Contractor License from Pennsylvania to Virginia: Does It Transfer? (2026)
There is no Pennsylvania state license to carry to Virginia: Pennsylvania issues no contractor license or trade license, only a state registration. Virginia does license this work, so ask the Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) whether it credits a local license or your documented experience; otherwise you qualify as a new applicant.
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Verdict
No state license to transfer
The issue on this move is the starting point: Pennsylvania issues no contractor license or trade license, so there is no Pennsylvania state license for Virginia to recognize. Virginia does license general contractors through the Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation): ask whether it credits a local license or documented experience, and expect its full application, business/law exam, financial statement and bond otherwise.
What changes, Pennsylvania → Virginia
| Pennsylvania (current) | Virginia (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Registration fee $100 ($100 registration every two years (non-refundable); online card payment adds a $2 processing fee. There is no state contractor license fee; electrical/plumbing licensing is handled at the municipal/local level.) | $171.75 (Tradesman license by the Reciprocity method of licensure is $171.75, which includes the HB30 technology fee of $7.25 per year. Card Exchange is $131.75. Contractor firm (Class A/B/C) business licenses are a separate DPOR application with their own fee schedule, not captured here. PSI exam fees, where an exam is still required, are paid directly to PSI ($40/$72/$85).) |
| Processing time | 2–3 weeks (Registration certificate arrives by mail within 2 to 3 weeks unless the application is incomplete.) | DPOR does not publish a processing-time range for tradesman reciprocity applications; set null rather than estimated |
| Licensing authority | Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Contractor Registration (HICPA) | Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Virginia sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review Virginia's requirements on the Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Ask the Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) whether it credits a local Pennsylvania license or your documented experience: Pennsylvania issues no statewide contractor license or trade license, so there is no state license to verify.
- Otherwise apply as a new applicant: meet Virginia's education/experience requirements and pass the exams it requires.
- Submit the application with fees ($171.75 (Tradesman license by the Reciprocity method of licensure is $171.75, which includes the HB30 technology fee of $7.25 per year. Card Exchange is $131.75. Contractor firm (Class A/B/C) business licenses are a separate DPOR application with their own fee schedule, not captured here. PSI exam fees, where an exam is still required, are paid directly to PSI ($40/$72/$85).)). Processing time: DPOR does not publish a processing-time range for tradesman reciprocity applications; set null rather than estimated.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Virginia accept a Pennsylvania contractor license?
There is no Pennsylvania state license to carry to Virginia: Pennsylvania issues no contractor license or trade license, only a state registration. Virginia does license this work, so ask the Virginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) whether it credits a local license or your documented experience; otherwise you qualify as a new applicant.
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
Virginia's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the Pennsylvania-to-Virginia move cost and how long does it take?
$171.75 (Tradesman license by the Reciprocity method of licensure is $171.75, which includes the HB30 technology fee of $7.25 per year. Card Exchange is $131.75. Contractor firm (Class A/B/C) business licenses are a separate DPOR application with their own fee schedule, not captured here. PSI exam fees, where an exam is still required, are paid directly to PSI ($40/$72/$85).) Processing time: DPOR does not publish a processing-time range for tradesman reciprocity applications; set null rather than estimated.
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
Possibly, for the trade it covers: Virginia's board accepts a NASCLA accredited exam in place of its own trade exam (verified 2026-08-07). The business/law exam, bond and application still apply.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- VA Board for Contractors — Reciprocal Licensing/Examination Agreements with Other Jurisdictions ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- VA DPOR — Tradesman Exam & License Application A501-2710EXLIC (rev. v8 07/01/2026; Reciprocity method fee $171.75) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- VA DPOR — Board for Contractors (PSI exams, forms, Requirements for Qualified Individuals) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- NASCLA — Virginia Board for Contractors, commercial-exam participating agency (as of 2016-01-01, comparable to the Virginia Commercial Building Classification) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PA OAG — Home Improvement Contractor Registration System (fee, insurance, PA#, processing) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- PA OAG — Home Improvement Contractor FAQ ($5,000 threshold, out-of-state contractors must register) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
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