Starting a career as a contractor in Virginia is a gradual process with a couple of requirements you must meet before qualifying. One of these is undergoing a pre-licensing process before taking exams, depending on the licence you’re interested in. The pre-licensing course should take you through everything you ought to know before you can start practising your craft, which is why you should use only high-quality study material.
Pre-Licensing Course Details
Before jumping into the tips you can use to choose your course, it’s important to understand what your course must include as specified by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations (DPOR). To begin with, your course should cover a total of 8 hours on the following topics:
- Risk Management
- Bidding and Estimating
- Standards of Conduct
- Business Structures
- Licensing
- Taxes
- Lien Law
- And More.
Luckily, DPOR has a list of approved providers, thus you shouldn’t embark on your search blindly. By sourcing your Virginia Class A Contractor License or any other education material from a top provider like RocketCert, you’re sure that you’re not only getting the right course material but also all the support you need to prepare for the challenges of your profession.
Selecting the Right Pre-licensing Course
If a provider is listed with DPOR, chances are they are providing the right course material, but that’s not everything you should consider. So, here’s a summary of the factors to pay attention to:
1. Licensing and Accreditation
As you may expect, the number one factor you want to consider is whether the provider is DPOR-accredited. Choosing an approved education provider means they will not only include the required topics in their package but will more than likely also supplement the course with relevant topics for those who may want to go beyond the minimum study requirements.
In addition to checking whether the provider is recognized by the state, make sure they meet any new requirements as often updated by the state’s regulatory board.
2. Curriculum and Course Content
Before purchasing a course, check to see what topics it includes and their relevance to your career. It’s a no-brainer that the course must include crucial topics such as any relevant regulations, requirements, and statutes. Since it’s common for state regulatory boards to change course content requirements it’s advisable to keep checking their website to stay abreast of any changes.
3. Reviews and Reputation
Checking the course provider’s online reviews and reputation scores can simplify your decision-making process by a great margin since you’re looking at information from people who’ve actually taken the course. In addition to helping you make your decision, such reviews can also guide you towards what to study and what to expect during your journey to licensing.
4. Accessibility and Flexibility
Go for a course that allows you to study at your own pace, and from any device or location. It also helps to check that the classes are available on demand so they won’t put undue strain on your schedule. Don’t forget to check the access period as well, since that will affect how long you can revisit the material when required.
5. Cost and Additional Benefits
Cost is an important factor to consider, but you should never overlook the value you’re getting from the course. In that light, you should examine the course content and any benefits that come with the package to determine if it’s worth the price it’s being sold at.
RocketCert, for instance, offers courses that come with a lifetime access guarantee, which can be crucial if you like revising your course content regularly to refresh your knowledge. What’s more, the course is fully narrated, which makes it easier to understand, thus reducing the time you need to complete your education.
Studying With Efficacy at RocketCert
The VA pre-licensing course is mandatory for all contractor classes, and what that means is you should perform enough research to ensure that you’re not only taking the right course but also getting it from a reliable provider.
As one of the leading institutions, RocketCert not only offers you high-quality study materials but also all the support you may need to grow in your career. Visit rocketcert.com to learn more.
