West Virginia § 30-42-14 - 30-42-14. Violation of article; injunction; criminal penalties.

§ 30-42-14. 30-42-14. Violation of article; injunction; criminal penalties.

(a)(1) Upon a determination that a person is engaged in contracting business in the state without a valid license, the board shall issue a cease and desist order requiring the person to immediately cease all operations in the state. The order shall be withdrawn upon issuance of a license to that person.

(2) After affording an opportunity for a hearing, the board may impose a penalty of not less than $200 nor more than $1,000 upon any person engaging in contracting business in the state without a valid license. The board may accept payment of the penalty in lieu of a hearing.

(3) Within 30 days after receipt of the final order issued pursuant to this section, any party adversely affected by the order may appeal the order to the circuit court of Kanawha County, West Virginia, or to the circuit court of the county in which the petitioner resides or does business.

(b) Any person continuing to engage in contracting business in the state without a valid license after service of a cease and desist order is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, is subject to the following penalties:

(1) For a first offense, a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $1,000;

(2) For a second offense, a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000, or confinement in jail for not more than six months, or both fined and confined;

(3) For a third or subsequent offense, a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000, and confinement in jail for not less than 30 days nor more than one year.

(c) The board may institute proceedings in the circuit court of the county in which the alleged violations of the provisions of this article occurred or are now occurring to enjoin any violation of any provision of this article.

(d) Any person who undertakes any construction work without a valid license when a license is required by this article, when the total cost of the contractor’s construction contract on any project upon which the work is undertaken is $25,000 or more, shall, in addition to any other penalty herein provided, be assessed by the board an administrative penalty not to exceed $200 per day for each day the person is in violation.