Part V. Standards of Practice and Conduct
18VAC50-22-200. Remedial education, revocation or suspension; fines.
The board may require remedial education, revoke or suspend a license or fine a licensee when a licensee has been found to have violated or cooperated with others in violating any provision of Chapter 11 (§ 54.1-1100 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia, or any regulation of the board.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-1102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR220-01-2:1 § 5.1, eff. March 31, 1995; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 21, eff. September 1, 2001.
18VAC50-22-210. Change of business entity requires a new license.
Licenses are issued to firms as defined in this chapter and are not transferable. Whenever the legal business entity holding the license is dissolved or altered to form a new business entity, the original license becomes void and shall be returned to the board within 30 days of the change. Additionally, the firm shall apply for a new license, on a form provided by the board, within 30 days of the change in the business entity. Such changes include but are not limited to:
1. Death of a sole proprietor;
2. Death or withdrawal of a general partner in a general partnership or the managing partner in a limited partnership; and
3. Conversion, formation, or dissolution of a corporation, a limited liability company, or an association or any other business entity recognized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-1102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR220-01-2:1 § 5.2, eff. March 31, 1995; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 21, eff. September 1, 2001; Volume 29, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2012.
18VAC50-22-220. Change of responsible management, designated employee, or qualified individual.
A. Any change in the officers of a corporation, managers of a limited liability company, or officers or directors of an association shall be reported to the board in writing within 120 days of the change.
B. Any change of designated employee shall be reported on a form provided by the board within 120 days of the change. The new designated employee for a Class B licensee shall meet the requirements of 18VAC50-22-50 B. The new designated employee for a Class A licensee shall meet the requirements of 18VAC50-22-60 B. More than one individual associated with a single firm may complete the examination requirements necessary for eligibility as the designated employee.
C. Any change of qualified individual shall be reported on a form provided by the board within 45 days of the change. The new qualified individual for a Class C licensee shall meet the requirements of 18VAC50-22-40 B. The new qualified individual for a Class B licensee shall meet the requirements of 18VAC50-22-50 C. The new qualified individual for a Class A licensee shall meet the requirements of 18VAC50-22-60 C.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR220-01-2:1 § 5.3, eff. March 31, 1995; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 21, eff. September 1, 2001; Volume 36, Issue 2, eff. November 1, 2019.
18VAC50-22-230. Change of name or address.
A. A licensee must operate under the name in which the license is issued. Any name change shall be reported in writing to the board within 30 days of the change. The board shall not be responsible for the licensee's failure to receive notices or correspondence due to the licensee's not having reported a change of name.
B. Any change of the address of record or principal place of business shall be reported in writing to the board within 30 days of the change. The board shall not be responsible for the licensee's failure to receive notices or correspondence due to the licensee's not having reported a change of address.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-1102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR220-01-2:1 § 5.4, eff. March 31, 1995; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 21, eff. September 1, 2001; Volume 29, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2012.
18VAC50-22-240. Deletion or addition of a classification or specialty.
A. A licensee wishing to delete a classification or specialty from its license shall notify the board in writing. If a licensee has only one classification or specialty, deletion of that classification or specialty will result in termination of the license.
B. A licensee wishing to add a classification or specialty to its license shall complete a form provided by the board. A Class C licensee seeking an additional classification or specialty shall meet the requirements of 18VAC50-22-40 B for the new classification or specialty. A Class B licensee seeking an additional classification or specialty shall meet the requirements of 18VAC50-22-50 C for the new classification or specialty. A Class A licensee seeking an additional classification or specialty shall meet the requirements of 18VAC50-22-60 C for the new classification or specialty.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-1102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR220-01-2:1 § 5.5, eff. March 31, 1995; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 21, eff. September 1, 2001.
18VAC50-22-250. Fees.
Each check or money order should be made payable to the Treasurer of Virginia. All fees required by the board are nonrefundable. In the event that a check, money draft, or similar instrument for payment of a fee required by statute or regulation is not honored by the bank or financial institution named, the applicant or regulant shall be required to remit fees sufficient to cover the original fee, plus an additional processing charge set by the department:
| Fee Type | When Due | Amount Due |
| Change of Designated Employee | with change form | $110 |
| Change of Qualified Individual | with change form | $110 |
| Addition of Classification or Specialty | with addition application | $110 |
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-1102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR220-01-2:1 § 5.6, eff. March 31, 1995; amended, Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1997; Volume 17, Issue 21, eff. September 1, 2001; Volume 19, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2003; Volume 21, Issue 20, eff. August 1, 2005; Volume 26, Issue 11, eff. April 1, 2010.
18VAC50-22-260. Filing of charges; prohibited acts.
A. All complaints against contractors and residential building energy analyst firms may be filed with the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation at any time during business hours, pursuant to § 54.1-1114 of the Code of Virginia.
B. The following acts are prohibited acts:
1. Failure in any material way to comply with provisions of Chapter 1 (§ 54.1-100 et seq.) or Chapter 11 (§ 54.1-1100 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia or the regulations of the board.
2. Furnishing substantially inaccurate or incomplete information to the board in obtaining, renewing, reinstating, or maintaining a license.
3. Failure of the responsible management, designated employee, or qualified individual to report to the board, in writing, the suspension or revocation of a contractor license by another state or conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction of a building code violation.
4. Publishing or causing to be published any advertisement relating to contracting that contains an assertion, representation, or statement of fact that is false, deceptive, or misleading.
5. Negligence or incompetence in the practice of contracting or residential building energy analyses.
6. Misconduct in the practice of contracting or residential building energy analyses.
7. A finding of improper or dishonest conduct in the practice of contracting by a court of competent jurisdiction or by the board.
8. Failure of all those who engage in residential contracting, excluding subcontractors to the contracting parties and those who engage in routine maintenance or service contracts, to make use of a legible written contract clearly specifying the terms and conditions of the work to be performed. For the purposes of this chapter, residential contracting means construction, removal, repair, or improvements to single-family or multiple-family residential buildings, including accessory-use structures as defined in § 54.1-1100 of the Code of Virginia. Prior to commencement of work or acceptance of payments, the contract shall be signed by both the consumer and the licensee or the licensee's agent.
9. Failure of those engaged in residential contracting as defined in this chapter to comply with the terms of a written contract that contains the following minimum requirements:
a. When work is to begin and the estimated completion date;
b. A statement regarding total cost of the project with regards to the type of contract being specified:
(1) Standard total value project: a statement of the total cost of the project;
(2) Cost plus: a statement identifying the type of cost-plus contract, fee or percentage, and a cap that the total dollar amount cannot exceed; or
(3) Time and materials: a fixed price for labor that includes wages, overhead, general and administrative costs, and cost of materials;
c. The amounts and schedule for progress payments, including a specific statement on the amount of the down payment;
d. A listing of specified materials and work to be performed, which is specifically requested by the consumer;
e. A "plain-language" exculpatory clause concerning events beyond the control of the contractor and a statement explaining that delays caused by such events do not constitute abandonment and are not included in calculating timeframes for payment or performance;
f. A statement of assurance that the contractor will comply with all local requirements for building permits, inspections, and zoning;
g. Disclosure of the cancellation rights of the parties;
h. For contracts resulting from a door-to-door solicitation, a signed acknowledgment by the consumer that the consumer has been provided with and read the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation statement of protection available to consumers through the Board for Contractors;
i. Contractor's name, address, license number, class of license, and classifications or specialty services;
j. A statement providing that any modification to the contract that changes the cost, materials, work to be performed, or estimated completion date must be in writing and signed by all parties; and
k. Effective with all new contracts entered into after July 1, 2015, a statement notifying consumers of the existence of the Virginia Contractor Transaction Recovery Fund that includes information on how to contact the board for claim information.
10. Failure to make prompt delivery to the consumer before commencement of work of a fully executed copy of the contract as described in subdivisions 8 and 9 of this subsection for construction or contracting work.
11. Failure of the contractor to maintain for a period of five years from the date of contract a complete and legible copy of all documents relating to that contract, including the contract and any addenda or change orders.
12. Refusing or failing, upon request, to produce to the board, or any of its agents, any document, book, record, or copy of it in the licensee's possession concerning a transaction covered by this chapter or for which the licensee is required to maintain records.
13. Failing to respond to an agent of the board or providing false, misleading, or incomplete information to an investigator seeking information in the investigation of a complaint filed with the board against the contractor. Failing or refusing to claim certified mail sent to the licensee's address of record shall constitute a violation of this regulation.
14. Abandonment, defined as the unjustified cessation of work under the contract for a period of 30 days or more.
15. The intentional and unjustified failure to complete work contracted for or to comply with the terms in the contract.
16. The retention or misapplication of funds paid, for which work is either not performed or performed only in part.
17. Making any misrepresentation or making a false promise that might influence, persuade, or induce.
18. Assisting another to violate any provision of Chapter 1 (§ 54.1-100 et seq.) or Chapter 11 (§ 54.1-1100 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia, or this chapter or combining or conspiring with or acting as agent, partner, or associate for another.
19. Allowing a firm's license to be used by another.
20. Acting as or being an ostensible licensee for undisclosed persons who do or will control or direct, directly or indirectly, the operations of the licensee's business.
21. Action by the firm, responsible management as defined in this chapter, designated employee, or qualified individual to offer, give, or promise anything of value or benefit to any federal, state, or local employee for the purpose of influencing that employee to circumvent, in the performance of the employee's duties, any federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance governing the construction industry.
22. Where the firm, responsible management as defined in this chapter, designated employee, or qualified individual has been convicted or found guilty, after initial licensure, regardless of adjudication, in any jurisdiction, of any felony or non-marijuana misdemeanor, there being no appeal pending therefrom or the time of appeal having elapsed. Any plea of guilty or nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for the purposes of this subdivision. The record of a conviction received from a court shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of a conviction or finding of guilt.
23. Failure to inform the board in writing, within 30 days, that the firm, a member of responsible management as defined in this chapter, its designated employee, or its qualified individual has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere or was convicted and found guilty of any felony or of a Class 1 misdemeanor or any non-marijuana misdemeanor conviction for activities carried out while engaged in the practice of contracting.
24. Having been disciplined by any county, city, town, or any state or federal governing body, including action by the Virginia Department of Health, which action shall be reviewed by the board before it takes any disciplinary action of its own.
25. Failure to abate a violation of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63).
26. Failure of a contractor to comply with the notification requirements of the Virginia Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act, Chapter 10.3 (§ 56-265.14 et seq.) of Title 56 of the Code of Virginia (Miss Utility).
27. Practicing in a classification, specialty service, or class of license for which the contractor is not licensed.
28. Failure to satisfy any judgments.
29. Contracting with an unlicensed or improperly licensed contractor or subcontractor in the delivery of contracting services.
30. Failure to honor the terms and conditions of a warranty.
31. Failure to obtain written change orders, which are signed by both the consumer and the licensee or the licensee's agent, to an already existing contract.
32. Failure to ensure that supervision, as defined in this chapter, is provided to all helpers and laborers assisting licensed tradesman.
33. Failure to obtain a building permit or applicable inspection, where required.
34. Failure of a residential building energy analyst firm to ensure that residential building energy analyses conducted by the firm are consistent with the requirements set forth by the board, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, or the Energy Star Program.
35. Failure of a residential building energy analyst firm to maintain the general liability insurance required in 18VAC50-22-62 C at any time while licensed by the board.
36. Failure of a contractor holding the drug lab remediation specialty to ensure that remediation work conducted by the firm or properly licensed subcontractors is consistent with the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Department of Health, or Virginia Department of Forensic Science.
37. Failure of a contractor to appropriately classify all workers as employees or as independent contractors as provided by law.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR220-01-2:1 § 5.7, eff. March 31, 1995; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 21, eff. September 1, 2001; Volume 22, Issue 8, eff. February 1, 2006; Volume 29, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2012; Volume 31, Issue 3, eff. December 1, 2014; Volume 32, Issue 3, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 34, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2018; Volume 36, Issue 26, eff. October 1, 2020; Volume 38, Issue 5, eff. December 1, 2021; Volume 41, Issue 1, eff. October 1, 2024.
18VAC50-22-270. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR220-01-2:1 § 5.8, eff. March 31, 1995; amended, Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 21, eff. September 1, 2001; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 8, eff. February 1, 2006.