Handyman license requirements in West Virginia
Short answer: West Virginia requires a contractor license from the Contractor Licensing Board for residential jobs above a dollar limit (reported as $5,000, up from $2,500 for many years). Electrical, plumbing and HVAC need their own credentials.
General information, not legal advice. Checked October 13, 2026 against the sources below. Rules change, so confirm with the agency before you take a job.
Contractor Licensing Board
The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board, part of the Division of Labor, licenses contractors for jobs above a dollar limit, counting labor and materials. The residential limit was $2,500 for many years and is reported as $5,000 after the licensing law was rewritten; confirm the current figure with the board before you rely on it. Some work, such as painting and landscaping, is exempt.
Trade work
Electrical work is licensed by the State Fire Marshal, and plumbing and HVAC by the Division of Labor. They need their own credentials regardless of the contractor limit.
Before your first job in West Virginia
- Register your business name with the state or county, and get a sales tax permit if West Virginia taxes your services.
- Carry general liability insurance. Customers and property managers often ask for proof, and some local licenses require it. See handyman insurance explained.
- Put the scope and price in writing before you start. A simple handyman contract or a free written quote covers it.
- Know your prices. The handyman price list has typical rates for common jobs.
Official sources
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Questions
Do you need a license to be a handyman in West Virginia?
For residential jobs above the state limit, reported as $5,000, you need a contractor license. Trade work needs its own credentials.
More guides
- Handyman insurance: what coverage you need, explained simplyLiability, tools, auto and workers' comp, in plain English.
- Handyman contract template (free, with what to include)Scope, price, payments, change orders, warranty and cancellation.
- Do you need a license to be a handyman? Rules by stateDollar limits, trade work and local rules, state by state.
- How to start a handyman business: a checklistLicensing, insurance, pricing and your first customers.