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LicenseReciprocity

Contractor License from Virginia to Alabama: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (plus separate Home Builders Licensure Board, Board of Electrical Contractors, HACR Board, and Plumbers & Gas Fitters Examining Board) ↗

A contractor license transfers from Virginia to Alabama by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (plus separate Home Builders Licensure Board, Board of Electrical Contractors, HACR Board, and Plumbers & Gas Fitters Examining Board), verify your Virginia license, and meet Alabama's endorsement requirements. Alabama's construction boards waive only the trade/skills portion of the exam for reciprocity; the Alabama business-and-law examination is never waived. The Licensing Board for General Contractors (commercial and projects $50,000+) reciprocates with 5 states; the separate Home Builders Licensure Board (residential) reciprocates with 5 states; the Board of Electrical Contractors reciprocates with 7 states plus the NASCLA electrical exam; the HACR board (HVAC) reciprocates with 7 states; plumbing/gas-fitting reciprocity is limited to a Mississippi master-plumber agreement effective Jan 1, 2026..

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Verdict

Licensure by endorsement

Alabama does not have a trade agreement covering Virginia for the selected trade, so this move runs on Alabama's case-by-case endorsement process. If you do commercial general-building work, check whether Alabama accepts the NASCLA exam — passing it once can replace the trade exam here and in about fourteen other states. Electricians should check Alabama's NERA status.

What changes, Virginia → Alabama

Side-by-side: Virginia vs Alabama (Contractor (GC/electrical/plumbing/HVAC)), verified 2026-08-07
Virginia (current)Alabama (destination)
Application fee$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).)$220–$315 (Fees are per-board, not additive: General Contractors prime application $300; Electrical reciprocal license $315 (eff. 2/14/2026); HVAC reciprocity $220 (plus $20,000 bond); Home Builders and plumbing fees separate.)
Processing timeDPOR does not publish a processing-time range for tradesman reciprocity applications; set null rather than estimated.~4 weeks (GC reciprocity applications must be on file 30 days before a quarterly board meeting, so timing depends on the meeting calendar; other boards do not publish a processing range.)
Licensing authorityVirginia Board for Contractors (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation)Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (plus separate Home Builders Licensure Board, Board of Electrical Contractors, HACR Board, and Plumbers & Gas Fitters Examining Board)

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Alabama sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

  1. Confirm Alabama's current requirements on the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (plus separate Home Builders Licensure Board, Board of Electrical Contractors, HACR Board, and Plumbers & Gas Fitters Examining Board) website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (plus separate Home Builders Licensure Board, Board of Electrical Contractors, HACR Board, and Plumbers & Gas Fitters Examining Board) (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state.
  4. Hold a current, good-standing license in a recognized reciprocal state (GC: 1 year; residential home builder: 3 consecutive years).
  5. Pass the Alabama business-and-law examination — it is never waived by reciprocity.
  6. Submit an Out-of-State License Verification form; GC reciprocity applications must be on file 30 days before a quarterly board meeting.
  7. Electrical reciprocity requires the Alabama Business & Law exam via Provexam; HVAC reciprocity requires a $20,000 performance bond and a letter of good standing from each reciprocal board.
  8. Pay the fees ($220–$315 (Fees are per-board, not additive: General Contractors prime application $300; Electrical reciprocal license $315 (eff. 2/14/2026); HVAC reciprocity $220 (plus $20,000 bond); Home Builders and plumbing fees separate.)) and allow ~4 weeks (GC reciprocity applications must be on file 30 days before a quarterly board meeting, so timing depends on the meeting calendar; other boards do not publish a processing range.).

Official links

Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (plus separate Home Builders Licensure Board, Board of Electrical Contractors, HACR Board, and Plumbers & Gas Fitters Examining Board) ↗Alabama application ↗

Related guides

Reverse: Alabama → VirginiaContractor in VirginiaContractor in AlabamaAll contractor states

Frequently asked questions

Does Alabama accept a Virginia contractor license?

A contractor license transfers from Virginia to Alabama by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (plus separate Home Builders Licensure Board, Board of Electrical Contractors, HACR Board, and Plumbers & Gas Fitters Examining Board), verify your Virginia license, and meet Alabama's endorsement requirements. Alabama's construction boards waive only the trade/skills portion of the exam for reciprocity; the Alabama business-and-law examination is never waived. The Licensing Board for General Contractors (commercial and projects $50,000+) reciprocates with 5 states; the separate Home Builders Licensure Board (residential) reciprocates with 5 states; the Board of Electrical Contractors reciprocates with 7 states plus the NASCLA electrical exam; the HACR board (HVAC) reciprocates with 7 states; plumbing/gas-fitting reciprocity is limited to a Mississippi master-plumber agreement effective Jan 1, 2026..

What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?

Alabama's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.

What does the Virginia-to-Alabama move cost and how long does it take?

$220–$315 (Fees are per-board, not additive: General Contractors prime application $300; Electrical reciprocal license $315 (eff. 2/14/2026); HVAC reciprocity $220 (plus $20,000 bond); Home Builders and plumbing fees separate.); processing ~4 weeks (GC reciprocity applications must be on file 30 days before a quarterly board meeting, so timing depends on the meeting calendar; other boards do not publish a processing range.).

Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?

If you do commercial general-building work, possibly — about 15 states accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building exam toward licensure. Check whether Alabama is one on the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (plus separate Home Builders Licensure Board, Board of Electrical Contractors, HACR Board, and Plumbers & Gas Fitters Examining Board) site.

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]