Virginia Surety Bonds: Contractor, Permit, Court and Commercial Bonds

Virginia licenses contractors at the state level through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), and localities add their own licensing and permit rules. Here’s how Virginia’s contractor license classes work, when a bond can be used to meet a financial requirement, and the other Virginia bonds businesses and families ask about.

How a surety bond works

You (the principal) buy the bond. The agency, court or project owner requiring it is the obligee. The surety issues it. If a valid claim is paid, the surety looks to you for repayment.

Virginia contractor licenses (DPOR Board for Contractors)

The Board for Contractors issues licenses to business entities, in three classes based on job size and annual volume:

Class	Single contract or project	Total in any 12 months
Class C	over $1,000 but less than $30,000	less than $250,000
Class B	$30,000 to less than $150,000	$250,000 to less than $1 million
Class A	$150,000 or more	$1 million or more

The license also carries classifications or specialties that define the type of work you may do. Electrical, plumbing and HVAC contractors also need a master tradesman.

Financial requirement (Class A and B)

Class A and B applicants must prove financial responsibility. They either document a net worth or equity of at least $45,000 (Class A) or $15,000 (Class B) on DPOR’s financial statement form, or submit a surety bond on DPOR’s bond form instead (not both). DPOR’s materials describe a $50,000 bond for this purpose. Class C has no net-worth requirement. Confirm the current form and amount with DPOR before applying.

Related: Contractor License Bonds

Local licensing and permits

DPOR reminds contractors that they must also meet the licensing requirements of each locality where they work. Contact the local Commissioner of the Revenue and Building Official. Cities and counties across Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia and the Richmond area can require permit, right-of-way or site improvement bonds. See License & Permit Bonds and Site Improvement Bonds.

Public construction

Virginia public bodies commonly require bid, performance and payment bonds on construction contracts. The solicitation will state the amounts and forms. See Bid Bonds, Performance Bonds, Payment Bonds and Construction Bonds.

Court and fiduciary bonds

In Virginia, personal representatives, guardians and conservators qualify before the Clerk of the Circuit Court, which may require a bond depending on the will and the circumstances. Litigation can also require appeal or injunction bonds. See Court Bonds, Executor Bonds, Conservator Bonds, Guardianship Bonds and Appeal Bonds.

Motor vehicle dealers

The Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board (MVDB) sets the bond and related requirements for licensed dealers. Confirm the current amount for your license type with MVDB before ordering. See Auto Dealer Bonds.

Notaries

Virginia does not require a notary bond. Commissions are handled by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Other Virginia bonds

• Freight broker (BMC-84): Freight Broker Bond
• Mortgage, collection agency and money transmitter bonds required by the State Corporation Commission’s Bureau of Financial Institutions: Mortgage Bonds, Collection Agency Bonds, Money Transmitter Bonds
• ERISA fidelity bonds: ERISA Fidelity Bonds

Common Virginia situations we help with

• A growing Class C contractor moving up to Class B. Your first job of $30,000 or more, or annual volume reaching $250,000, means you need a Class B license before you take that work. If your company’s net worth is under $15,000, a bond on DPOR’s form is the alternative to the financial statement.
• A Maryland contractor taking a Northern Virginia or Hampton Roads job. You’ll need the right DPOR class and specialty, plus the locality’s business license and any permit bonds. Plan for both.
• An executor qualifying in Circuit Court. The clerk’s office tells you whether a bond is required and in what amount. Bring that information when you contact us so the bond matches the qualification order.
• A business asked for a bond by a client or a contract. Read the clause closely. The obligee, amount and form must match exactly.

What affects your premium

Premiums are typically a percentage of the bond amount and depend on bond type and amount, credit, time in business, financial statements for larger or construction bonds, and claims history.

How to get started

1. Confirm your DPOR class and whether you’ll use a financial statement or a bond.
2. Collect the obligee name, bond amount and required form.
3. Request a bond quote or call (410) 650-6020.
4. We submit your application and keep you updated. Approval and timing depend on surety underwriting.

FAQ

Which Virginia contractor class do I need? It depends on your largest single job and your 12-month total (see the table). Class C covers jobs over $1,000 but under $30,000, with under $250,000 a year.

Do I need a bond for a Virginia Class A or B license? Not necessarily. You can document the required net worth ($45,000 for A, $15,000 for B) or submit a surety bond on DPOR’s form instead.

Does a Class C license require a bond or net worth? DPOR doesn’t require a financial statement or bond for Class C.

Do I still need a local license? Often yes. Check with the Commissioner of the Revenue and the Building Official where you’ll work.

Do Virginia notaries need a bond? No.

Sources

• Code of Virginia § 54.1-1100 (class definitions) and § 54.1-1106: law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title54.1/chapter11/
• DPOR Board for Contractors licensing information (A501-27INTRO) and Financial Statement form (A501-27FINST): dpor.virginia.gov
• Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board: mvdb.virginia.gov
• Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth, Notary: commonwealth.virginia.gov

The Bond Agent is operated by Joshua Feintuch, a licensed insurance producer (Feintuch Insurance LLC DBA Platinum Insurance), licensed in Virginia. Last reviewed Oct 2026. General information only. Confirm requirements with the obligee. Bond approval is subject to surety underwriting.