Painter (Contractor) / Virginia
2026 data Virginia board official source

Virginia Painter (Contractor) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Commercial and residential painting contractor.

What the Virginia data shows for Painter (Contractor)s

Virginia's path to painter (contractor) licensure runs through board-approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam. Virginia folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Experience/Apprenticeship".

The initial price tag is $150 every 2 years. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Virginia, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

There's no published reciprocity list here - Virginia reviews out-of-state credentials individually.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
62/100
Painter (Contractor) · Virginia

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training A+
None required
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$150
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Experience/Apprenticeship
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$150
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Not Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Painter (Contractor) All Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Painter (Contractor) in Virginia? ▼
In Virginia, the license path calls for, a passing exam score, and a $150 initial fee.
How do I get certified as a Painter (Contractor) in Virginia? ▼
Certification as a painter (contractor) in Virginia means clearing the state's checklist, and a passing exam score. The Virginia licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Painter (Contractor) license to Virginia from another state? ▼
Virginia doesn't publish a standing reciprocity policy for painter (contractor)s; each out-of-state application is reviewed on its own merits. Some professions fall under interstate compacts that ease portability regardless. The Virginia licensing board can confirm what applies to your case.
Does Virginia require a background check for Painter (Contractor) licensing? ▼
No statewide background-check mandate applies to painter (contractor) licensing in Virginia at this time - individual employers may still run their own screening.

Related Guides

What to do with this painter (contractor) license

Painter (Contractor) in Virginia is one requirement row in a painter (contractor)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Virginia licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.