West Virginia Contractor License Exam — All Questions

Under the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act, at what project cost does a contractor license become required?

• a.$600 or more
• b.$1,000 or more
• c.$2,500 or more (labor and materials combined)✓
• d.$10,000 or more

West Virginia requires a contractor license when the cost of the work — labor and materials combined — is $2,500 or more (WV Code §30-42-6; the $2,500 figure comes from the definition of "contractor" in §30-42-3). Once a single project meets or exceeds $2,500, the person doing it for compensation must be licensed.WV Code §30-42-6

An unlicensed operator performs $40,000 of work in West Virginia and then sues the owner to enforce the contract. Under West Virginia law, what is the likely outcome of that action?

• a.West Virginia courts generally will not enforce a contract for work the contractor was required to be licensed to perform — so an unlicensed contractor generally cannot maintain the suit to collect✓
• b.Nothing bars it; any contractor may sue regardless of licensure
• c.Only that the work exceeded $2,500
• d.That the owner failed to pull a permit

West Virginia licensing law (the Contractor Licensing Act, WV Code Chapter 30, Article 42) requires a license for construction work of $2,500 or more, and courts generally will not enforce a contract made for work the contractor was required to be licensed to perform. An unlicensed contractor therefore generally cannot maintain a suit to collect, which is the strongest civil deterrent to unlicensed work.WV Code Chapter 30, Article 42 (Contractor Licensing Act)

Under the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act, where must a West Virginia contractor display its license number?

• a.Only on the physical license posted in the office
• b.Nowhere; display is optional
• c.Only on the final invoice
• d.On all bids, contracts, and advertisements✓

West Virginia requires the license number to appear on all contracting advertisements and fully executed contracts (WV Code §30-42-6) and on bid submissions (WV Code §30-42-12). This lets consumers and the state verify that the contractor is licensed and helps identify unlicensed operators.WV Code §30-42-6 & §30-42-12

Under West Virginia's mechanics' lien law (WV Code Chapter 38, Article 2), within what time after ceasing work must a general contractor record the lien?

• a.Within 30 days
• b.Within 100 days✓
• c.Within one year
• d.Within 10 days

West Virginia generally requires a general contractor to record the mechanics' lien within 100 days after ceasing to furnish labor or materials on the project (WV Code Chapter 38, Article 2). Missing the deadline defeats the lien.WV Code Ch. 38, Art. 2 (mechanics' liens)

After recording a mechanics' lien in West Virginia, within what time must the claimant bring suit to enforce it?

• a.Within six months of recording✓
• b.Within five years of recording
• c.Within 30 days of recording
• d.There is no deadline to enforce

West Virginia generally requires the lien claimant to bring suit to enforce the mechanics' lien within six months of recording (WV Code Chapter 38, Article 2). If no enforcement action is filed in time, the lien expires.WV Code Ch. 38, Art. 2 (lien enforcement)

A worker takes a single paid remodeling job in West Virginia with a total labor-and-materials cost of $1,800. What is the licensing consequence?

• a.A license is always required for any paid work, regardless of amount
• b.A commercial general contractor license is required
• c.The job is under the $2,500 threshold, so it may fall outside the contractor-license requirement✓
• d.The worker must obtain a NASCLA certificate first

Because West Virginia's threshold is $2,500 (WV Code §30-42-6), a single job with a total cost of $1,800 falls below the line and may not, by itself, require a contractor license. As soon as a project reaches $2,500, licensure is required.WV Code §30-42-6 (threshold application)

West Virginia's administrative rules on contractor conduct include requirements about which of the following?

• a.Setting a maximum profit margin on every job
• b.Banning the use of any subcontractors
• c.Requiring contractors to advertise on television
• d.Written-contract and construction-defect provisions that a licensed contractor must follow✓

The Division of Labor's administrative rules and West Virginia law address written contracts and construction-defect obligations, which the Contractor Licensing Act exam covers. These consumer-protection rules govern how a licensed contractor documents and stands behind its work.WV Division of Labor rules (written contracts)

Why is holding a valid West Virginia license important to a contractor's ability to be paid?

• a.It has no effect on payment rights
• b.Because an unlicensed contractor cannot maintain an action to enforce a contract, licensure is a precondition to suing for payment or pursuing a lien✓
• c.It only lowers the contractor's tax rate
• d.It merely speeds up permit approval

Because West Virginia courts generally will not enforce a contract for work that required a license the contractor did not hold, an unlicensed contractor generally cannot maintain an action to enforce the contract. Being licensed is therefore a precondition to suing for payment and, practically, to pursuing lien remedies (Contractor Licensing Act, WV Code Chapter 30, Article 42). Licensure protects the contractor's collection tools.WV Code Chapter 30, Article 42 (effect of licensure)