Virginia Home Improvement Contractor
(HIC) Exam Study Set 2026/2027 | Virginia
DPOR Licensing Preparation | 50 Verified
Questions with Detailed Explanations
Table of Contents
Section 1: Virginia HIC Licensing Requirements & DPOR Regulations (Questions 1–10) ...... 2
Section 2: Contract Law, Consumer Protection, & Disclosures (Questions 11–20) ...... 2
Section 3: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) — Residential (Questions 21–30) ...... 2
Section 4: Safety, OSHA Basics, & Lead-Safe Practices (Questions 31–40) ...... 2
Section 5: Business Practices, Insurance, Liens, & Financial Responsibility (Questions 41–50) ...... 2
Section 1: Virginia HIC Licensing Requirements & DPOR Regulations
Q1: Under Virginia law, which of the following activities requires a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC)
license?
A. Painting a friend's house for free as a favor
B. Installing a new roof on a residential property for $1,500. [CORRECT]
C. Performing routine maintenance on a commercial office building
D. Replacing a kitchen faucet in your own home
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Virginia Code § 54.1-1100 defines home improvement as repair, replacement, remodeling,
alteration, conversion, modernization, improvement, or addition to residential property. Any contract
exceeding $1,000 requires an HIC license issued by DPOR. Work on commercial properties falls under
different contractor classifications.
Q2: A contractor performs home improvement work without a valid HIC license in Virginia. What is the
maximum civil penalty per violation that DPOR may assess?
A. $500
B. $1,000
,C. $5,000. [CORRECT]
D. $500 per day
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Virginia Code § 54.1-1115 authorizes DPOR to assess civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation
for contracting without a license. Unlicensed contractors also face criminal misdemeanor charges, and
consumers may void contracts with unlicensed contractors, making licensure essential for legal
operation.
Q3: Which of the following contractor classifications in Virginia is authorized to perform home
improvement work on projects valued over $120,000?
A. Class C contractor only
B. Class B contractor only
C. Class A contractor. [CORRECT]
D. Class A or Class B contractor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Virginia contractor classifications define project value limits: Class A contractors have no
monetary limit, Class B contractors are limited to single contracts of $120,000 and annual projects of
$750,000, and Class C contractors are limited to single contracts of $10,000 and annual projects of
$150,000. Only Class A contractors may perform home improvement work exceeding $120,000.
Q4: A Home Improvement Contractor license in Virginia must be renewed how frequently?
A. Every year
B. Every two years. [CORRECT]
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Virginia HIC licenses expire every two years from the date of issuance. Licensees must
complete continuing education requirements (8 hours for Class C, 8 hours for Class B, and 8 hours for
Class A) and submit renewal applications with fees before expiration to maintain active licensure status
with DPOR.
Q5: Which of the following individuals is exempt from holding an HIC license when performing home
improvement work?
, A. A general handyman who advertises home repair services to the public
B. A licensed plumber performing plumbing work within the scope of their plumbing license. [CORRECT]
C. An unlicensed individual installing windows for $2,500
D. A property manager hiring subcontractors for tenant improvements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Virginia Code § 54.1-1101 provides exemptions for licensed tradespeople (plumbers,
electricians, HVAC technicians) performing work within their specific trade license scope. These trades
are regulated by separate boards, and their licenses authorize residential work without requiring an
additional HIC license.
Q6: A contractor applies for a Class B HIC license in Virginia. What is the minimum net worth or equity
requirement?
A. $5,000
B. $15,000. [CORRECT]
C. $45,000
D. No net worth requirement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Virginia DPOR requires Class B contractors to demonstrate a minimum net worth of $15,000
or obtain a surety bond in lieu of the net worth requirement. Class A contractors must show $45,000 net
worth, while Class C contractors have no net worth requirement. These financial standards ensure
contractors can fulfill contractual obligations.
Q7: A contractor holds a valid HIC license in Virginia but wants to perform electrical work as part of a
kitchen remodeling project. What is required?
A. The HIC license automatically covers all electrical work
B. The contractor must hold a separate electrical license or hire a licensed electrician to perform the
electrical work. [CORRECT]
C. Electrical work under $500 does not require a license
D. The contractor can perform electrical work with a permit only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An HIC license does not authorize performance of specialty trades (electrical, plumbing,
HVAC, gas fitting) that require separate licensure by the Virginia Department of Health Professions or
DPOR. The HIC must either hold the appropriate trade license or subcontract electrical work to a
properly licensed electrician.
(HIC) Exam Study Set 2026/2027 | Virginia
DPOR Licensing Preparation | 50 Verified
Questions with Detailed Explanations
Table of Contents
Section 1: Virginia HIC Licensing Requirements & DPOR Regulations (Questions 1–10) ...... 2
Section 2: Contract Law, Consumer Protection, & Disclosures (Questions 11–20) ...... 2
Section 3: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) — Residential (Questions 21–30) ...... 2
Section 4: Safety, OSHA Basics, & Lead-Safe Practices (Questions 31–40) ...... 2
Section 5: Business Practices, Insurance, Liens, & Financial Responsibility (Questions 41–50) ...... 2
Section 1: Virginia HIC Licensing Requirements & DPOR Regulations
Q1: Under Virginia law, which of the following activities requires a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC)
license?
A. Painting a friend's house for free as a favor
B. Installing a new roof on a residential property for $1,500. [CORRECT]
C. Performing routine maintenance on a commercial office building
D. Replacing a kitchen faucet in your own home
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Virginia Code § 54.1-1100 defines home improvement as repair, replacement, remodeling,
alteration, conversion, modernization, improvement, or addition to residential property. Any contract
exceeding $1,000 requires an HIC license issued by DPOR. Work on commercial properties falls under
different contractor classifications.
Q2: A contractor performs home improvement work without a valid HIC license in Virginia. What is the
maximum civil penalty per violation that DPOR may assess?
A. $500
B. $1,000
,C. $5,000. [CORRECT]
D. $500 per day
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Virginia Code § 54.1-1115 authorizes DPOR to assess civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation
for contracting without a license. Unlicensed contractors also face criminal misdemeanor charges, and
consumers may void contracts with unlicensed contractors, making licensure essential for legal
operation.
Q3: Which of the following contractor classifications in Virginia is authorized to perform home
improvement work on projects valued over $120,000?
A. Class C contractor only
B. Class B contractor only
C. Class A contractor. [CORRECT]
D. Class A or Class B contractor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Virginia contractor classifications define project value limits: Class A contractors have no
monetary limit, Class B contractors are limited to single contracts of $120,000 and annual projects of
$750,000, and Class C contractors are limited to single contracts of $10,000 and annual projects of
$150,000. Only Class A contractors may perform home improvement work exceeding $120,000.
Q4: A Home Improvement Contractor license in Virginia must be renewed how frequently?
A. Every year
B. Every two years. [CORRECT]
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Virginia HIC licenses expire every two years from the date of issuance. Licensees must
complete continuing education requirements (8 hours for Class C, 8 hours for Class B, and 8 hours for
Class A) and submit renewal applications with fees before expiration to maintain active licensure status
with DPOR.
Q5: Which of the following individuals is exempt from holding an HIC license when performing home
improvement work?
, A. A general handyman who advertises home repair services to the public
B. A licensed plumber performing plumbing work within the scope of their plumbing license. [CORRECT]
C. An unlicensed individual installing windows for $2,500
D. A property manager hiring subcontractors for tenant improvements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Virginia Code § 54.1-1101 provides exemptions for licensed tradespeople (plumbers,
electricians, HVAC technicians) performing work within their specific trade license scope. These trades
are regulated by separate boards, and their licenses authorize residential work without requiring an
additional HIC license.
Q6: A contractor applies for a Class B HIC license in Virginia. What is the minimum net worth or equity
requirement?
A. $5,000
B. $15,000. [CORRECT]
C. $45,000
D. No net worth requirement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Virginia DPOR requires Class B contractors to demonstrate a minimum net worth of $15,000
or obtain a surety bond in lieu of the net worth requirement. Class A contractors must show $45,000 net
worth, while Class C contractors have no net worth requirement. These financial standards ensure
contractors can fulfill contractual obligations.
Q7: A contractor holds a valid HIC license in Virginia but wants to perform electrical work as part of a
kitchen remodeling project. What is required?
A. The HIC license automatically covers all electrical work
B. The contractor must hold a separate electrical license or hire a licensed electrician to perform the
electrical work. [CORRECT]
C. Electrical work under $500 does not require a license
D. The contractor can perform electrical work with a permit only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An HIC license does not authorize performance of specialty trades (electrical, plumbing,
HVAC, gas fitting) that require separate licensure by the Virginia Department of Health Professions or
DPOR. The HIC must either hold the appropriate trade license or subcontract electrical work to a
properly licensed electrician.
