VIRGINIA LICENSE LOOKUP

How to use Virginia’s contractor license lookup

Contractors can use the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) License Lookup to review their own public license record. Customers can use it to check a contractor’s record and available disciplinary history before moving forward.

Official DPOR sources checked October 18, 2026.

Open the official DPOR License Lookup

Search the official DPOR database

Open DPOR License Lookup and search using a name, license number, address, or license type. If you need to narrow the results, use the Advanced Search form. A license number is a useful way to distinguish records when you already have it.

For a contractor, look up the business or sole-proprietor record. If the work also depends on an individual tradesman license, search that person’s record separately. For a customer, compare the record with the exact business or individual you are considering.[1][2]

Match the record and review its details

DPOR identifies a license number, name, issue date, expiration date, classification, status, and address of record as public license information. Match the name and address to the business or person you intend to hire, then review the status, dates, and classification shown for that record. DPOR says phone numbers are not included in its regulant lists.

The lookup is also DPOR’s public route for checking license status and available disciplinary history. A search result is about the listed license record; it does not by itself answer every question about a project, local permit, insurance policy, or contract.[2][3]

Understand what disciplinary information means

DPOR says it confirms an open disciplinary case only after an investigation finds sufficient evidence to establish probable cause. Specific information about a person or business under investigation is not released until the case closes. Disciplinary actions associated with closed cases, for orders entered since April 1, 2002, are available through License Lookup.

The disciplinary-action search covers actions occurring on or after April 1, 2002. DPOR directs people asking about earlier actions to contact its Records Management Section.[2][4]

DOCUMENTED LIMITS

Read online results as a snapshot

DPOR’s lookup says its online data are not the Department’s public records. The data are updated routinely, but may not be current at all times because of document-processing delays or technical maintenance. DPOR also disclaims warranties about the data’s accuracy, completeness, reliability, and suitability, and assumes no liability for reliance on it.

For the record you need to rely on, open the official DPOR lookup directly and check its displayed update information. Contact the appropriate DPOR board or Public Records Section if the result is missing, unclear, or inconsistent with documents you have.[1][2]

INFORMATIONAL ONLY

Use DPOR for the license record

RivetDocket does not verify or guarantee a contractor’s license status. This guide is informational only. Use the official DPOR License Lookup for the license record and contact DPOR about questions or discrepancies.

Go to DPOR License Lookup

CITATIONS

Official sources

  1. [1]DPOR License Lookup

    Search terms and Advanced Search fields, the displayed data-update timestamp, and the online-data disclaimer.

  2. [2]DPOR Records & Documents

    Public license information fields, privacy information, and limits on information about open disciplinary cases.

  3. [3]DPOR Consumer Resources

    DPOR directs consumers to License Lookup to verify status and check disciplinary history.

  4. [4]DPOR Disciplinary Action Search

    Online disciplinary-action search coverage and instructions for requests about actions before April 1, 2002.

For Virginia renewal cycles and trade-specific renewal guidance, read the Virginia contractor license renewal guide.