form. It asks which classification or specialty (a three-letter code) you want and who your Qualified Individual (QI) is for each one. Section A is for CBC or CIC only; Section B is for all other specialties or combinations.
To answer, pick the three-letter code that matches your work, then enter the QI’s last name, first name, middle initial, years of experience, exam date if needed, SSN or DMV number, VA qualifying license number if any, and birth date. Reed Quality Roofing selects ROC (Roofing) and lists Marcus Allen Reed with 6 years experience.
The edge case is the specialty type. Some codes like PLB (plumbing) or ELE (electrical) need the QI to hold a DPOR-issued license, while codes like HIC (home improvement) or RBC (residential building) require passing an exam and attaching an Experience Verification Form. A common mistake is naming a QI who lacks the required years (1 for Class C, 3 for Class B, 5 for Class A), which kills the specialty. The misconception is that one QI covers every specialty. You need a Qualified Individual who meets the bar for each designation requested.
Box 13 – Designated Employee and Examination (Class A and B Only)
This box asks Class A and Class B firms to name a Designated Employee who passed the required PSI business exams. Class C applicants skip this box entirely.
To answer, enter the Designated Employee’s details and confirm the exams. Class B needs the General and Virginia exams; Class A needs the Advanced, General, and Virginia exams, all taken through PSI. Coastal Mechanical Corp, a Class A firm, lists David Chen and his exam pass dates.
The edge case is a person serving as both QI and Designated Employee, which is allowed if they meet both sets of rules. A common mistake is writing an exam date for a portion not yet passed, which the Board verifies and rejects. The misconception is that Class C firms need this exam. Class C has no Designated Employee and no business exam at all.
Box 14 – Disciplinary Action History
This box asks whether the business or any listed person has faced disciplinary action by any regulatory body, in Virginia or elsewhere. You answer Yes or No.
To answer, check No to move on, or check Yes and complete the Disciplinary Action Reporting Form with a certified copy of the final order. Coastal Mechanical Corp had a past board reprimand, so it checks Yes and attaches the order.
The edge case is an action in another state; you must still report it and provide the certified document. A common mistake is hiding a past action, which the background check often catches and which can turn into a denial for false information. The misconception is that old or minor actions do not count. The form asks about any disciplinary action, so disclose it.
Box 15 – Criminal Conviction History
Part A asks about any felony conviction in any U.S. jurisdiction, and Part B asks about any non-marijuana misdemeanor in the last three years. You answer Yes or No for each.
To answer, check No to continue, or check Yes and complete the Criminal Conviction Reporting Form with an original criminal history record dated within 90 days from the Virginia State Police. Marcus Allen Reed had a misdemeanor two years ago, so he checks Yes on 15B and attaches his record.
The edge case is a conviction from another state, which requires an official record from each jurisdiction involved. A common mistake is treating a “found guilty” outcome as not a conviction; the form counts it regardless of how it was adjudicated. The misconception is that a conviction is an automatic denial. It makes the file “non-routine” and may add a fact-finding step, but many applicants are still approved.
Box 16 – Adverse Financial History
This box asks whether the business or any listed person has had unpaid debts, judgments, tax problems, bond defaults, or bankruptcies within the last three years (Class C), four years (Class B), or five years (Class A). You answer Yes or No.
To answer, check No to move on, or check Yes and complete the Adverse Financial History Reporting Form with a certified copy of the court or agency decision. Riverbend Builders, Inc. had a tax lien three years ago, so it checks Yes and attaches the document.
The edge case is the look-back window, which stretches longer for higher classes, so a Class A applicant must reach back five years. A common mistake is forgetting a past-due child support arrearage, which the form specifically counts as adverse history. The misconception is that paid-off debts do not matter. The form asks about history within the window, even if the debt is now settled.
Box 17 – Local Licensing Compliance
This box asks whether all members of Responsible Management will comply with the local licensing rules of every county, city, and town where the business works. You answer Yes or No.
To answer, check Yes to continue. If you check No, the Board cannot process your application at all. Greenline Landscaping LLC checks Yes to confirm it will register locally in Roanoke.
The edge case is a firm working across many localities; the Yes answer commits you to comply in each one. A common mistake is checking No by accident, which stops the application cold. The misconception is that the state license covers local rules. It does not, and box 17 is your written promise to handle local licensing separately.
Box 18 – Financial Responsibility (Class A and B Only)
This box asks Class A and B firms to confirm they meet the net worth or equity minimum: $45,000 for Class A or $15,000 for Class B. Class C applicants skip this box.
To answer, check Yes and provide one of three proofs: a completed Financial Statement Form with supporting documents, a CPA review or audit, or a surety bond on the Board’s Surety Bond Form. Coastal Mechanical Corp, going for Class A, attaches a CPA-reviewed statement showing $62,000 in equity.
The edge case is a firm short on net worth that uses a surety bond to satisfy the rule instead of cash equity. A common mistake is sending a bank statement instead of the Board’s required form or a CPA review, which does not count and triggers a return. The misconception is that Class C needs financial proof. Class C has no net worth test, which is why many new firms start there.
Box 19 – Signatures
This box requires every individual listed on the application to sign. Electronic signatures that are not a true image of your handwritten signature are not accepted.
To answer, have each Responsible Management member, the Designated Employee, and each QI sign in ink. Janet Marie Cole and her co-officer both sign the Riverbend application before mailing.
The edge case is a multi-owner firm, where every listed person must sign, not just one. A common mistake is one owner signing for everyone, which makes the application invalid and sends it back. The misconception is that a typed name counts as a signature. The Board rejects typed or non-facsimile electronic signatures, so use wet ink. Your signature also certifies your answers are true and, for non-residents, appoints the DPOR Director as your agent for legal service.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three named filers show how different businesses move through the form from start to finish.
Scenario 1: Marcus Allen Reed, sole proprietor seeking a Class C roofing license
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| License Type | Class C, code 1020, fee $260.00 |
| Box 1 – Entity Name | Marcus Allen Reed (his full legal name) |
| Box 2 – Fictitious Name | Reed Quality Roofing, SCC certificate attached |
| Box 3 – Entity Type | Sole Proprietorship; SCC number if registered |
| Box 4 – ID Number | SSN 123-45-6789 (no FEIN) |
| Box 10 – Responsible Mgmt | Marcus Allen Reed, ID copy attached |
| Box 11 – Pre-License Course | Completed 02/10/2026, certificate attached |
| Box 12 – Specialty / QI | Code ROC, QI Marcus Allen Reed, 6 years exp. |
| Box 13 – Designated Employee | Skipped (Class C) |
| Box 18 – Financial | Skipped (Class C) |
| Box 19 – Signature | Signed in ink |
Scenario 2: Greenline Landscaping LLC, small LLC seeking a Class B license
| Form Section | What Greenline Enters |
|---|---|
| License Type | Class B, code 1021, fee $405.00 |
| Box 1 – Entity Name | Greenline Landscaping LLC |
| Box 3 – Entity Type | Limited Liability Company; SCC number 09887766 |
| Box 4 – ID Number | FEIN 45-6677889 |
| Box 5 / 6 – Addresses | Mailing P.O. Box; physical 425 Oak Ridge Road, Roanoke |
| Box 10 – Responsible Mgmt | Managing member listed with ID |
| Box 11 – Pre-License Course | Member completed course, certificate attached |
| Box 12 – Specialty / QI | Code LSC, QI with 3+ years experience |
| Box 13 – Designated Employee | Passed General + Virginia PSI exams |
| Box 18 – Financial | Yes; Financial Statement Form showing $15,000+ |
| Box 19 – Signature | All members sign in ink |
Scenario 3: Coastal Mechanical Corp, corporation seeking a Class A HVAC license
| Form Section | What Coastal Enters |
|---|---|
| License Type | Class A, code 1022, fee $425.00 |
| Box 1 – Entity Name | Coastal Mechanical Corp |
| Box 3 – Entity Type | Corporation; SCC number 07654321 |
| Box 4 – ID Number | FEIN 81-2233445 |
| Box 9 – Out-of-State | Yes; NC HVAC license listed |
| Box 10 – Responsible Mgmt | Officers listed with ID copies |
| Box 12 – Specialty / QI | Code HVA, QI holds DPOR HVAC license |
| Box 13 – Designated Employee | David Chen, passed Advanced + General + Virginia |
| Box 16 – Adverse Financial | Disclosed as required |
| Box 18 – Financial | Yes; CPA review showing $62,000 equity |
| Box 19 – Signature | All officers sign in ink |
How to File the Completed Form
New contractor license applications are filed by mail, and the fee must travel with the packet. The Board returns any application that arrives without a fee, so confirm payment is inside before you seal the envelope.
- By mail. Send the full packet to the Board for Contractors, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, Virginia 23233-1485. Include a check or money order payable to the Treasurer of Virginia, or a completed credit card insert. Fees are $425.00 (A), $405.00 (B), and $260.00 (C), reduced for CBC/CIC-only filings. Processing runs about 30 days. Keep a full copy of the packet and a mailing receipt as your proof of filing.
- In person. You may deliver the packet to the same Richmond address during business hours. Payment methods are the same, and you should ask for a date-stamped receipt as proof.
- By phone for help only. You cannot file by phone, but the licensing staff at (804) 367-8511 answer questions about any box before you mail.
- Online services. DPOR’s online portal handles renewals and certain requests, but the new firm license packet, with wet signatures and attachments, is built for mail or in-person filing.
Because fees are non-refundable, double-check that you meet every eligibility rule before you send payment. If you fall short, the fee is gone even though the license is not issued.
What Happens After You File
After the Board receives your packet, it joins the queue and is processed first in, first out. The Board reports an average of about 30 days, though a clean, complete packet may move faster and a thin one moves slower.
If your application is complete and you meet every requirement, the Board issues the license at first review and mails it to the address in box 5. If something is missing, the Board sends a deficiency letter listing exactly what it needs, and the clock effectively pauses until you respond. This is why a correct email and mailing address matter so much.
Some files are “non-routine,” meaning they involve a past criminal record, adverse financial history, or prior discipline. These take extra steps, which may include an Informal Fact-Finding Conference and a full Board review. The Board notifies you and explains the process, so a non-routine flag is not the same as a denial.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Using an old form version. An outdated PDF may list wrong fees, and the Board may return it.
- Name mismatch in box 1. A name that differs from SCC or ID records triggers a verification hold.
- Missing fictitious name certificate. Without the §59.1-69 certificate, the name cannot be verified and the file stalls.
- Wrong ID number in box 4. A corporation or partnership using an SSN instead of a FEIN is rejected as noncompliant.
- P.O. Box in box 6. The physical address must be a real location, so a box here gets flagged.
- Leaving out an owner in box 10. Omitting any Responsible Management member counts as incomplete disclosure.
- No photo ID copies. Missing IDs for owners, the Designated Employee, or QIs are a leading cause of returns.
- Unapproved education course. A course not on the Board list does not satisfy box 11 and delays approval.
- Underqualified Qualified Individual. A QI without the required 1, 3, or 5 years loses you the specialty.
- Wrong financial proof in box 18. A plain bank statement instead of the Board form or CPA review is rejected.
- One person signing for all. Every listed individual must sign, or the application is invalid.
- Sending the wrong fee. An incorrect or missing fee delays processing or gets the packet returned.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do: – Do download a fresh form, because the current v16 (09/01/2025) has the right fees and fields. – Do match every name to official records, since the Board cross-checks names against SCC and ID files. – Do attach every ID copy and certificate, because missing attachments are the top reason packets bounce. – Do pick the class that fits your real work, as exceeding your class limit is a regulation violation. – Do confirm your QI’s experience and exam status, since each specialty rises or falls on the QI. – Do keep a full copy of your packet, because it is your proof of filing if anything goes missing.
Don’t: – Don’t hide a conviction or past discipline, because the background check often finds it and it looks like fraud. – Don’t use a P.O. Box for the physical address, since the Board needs a real location. – Don’t type or paste an electronic signature, as the Board rejects non-facsimile signatures. – Don’t send a personal email you want private, because the email is a public record. – Don’t apply for Class A without the net worth, since the fee is non-refundable if you fall short. – Don’t skip local licensing, because the state license does not cover city and county rules.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Filing on your own (pro se):
Pros: – You save money, because you avoid consultant or attorney fees on top of the state fee. – You learn the rules firsthand, which helps you stay compliant after you are licensed. – You control the timeline, filing the moment your documents are ready. – You keep your data private, sharing sensitive numbers with no third party. – The form is self-guided, with built-in instructions for each box.
Cons: – You shoulder every error, and one missing attachment can cost you weeks. – You may misjudge your class or specialty, leading to a denied, non-refundable application. – You handle exams and experience proof alone, which can be confusing for QI rules. – You face the financial documents solo, where a wrong format gets rejected. – You have no advocate if your file becomes non-routine.
Filing with professional help:
Pros: – A pro spots errors early, lowering your chance of a return. – A CPA or attorney handles financial proof, which clears box 18 cleanly. – They guide class and specialty choices, matching your real business. – They manage non-routine files, including fact-finding conferences. – They save you time, freeing you to run the business.
Cons: – You pay extra fees beyond the state cost. – You share private data with an outside party. – You rely on their schedule, which may slow filing. – Quality varies between providers. – You may still learn less about the rules you must follow long term.
Class A vs. Class B vs. Class C at a Glance
| Feature | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Class C | Single projects under $30,000, under $250,000 a year; 1-year QI experience; no exam, no net worth |
| Class B | Single projects under $150,000, under $1 million a year; 3-year QI experience; General + Virginia exams; $15,000 net worth |
| Class A | No dollar limit; 5-year QI experience; Advanced + General + Virginia exams; $45,000 net worth |
FAQs
Do I file this license under my own name or my business name?
No. The license is issued to a business entity, not a person, so a sole proprietor enters their full legal name in box 1 and their company name as the fictitious name in box 2.
Do I need an SCC number to apply?
Yes. Every business operating in Virginia, including out-of-state firms, must register with the State Corporation Commission, and you enter that number in box 3B.
Do I write my SSN or my FEIN in box 4?
Yes, if you have a FEIN and are not a sole proprietor or solely owned LLC, you must use the FEIN; sole proprietors without a FEIN may use an SSN or VA DMV number.
Do I put a P.O. Box in box 6, the street address?
No. Box 6 needs a real physical location, so a P.O. Box belongs only in the mailing address at box 5.
Do I list every owner in box 10, or just the main one?
Yes, you list every member of Responsible Management, including all officers, members, or partners, each with a photo ID copy attached.
Do Class C applicants take the PSI business exam?
No. Only Class A and Class B firms need a Designated Employee who passes the PSI exams, so Class C applicants skip boxes 13 and 18.
Do I need to prove net worth for a Class C license?
No. Only Class A ($45,000) and Class B ($15,000) require financial proof; Class C has no net worth requirement.
Do I need a separate Qualified Individual for each specialty?
Yes. Each classification or specialty on your license needs a Qualified Individual who meets the experience and exam or license rules for that code.
Do I have to report an out-of-state misdemeanor in box 15?
Yes, you report any non-marijuana misdemeanor from the last three years in any U.S. jurisdiction and attach an official criminal history record dated within 90 days.
Do paid-off debts still count in box 16?
Yes. The form asks about adverse financial history within the look-back window, even if the debt is now settled.
Do all owners have to sign, or can one sign for the group?
Yes, every individual listed on the application must sign in ink, because one person signing for all makes the application invalid.
Do typed or electronic signatures work on this form?
No. The Board accepts only handwritten signatures or a true facsimile image, not typed names or generic electronic signatures.
Do I get my fee back if my application is denied?
No. All application fees are non-refundable, so confirm you meet every eligibility rule before you mail your payment.
Do I still need a local license after I get the state license?
Yes. The state license is the floor, and you must also register with each city, town, and county where you work, which box 17 commits you to do.
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