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Entering a skilled trade is a great way to earn a living and eventually become your own boss. And there are plenty of opportunities in Virginia for capable and experienced contractors, electricians, and plumbing and HVAC professionals. If you’re interested in becoming a roofing contractor specifically, there are a few things you should know.

First and foremost, you’ll need to obtain a license to legally operate as a skilled tradesperson in the state of Virginia. This means choosing the right license for your craft and meeting the specific requirements to obtain it.

A Roofing Contractor license is an add-on to the state contractor license. This means that you’ll have to go through a few steps to complete the process. Here’s what you need to know.

Types of Contractor Licenses

The road to becoming a contractor in Virginia starts with obtaining a license from the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations (DPOR). There are three classes to consider — Class A, B, or C. Each has its own criteria and operational parameters.

Contractor License Job Scope

With a Class A license, there are no monetary restrictions on the value of jobs you may perform. A Class B license limits you to single projects valued at less than $120,000 and a total value of work within a 12-month period of less than $750,000.

Those with a Class C license may perform single projects valued at less than $10,000 and contracts totaling less than $150,000 in a 12-month period. Without a contractor license, you may not bid on jobs valued at over $1,000.

Requirements

To obtain one of these licenses, you must be at least 18 years old and complete an 8-hour pre-licensing course approved by the DPOR. For a Class C license in particular, you need two years of experience and must pass the specialty trade exam.

For a Class B license, you must have three years of experience and pass the Virginia, General, and specialty trade exams. A Class A license requires five years of experience, and you must pass the Virginia, General, Advanced, and specialty trade exams.

Obtaining Your Roofing Contractor License

Once you have your Class A, B, or C contractor license, it’s time to think about upgrading to a Roofing Contractor license that allows you to take contracts related to the installation, repair, removal, or improvement of specific materials, including watertight, weather resistant surfaces for roofing and decks. The Roofing Contractor exam is a 120-minute, open-book test covering topics like:

• Estimating and plan reading
• Surface preparation and planning
• Steep and low slope roofing (including BUR and waterproofing)
• Roofing components
• Safety
• Repairs and reroofing

To pass, you have to answer at least 35 out of 50 questions correctly. The best way to achieve this is with a suitable exam prep course.

RocketCert proudly offers accessible online courses that work with your schedule so that you can obtain your Virginia Roofing Contractor license. Contact us today to get your career underway.