Virginia: who needs a license to work on your chimney or fireplace?

Checked Jul 2026·Laws as cited·Not in the Sep 2026 verification pass

Public recordVA LAW

For consumer remedies, home-sale rules and carbon monoxide law, see Virginia chimney & fireplace laws — know your rights. That page was verified more recently than this matrix.

Stove & insert installation: is a credential required in Virginia?

#stove-installLICENSE

Credential: DPOR contractor license (Class A/B/C, HVA classification is the accepted lane) for jobs >=$1,000; NO solid-fuel-specific tradesman credential — statutory 'tradesman' trades are electrical/plumbing/HVAC only and gas-fitter definitions are gas-specific, so whether an individual tradesman card is required for a pure wood-stove install is not explicit in statute (UNVERIFIED beyond classification practice); USBC permit; 2021 USBC (2021 IRC base) eff. 1/18/2024 — 'fireplace stoves and solid-fuel-type room heaters shall be listed and labeled and installed in accordance with the conditions of the listing' is code text
Issuing body: VA DPOR Board for Contractors; local building officials (USBC)
Statute: Va. Code § 54.1-1128 (tradesman definition — solid fuel absent); § 54.1-1103 contractor licensure; 2021 USBC
Dollar threshold: $1,000 (contractor license layer)
Exam: y (contractor exams)
Local overlay: n
Confidence: medium · checked 2026-07-09
Sources: GOVlaw.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter11/…GOVdhcd.virginia.gov/codesREFup.codes/viewer/virginia/va-mechanic…

Chimney flashing: is a credential required in Virginia?

#chimney-flashingLICENSE

Credential: DPOR contractor license (Class A/B/C) with ROC roofing specialty — ROC = 'installation, repair, removal or improvement of materials... that form a watertight, weather resistant surface for roofs' incl. roofing system components and waterproofing, which is where chimney flashing/leak repair sits; only for jobs >=$1,000 — most standalone flashing repairs fall under the threshold and need no license
Issuing body: VA DPOR Board for Contractors
Statute: Va. Code § 54.1-1103; 18VAC50-22-30 (ROC specialty definition)
Dollar threshold: $1,000
Exam: y (board exams)
Local overlay: n
Confidence: high · checked 2026-07-09
Sources: GOVlaw.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/…GOVdpor.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/Records…

Gas fireplace service: is a credential required in Virginia?

#gas-fireplace-serviceLICENSE

Credential: Tradesman Gas Fitter license — statute splits Liquefied Petroleum Gas Fitter vs Natural Gas Fitter Provider; definition includes chimneys/vents/direct vents + gas appliances; firm also needs DPOR Class A/B/C contractor license >=$1,000
Issuing body: VA DPOR Board for Contractors (Tradesmen Program)
Statute: Va. Code §§ 54.1-1128 to 54.1-1130; 18VAC50-30
Dollar threshold: $1,000 (contractor-license layer); tradesman duty has no threshold
Exam: y (exam § 54.1-1130 + 1 hr CE per renewal)
Local overlay: n
Confidence: high · checked 2026-07-09
Sources: GOVlaw.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter11/…GOVlaw.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter11/…GOVdpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Tradesmen

What insurance does Virginia require of contractors?

#insurance

Regime: license (DPOR Board for Contractors; Va. Code Title 54.1 ch. 11; required >= $1,000)
Liability minimum: NONE — no GL insurance requirement at any class; financial responsibility only: net worth $45k Class A (18VAC50-22-60(D)) / $15k Class B (18VAC50-22-50(D)) / Class C UNVERIFIED, attested on board form
Bond: $50,000 surety bond OPTIONAL alternative to net-worth showing, filed with DPOR (Va. Code 54.1-1106(C)); judgment creditors must exhaust bond first (54.1-1120.1)
Guaranty fund: Contractor Transaction Recovery Fund: $30,000/transaction (54.1-1123(A), 2025 cc.127/133 = HB1707/SB1059), $100,000 aggregate per regulant per biennium (raised from $40k); funded $25/initial applicant + special assessments max $50/biennium if fund <$400k (54.1-1119); trigger = UNPAID FINAL JUDGMENT vs licensed contractor for improper/dishonest conduct (fraud/misrep/gross negligence — NOT mere breach); 12-month filing
Workers' comp threshold: 3+ employees ('regularly in service less than three' exempt, 65.2-101 'Employee' 2.h); TRAP: subcontractors' workers count toward the total; sole prop not an employee unless elects in
How to verify: no GL to verify (attested net worth only); license lookup dpor.virginia.gov; WC lookup: VWC Insurance Coverage Search (workcomp.virginia.gov)
Confidence: high · checked 2026-07-09
Sources: GOVlaw.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency50/…GOVlaw.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/54.1-1106GOVlaw.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title54.1/chapte…GOVdpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Contractors_Recovery…GOVlaw.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/65.2-101

Download the full licensing matrix (CSV) · All states

Before anyone goes on your roof

What should you ask a chimney company in Virginia?

Is your company a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)?
Does the technician coming to my home hold an individual NCSG certification, and which one?
Does the technician hold a National Fireplace Institute (NFI) certification — and for which fuel: wood, gas, or pellet?
What other certifications does the technician hold (for example, CSIA), and can I check them on the issuer's own roster?
What state or local license or registration covers this work here, and what is the number?
Will you send a certificate of insurance, dated and naming your company, before work starts?
Which NFPA 211 inspection level — Level 1, 2, or 3 — are you performing, and why that level?
Will you show me what you found — photos or video of the flue — in writing?

We take no fee from any certification body, guild, or contractor, and are not paid to mention anyone named.