To legally install, service, or maintain elevators in West Virginia, you must be a licensed elevator mechanic employed by a licensed elevator contractor. West Virginia requires this two-part licensing structure, meaning individuals cannot work independently and must be W-2 employees of a company that holds a state contractor license and the required insurance. This guide details the steps to obtain your personal elevator mechanic license and explains the requirements for the contractor you must work for.
Do you need a license to install or service elevators in West Virginia?
Yes, a personal license issued by the West Virginia Division of Labor is required to erect, construct, install, alter, service, repair, or maintain elevators and related conveyances. This individual license is only valid when the holder is employed by a contractor who is licensed by the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board for projects where the total cost is $5,000 or more for residential work or $25,000 or more for commercial work.
Who regulates elevator work in WV?
Elevator work is regulated by two primary state bodies:
- The West Virginia Division of Labor issues personal licenses to individual elevator mechanics, technicians, and apprentices under the Elevator Safety Act (W. Va. Code §21-3C).
- The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board issues licenses to the business entities that employ these individuals, as required by the Contractor Licensing Act (W. Va. Code §30-42).
What work requires a license vs. a Certificate of Operation?
A license is required for any individual performing the hands-on work of installing, repairing, or maintaining an elevator system. A Certificate of Operation, issued by the Division of Labor, is a permit for the equipment itself. It confirms the elevator has passed inspection and is safe for public use. The certificate must be renewed annually after a satisfactory inspection.
The two-track rule: individual license + contractor employer
What license tiers are available in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Division of Labor issues several license classifications based on the type of equipment and scope of work performed.
Elevator Mechanic
This is the broadest license, authorizing a person to erect, construct, install, alter, service, repair, or maintain all types of elevators and related conveyances covered by the Elevator Safety Act.
Accessibility Technician
This license is for individuals who erect, construct, install, alter, service, repair, or maintain accessibility lifts.
LULA Elevator Technician
This license is specifically for work on limited-use/limited-application (LULA) elevators.
Limited Technician
A Limited Technician is authorized to inspect, test, maintain, and repair elevators but does not have the full installation or construction authority of an Elevator Mechanic.
Elevator Apprentice
An apprentice must be enrolled in a registered training program with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. They must work under the direct supervision of a licensed mechanic or technician appropriate to their training classification.
What are the requirements for an elevator mechanic license in West Virginia?
To qualify for an Elevator Mechanic license in West Virginia, applicants must be at least 18 years old, meet specific experience or education criteria, and pass a state-approved written competency exam with a score of 70% or better.
Age and eligibility basics
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be licensed.
Qualifying experience — the employer-verified path
Applicants can qualify by providing documented proof of experience.
- Elevator Mechanic: At least four years of recent and active experience in the elevator industry, covering construction, maintenance, or service/repair. This experience must be verified by current and previous employers on the official Proof of Eligibility form.
The experience requirements for other technician tiers are set by the Division of Labor; confirm the current requirements with the Division before applying.
Qualifying experience — the registered apprenticeship/education path
Alternatively, applicants can qualify by completing a formal training program.
- Apprenticeship Program: Successful completion of an apprenticeship and education program registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.
Documentation
When applying, you will need to submit a completed "Proof of Eligibility" form, which includes:
- Personal information and license type selection.
- A signed statement confirming you meet the age and experience or apprenticeship requirements.
- Verification signatures from current or past employers documenting your work history.
- Payment for the initial license fee.
What is the elevator mechanic exam in WV?
West Virginia requires applicants to pass a written competency examination approved by the Division of Labor with a score of 70% or better.
Exam provider and scheduling
The specific provider and scheduling process for the elevator mechanic examination is managed by the West Virginia Division of Labor. After your application and eligibility are approved, the Division will provide instructions on how to schedule your exam with an approved testing service.
For the separate contractor's license, the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board contracts with ProV, Inc. for its general examinations.
What the exam covers
The exam assesses your knowledge of elevator and conveyance safety, installation, maintenance, and repair, based on state regulations and widely adopted industry codes. The specific content covered is published by the Division of Labor; confirm the current exam outline with the Division when preparing.
For inspectors — the QEI substitution rule
How much does a West Virginia elevator license cost?
Fees are set by the West Virginia Division of Labor and are subject to change. The following fees are current based on the Division's published schedule.
Application and renewal fees
- Initial Elevator Mechanic License (2 years): $180.00
- Biannual Renewal of License: $180.00
- Temporary License: $90.00
- Duplicate License (if original is lost/destroyed): $10.00
- Inspector Certificate of Competency: $10.00
Certificate of Operation fees
- Certificate of Operation Application Fee: $90.00
Inspection fees
- Inspection by a Division Inspector (first elevator): $100.00
- Inspection by a Division Inspector (each additional elevator in same building): $25.00
Reinstatement of a lapsed license
- Reinstatement Fee: $230.00
What insurance and bond does an elevator contractor in WV need to carry?
To employ licensed elevator mechanics, a contractor must be licensed by the WV Contractor Licensing Board and maintain several types of coverage.
The employing contractor must provide proof of:
- Workers' Compensation coverage.
- Unemployment Compensation coverage.
- General Liability Insurance: Required for all licensed contractors. The specific minimum coverage dollar amount is set by the Contractor Licensing Board and is not published in the statute or application guide reviewed; confirm the current minimum with the Board before binding a policy.
- Wage Bond: The contractor must be in compliance with the wage bond requirements of W. Va. Code §21-5-14.
How do you renew an elevator mechanic license in West Virginia?
Elevator mechanic and technician licenses in West Virginia must be renewed biennially and require the completion of 16 hours of continuing education.
Renewal cycle and timing
Licenses expire biennially (every two years) on the last day of the month in which they were originally issued. The renewal fee for an Elevator Mechanic license is $180.00.
Other certificates have different schedules:
- Certificate of Operation: Valid for 12 months from the date of the last inspection.
- Inspector Certificate of Competency: Expires annually on July 31.
Continuing education requirement
You must complete 16 hours of continuing education (CE) during the two-year period immediately preceding your license renewal.
Who can provide approved CE
Acceptable CE instruction must be taught by providers approved by the Commissioner of Labor, which can include:
- Trade association seminars
- Labor training programs
- Career technology centers
- Courses offered by the Division of Labor
Does West Virginia offer reciprocity for out-of-state elevator mechanics?
Reciprocity for contractor licensing is established under W. Va. Code §30-42-18, which primarily addresses the contractor business license, not the individual mechanic's license.
Reciprocity under the Contractor Licensing Act
The Contractor Licensing Board has the authority to review other states' licensing requirements and exam scores to grant a license to an out-of-state contractor. This applies to the business entity that would employ you.
Out-of-state exam score review
For the contractor license, the Board reviews exam score reports, including Business & Law Exams, from other states and accredited national testing organizations. An individual elevator mechanic moving to West Virginia should contact the Division of Labor directly to determine if their experience and credentials meet the state's requirements for licensure via examination.
Who performs required elevator inspections in West Virginia?
Annual elevator inspections may be performed by Division Inspectors employed by the state or by private inspectors who hold a Certificate of Competency and are certified as a Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI). The fee for a Division-led inspection is $100.00 for the first elevator and $25.00 for each additional unit in the building.
Division Inspectors vs. QEI-certified inspectors
- Division Inspectors are state employees who conduct inspections to enforce the Elevator Safety Act.
- Private Inspectors must be certified as a QEI by an ASME-accredited organization and obtain a Certificate of Competency from the Division of Labor to perform inspections in West Virginia.
Certificate of Operation — the 12-month unit-level permit
Following a successful inspection, the building owner must apply to the Division of Labor for a Certificate of Operation. This certificate is the official permit allowing the elevator to be used by the public and is valid for 12 months. The application fee is $90.00.
Inspector Certificate of Competency
This certificate, which expires annually on July 31, is the credential required for both public and private inspectors to be authorized to conduct safety inspections in the state.
How long does it take to get an elevator license in WV?
The total time to receive your license can vary based on application processing, experience verification, and exam scheduling. While specific timelines are not guaranteed, the process follows a clear sequence.
- Submit Application: Complete the Proof of Eligibility form and mail it with the required fee to the Division of Labor.
- Application Review: The Division reviews your application and verifies your documented experience or apprenticeship completion.
- Approval to Test: Once your eligibility is confirmed, the Division will notify you that you are approved to take the competency exam.
- Schedule Exam: You will receive instructions to schedule your exam with a state-approved testing provider.
- Take and Pass Exam: You must achieve a score of 70% or higher.
- License Issuance: Upon receiving a passing score report from the testing service, the Division of Labor will issue your license.
Current application-processing and exam-scheduling timelines vary; confirm with the Division of Labor for the most up-to-date information.