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IRGINIA HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR (HIC) Original Practice Exam
Questions | Answers & Rationales
1. Which Virginia agency regulates home improvement
contractors?
A. Virginia Department of Health
B. Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
(DPOR)
C. Department of Motor Vehicles
D. State Corporation Commission only
Answer: B
Rationale: DPOR regulates HIC licensing through the Board for
Contractors.
2. A home improvement contractor license is required for
work on:
A. New commercial buildings only
B. Existing residential properties
C. Public roads
D. Industrial plants only
Answer: B
Rationale: HIC covers improvements to existing residential
properties.
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3. Which of the following generally requires a Home
Improvement Contractor license?
A. Repairing a residential roof
B. Building a new apartment complex
C. Mowing a lawn only
D. Painting only with no contract? Actually painting may require
HIC if over certain amount and part of home improvement.
We'll use A.
Answer: A
Rationale: Repairs/improvements to existing residential
structures require HIC.
4. The HIC license is issued by:
A. Virginia Board for Contractors
B. Virginia Board of Medicine
C. Virginia Board of Nursing
D. Virginia Board of Education
Answer: A
Rationale: The Board for Contractors issues HIC licenses.
5. A contractor must include which of the following in a home
improvement contract?
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A. Only the total price
B. A detailed description of work, total price, and payment
schedule
C. Only the contractor's name
D. Only the start date
Answer: B
Rationale: Contracts must include description of work, price,
payment terms, and other required disclosures.
6. The maximum down payment allowed before work begins
in Virginia is generally:
A. 10% of the contract price
B. 1/3 of the contract price
C. 50% of the contract price
D. 100% of the contract price
Answer: B
Rationale: Virginia generally limits down payment to 1/3 of the
contract price for home improvement contracts.
7. A home improvement contract must be signed by:
A. Only the contractor
B. Both the contractor and homeowner
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C. Only the homeowner's lawyer
D. A notary only
Answer: B
Rationale: Both parties must sign the contract.
8. The right of rescission (cooling-off period) for home
improvement contracts in Virginia is:
A. 24 hours
B. 3 business days
C. 7 days
D. No right of rescission
Answer: B
Rationale: Home improvement contracts generally have a 3-day
right of cancellation.
9. Which of the following must be included in the notice of
cancellation?
A. Only the contractor's phone number
B. The homeowner's right to cancel within 3 business days and
how to cancel
C. The contractor's license number only
D. No notice required
IRGINIA HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR (HIC) Original Practice Exam
Questions | Answers & Rationales
1. Which Virginia agency regulates home improvement
contractors?
A. Virginia Department of Health
B. Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
(DPOR)
C. Department of Motor Vehicles
D. State Corporation Commission only
Answer: B
Rationale: DPOR regulates HIC licensing through the Board for
Contractors.
2. A home improvement contractor license is required for
work on:
A. New commercial buildings only
B. Existing residential properties
C. Public roads
D. Industrial plants only
Answer: B
Rationale: HIC covers improvements to existing residential
properties.
, Page |2
3. Which of the following generally requires a Home
Improvement Contractor license?
A. Repairing a residential roof
B. Building a new apartment complex
C. Mowing a lawn only
D. Painting only with no contract? Actually painting may require
HIC if over certain amount and part of home improvement.
We'll use A.
Answer: A
Rationale: Repairs/improvements to existing residential
structures require HIC.
4. The HIC license is issued by:
A. Virginia Board for Contractors
B. Virginia Board of Medicine
C. Virginia Board of Nursing
D. Virginia Board of Education
Answer: A
Rationale: The Board for Contractors issues HIC licenses.
5. A contractor must include which of the following in a home
improvement contract?
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A. Only the total price
B. A detailed description of work, total price, and payment
schedule
C. Only the contractor's name
D. Only the start date
Answer: B
Rationale: Contracts must include description of work, price,
payment terms, and other required disclosures.
6. The maximum down payment allowed before work begins
in Virginia is generally:
A. 10% of the contract price
B. 1/3 of the contract price
C. 50% of the contract price
D. 100% of the contract price
Answer: B
Rationale: Virginia generally limits down payment to 1/3 of the
contract price for home improvement contracts.
7. A home improvement contract must be signed by:
A. Only the contractor
B. Both the contractor and homeowner
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C. Only the homeowner's lawyer
D. A notary only
Answer: B
Rationale: Both parties must sign the contract.
8. The right of rescission (cooling-off period) for home
improvement contracts in Virginia is:
A. 24 hours
B. 3 business days
C. 7 days
D. No right of rescission
Answer: B
Rationale: Home improvement contracts generally have a 3-day
right of cancellation.
9. Which of the following must be included in the notice of
cancellation?
A. Only the contractor's phone number
B. The homeowner's right to cancel within 3 business days and
how to cancel
C. The contractor's license number only
D. No notice required
